run-on sentences

Beachrun

2012-02-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

It seems it has been FOREVER since I was able to go on a beach run. Busy, busy January and all so I went along with Ann and Karyn. We were somewhat caught by a high tide so our last 1.5 miles were barefoot splashing in the cold waves. Fun:)

Trying our my "self portrait" feature on my phone...

Felt good to be back on the beach....

nursery days...

2012-02-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

What was I thinking that we could get a pic of the nursery kids and leaders all smiling and looking at the camera...fun to try anyway:)

In.n.outs

2012-02-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

In To..,

Sweet potatoes cooked in the microwave, salt and pepper.
Hair gone natural and minimal makeup.
fat pants.
Dark chocolate almond milk.
Vacuuming with a partner strong enough to lift chairs and couches.
Sunshine and warm days in Winter.
Boys who can pack themselves for scout trips.
Boys who clear their plates and thank me for meals.
Downton Abbey. (PBS masterpiece series)
Lindt dark chocolate with sea salt. (Christmas gift to self)
Sore muscles after a tough workout.
CJane's blog.

Out!

Skinny jeans
Automated phone services that are FAR from efficient.
The scale.
Too tired to write.
I am not going to finish this list as I just discovered that continuing will not make me happy.
Or smile or even feel good.

I have been a bit blog absent so far in 2012...will try to improve. I do have some pics to put up and a birthday to announce....

Happy weekend! Hope yours is filled with "Likes!".

run-on pics

2012-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

I'm happier than I look squinting in the sun. And, no that is not a bikini. I am not bikini material.

We were able to go join my parents in Newport beach for a quick 24 hour break.

Quite soon after this photo we were in the pool and Jon STOOD on my shoulders.

Did I forget he is 15 years old and has large, heavy feet?? My neck remembers:)

Sometimes you just gotta be the fun mom. I 'm not that often enough.

Sam (it was a bit chilly:)

Sam and I wandered around the resort and decided to try every activity we came upon.

Including: basketball, putting, slippery slides, foosball table, foot races and of course pool.

I got all the stripes in first, but it took so long after that, we left the game unfinished.

Lunch with mom and dad.

After Mark and the boys watched a football game while

mom and dad and I chatted on the balcony. Good times with family.

I DO NOT get enough of these.

This month has been good for that.

Nothing quite like a sunset sky over- looking the ocean.

Now I need to get back to this...writing in bed.

Monday it rained all day and so I snuggled in bed and wrote on my laptop and kept thinking,

"They pay me to do this!"

Time flies

2012-01-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

My family is eating vegan/plant based/whole foods.

There I said it.

more later, maybe.

This post is going to be a "brain spill" so prepare yourselves. It has been such a long time since I last wrote for my blog.

"Time flies on wings of lightening..." you all know the song...hymn # something or other...In 9th grade English when I had the hardest English teacher...one you all wanted to impress but never felt worthy. Well, one of the students...we will call her Wendy (in case any of you might venture to know this person) used the above referenced time flies quote in a poem and received rave reviews from our beloved instructor. He praised her creativity and original thought. Whatever. I wanted to say something but I didn't. I hope she has repented. It WAS plagiarism at its purest form. Robert Bard probably already forgave her because saints are good like that.

I have been writing a lot but the kind of writing is like weight lifting is to exercise. Not the fun kind. Really, I can't complain I do still enjoy my writing job. I am writing test questions so it involves research, writing and editing. It takes a lot of time and concentration which is such a contrast to my last full time job which I could do on half brain but which was ultimately more important. {full time SAHM} And while it required only half-brain..it took my whole heart. (and still does:) Please no offense to SAHM you all know I adore you and the tasks I am referring to are the sort like laundry, dishes, dusting etc. Oh! I am so getting myself into trouble here...good thing I have only 3 readers and only 2 of them comment, sometimes:)

We started out the New Year staying in Hermosa Beach...enjoying THIS gorgeous view...

The next few weeks have been taken up with the somewhat sudden and of course unexpected passing of my mom's sister. I will write more about this later. It was a sobering experience as I was able to observe death as close as I ever expect to. I love my family. all. of. them.

My cousin, Campbell. He lost his mom. He is such a good son. love him.

My family at the funeral. Only missing one of my sibs. Guess which one??

In the past two weeks I have had one interview, two working interviews, worked 8 days of clinical hygiene as well as edited 245 pages and worked on question writing. Do you now see why I have 1) neglected my blog and 2) face is broken out? 3) uttered the words frequently..."I just need chocolate"?

off to bed...more to come soon...like fun Jon n Sam pics...and a special thanks to Mark who has kept the house a-humming while this mom has been busy, busy:)

Christmas re-cap

2011-12-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2011

Holiday Challenged

2011-12-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

Ahhh!

[I just posted this on the Bootcamp blog...we are in the middle of our "Holiday Challenge"

which includes drinking 10 glasses of water/day, getting at least 7 hours of sleep

and not gaining weight between Thanksgiving and Christmas and

don't forget...no sugar this week!]

I want sugar and my alarm did not go off to get me to bootcamp (but it did ensure 7 hours of sleep), I need to lose 3 lbs by Friday and I have 8 more glasses of water to go and it is 8pm. Is anyone else finding themselves holiday challenged?! This is my first year of working out with Deanne at Christmastime while also holding down full time employment. You working workout women...are A W E S O M E!! I have to say...it is always a challenge to eat (and drink) healthy, keep up with your workouts and juggle the holidays but also add employment...wow!!

And let me take this opportunity to thank my fellow SPICE GIRLS!! [my team] You ladies rock! Thanks for pulling me along...I will get back to my very tall water glass now, thank you.

Best of luck to all of us...only four more days. oh deer!!

Ben's Day

2011-12-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

Ben's 13th birthday...2005

Ben and I ran an awesome trail run six years ago today.

It was in the Marin headlands.

It was hilly, more like mountainous, rainy and oh! so gorgeous!

I remember it was a bit of a challenge to give up a day so close to Christmas

but I was quite aware that I should treasure the fact that my son's

birthday wish was to run a trail run with me.

Who could say no to that??

Not this mom.

Same trail. different day. no rain.

Today we celebrated with morning gift opening, Jamba juice delievering,

Ben's choice for dinner at home (Tostadas) and bday cake.

Ben is off to a concert (his fave diversion these days).

He didn't ask me to accompany him this year:)

That time of year

2011-12-17T07:43:00.001-08:00

I have so much to do that the only time I am certain what to do is when I am in bed.

Sup

2011-12-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

Bday followup

2011-12-08T22:35:00.000-08:00

It's blurry but it is a new phone and I was just figuring it out...

I REALLY wanted to run TMBRRE
for my bday run
but the timing didn't work for any of my running friends

so I went solo and
had a gorgeous run at a very relaxed pace:)

I ran with a smile on my face I tell ya...

Isn't this amazing?!

Remember what TMBRRE stands for??

(The Most Beautiful Running Route Ever)

So...other activities for the weekend included Sushi with Mark,

Chipotle (of course) with the boys.

A sugar free week makes the sugar-filled bday so much sweeter!

I got some movie suggestions from my niece....

This was my favorite, by far...

We have a fun family tradition of dancing
(on my bday)
to the Beatles "It's Your Bday"

This used to be a tradition for all bdays here but alas I am the
lone woman left dancing.
But not on December 4th...:)

And as far as the Nursery bully comment...
I fear I must protect the innocent.
I was a nursery bully once. serious. I remember it clearly.
And, of course, my reprimand involved loves and stuff.
That said...I will coninue looking out for the little guys just joining in,
I mean the kid has at least 15 pounds on him and that is
significant when you are under 3 feet:!!

P.S. Updated birthday blooms:)

Deeelightful:)

2011-12-05T00:32:00.000-08:00

I know you are wondering...and I hate to keep you hanging, but I truly do not have time at 12:21 a.m. to do the bday weekend justice so to keep you coming back...a bit of a teaser...

Deelish!

And guess what arrived at my door this very day...

closer look you say?

BEEEEAUTIFUL!!

Thank you, thank you Jane and Darrell!

--more bday weekend to come.

including but not limited to:

lunch and dinners out

long and gorgeous bday beach run

kitchen dancing

mom movie viewing

yum, yum food consuming

eye, heart and hug contact with the resident nursery bully

wonderful weekend, indeed.:)

Memo

2011-12-02T19:58:00.000-08:00

Turkey Day

2011-11-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving week was such a nice reprieve!

We actually had our dinner on Wednesday so Chris could join us.

We are always sooo excited to have him come home:)

How oh! how do people get their dogs to sit still for a family photo?

Harder than a toddler I tell ya!

Family photos do not come easily around here.

I realize this looks very similar to last year.

Except we are missing Jesslyn..we missed her a lot. (next year:)

This year Mark assigned Jon as the photographer.

Jon lovvvves Grandma's cranberry salad, a lot!!

I think he ate 80% of it himself.

For the 4th year in a row, we BBQd our turkey.

Sooo delicious!

Bart is hoping, hoping to get some of that bird!!

I know, I know...he is huge..

For the record, the weather was amazing this week. It is such a great time to be in San Diego.

(hint to relatives and loved ones for next year..)

Wait to Cool!

2011-11-15T22:08:00.000-08:00

This happens ALL the time around here...No matter what I make...it gets eaten RIGHT out of the oven.
Tonight I made a recipe for homemade granola bars. At the end of the recipe it says in CAPITAL letters: WAIT TO COOL or the bars will just crumble apart. The recipe speaks truth.

My boys hate waiting HECK, I hate waiting...have my whole life. I don't mean waiting in line or stuff like that. I can be pretty tolerant. I mean life stuff. like....

1. Waiting to be asked to a dance. (Your friend already told you he was going to)
2. Waiting to deliver a baby. (oh! those last few weeks...)
3. Waiting for an acceptance letter. (please let it be a thick envelope:)
4. Waiting for a teen-ager to come home. (the stomach knots could kill ya...)
5. Waiting for the 3 hours between nursing. (who made that rule. I broke this one..a lot.)
6. Waiting to hear after a job interview. (days feel like weeks. and weeks, weeks could kill a person)
7. Waiting for medical test results. (the what ifs and please, no!s)
8. Waiting for a missionary. (don't do it!)
9. Waiting to turn 16. (I could NOT wait to drive)
10. Waiting the 2 weeks--only 2 weeks--my parents required I drive solo before driving my friends around.
(I did not wait, I should have)
11. Waiting for a letter. (May or may not be related to #8)
12. Waiting for a prayer to be answered. (I mean, my answer. His answers come always)

This life-patience thing is without questions one challenge I was sent to earth to work on. My first clue should have been that I had to wait 10 days past my due date to be born, right?

Beautiful Day?

2011-11-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Mark took these pics today....beauty in the backyard...

Sam and I were driving in the car today and I mentioned that it was a beautiful day today.

I then remembered being about his age and driving with one of my friend's mom (Ann Scott) and she mentioned that it was a beautiful day and I thought..."How does she know it is a beautiful day?" The day didn't look that much different (to me) from the day before and the day before.

I started paying attention when my mom would establish a day as one full of beauty and tried to figure out what exactly that meant. I remember my mom saying,"It is so clear today!" and thinking..."What is clear?" I knew she meant the air but how could she look at the air and see any difference from a non beauty/non clear day?

Years and years later I realize that it isn't until you have looked at enough days and seen the foggy/smoggy non beauty days that you really DO KNOW when the day deserves a beauty declaration.

As a kid I knew there was something missing for me...something I would have to wait for. Now, now I get it and I am so thankful to be able to recognize the beautiful days!

Monarch appreciating the last of the Agapantha.

This weekend marks the 30 year anniversary of Mark's and my first date!

(we started dating at age 8)

Have you noticed happy couples that have been married for a really, really long time? They just "go together". They don't have to say much, even a glance seems to communicate paragraphs. Intimacy grows exponentially with years and there is no other way to acquire the love and understanding but through days and days of being together.

I can not begin to quantify the love that I feel for this man today compared to the love I thought could never grow larger than it was those many many years ago.

Mark and I have shared enough days (and dates) to recognize those that are beautiful and those that you may just have to make your way through because you are certain there are clear skies ahead.

For The Beauty Of The Earth...

run-on updates

2011-11-07T00:08:00.000-08:00

Jon's last XCountry meet was really, really wet!!

He did really well...those are JV guys ahead of him.

I like his bright shoes and laces..and his muscles:)

serious...check out the bis, tris and quads on that kid.

This week has been a busy and eventful one... I received a job offer while we were on the way to Jon's cross country meet! I am super excited about this job because it combines both dental hygiene and writing:) When Mark and I were talking about me going back to work he asked me what my "ideal" job would be and I told him if I could find something with writing and dental hygiene like possibly editing a journal, newsletter etc but I didn't think the chances were very good that this would be possible. Then a couple of weeks ago a job posting came up that caught my eye...I will be working with an internet based company who is launching a website for potential dental hygienists that will help prepare them to take the National Board exam. Mostly I will be organizing and writing sample test questions. It will be a huge project that will take several months and a lot of coordinating. I am the "hygiene coordinator"for the team. It will be on my own time and from home (best part!!). I will continue working my two days/week as a hygienist in the dental office but this allows me to give up the looking for another couple of days or hoping for temp. days.

Additionally, my parents were here this week and we had dinner with them, went to church, the temple, mom took me shopping:) and we visited them at their resort in Escondido where they stayed. Jon was able to go golfing with dad while Sam and Mark checked out the game room, pool and worked on baseball skills.

Mark had some stuff going himself which required some working around and I can write more about that as I get permission...it is too late to get permission now.

The past few weeks I have been a member of the:

Of course this was one of Deanne's ideas (personal trainer, owner of Forever Fit San Diego)...right around Halloween...no sugary treats for two weeks. I made it!! Well...I ended a few hours early so that I could have movie night treats and then promptly get back "on the squad" until Thanksgiving. This really worked for me!! I have been bouncing back and forth in a weight range I wasn't too happy about but this has put me back into the "I can live with this" range.

I learned some stuff while being off sugary treats:
1. I eat more sugary treats than I thought I did.
2. All healthy food tastes better once you are off sugar.
3. Sugar makes me bloated. Off sugar=pants are more comfy.
4. If I say NO treats then it is easy to say no to treats, get it?
5. I found this one out tonight: The dark chocolate with almonds candy bar from Trader Joes that has no added sugar?....really does make you gassy! Next time it will not be my reward after 2 weeks off!

Ben has been working as a sign/arrow holder and he has lasted at it for quite a long time in my estimation. He started with only sat and sunday work then he got offered another gig on M-Thurs which he promptly took. He likes it because
1. He doesn't have to talk to anyone.
2. He gets to listen to his own music.
3. If it rains hard, he gets to call it a day.
He tells me that he is not a twirler or a dancer. he just stands still. After his first day, he was made a supervisor. See..I told you he was good! His second gig he is paid in cash...hmmm.

Mom and Dad took Chris to dinner. I was jealous, so jealous. I cried thinking about it. It has been waaay too long since I have seen Chris. Mom told me that Chris has been buying motorcycles, fixing them up and then selling them for better ones and that he is on his 5th bike. Does this scare me? Yes, it does! Does it make me proud of my resourceful, smart minded firstborn? Yes, it does!! Mom and Dad also kept telling me how good Chris looked and that he goes to the gym three times/week. (That stuff REALLY matters to my mom and dad). I guess Chris is really buff now. I bet he still gives really good hugs:) Especially the pick me up and swing me back and forth kind. I AM going to see Chris on Thanksgiving, Yes, I am!!

Sam is working on memorizing the scout law and oath. He is going to earn his Tenderfoot and 2nd class badges very soon. Sam loves to be anxiously engaged. He is working on homework, scouts, baseball skills (multiple times/week with Mark), flexibility and strength, oh yes and caring for his lizard. He keeps his social calendar quite full as well.

I believe that covers everybody, oh except for Bart. Yes, he is now a regular at the local dog park and does quite well. He still does not know he is bigger than all of the dogs and acts like he is still a puppy (which he is I suppose). He got his first bath away from home at the local petstore "do it yourself" dog wash. I went over with Mark. The guy there was super nice and helped Mark lift Bart into the tub. Then he brought out TWO, yes 2 aprons...like I was planning on helping. Uh...I tried. I did a little. Mostly I tried to convince Bart that the high powered blow dryer was not going to cause bodily harm. He smells better now.

I have got to be finished...here is a pic I snapped for mom and dad of the shopping results.

The pic is bad, from my phone.

The jacket kind of reminds me of Michel Jackson, thriller.

You can't really tell that the skirt has an underlying see throughish black slip

that peeks through the panels. It's cute, mom found it.

Oh yeah and mom...when i sit down those slits go pretty high;)

Best be getting a black slip, before next time.

I added fishnet stockings.

Thanks mom and dad:)

Halloweenish

2011-11-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

I made the sign...I know...I think it needs an apostrophe.

Last weekend my friends were heavily involved in planning the school carnival.

I am not sure why but I usually protect myself from such projects.

I knew that I wanted to help them but didn't want the weeks and weeks of headache.

So...I showed up the morning of and helped Ann with decorations.

Yeah, that's right...the fun part.

We have quite a large population of English as a second language families at our school.

Perhaps explaining why the original front gate sign was spelled "Well come".

Ann and her committee had already done so much work that I just showed up

did a couple of signs and put the cute stuff together. Uh..yeah..the fun part.

It was a huge success including:

Mechanical bull riding

Rock climbing wall

Trapeze trampoline bouncing

and all of the usual stuff too.

Somehow Sam was there the live long day/night.

Busy, busy the entire day and I think we paid for 1 drink.

He has nice friends who kept giving him their tickets as they had to leave.

I think he tried it all:)

Yesterday was my last Elementary School Halloween Parade...

Sam...the witch from behind.

Yesterday was a busy day full of work, kids stuff, husband stuff and as I ran down to the school

for my last and final Halloween Parade...

I found Sam in his regular tee and sweatshirt sitting amongsthis costume clad classmates.

His zipper had broken and he was resigned to merely observe the festivities.

No sir!! We ran over to his classroom and worked and worked on that zipper.

I'm not sure I have prayed so hard for anything that immediate for a long time.

My prayer was answered.

zipper in place.

witch inflated.

back to the parade.

in time.

Each of my boys (except Chris) has taken a turn with this silly costume.

It's a bit like the Easter Argyle vest.

Although I think they really like the silly costume,

and I am quite certain they never liked the Easter vest.

Happy Halloween!!

Ha!

2011-10-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

Okay...I just have a few minutes to blog but there were two things that made me laugh out loud (yes, I typed that out. I am over 40 you know).

1. One of the things Sam could not wait to share with me upon his return from sixth grade camp was this...
"Mom, we broke the 1982 record for showers!"
"Really? What record is that?"
"The 24 minute record."
"Oh, you mean your den showered within 24 minutes?"
"No, Mom...all 78 boys from my school showered within 24 minutes!"

2. While watching (okay I was half-sleeping next to Mark) the final world series game, my husband pointed out the unknowing announcer's MAJOR faux-pas...
"And Pujols squeezes out number two!"
(meaning the player whose last name is indeed Pujols just made the catch to get the 2nd out of the inning)
I promise that he really did say that and that Mark caught it and we re-played and re-played. I will not be surprised if this becomes a quote to be repeated again and again but just remember you read it here, first.
Funny? right? It's not just that I have been living surrounded by males for farrrr too long? Tell me this made you laugh too...

NoSam

2011-10-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

This week Sam is away at

6th grade camp.

He was excited to go.

He forgot to pack deodorant.

I may or may not have ran home and back and snuck it in his bag;)

I heard other mothers of boys discussing things like...

shower taking and deodorant donning.

apparently it is a popular concern.

(amongst mother-types)

Thanks to Sam's teacher and modern technology...

I can see Sam while he is away.

He looks happy:)

More Jon

2011-10-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

What do you get when your YW are
the same age as your son??

Phone pics..that can make it to your blog:) Give me a J??? Actually...you should stick with XC.

Jon's Link

2011-10-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

As promised...Jon has made a video of his bday wake boarding...you can view it on Utube: here.http://youtu.be/pv1M0CO_5Sc

Enjoy:)

Today...

2011-10-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

I took this picture today. at boot camp.

I know...you are thinking I am spoiled.

You may be correct.

We actually worked hard today.

I only took pics during the easy stuff.

I burned 500 cal.

We sprinted up the hill again. and again.

And so ya know...I am working this week, really I am.

Jon's Day

2011-10-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

That's a big number!!

Jon wears it well:)

(I like the typical teen age bday pose..cake, lounging, smiling

all the while grabbing a text...see the right hand?)

Jon had an action packed bday which is perfect for him.

6:10 a.m.: Awakened by fam singing "Happy Bday..."

6:45: Picked up by friend to go meet at church for wake boarding trip

7:30-3:00 Wake boarding (complete with Go pro camera), ending at in-n-out (like all scout adventures)

4:00- 5 Go on run with friend, hills and trails

6:00 Family celebration, dinner and cake

7:15 Start picking up friends for movie.

8-10 Movie @ fancy theater

10-11:00 pm Friends over for cake

11:30 Goodnight

For some reason Jon got it in his head that he wanted a
Red Velvet Cake for his birthday...

Have you ever made RVC?
I hadn't either. it turned out pretty well.
I did find out that it was the first time Jon had tasted RVC.
Previously it had been his fav frozen yogurt flavor.
I think he likes the yogurt version better.
Next year he wants apple crisp.

Another request was to go to the fancy shmancy movie theater
that was just re-opened in our area.
The tickets went from a bargain $14/seat
to $20/leather recliner that you order food from your seat.
I won't be taking the family anytime soon but Jon and friends
did experience the luxury..

Did I mention he can run fast too??
Mark and I have loved watching his meets.
You know how I know Jon loves to run?? He chose to go on a run
ON. HIS. BDAY!:)
that's my boy!!

Happy Birthday Jon!!

P.S. I will work on getting some pics from his wake boarding...trust me..good times.
His early morning gift was a "chest mount" for the go-pro camera
which facilitated some great footage/video.

Naked Run

2011-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

I bet my post title caught your eye, yes?

This morning I was lucky enough to be included in a Forever Fit employee run. We started at Deanne's house in Solana beach and ran through a canyon and down a huge flight of stairs to the beach.

G O R G E O U S morning!! We covered about 4 miles and that included 2 times up n down the huge flight of stairs cuz Deanne is odd like that. I would have preferred adding a mile on the coast. She likes the quad burn of the stairs. After our run she treated us to breakfast at the Naked Cafe. The food is so healthy and delicious all at the same time and that is a tricky combo.!! I had the egg white pesto scramble. I highly recommend it as well as the whole grain pumpkin pie pancakes which I sampled,thanks Cassie! mmm!

Go try the Naked cafe...you will not be disappointed. I did hear that it gets really busy around 10am to close so another motivator to get an early start on your adventure.

excuses...

2011-10-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

I have been busy on the bootcamp blog the past month or so...if you are curious in an "I have really no interest but what the heck kind of way"...click here... to see.

This weekend was the best and worst at our house. Sometimes those times just happen. Thankful for conference, really thankful. Right now the story that sticks out the most for me was praying for a quarter for a wing of chicken. Loved that. That story will keep me going this week. Hope to get back to a real post soon...

run-ons

2011-09-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Kind of hard to see pic but this is Jon (shooing me and my camera) getting ready to go surfing with his seminary teacher and a few friends. He is soooo lucky!! 1) To have a seminary teacher so cool to offer to take him surfing. 2) To live 5 minutes from the beach. 3) Have a life full of activity and good friends.

I have been working more which is good. I need even more days but as soon as I look around my neglected house on a day off I realize it may be best that I am home. I have had some interesting patients...in one day I saw a former Padres player, a former principal from my son's school who is now a big deal at the district over all of the high school curriculum, A man of Asian decent who kept his hands in yoga meditation pose the entire cleaning (is this a good or bad sign, not sure), A cool kid with Autism who helped me figure out that if I counted to 10 over and over again he would let me precede with the treatment. And that's why my job could never be considered boring.

The general RS meeting was good, as usual. Elder Uchtdorf walked away with another great analogy. I wondered how many RS meeting had forget-me-nots as their center piece last Sunday. I was thinking florists in Utah should have been forewarned. I thought Sister Beck's "I hope my grand daughters understand..." was a clever way of calling us to attention as to what she hopes we absorb and understand. I believe she is able to see a vision for us that she is trying desperately to pass along to each of us and I am not sure we have captured it. I don't think she thinks we have yet but I do like to hear her speak.

I found out that my eldest is riding a motorcycle to and from his 90 mile commute to school. What?? So scary to me! He assures me he is very careful. I knew I shouldn't have encouraged the motorcycle cop costume back in 1996. Speaking of cops, I saw a large entourage of cops, SUVs even an animal control unit in the back parking lot of my grocery store early this morning. What?? In my bubble neighborhood??That's right folks...maybe reports are accurate that there is plenty of drug to bust out there.

I am in denial. It is not nearly October! The year is NOT nearly over! There is so much left to resolve in this year 2011. I am so not finished with you yet...but for now the wood floors are a beckoning...

;)

2011-09-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, that would be a wink folks!

Life has been busy/crazy.

Sorry about no blogging.

Something's gotta give.

FPF

2011-09-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

This is the board currently with v. fun photo Finds.

A few top pics from a Lake Powell trip in 2002.

Chris' first day on a two-wheeler at age 3!!

A classic "Big" pic of Ben trying on Dad's church clothes.

Sam's first few steps...

Grandma and cousins ..Christmas Eve Dinner (2000) our SLC house.

(sorry Jane, the boys insisted on this pic and it brings an insta-smile at every kid view:)

Great Ben expressions!

Sam rolling his belly at age 2.

Our tulips and Spring Snow in Utah.

Sam n Jon--buddies for life:)

And a promise for more Chris pics next time.

cool link and update

2011-09-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

The XC version of a huddle.

I get nervous just watching them anticipate the race...

Jon did awesome yesterday and was able to run his own

race which moved him up "in the crowd". He really pushed it.

Have you seen one of these before? It is "Go Pro" camera.

It is water proof and has several different mounts.

It is used to make cool videos of long boarding, surfing and the like.

Jon saved up his $$ and has been having so much fun with this.

Here is a link to some quality entertainment:)
I am adding this: Go back and click on that link
for pics of Jon and his buddy surfing, flipping and sliding:)

I have been going through old photos and it has been so fun to bring back memories of when my boys were so little and darling. (Of course, I know they are still darling but you know what I mean...) Like Chris acting as the "villain" in the school play or Ben making so crazy faces for the camera, Jon in every kind of costume you (or he) could imagine, and Sam darling in the tub, next to Jon playing on the floor, in his stroller in Chicago, San Francisco and Salt Lake. We have snow man building, go-karting, family Christmas dinners, Lake Powell trips and every day play. I LOVE memories!! As soon as my camera is charged I will snap a photo of the magnet frame I put up to display a bunch of happy memories.

P.S. Yes, we survived the power outage in San Diego County...quite well actually. I felt lucky that it happened right as I had finished getting my haircut. All those ladies with dripping hair and unset color...o dear!

tryit

2011-09-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

This is so not my FHE chart.

I believe we are a bit non conventional in the FHE arena.

That said...I have 2 original ideas for you.

They might not be all that original but thought I would share anyway.

1. Turn off all lights in the house and play hide n seek.

(we did this tonight for several rounds)

V. fun! some people tried to cheat with cell phone calling, ahem, Jon.

2. When there is no treat making time or energy...

roast marshmallows over the gas stove.

(Mark had the idea to roll the marshmallows in Rice Crispies after roasting...mmm)

This Week's ponderings.

2011-09-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

I taught the lesson on "Agency" today in YW. Just as I told the Young Women...I love to teach them because every time that I prepare two things happen. 1) I am overwhelmed with the knowledge that our Father in Heaven loves the girls I am teaching. And because of this fact, I am directed to what part or parts of the lesson that I should stress or focus on. 2) Because of my study and pondering time, I am blessed with promptings for my life and understanding. (Call this the teacher bonus).

I actually have written quite a bit about Agency (on this blog) in relation to watching our children make choices but I used a quote from President Monson that got me thinking even further to this point.

We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us. He had no confidence in the principle of agency or in us and argued for imposed salvation. He insisted that with his plan none would be lost, but he seemed not to recognize--or perhaps not to care--that in addition, none would be any wiser, any stronger, any more compassionate, or any more grateful if his plan were followed.

As parents it can be tempting to want to limit or even sometimes eliminate our children's agency. Do we realize that doing so will interfere with their growth and character potential? I hear a lot of complaining about the "Twenty Somethings" and how many of them are not functional in society and I have to wonder if there might not be a connection to the generation that had most of their free time planned for them with lessons, sports and even hobbies seem to be parent driven (oftentimes). Is it any surprise that when finally left on their own (at age 18-20) they are not able to make decisions? Perhaps the development of the very traits that President Monson referred to have been averted due to well meaning parents.

Awhile back I was talking with a friend and when I commented on how busy her kids's schedules were she replied to me that if she kept them busy, they wouldn't get into any trouble. Really? Is that what we want...no trouble? Sure...no trouble is much easier to parent but what are the kids learning. I want my kids to learn to choose no trouble when trouble is offered. Because at some point, it will be on the menu. No doubt.

This said...I AM SO NOT THE AUTHORITY ON PARENTING!! I am trying to figure it out just like everyone else.

There are two things I feel equally strong about: Agency and Judging. The first being almost as important as life itself and the second there is absolutely no room for as it is the evaluation of what others are doing with said agency.

This week's photos.

2011-09-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Sam started school before everybody else in the fam.

Mark, Jon and I walked him down to the school.

Check out the cool Padres socks...

Sam did not want us hanging around.

He wanted to be on his own

hanging with his friends.

How could he have known the significance

of this day for this mom?

17 years of walking kids into school on their first day.

17 years of pictures with their new teachers, class mates.

17 years of them walking into the room for the first time and waving to me over their shoulder.

He couldn't. He didn't.

So we left.

And I swallowed a tear or two and went home to a brand new era.

Last first day of elementary school for this fam.

*************

Jon is running Cross Country for Torrey Pines High School.

I love watching kids do most things.

I love (x3) watching competitive running.

It is sooo cool to me:)

Another brag on Jon moment...

He was the anchor for a very sloooow group of Freshmen.

He was the last runner out of all of the relays to get the hand off.

About half way into the run...he's feeling fine.
even though he runs alone.

I was proud of Jon because he was such a good sport and didn't complain

about the spot the coach had put him in.

Somebody had to do it.

He had a good personal clocked time.

A few of my YW are also running track and some of Jon's friends too.

I was hoarse afterwards.

Here's to an exciting XC season w/ TPHS--go FALCONS!!

last weekend

2011-08-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

We did it.

Went Camping.

This is the fire pit

In the morning.

It was a quick trip.

Dinner on the fly,

One hour drive NorthEast.

Campfire/smores and tent staking.

Tossing, turning and repeat.

Scout prepared and cooked breakfast..mmm.

Temps rising.

Camp take down and clean up.

Home again.

Next time we WILL inflate mattress before attempting to slumber.

P.S. Bart slept in the van. lucky dog.

run-ons

2011-08-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

This may or may not be my current color but I was desperate to get something besides Bart on my blog as it opens up. Yeah...getting used to the dog but still do NOT consider myself a dog person.

That said...do not tell my boys or my husband that I slipped today while talking to a patient (no...not my instrument) and referred to Bart as "my dog". whatev.

This week I am working 5 days! I don't think I have EVER worked five days in a row. (as a hygienist) I have been so spoiled, seriously. This will be a good test to see if I (and my fam) can do this. So far, so good.

Last week I cleaned a woman's teeth who informed me that the first week of August was "National Clown Week". (I missed it). She and her husband have been clowning for over 40 years. She said for NCW they dressed up and went somewhere different every day. Elaine (name changed) was well over 70 and I swear if I looked close into the crevices of her smile lines, I could see bright red clown paint. She shared with me her best clown jokes..."Do you store your bandaids in the refrigerator?" uh...no. "Why not? You should...in case you get cold cuts!" Don't know why I can't remember the others, ahem.

I will give you one of my (RMST) recession money saving tips: see pic above...instead of a regular pedicure which can range anywhere from $15-30. (depending if you are in Utah or CA.), Just pay to have your nails clipped, filed and repainted. They look good and it only cost $10!! (and that is in CA). You can always soak and scrape your own heels for free, at home :)

I love frozen blueberries in my cereal and my oatmeal. You should try them. Especially in your cereal...the milk gets sooo cold it is near to freezing. love. this. (oh, and it is purple too)

At present: Chis is parking luxury cars for a living. Ben will walk your dog for a minimal fee. Jon is running cross country and Sam just sold a bunch of lego minifigures on ebay for several hundred dollars.

Hope your week is going well...last week of Summer for us...oh and guess what? soon, very soon we are ALL going camping (this includes the brown haired smelly one that lives in the laundry room, oh my!) It'll be a short trip.

dogs/kids

2011-08-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

When my kids were little, it was hard to keep the fingerprints off the glass sliders.

Bart keeps the slider way messier than the kids...

Like the kids, he is growing out of his X Large bed.

And just like the kids, he pushes the boundaries.

(he is supposed to stay in the laundry room)

MMMmmm!

2011-08-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have a link to a yummy breakfast recipe for you...

Keely's Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

If you like pumpkin (think pumpkin pie spices)
And oatmeal...you will like this.
But I have 3 warnings:
1. It does take one hour to bake so you must be patient. (I ate a handful of almonds after mixing it and putting it in the oven)
2. You will need Whey protein powder. (I guess you could try it without but it helps to make it more protein healthy and also is a natural sweetener..in a pinch you could play with adding more sugar...let me know if that works)
3. Your kids ~~probably~~ won't like this. (Which is okay since you make a large amount and can eat it for a week..just keep it in the fridge and warm each morning...mmm!) I love this...and Mark does too!

PS. leaving out the Flax...does nothing to change the love.

Trust

2011-08-17T23:59:00.000-07:00

It's an interesting question to ask yourself...do you trust your kids?

Today at the beach I realized that I really trust Jon, a lot.

When we arrived at the beach one of Jon's buddies had dug a deep hole and was trying to tunnel his way into it from the outside. [His mom came to me very concerned since recently a teen aged boy had nearly suffocated to death in a Newport beach sand tunnel accident. You can read about that here]. Drew's mom was worried and wasn't having success in encouraging her son to "stop digging" and "fill in the hole". She said, "Maybe if Jon would tell him to stop..."

So I went over to find out what Jon thought. Jon sat perched at the side of the hole as he watched Drew dig deeper and deeper. I mentioned to Jon, Drew's mom's concerns. Jon said, "Mom, I think he's going to be okay." I asked, "Why don't you help him dig?" Jon told me that he didn't think Drew wanted anyone else to dig. He wanted it to be "his tunnel". Jon said, "I am just going to stay her to make sure he is okay. If anything happens, I'll get him out."

Jon wrote above the original hole,
"Drew's Cave"

[Drew's mom had other children to watch out for so I told her that I would watch the digging]. It became quite apparent that Drew was not going to stop until he had completed the tunnel. Finally, after quite a bit of time, Drew allowed Jon to help him as he attempted to join the two holes to create the tunnel. From inside the hole, Drew hadn't been able to see what direction he needed to dig in order to connect to the outside hole. Since Jon had been watching from above, I think he had a pretty good idea of what had to happen in order for the connection to be made.

Soon I saw my son disappear into the dark sand cave. He started to dig from the original hole..only his feet and back side showing. Jon could tell that Drew wasn't far away with his shoveling efforts from the outside hole. Jon told me that it was really dark and silent inside the cave. Within a few minutes of digging together, Drew's shovel made contact with Jon's hand and soon they could see each other. A few more shovels full and they had a tunnel that any fit and courageous young person could shimmy through.

As soon as both boys made it trough the tunnel (and a couple of other brave souls), Jon and Drew filled in the hole with the mounds of sand they had displaced and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening diving under crashing waves, paddling against currents and doing other adventurous boy stuff.

I returned to the "mothers area" which consists of beach chairs, umbrellas, usually young kids, snacks, some reading but mostly discussing the adventures our kids are facing [in life]. We spoke of the differences between the world we grew up in and what our kids are facing. We spoke of expectations and realities; of other parents who we thought had similar values but were teaching differently than what we wanted taught in our homes.

Soon, the cool and calm evening breeze swept over the sand and we realized that the beach was starting to clear of its occupants. We all commented on how we liked 17th Street best at this hour. The sun is less intense, towels are used for the first time all day and you get the feeling that if you stay just a little longer you may, in fact, be the last group left on the shore.

We headed home and I started thinking about digging and tunnels and danger and friends. and trust.

Watching your children face danger that you can not stop, is one of the most helpless feelings in the world. Even if you ask them to stop their risky behavior,...there are some times for whatever reason [AGENCY] they feel compelled to continue. It is at this point you must realize that your child has to dig alone. As you realize that your voice is not being heard and your warnings are going unheeded, you may look to others for help. You are so grateful to have others that are concerned, as you are. Even to just have someone else watching from the outside, somehow your burden is lifted, a bit. Other adults (like youth leaders) are essential at times like this, but nothing can compare to the concern of a peer. Friends are THE BEST!! It was only after Jon had spent a long time just watching Drew, that Drew trusted Jon to help him. Jon had to be pretty brave to go half way to meet Drew. And because Jon had been watching from afar, he had a different perspective than Drew; he could see which direction Drew needed to proceed in in order to be successful.

I was touched by Jon's desire to stay close by his friend and his self confidence that he would be able to "save" Drew if he needed to. He seemed to have a sensitivity as to when he could step in to help and when he should just observe. Quickly I realized that Drew was one of the boys who just a couple of weeks before was supporting Jon on a strenuous kayak adventure two weeks post-op from his broken arm and surgery. Drew and the other boys stayed by Jon. They let him do as much as he could but were there if he needed them.

Drew's mom mentioned that I was able to stay "so calm" during all of this adventure and looming danger. At first I thought my inner-peace was due to the realization that sand tunnels weren't the scariest dangers I had watched my kids face but later I realized that the reason I was calm is that I trusted Jon. He has been such a responsible, level headed kid from a very young age. Even his older brothers have noticed this in him and appreciated it.

Trust will not eliminate the pit falls, but will help us stay calm through the digging.

VIPR

2011-08-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Deanne invited me to go to a workout with her at Mission Bay.

(She's the muscles in the pink)

They were introducing this new workout ~~tool~~ toy called the VIPR.

It's pretty cool, she'll buy a bunch. She likes toys like that.

BSAC!!

2011-08-07T21:53:00.000-07:00

How to spontaneously celebrate a most important day...

First stop: Board n Brew, Del Mar.

Mark n I had a day to celebrate!

We shared a sandwich and beautiful beach hiking.

It was a Gorgeous day!

with just the right combo of sunshine and cool breezes

Doesn't this look a little like "Delicate Arch" in Southern UT?

We thoroughly enjoyed the beauties, together time, catching up

and a little reminiscing of what we were doing that same day in '86.

We went out and had Sushi for dinner...mmmm!

and I must say...

it was the Best Spontaneous Anniversary Celebration to date!

Even Better!

2011-08-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

If you haven't yet heard or read Brad Wilcox's BYU devotional address from July 12, 2011, you must! You can go here and watch it. It is so very good. He gives some insights on the atonement and Christ's grace in a very clear and simple but profoundly original way that you must hear it for yourself. Think "Parable of the Bicycle" but closer to right on.

I believe the atonement is what it is all about...it is what makes this life doable. People talk about how complicated or multifaceted it is and how they are "just beginning to understand it", but I feel that the atonement as a concept is really quite simple; the application of it is what our mortal minds and heart must sift through. And all of that sifting is needed only because our self-doubts and fears block our progression.

For some reason I find it much easier to believe in Christ's grace for "all mankind" than I do for me, for right now and in this very moment or struggle. But if I just heard that last sentence come from your mouth, I would plead with you to believe that Christ is there for you. Most days I am so thankful to say that I know he is there for me too but I am a doubter. I would have looked down...just like Peter.

It occurred to me in Sunday school a week or so ago, however, that when Christ said,
"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" I don't believe this was a rebuke but rather a true inquiry. Christ wanted to understand where the doubt had come from or rather he wanted Peter to understand where the doubt originated. I know that it is Christ who can ultimately help me lose the fear and the doubt which will eventually enable me to recognize his hand always.

Link

2011-08-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Today I posted another interview over on the Carmel Valley Boot Camp blog.
You can check it out here:
When you get to the blog, scroll down to the interview post.

Run-on phonepics

2011-07-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

Today's solo beach run.

I did NOT feel like a run today.

But I had calories to burn.

And endorphins to engage.

So, it was back to the beach for me.

Here's an updated Bart pic.

Sam and I took a walk to see Marge.

Even Bart feels welcome at Marge's.

Marge has Shingles.

Pray for her.

******

Before we got Bart everyone told me that he would end up to me my dog.

not so.

He is definitely Mark's dog. (first)

next Jon's Sam's and Ben's.

and even Chris and Jesslyn probably go next.

and me very last.

I have, however, discovered some things Bart and I have in common.

1. Our hair color is about the same.

2. We both shed.

3. We both like fresh veggies.

4. Sugar snap peas are OUR faves.

5. We both like to chew on ice.

6. We both get in trouble for being too loud.

7. We both eat too fast.

8. We both get cranky if we don't get regular exercise.

9. We both spend a LOT of time in the laundry room

cuz we have to.

10. We both are very protective of the people that reside within

the walls of this house. Intruders, BEWARE!

The best part about living in San Diego...?

There is beauty to be found everywhere!

These bright orange tropicals at the base of a palm tree

were growing next to the

McDonald's drive through lane.

(remember the movie soda??)

Enjoy your weekend!

Daydate!

2011-07-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Row, row...

2011-07-25T21:11:00.001-07:00

Just imagine my relief and grateFULL heart when I received this
pic and note today from the Colorado River!!

------ MMS ------

Received: Jul 25, 2011 4:57 PM

Hi Kathleen. Jon is doing great. We are watching out for him
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Goodbye LHC!

2011-07-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Long Hair Club,

I tried to join. In fact, I went for months and months with getting very little length cut off, but Friday when I went to visit Michelle, I caved. I gave her permission to cut and cut and cut! (6 " if you must know).

I fear I must resign and am thus giving up my membership card and rejoining the SHC. I just fit in there better. (for now). I enjoyed the perks of flowing locks and bouncing curls for a few months anyway. I even dusted off the hot rollers once/week. I used my share of scrunchies, head bands and even donned a bow or two. But in the end...I always felt like an outsider.

I never like to truly close the door as you know I am prone to get bored with one club and regularly try out the other...I may be back. But not until next year, at least.

Best Regards,
Kath

NICE!

2011-07-20T22:38:00.000-07:00

People have been so nice to us!

Jon has had cards sent, treats made for him,

Kayak completion, phone calls, texts and facebook messages.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and well wishes:)

One of my friends at church is an awesome RN and has become my 411.

She was so good to answer all of my odd ??

And she gave the best advice...

Well, Monday night just as Mark was mentioning how we are

blessed by people around us who are believers in Christ,

Nurse Vicky shows up with food for Jon and flowers for me...so sweet.

LOVE the sentiment.

It has been a crazy last couple of weeks around here...

We are lucky to have such great support!

Run-ons n recipe

2011-07-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today Jon had a rough day. At least the start was pretty bad. I kicked it into gear with a few trips to the drug store, phone calls and texts to my medical standbys and wouldn't you know that CJane posted a recipe that worked wonders around here. This is very close to a recipe my mom always makes so I knew they would be yummy...

CJane’s Bran Muffins

4 cups All-Bran cereal

2 cups boiling water

1 cup margarine*

2 1/2 cups sugar*

4 eggs

1 quart buttermilk

5 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

5 cups flour

2 cups Bran Flakes cereal

*I use butter instead of margarine and brown sugar instead of white. But do your thing. Don't let me stand in your way.

Pour boiling water over All-Bran cereal and let it sit. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs then dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk. Mix in All-Bran and water mixture. Last of all, stir in Bran Flakes. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes in a greased or paper-lined muffin tins.

Thankfully for my house's sake, I got on an early cleaning roll that lasted much of the day and into the evening hours. Whew! Felt good. Lucky for me, Mark chipped in giving me the momentum to keep going. It has been awhile folks...it says something when you start blogging about house cleaning like it was some event to be remembered. Indeed.

I am joining my YW in a challenge to read the scriptures every day. I hope some of them are with me on this. I felt very impressed last time I read Alma 32 to challenge my girls to an "Experiment on my word...".

I was thinking about why it is important to believe...how I could help some of my YW who may not even yet have a desire to believe and I read Alma 32:22, 23:

And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is ^amerciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

23And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, ^anot only men but women also.

Who doesn't need/want God's mercy? We need to believe on his name and first believe on his word. To believe it, we must read it. And I love that it says he imparts his word to men and women also.

Last weekend was such a whirlwind around here...I am so thankful to have had a day at home to catch up. Today I laundered the 10 blankets, pillows and towels those band boys used. It was a mountain, I'm just sayin'. Did I mention that last Saturday when I left the house for my run that there was a bandmember sleeping in my driveway? Blanket under, blanket on top and a pillow. sound asleep. I bet my nosey neighbor across the street was wetting herself wanting to know what the heck was going on and she was searching and searching for some law we were breaking so that she could call the cops on us for sleeping in the driveway. Seriously folks, last Sunday some poor soul (whose car looked like Ben's but it wasn't...I am sure she thought it was him) got a ticket because she called the cops...they had parked in front of the mailboxes. Did I mention it was Sunday? I could give you more neighbor stories but that will have to wait for a future post.

I am off to bed, goodnight.

HighAdventure

2011-07-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

So, here's the problem...for months now all of the boys 14-18 in our ward have been planning a kayak trip for the last week of July. I mean...serious planning. Like they have MADE the kayaks. Jon has been working for weeks and weeks on the kayaks. This week they were to each finish theirs. Jon broke his arm, remember? Today, Jon's BFF and his Dad spent the day working on Jon's kayak. They are determined to get it finished so that if there is ANY way Jon can go on the trip, his kayak will be ready. Sooooo nice!!

On our way home from the church, we stopped for Jon to spray down his kayak. Something about it making the canvas tighten before the next resin layer. He does have one good arm, still.

It's actually pretty cool. By the time they are all finished, they will have made 15 kayaks. Here you can see some of them at different stages of completion.

I guess I better be chatting with the surgeon soon...

I've got some pretty determined young men (and leaders).

gown,hat n booties

2011-07-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

The surgery went well.

Mark texted me this pic from the pre-op room.

Sam and Mark waited at the surgical center

and sent over regular updates.

I was working today and a bit preoccupied

until Mark texted that Jon was home again and sleeping.

He is sore but doing okay for this early on.

Thanks to all for prayers and support.

Jon posted the "after x-ray" on facebook if you are so inclined.

Now you must excuse me...

I am going back to rubbing his legs or something like that

I told him that even though he is 14 and big, I still want to hold him in my arms today.

Flipped

2011-07-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hello snapped radius.

Yesterday Jon and the trampoline had an unfortunate meeting place.

He tells me his buff triceps saved his upper arm and elbow.

No doubt!

texting and facebook sharing

turn difficult situations

into bragging rites:)

Surgery tomorrow morning.

Love this one!!

Concert.

2011-07-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

I went.

ears still echo.

i fit right in.

chose not to mosh.

it was crazy.

evrybody was movin'.

The Blanks dedicated a song to Ben.

big night for him.

He was :)

NeverSay....

2011-07-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are hosting two (yes, 2) Northern California punk bands (yes, punk). Ben has booked them a show at a local hot spot here in SD. There are 10 (yes, 10) members of said bands.

The Che Cafe is the venue.

Am I endorsing the show...well, hmm.

The Blanks, Walnut Creek, CA

Decide for yourselves.

Our third garage is now stocked with...

10 towels, blankets, pillows.

Welcome to:
The Blanks and The Caps!!

(My life NEVER ceases to surprise me...)

O'blogatory

2011-07-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright cuz everybody else is doing it...here is a looksie into our 4th celeb.

We watched the fireworks from a top a nearby neighborhood. We could see the fairgrounds display as well as something in Rancho just around the corner. (prob somebody's personal partay)

Always time for some baseball...

I thought this guy was having his own party. He was bbqing n everything.
House was dark.
No on else appeared.
Even the balloons appeared deflated.
He did have on a new red shirt, though.
And then the darkness came.
And so did his party.
Whew.

And a sincere thank you to the unknowing homeowner who
allowed Sam to relieve his dire thirst
at their spigot.

hope you enjoyed your holiday.

MustRead

2011-07-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

Sam and I just finished reading this book.

Love this.

Have you read it?

Written in 1967.

The story of a brother and sister who run away to

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

try it...you WILL enjoy:)

weekend

2011-07-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

the bank teller always wants to know my weekend plans.
on monday people always ask, "did you have a good weekend?".
i don't like having to have plans when I have no plans.
weekends are not much different than weekdays, really.

i just went to an event that i felt i should go to
i wanted to go to, a little.
mostly i didn't want to not go.
it was awkward.
but it felt good to have someone familiar next to me to share the awkward with.

i am not a good faker.
well, some things can be faked.
dancing is not one of them.
so i didn't.

i could have danced alone.
some people do.
some people don't care who they dance with.
i care.

i need a good, long therapy run.
i'd like to go with someone, i think.
it would have to be the right someone.
maybe i will run alone.

Independence day.

runonphonepics

2011-06-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

This is BIG NEWS...I mean, cheer out loud news...

Guy Fleming loop...NOW OPEN!!

I know, I know...you have all been doing the out n back on the right side, like me...

(seriously...is there anyone out there who knows what I am talking about?

Tell me someone, someone shares in the thrill...yes?)

Well, Saturday...I did the full loop.

First time since FOREVER and it is GORGEOUS.

(has been closed for who knows what for over a year...)

from the lookout before you loop back...

proof I was there...

You don't think this is big blogging news do you...hmmm.

meet Melba. She would be thrilled with me

that Guy Flemming is open.

I think she and Guy go even further back than Guy and I.

Now they have history.

Melba shared with me the spot she stood in as

"Mother of the bride" for a perfect stranger

on Guy Flemming's trail.

It is that beautiful, folks.

and so is Melba!

really. e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y. loves Melba and I am NO exception:)

***********

What is this??

This would be the reception room(?) where I interviewed

on Saturday. Could it be tinier? Could they have picked a smaller

couch to fill it or perhaps a few chairs. I mean who wants

to share a couch (I don't care how comfy) with strangers??

Not me. Anyway...enough of that.

*****

As Saturday evening arrived, I found myself with Marge.

We went on a walk and saw the sun in such splendor

that Marge considered the end of the world might just happen right

then. and. there.

It was that glorious.

Have a great week!!...mine will be busy ...hope to check in though.

run-ons

2011-06-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Remember me mentioning that Sam used an exercise ball to sit on at school?

Well, now that it is Summer the ball has come home.

And is now my computer chair.

Know what this is??

Sam's target for pitching practice.

I think it is so cool how Mark can make anything he/we need.

Lucky us! I wanted a pic of Sam pitching into the target

but Sam refused. seriously. my baby does not want to be on my blog.

That's going to limit my pictures (even more).

Get ready, Bart...you are all I have left.

By the way, that target is the perfect dimensions of "the strike zone".

Of course it is...If you hit the canvas, you got it,

PVC frame? That'll be a ball.

I have been working more the past few weeks and many of those days have been for an office in Lemon Grove. I like this office. The DDS is really particular about his work. Reminds me of my Dad. It is hard to find someone who will do it again and again until it is just right.

Two nights ago I had insomnia, like all night long! I couldn't figure out why this was happening and then Mark reminded me of the protein shake I had made for us right before going to bed. Usually I use light chocolate Soy milk but this time I only had plain soy milk so I dumped in a whole lotta cocoa...I mean a lot of it. It was delish!! But hello caffeine fix, oops. Messed me up. Then this morning I woke at 4 a.m. to wish Jon good voyage as he embarked on a long road trip with Bryce and his fam to BYU/EFY. My body is outta wack.

Remember how last Summer I was supposed to read the Book of Mormon with the Young Women. (As in I was supposed to finish it by the end of last Summer, ahem.) Well, I am starting again...where I left off from last year. I have been sneaking my reads in (since Mark is usually asleep when I decide to read) with the little book light my mom gave me for Christmas. It makes it all the more fun feeling like I am defying all lights out rules to get in my read. And why is it that when I read the B of M and come across a character that I feel I am reading it for the very first time when, in fact, I have completed the book several times? Why don't I remember that Korihor was a real bad guy? I am in the middle of Alma. It's a good read. I'd recommend it.

Chris and Jesslyn came down on Monday to celebrate Father's Day. It is always so good to have them here! And can I just say that Jesslyn looked darling...she always does but it seems she gets prettier and prettier every time I see her. (hope you read this Jess, cuz it is THE TRUTH!) It is actually a bit crazy when they come because they bring their dogs who are used to being inside ALL THE TIME and I let them come in NOT AT ALL! They play with Bart for awhile but then they run from window to window whining wondering why they can't join in on the party...am I mean? I think not. I am furniture protecting, really.

I'm hungry, but it is late so according to Deanne, I am NOT hungry. I should be sleeping but instead I am rambling. I am working out less so I should be eating less. Went to the beach for the first official beach days and I listened to women discuss their body flaws. I did not participate because I was fully clothed and there is something about being in a swimsuit which must make every woman make excuses or point out flaws on their body. Perhaps I will go to every beach days fully clothed. Sometime I will write a post entitled,

"You know you are in San Diego/Southern CA when..."

The first thing on my list would be:

1. After years of NEVER no NEVER considering cosmetic surgery you begin to ever so slightly consider the possibilities.

2. While grocery shopping, you come across a woman who is "running in place" while contemplating which form of milk she should purchase. (keeping the calorie burn up??)

3. You freeze when the temp drops 5 degrees to the 50s for crying out loud!

4. You are sweating droplets and moaning to all you come in contact with when the temps soar above 75!

But I digress...best be off to bed since I must get in my Saturday run before donning my interview outfit, yet again. I hate "try outs". I am really not good at them. In case you are doubting me, don't. I have quite a long list of tryouts through the years that went very poorly for me. I did make pep club, you are right, but then EVERYBODY did. Good night. I think the exercise ball is giving me sciatica!!

Dad's Day

2011-06-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

(Today the following Janeen Brady song has been circling inside of my head)

My dad’s the biggest guy, and my dad’s the strongest guy, and my dad’s the nicest guy of any guy in town.

He can do anything, he’ll fix your bike or fly your kite, cause my dad, my dad’s the greatest guy around.

He can throw a ball so high you think it’s going to break the sky; he knows the name of every kind of jet (vrooooooom);

He can add up any sum; he always has money for bubble gum. I haven’t figured how he does it yet.

But, my dad’s the smartest guy, and my dad’s the bravest guy, and my dad’s the neatest guy. It’s positively so.

Maybe I’ll introduce you, then you’ll know that it’s the truth that my dad, my dad’s the greatest guy you know!

Happy Father's Day!!

I've been involved in this type of celebrating...

hope it was happy for you:)

And for the food enthusiasts and cuz my phone pics do not do my menu justice:

Toasted flat bread, hummus and smoked salmon

yogurt with berries and gronola

oatmeal pancakes.

And the day continued similarly, thus the sink full o' dishes

that I am now going to address,

good night.

"S" is for

2011-06-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

While I was napping on a Saturday (I do that sometimes...)

Sam found a rattler (baby, but still...) sunning itself on our driveway.

After putting it in a box and listening to it rattle and hisssss...

Ben told Sam it was okay to kill a rattler if it was near a populated area.

Sam took it out with the garden clippers.

(Sorry, Jane...I know this will not be your favorite post.)

Mark wanted nothing to do with the reptile.

Of course I wanted pics

and to document Sam's bravery

and Ben's knowledge of snake killing law.

I touched it...kindof squishy and smooth.

Sam thinks this is a cool start to his Summer!

B.Y.E.

2011-06-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

{collage contents: Daily Sun Salutations, Sam and friend perform "Who's On First", Last day of school friends, Sam and Mrs. Wilken--master teacher and fan of sam!!}

On the first day of school this year someone whispered in my ear that Sam's teacher was "the one to get" and they were RIGHT!! Mrs. Wilken was amazing!!

I loved that they did Sun salutations and a quick run every morning before class began.

I love that she got to know and appreciate Sam and even fostered his good sense of humor and social finesse. She could have been bugged by his quick comebacks and comments (as were some of the specialty teachers at times) but instead she took the time in such a diplomatic way to teach him how to recognize when and where such comments would be appropriate and when he should choose to keep quiet. (A lesson I wish I could've learned in 5th grade...no thanks, Mrs. Porath)

She also had high academic expectations for the kids and had them regularly do presentations in front of each other. She was tough when she graded said presentations. Sam worked harder and harder each month until finally his last "Discovery Quest" he earned an A+ all points possible!:)

She has an infectious energy for life and learning and she thoroughly enjoyed her students and encouraged a supportive, cohesive class. They all really liked each other and felt like the belonged to Team Wilken.

Oh yeah...At about Christmas time they did away with their desk chairs and got exercise balls to sit on..an ingenious idea especially for active boys that might just need a way to keep the energy moving in order to keep still. It sounds counter intuitive but actually worked out very well.

It was sad for the kids in Sam's class to say goodbye to their B.Y.E!!

CVMS'11

2011-06-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

Carmel Valley Middle School

Class of 2011

(all 733 of them!)

You realize that every graduate has at least 2 guests coming to snap pics and give hugs etc. I must have received 49 emails and phone messages regarding the logistics of parking, when to arrive, when and where to drop off and pick up your students etc, etc. It was a BYOC (bring your own chair) experience and thank heavens Mark was there to get the pics above all of the heads that I was trying to look through. Jon wasn't looking too thrilled until it was all over. See how much taller he is than I am?!? He was shorter than me when we moved to S.D.!! Jon is ready for Summer!! And bring on high school:)

equality

2011-06-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here's wishing all of my parenting dilemmas

were as easily solved as

"Who gets the wheat heel?"

Saturday Run

2011-06-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

And the view...

Lucky for me the sun didn't come out until I was home and showered.

I have been doing long runs every Saturday for about 8 years now. I really do enjoy the long run. I take them slow. I choose a different route than what I would run on a normal week day run. In San Diego my runs usually involve the beach or at least ocean views. In Northern Cali I would opt for the loop around Walnut Creek or my fave was running up Mt. Diablo. It was so hard and steep but oh! so glorious.

Today was a "tough getting my head off the pillow" day. Some days are like that. Lucky for me my friend, Ann was also dragging herself out the door for a run and her text actually woke me up around 8am. (imagine!) Ann likes to run short, hilly, fast runs. So, we were not to be running partners today but at least we were able to coax each other out the door.

Every now and then I like to give you running tips just in case someone out there reading my blog runs or thinks about doing so on occasion. Here are my motivational tips:

when getting out the door to run

(or do any form of exercise, really)

just seems so very hard to do...

1. Plan your run ahead of time so you know where you are going.

2. Try a new route...scope it out in the car first or use gmap pedometer.

3. Buy something new to wear: shoes, hat, head band, water bottle holder, fanny pack. (always fun to have something new to try).

4. Put together a new play list.

5. Try running your usual route backwards.

6. (My fave...) Plan to go with a running partner. It is always easier to get out knowing someone is waiting to meet you.

7. Set your clothes out the night before and make sure that everything is charged...gps, tunes etc.

8. Try a new form of nutrition. Right now I am cutting Cliff bars in half. They taste pretty good and so far minimal digestive issues.

9. Make it a destination run...like to get your favorite energy drink or to meet family members at the park or even to mail a letter.

10. Run where it is most beautiful/inspiring for you.

What motivates you to run (or workout)??

Sailin' in SD!

2011-06-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

In our extended family we rotate family names for Christmas gifts.

2010 meant that my Brother, John and his wife, Caren gave to my family.

John is a sailor.
.he gave us a day of sailing in San Diego.

Well...yesterday we got our Christmas gift and it was
A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!

(Just look at the pics below...bet you wish John gets your family name in 2011...)

It takes A LOT to set up a sail boat...

ALL the guys went first...

Nice!

Next each of the boys got a solo sail...

First up...Sam.

He's hanging off the trapeze...brave one:)

Next up...

Jon

Yes...I even took a turn on the boat...

And....uh yeah I have the harness on to hang on the trapeze.

Out of camera range, I guess.

Caren was the photographer...she did a great job!!

Mark and I messing around trying for a good pic...

Mark and John took the boat back to the ramp...

After the sailing adventure...John treated us to PIZZA!

(I look like a bag lady in this pic)

My only regret of the weekend is not getting a pic of Caren and John...

(my battery died on my camera...I took this one with my phone...see Caren and camera?)

Thanks for the funnest Family Christmas Gift EVER!!

Teeth Chatter II

2011-05-31T22:02:00.000-07:00

So today I worked in Lemon Grove. It is interesting to me that each office has its own "feel". The patients and doctor (especially the well established offices) are usually of similar temperament. They have similar interests etc. It is kind of fun to see what "flavor" of office I am in each day that I work.

Hank (my first patient, name protected) sat out in the reception room serenading any and everyone with his guitar that he brought in with him. He reminded me of the guys in San Francisco that used to hang around Union Square. He looked and sounded like them although his clothes did not smell.

Next up was Patsy who told me that she was going to keep her phone in her pocket on vibrate in case the vet called her since she was expecting him this afternoon to come clip the hoofs on her pot belly pig. (yeah...you read that right). And how did I respond to this?? I was surprisingly calm and naturally conversed with the woman about the ins and outs of having such a pet as a 100 # pig roaming around the house. It is unfortunate for Patsy and her husband that they can no longer take the pig with them camping since she is too big to turn around in the motor home. (THE PIG!) HELlooo.

The rest of the day was normal from there except that three patients in a row were named one form or another of my Mom's name. odd. It's not even a very common name. Generally the staff and doctor were nice. The equipment fine...except I NEED to find a sharpening stone next time I visit Lemon Grove. Oh. and I finished up with a very well behaved 6 year old boy. Man, he made me miss my young, sweet sounding boys of days gone by. Love the boys, I do:)

Tis the season

2011-05-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

It's baseball season don't ya know...at least around here. Most of the boys are in playoffs. What does one do when one is coming up on the end of the month of May with one VT still to visit. Considering the whole family is engulfed with the whole baseball thing with Dad as manager and son as star player....well...I did what any forward thinking RS sister would do....bake:)

Again...a quick phone pic but I had to deliver...it was getting late.

I wanted to share with you a trick that I didn't think would work so well. (easy!)

It was simple to just shake the red sugar sprinkles just where I needed them for the stitching.

Who knew?

I only tried this when I realized that I was out of red food coloring.

I had planned to do little red "Xs" with my writing tip...what a pain.

This was quick and easy.

Now go make yourself some baseball cookies.

Next Sam wants me to make bat bread sticks...

AIQA

2011-05-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

A. I. Q & A

1. Do you like A.I.?

2. Did you watch the finale?

3. Do you like Country music?

4. Who was your fave candidate this season?

5. Did you see Jack Black get passed by with the Scotty hug?

6. Do you like Lady Gaga?

7. Do you like Steven Tyler?

1. Yes! One of the few shows my boys and I can watch together.

2. I LOVED the finale...was very entertained:)

3. Not so much.

4. We were Cassie fans.

5. LOL! love Jack Black. He enjoys life, don't ya think?

6. Gaga...yucka!!

7. I really have enjoyed him this season.

pic o' the year!

2011-05-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

LOL!!

What IS working?

2011-05-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to direct my attentions to what IS working today I share:

Hanging out at Sam's baseball games. I. LOVE.THIS!!

Although the regular season has come to a close...

we have two more playoff games to go...WOOT!

Sam has a great coach!

I love it when they something significant about each player.

Sam...never complained, has a great arm, tried hard every game...etc.:)

The coach said that when they selected the players for the team,

they wanted a group of really good kids. Not necessarily the best players,

but just really good kids. It was a great group of boys and I was glad Sam

could be recognized amongst them:)

Sam intent on coach talk.

***************

Bart time.usually starts with dad..soon the others just have to join:)

**********

(bad pic, but I have to share a HUGE milestone we experienced this week...)

OUR LAST CUB SCOUT PACK MEETING!!

The culminating award to achieve in Cub scouts is The Arrow of Light.

It is the only patch that goes from your cub scout uniform on to your boy scout uniform.

It has to do with being a good person, basically.

Straight as an arrow...Seven days a week.

Anyway, after four boys and three different ways of awarding this particular achievement.

Sam got the best (actually Jon had this too.)!

Brother Smoot, The Archer (a.ka. plastic surgeon) came and talked to the boys about the significance of the arrow and then had a target with each of the boy's names on it.

The boy got to choose which of the letters Bro. Smoot should shoot the arrow through.

Of course we all had to be silent while he aimed and fired.

Perhaps my flash photography did not help his concentration...ahem.

His second shot hit right on the "M" spot.

Very cool!!

***********************

Related to scouting...but more about Moms of scouts...

Years ago I discovered this little item.

Saw it at a pack meeting and I knew with 4 boys it

was/is a must for me..

Not sure what to call this...it is a ribbon necklace thing that holds all of my mother's pins from scouting.

One side is blue and gold ribbon (cub scouts)

The other side is green and red (boy scouts).

This eliminates the awkward..."Where do I pin this on my mom" moments.

And it keeps pin holes out of your clothes.

And gives you a place to put all of those pins.

And a chance to show them off on a regular basis:)

Okay...that's it for now...I better get to all of that stuff that isn't working now...enjoy your weekend!

Teeth chatter

2011-05-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

One of the perks, I will admit, to being a hygienist is the opportunity it provides me to talk to interesting people. I realize that some of you are thinking about how frustrating (or hard) it is to have the person working on your teeth ask you questions that you can not answer with their hands in your mouth. I recognize this as a challenge, however, I do suggest that a perfect balance of hands in mouth / hands out of mouth, is possible and something that I believe I have perfected over the years. For 90% of my patients, we are successful in carrying on an interesting and stimulating discourse. There are those 10% who insist upon talking waaaay more than allowing the task at hand to be performed thus messing up my day's on-time schedule. And of course the patient who chooses to not connect with his/her hygienist and that is fine...just a bit boring.

With that introduction, I would like to introduce what I hope becomes a regular feature to my blog and that will be a periodic Teeth Chatter post. Today I choose to highlight Adele O'Riley (name changed to protect my patient:). Adele presented as a 66 year old female wearing typical casual attire but with obviously freshly pedicured purple toenails. When I commented on such...she filled me in on the "Red Hat Society". Have you heard??

Apparently, there are thousands and thousands of members of the "Red Hat Society" all. over. the. world! These women are all over 50 years...wear red hats and accessories with purple attire. They meet for lunches, socials and conventions. They form small chapters and large chapters whose leaders they refer to as "the queen". Adele is "the Queen" of her local chapter. She told me that in the San Diego area alone there are at least 100 different chapters. Imagine!

She told me that if I would like to participate that I would need to wear a pink hat with lavender attire until I reached the minimum age for full participation. If you are concerned about where to find a lovely red hat...fear no longer...go here.

You are welcome:)

TVTR

2011-05-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

Today's

Run

Torrey View Trails Run.

runonpics

2011-05-09T22:58:00.000-07:00

Random phone pics which may or may not be worth mentioning...

After one of our hikes, we stopped for soft serve. I was surprised when Mark ordered one for Bart. I think it was gone before we left the parking lot.

One positive point about having boys is their lack of desire to go clothes shopping. Why is this a positive you ask?? More time for Mom clothes shopping:) One negative point about having boys is their lack of desire to go clothes shopping...so I try going without them and send them text pics and ask if this pocket style is acceptable...only problem...I need virtual dressing rooms. There's got to be an app for that...yes?

I tried to stay pretty positive and X-out the cynical in my BYU WC post...but have you ever seen a "bump-it"? I got my first glimpse and saw a few in UT. ahem.

One of my favorite activities while in UT was an early morning Saturday walk with my dear friend, Sue. We walked from my Sister's house to the home Mark and I owned while living in Salt Lake. I have a lot of fond memories in this house. Mark totally re-did the whole thing...floors painting and brand new basement. It was hard to leave just because so much of him was in that house. See the wreath by the front door? We had a garage sale before moving and the woman who bought our house came and bought all of my wreaths...that was 10 years ago!! It is still hanging. I'm sure if the snow had not just fallen, you would be able to spy the tulip bulbs I planted in front...and of course the basketball stand which has enough concrete poured to last through the next big earthquake to hit the Wasatch fault line.

One last thought...Mother's Day is always a challenge for me for a multitude of reasons. This mother's day I tried something that worked magic for me. I wrote 10 emails to significant mothers in my life. I took a lot of time to think about each of them specifically and what I appreciated about them. Of course this exercise produced tears of gratitude and love for each of these women in my life. It took up a lot of that free time I get on M.Day (because I am not allowed in the kitchen) that otherwise may have been spent on self-judgement which is for some reason not generally positive on that one Sunday in May. I am surrounded by wonderful Mothers...I think I could write 10 emails/day for the next several weeks and not run out of worthy recipients.

i heart MOTHERS!

Next...

2011-05-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

First, before I forget...I should've made mention of my little sis who is now my famous sis. You can see her...here if you didn't find her there already.) At BYU/WC...as we came out of the Marriott Center...we saw CJane. Of course, Cheryl wanted to go for the photo op...me? No way!.. Cheryl thinks I am chicken..it just weirded me out to feel like a stalker. After getting home, Cheryl emailed the pic to CJane. Sooo glad I was not in it. I have decided something about myself and in the process have come up with a new word (lovvvve new words): photophobe...that's me!

Next Up: I wanted to share a little scripture find that happens now and then when you are most needing it to, I suppose. Thursday I flipped open my scriptures to this verse in Hebrews..2:1. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." So appropriate for me post-WC. How often I hear great words, feel so inspired and then let them slip.

And then as if that was not enough...the real verse I needed for that VERY day was further in same chapter but verse 13: "And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me."

Love this. Love the children that God hath given me!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

BYU/WC

2011-05-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

I did go, after all.

A special thanks to Mom and sisters who made it all possible.

(My sister, Claire had heard about "Comedy Sportz " in Provo--an improv comedy show.
She bought us all tickets and we enjoyed laughing together Friday night...following the crying together for the previous 2 live long days!!)

Amazing numbers of valiant women.

all. together.

I have notes.

Thought about typing them out but figured I could just give you the run down...
First of all...loved, loved Sis. Beck's talk!
Pretty sure it will end up in print at some point. (not yet)
The entire conf. theme was "Small and Simple things.."

Basically...do the small things like:

read your scriptures (daily from the young age of 14!--one presenter)
small miracles happen to let you know you are loved from above.
No scriptures? No Answers.
Know scriptures! Know Answers!
Don't confuse duties of priesthood with power of priesthood.
What would God have me do/feel?
Keep up on the basics, fitness, prayer, scriptures, healthy living..
Spiritual drinking is best done a drop at a time rather than starving oneself and then going for bursts.

Of course the best part was being with my mom and sisters and sharing things that are hard to do via blogs, texts, phone calls and such. We all have our own challenges and it is just so good to know what to pray for and what to support through. Love them all!!

Sam's Day!!

2011-05-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Sam turned 11!!
(and Man, did we P A R T A Y:)

Sam woke up extra early...
even before everything could be ~~wrapped~~ ready for celebrating.
So...what do you do with extra time on a bday??
Play your fav game (monopoly)..Sam ALWAYS wins!

The present opening process soon began...to be savored throughout the day...

Lottsa baseball stuff.

Remember the Hairy Egg??

Oh! What fun!!

poor, poor hairy egg...

We had cake...

made by mom, yummy dinner made by dad.
And the VERY BEST PART was having the boys
ALL TOGETHER!!
Ben brought gifts to the party...
(he's a working man now, don't yah know...)

and

The coolest thing about having a brother live away..
Is that when he comes home = insta HAPPY:) FAM!

Chris brought Bruce and Ellie so of course
Bart wanted to show off his watering hole...

Sam eagerly added a hike to his birthday plans...

Happy, happy birthday Sam!!

I hope all of your wishes come true.
Love,
Mom

ontheroad

2011-04-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

From my recent observations, every living thing in UT

is ready for Spring to come AND STAY!!

airport waiting.

Las Vegas, baby.

Where the slots are buzzing and

the landings bumpy!!

BYU WC post to follow...

run-lifeart

2011-04-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

I know, I know another beach shot but here it is...

Yet another beautiful beach run and today I did all mileage on the beach.

The last mile was done barefoot and splashing:)

Smile into the sunshine shot.

I had a great run and then as I was walking back to my car I noticed...

There were at least 20 artists.

Some were sketching.

Some were painting.

Some were taking photographs.

They were all basically looking at the same view

but as I passed and glanced at their creations,

none of them were the same.

In fact, they were very different.

Life is like this.

It is supposed to be.

We all get to choose how we live

and how we interpret our lives.

It may seem that we are in very similar circumstances as those around us

but in reality each of our lives are unique.

It was interesting that I didn't feel one of the

pieces of art was much better than another,

just different.

LifeArt.

Triedbyallathon

2011-04-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

It all started with Jon in the morning at

The Varsity Scout Triathlon on Fiesta Island...

Here he is transitioning from a freezing cold swim (200 meters)

(which I have no pic of because ...shhh...I did not recognize my growing son's athletic body

as he emerged from the waters...until it was too late.

He is BUFF, serious...I was looking for the scrawny kid of yesteryear. my bad)

to the bike portion (8 miles or 3 laps around the island)

looking strong on the bike

and last...running 2 miles

All done:)

bffs (can I say that about boys)

(I may pay for that one)

This is Bryce.

Bryce's Mom and I went and cheered for the guys.

We had a GREAT time!

Next Up: Sam @ Baseball

Once again, Sam is loving baseball!

This year's highlights include:

1. Taking out a first baseman while claiming his plate.

2. Taking out a runner while playing 3rd base...claiming his plate.

3. Catching fly balls in the outfield.

4. Long throws for outs from 3rd to 1st base.

5. Hard hits.

6. Sunflower seeds.

7. New friends...his fellow bats.[they are "the bats" as in the flying type]

And next...

Another Bart swim/hike to the pond

and finally...

Mark and I snuck in a run...here.

Followed by a trip to Henry's for a yummy piece of fish

to come home and stir fry for some healthy food sharing.

That was our Saturday...today is Sunday...

Happy Easter!

We have had a nice, relaxing holiday, and you?

Bart's 1st Swim

2011-04-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

As promised...the dog swims first time:)
Videographer, Jon

Spring Break SD style

2011-04-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Thankfully we have had WONDERFUL weather for our week of Spring Break which allowed us a couple of early beach days...

I LOVE that Sam

LOVES going to the beach:)

Many varying activities are acceptable beach play.

and waaay more fun with friends;)

A very serious dual with kite dowels.

Bart tagged along the second day...

See he IS a water dog!

I should have had one of the kids take a pic of Mark and me

since it is rare for all of us to be at the beach together...fun times!

Sam's Hairy Eggs

2011-04-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

It all began in an innocent 5th grade moment. A spark of creativity, if you will. The "Hairy Egg" was born. Sam doodled on a small piece of paper (while at school) and named his creation...hairy egg. These drawings started showing up on desks, note books etc..soon other students were requesting Hairy Egg drawings of their own.

I knew this might be more that just a passing fancy when I went into the garage a month or so ago and found this:

The access...

This fort goes the width of the garage.

I am pretty sure this is a pulley system.

for snacks (ie pretzels) and stuff.

The wall paper

(an example of those shared with the privileged 5th graders)

And of course...

The Rules.

(side note: varies for producer of hairy eggs)

1. No jumping

2. Do Not hang over edge

3. Do Not crawl fast

4. Do Not push or move ladder

5. Do Not push on edge of ground and supporters

6. Think of Hairy Eggs at least once [my personal fave rule!]

7. Follow rule 1, 2, 3. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

One of the monthly school projects that Sam is lucky enough to take part in is called, "Discovery Quest". Each of the students selects a topic from those suggested by the teacher and they do an oral presentation in front of their class. This past month was a "how to" presentation. Sam wanted to make a 3-D Hairy Egg. Mark and Sam took this assignment very seriously and got some great pics for the power point presentation. I will share just a few of them...

I suppose Hairy Eggs are here to stay.

Remember you saw them first, here!

run-ons

2011-04-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

I know, I know you have seen this pic before...No, you have not. This pic I took on my Saturday Solo trail run and it was A M A Z I N G!, again. There is something about the waves, blue sky, flowering hillside...I tell ya!

It's been awhile since a post so get ready for just plain old run-ons to catch you up.

I taught YW on Sunday. My lesson was on "Dating Decisions". I covered the difference between Love and Lust. I told the girls that making out hovers on the "lust" side...they were SHOCKED! "Everyone makes out!" I also told them to keep their hands and their dates' hands from the neck up..to which I got an open mouthed aghast from the Laurel sitting next to me. She quoted another leader saying that passion has got to be present in a marriage for it to work. She said, "How will you know if there is passion?". I told her that if there is electricity when you kiss, trust me it will come with the rest. (I am soooo grateful I grew up during an era when I could be naive.)

We watched a movie this weekend that recently came out on DVD, "The Next Three Days". It is starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. I can't stop thinking about it. I don't think I can fully recommend it since you find yourself rooting for them to get away with breaking the law bigtime as in him breaking her out of prison. Oh, just go watch it so I can see if you liked it or not. It's a drama and was intense. I kept saying "I don't like this movie." but of course I had to keep watching it.

I worked today at a temp office in Carlsbad. Interesting office. Kindof homespun. You got the feeling that all of the patients and staff knew each other really well. The office was more like a home and a small home at that. For example, the dentist had some extra time and went out in the waiting room and just shot the breeze with my patient's mom who was waiting for me to clean her son's teeth. It was a comfortable place to be and by my last two patients I was yacking it up with the rest of them. It's funny how each office has its own feel and how the patients match the dentist and staff. People are just naturally drawn where they fit. This doctor had patient files that were really thick...like most of the patients I saw had been coming to him for years and years. That's a good sign.

Unlike my Monday office (or I should say previous office). They let me go on Friday telling me that they were going to use their other two hygienists that had more seniority than I did to fill their schedule; which is probably okay considering the last two weeks, they have sent me home early because the schedule keeps falling apart. The best part about that office was that it was literally 7 minutes from driveway to time clock. But...that office had NO thick charts. That's not a good sign.

Tomorrow I go to yet another office and this is for a working interview. So...kind of like the stress of a new workplace (like temping) but with also the pressure of an interview. awesome! I'm really so glad that I am as old as I am (Mark hates it when I say I am old) no but really...the stress level is put in much better perspective the more stressful days one has lived through.

This going back to work thing has been much different than I anticipated. I really thought I would temp for maybe a month max until I found the perfect office: close by, professional, excellent dental care and nice staff to interact with. Much harder to find than I thought. I am going on seven months and I have yet to work more than 3 days in a week and I only did that once, I think. But I am not really complaining...maybe just a bit. I have certainly enjoyed working from home with Mark and I know that something will find its way to me.

Have been doing a sugar fast the last couple of weeks. It's always a good way to get me back on the eating right track. The sweetest treat I give myself is a protein shake with almond milk, light choc soy milk, better than peanut butter, protein powder, ice. It is delish!! I still haven't figured out how to work and exercise so it's probably a good thing that I don't work too many days/week.

On a parenting note: I need to learn how to tell my kids "no". I have a hard time with that. I always want to say "yes" so I put off the "no" even when I am quite sure that will be the ultimate answer. I do warn them...they have a good idea that I might say no but they are opportunists, my boys...if there is the slightest chance of a yes they hold on and on.

much like this post...sorry. more excitement next. quite sure.

Auto Pilot

2011-04-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

It's time for me to take control, once again, of the runaway aircraft I will affectionately refer to as "Feed Me Air". And if you must know how I came up with "Feed Me Air" it is possibly related to the fact that as part of my new and improved flight plan, I am not fueling after 8pm so here I sit (in bed) because that is the furthest spot away from the kitchen and air is all I am getting tonight:)

I go through times where I let this aircraft go into autopilot...basically handing over the controls to either the "Emotional Eating" co-pilot, or to the "Taste buds Rule" co-pilot. Either way...it's a pretty fun ride (at first)..kind of bumpy oh! but the places we go!! Sometimes, I pay such little attention to the course my co-pilots are taking me that I am actually really surprised when I finally look up and realize where we are headed!! It is at this point that I start to complain...like why so bumpy? Why is my [seat] belt so tight? whah! whah! whah! Sometimes I even ask other passengers or people in other planes for advice as to how I got where I am and where I am going...it's all a waste of time, really.

Until I finally get to the only question that matters...

"WHO IS FLYING THIS PLANE, ANYWAY?!"

See, the reality is..."Feed Me Air" is going to fly 24/7 no matter what. So...I get to choose whether I take over the controls or I pass it off to anyone else, let it nose dive into a treacherous spiral or set it on auto pilot for that matter... It's my choice.

I'm back folks...and I have my eye on the destination. It's gonna be good;)

Who doesn't like a good analogy...and throw in food/eating/weight...come on...you know you want to add to my thinking....give me your best shot...Deanne is traffic control?? Is that the best you've got??

DogPaddle

2011-04-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a hike

To a lake.

We brought Bart along

so he could try swimming.

for the FIRST time.

It was fun:)

Good swim.

Good dog.

Happy fam fans!

I am still working to get the video off of Jon's video cam to load to blogger...hmmm.

Conference Notes (Sunday only)

2011-04-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

"If we teach by the spirit and you listen by the spirit...one of us will speak to you and your situation."

--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

As he said these words, I did feel that fervor of his faith and I knew that the Lord does want to help us and to answer our questions and strengthen each of us.

"When we sin, Satan tells us we are lost but the healing, redemptive power of the atonement is always available."

--G. Scott Grow

"When we praise our children, we should primarily praise their character. Not necessarily what they do but who they are."

--Lynn G. Robinson

This was a great talk on parenting...Sunday afternoon session.

"Parents must chasten their children...Boyd K. Packer said, Those who put off chastening are only thinking of themselves."

--Todd Christofferson

"If we are only thinking of ourselves, we may miss the most profound spiritual experiences of our lives."

--Elder Uchtdorf

These were the words that spoke to my heart.

Deelightfull!!

2011-04-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

This week I had one of the most perfect days of my life, to be sure.

It was Marge's 88th birthday! and Bev invited me to join the two of them in the celebration.

L U C K Y me!!

Bev has hookups! (ALL around the globe, seriously)

Rancho Valencia: spa, resort, restaurant and country club.
located in Rancho Santa Fe

Marge was in great spirits because Bev honored her request to take "the convertible" on our adventure.

How do I know she was a happy birthday girl?? She let me take pics and she didn't fight to pay the check:)

I love, love this picture!
Adoration....

Bev and Marge have been friends for a long time. They "get" each other. I feel so lucky to be able to join in on the "Marvel at Marge" club. Marge and I have also really "clicked" in the past year. The three of us get along famously and you would never catch Bev or me ever calculating years as a differential...Marge, on the other hand, can't believe we love her as much as she loves us...can you imagine?! She says we are the reason she stays so young.

One day she told me that she was going to wear a different pair of her ear rings every day so that she could get them all in once before she dies...so...Bev and I have been giving her pair after pair of ear rings because we would both do ANYTHING to help extend this priceless friendship.

The food was AMAZING!

Beginning with the pretzel rolls, flat bread and hummus...
When I started studying the menu, I knew we were in trouble...there were several items that begged to be sampled. We decided to order three different lunches and share. It was perfect.
(We even like the same food:)

Our waiter: Juan.
Marge charms ALL the men.
(And she has her whole life:)

Not only did Valencia come through with delicious food, but the service was impeccable! Bev had called before to let them know about our celebration and to warn them about Marge's history of imposing her credit card whenever the ticket is delivered. No problem...as we entered the restaurant...I created a diversion and Bev gave the hostess her card. Marge asked our waiter mid lunch if she could pay for some hummus and rolls to take home. He told her, "Of course". At the completion of our meal, he brought out a package for her and insisted that the hummus etc was "on the house"...he WOULD NOT hear of her paying for "her present"...brilliant!

The weather was perfect. The setting gorgeous and did I mention I love these two women?...

Thank you, Bev and Marge for a most perfect afternoon...and here's to many more shared birthday celebrations!! (I did announce at this lunch that at 88 years...you start celebrating half birthdays as well...all were in agreement:)

MeonWC

2011-03-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

Today on CJane's blog she announced that she and her sisters will be speaking at Women's Conference. This brought up quite a stir amongst her readers. You see, CJane has quite the following; many of whom are LDS and the likes of those found attending said Conference. To announce (on her blog) that she would be speaking she read Shari's email. Shari is my friend at church. Now Shari is famous because CJane read her email on her Vlog (video blog) and said, "from Shari in San Diego". So...I am a little famous because I take Shari's daughters to and from the church (sometimes). But I digress...

BYU Women's Conference is held once/year usually the first weekend of May. My sisters and Mom love BYU/WC and want to go every year. They talk about it months beforehand and send emails and texts around as soon as registration opens up so that we for sure will get a place to sleep in the cinder blocked dorms on the BYU campus. I oftentimes choose not to join them in said adventure since my Sam's birthday is May 1st and often conflicts. Sometimes, however, like 2011...the WC is scheduled before his bday and so I lose my Samexcuse. You see...I am not so fond of the WC as my 4sisters and Mom....

Pros of WC:
1. Being together with my sisters and Mom!:)

2. Taking a break from regular activities.

3. Hearing inspirational talks by women who truly know and understand life's secrets.

4. Cheap housing

Cons of WC:
1. The bustling of thousands of women to and fro all over BYU campus and Provo/Orem for that matter.

2. The hyperventilating feeling that comes over me when I consider that I am assumed to be "just like" all of
the other bustling women.

3. The overabundance of whatever the "attire of the day" is...ie denim jumpers (1997 and beyond), broom stick skirts (2002), denim jackets (2006) and apparently this year (per CJane)...muu-muus. (I don't wear muu-muus). [and I don't know how to spell them]

4. Waiting in lines for EVERYTHING. from getting your BYU approved towel (covers all the right places, don't ya know...) to the shared shower (yes, you share the dorm with 5 other women...and yes, these were the accommodations that you had to snag months prior)

5. Being overwhelmed with just too much good. (if you don't understand this...I can not explain) but I will try to in my #9.

6. I am not certain about this but it feels to me (from my memory bank) that you attend several classes each day...like 6 hours of church.

7. Hard chairs.

8. You rarely get into your first choice of class because of the thousands of women, but it really is okay because there isn't a one of the speakers at Women's Conference who is not inspirational, serious.

9. You go to your first class...take notes, get good ideas, feel inspired to change a few things at home then hurry on to your next class where you get more good ideas, feel inspired to change even more things at home and then on to the next hour. (you get the picture..) I wish I could get one idea and then sit together with a bunch of intelligent women and discuss how I can fit that into my life. By the time I get to the end of the day..my first good idea is long forgotten and it might have been JUST THE ONE to make all the difference. Someday I will be sitting in Hell and it will hit me...that ONE perfect idea I heard at BYUWC that would have made all the difference. (that I forgot cuz I had too many ideas all smashed in the bottom of my BYUWC freebie book bag...yeah...you get one...should that have gone on my pros list??)

This year I am joining in the throng. I will be right up there with the rest of them with my empire waisted tops and capris with cute flats that really hurt your feet. (Or something like that) And I will be sitting next to Claire who, once again, will put up with my..."Can't we just go have a pedicure?" or "Next year let's all run a 5K together?..." And she will pat my leg and smile and promise that next time we will add in a pedicure/shopping day (because she is nice like that). And I will realize, once again, that sitting next to Claire and Cheryl and Cindy and Karen and laughing with Mom until she chokes on her diet coke is all worth it; and if cinder block showers, 30 min bathroom stall lines, and hours of hard chairs is what it takes for sister bonding...bring it!!

PAWS

2011-03-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

So...was thinking that it has been a while since I have posted a Bart update.

See those paws?

He is only 21 weeks/roughly 5 months.

He is going to get pretty BIG folks.

And guess what?

He sheds.

A. Lot.

Mark sweeps.

A. Lot.

He has been to the dog park twice. He is getting better. Not so nervous. He is great at "sit", "stay" and loves to retrieve the ball. He is getting better at walking right next to you and has become a part of us.

He loves to put his chin on your leg...and "Bart" on you. (the boys' term for that gross slobber shmear that is left behind after his extended affection)

Am I smitten, not so much. But that is not to say that I am not fond of him. I am.

I have decided that he definitely is a pro at mood sensing. It is actually touching in a way. I figure that if I only observed all day long; wandered around the house with no chores to complete, instructions to give, places to go and I didn't speak but only listened. Perhaps I could be as good as Bart at knowing when each of the home's occupants were happy, sad, worried or discouraged. He just knows. And in his way...he lets you know that he knows. That's the touching part.

Sundaze

2011-03-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Okay...back again. It's been a slow posting season...sorry about that. I will briefly re-cap last week...

We had such a great time with my nephew, Steven and his two friends who came for the weekend...and yes, Mindi..I just got one pic. But I did think of your request and snapped this during movie night on Sunday. (The movie going is Sherlock Holmes)

When I came home from work on Tuesday...I found this note on the island in the kitchen...

These guys were great guests, the best! Thanks for coming Steve and co.!!

I worked at an office about 25 minutes away Tues-Thursday this week (this meant M-Th work for me). I worked from 6:45-5ish. Long days, but the DDS was great and I enjoyed the staff. I am so lucky to have Mark working from home to keep life going like baseball, kid taxi-ing and dinner prep. I was spoiled.

Friday I got to spoil back...Mark's birthday!!

Mark and I dropped the kids off at school.

And then we spent the whole day together.

It was delightful!!

We saw the movie Limitless (V. good!!)

We went out to lunch for sushi..mmmm!

I made a yummy cake...just plain ol' chocolate as per bday request.

We went out to dinner with the boys and ate cake:)

Don't try counting the candles...Mark got the number

of candles on his cake that Sam was able to find...not a significant #.

Love this man!!

Hold Please

2011-03-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

5 teenage boys in my home for 5 days.
kitchen duty.
nuff said?
pizza, waffles, curry chicken w/naan bread, pop corn and cookies.
and that's just day 1 and 2.
do I like this?
Oh! Yes, yes I do!
did i mention I am working all week.
followed by a bday to plan.
for my man.
will blog during the rest notes.
TTFN.

Sunday Run-ons

2011-03-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

When Bart is fed, he is left in the garage.

by himself.

to eat the measured portion out of his bowl.

by himself.

only for a very quick couple of minutes.

When Mark went out to check on him today,

this is what he found...

Bart, head in bag...

stuck in the corner.

by himself.

Do we have a binge eater?

Probably more like a clever puppy

who happens to like the small bag of "Newman's Own"

that we got to hold us over until we could get to Costco.

Today in Sunday school we were discussing prayer and it has caused me to have a dialog inside my head. In one verse we are told that the Lord knows our needs and to not use vane repetitions. In the Bible Dictionary it tells us that prayer is a form of work and that there are blessings waiting for us when all we need to do is to ask for them. For some reason these two commands seems conflicting to me. If my Father in Heaven knows my needs, should I ask him for blessings?

We are given "the Lord's prayer" as an example. Unfortunately for us, many religions have used and re-used this example so that it almost feels like vane repetition to me. I tried to look at it today as what Christ was trying to teach us with this example. He recognizes His Father's position and the fact that our/his Father's will is ultimately what will come to pass. As I type this I am overcome with an overwhelming feeling of love and reassurance that Christ was trying to show me just how it is to be done. In reverence. In sincerity. With a humble heart. I can do this.

There were other points of question I had in Sunday school like when the teacher wrote on the board that a "True Disciple" 1. Does things for the right reason. I believe this. I also have seen this as a stumbling block for the purists I have come across in life. If they don't feel that pure form of charity or devotion, then they will not serve or participate. I have heard people say that it is better to do the right thing for the wrong reason than to not do the right thing; however, I have not heard this from God. I will look that up. Maybe I will email Carol and get her on it...she is awesome at gospel questions.

I do love the gospel in its purest form. I have angst when seemingly good people struggle with its teachings. I have enough questions for myself that I feel directed to ask and to answer that I don't feel the need (as some do) to address the controversies of "the day". I know that at the end of the day (or at the beginning or in the middle) all I want to feel more than ever is the love of my Father in Heaven; his acceptance; his peace. The deep down kind of "you are okay" that only he can deliver.

If you are wondering...how is she going to tie this into Bart's eating styles?? I am not. This is the license I give myself (a writing pass) when I use "run-on" in my title...does not have to relate. Not tonight.... good night.

faithdebate

2011-03-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

Just an FYI...I have mentioned Cjane's blog a few times here. Well...as it turns out one of my comments got a bit of attention (which is actually a bit of a bloggerrush don't ya know?). The blog post was a guest post written on the subject of eating disorders. It was actually quite well done and informative..I just didn't like one of the points so I made a comment like this...

I appreciated this article and approved of 95% of it. Do not agree with #7. Perhaps it was just carelessly written. I honestly believe that if there is enough faith involved, "religious practices alone" can solve ALL of our problems. Unfortunately most of us (myself included) do not have that much faith. And perhaps the only true answer to conquer our physical challenges are in fact spiritual.

And then...who knew but I got a rebuttal that went like this...

kath, i would like to disagree. i think we have been given these resources (people like janna, medicine, knowledge) to help us. going to church, reading our scriptures and prayer are huge parts. but they are not all of them. i guess to me it's like praying over a broken leg. you don't sit and pray about it, you go to the doctor who can set it and then put it in the cast so it can heal. we have to DO something. we have so many resources, we are to use them. why else would we have them??

To which I responded thus:

Would I pray over a broken leg? Of Course I would!! (All the way to the hospital) I realize that we have been "given" resources that are for our good. All that we have comes from God. He CAN heal all things. He COULD heal even a broken limb. I think the offense I took to the writing of #7 was the fact that "over simplify" was synonymous with religious solutions. I guess I am somewhat protective when it comes to "faith"; I believe there is power there to be respected and one that should never get second chair to any mortal solutions.

Because the so-called debate took place after another post had been written...this will probably be the end of the discussion. Which is okay with me since (for now) I had the last word.
If you would like to read the entire post...click here...
Happy Friday!!
Looking (forward?) to the Blue and Gold cubscout banquet, new polish on the toenails and a beach run:)

ENJOY! (I say!)

DrumRollPlease...

2011-03-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

It is with extreme pleasure that I announce the newest addition to my 100 club....Joan has been running with me since I moved to San Diego but until late it was just "hit" and "miss". Mostly due to the fact that Joan is much faster than I and our schedules have not come together. Well...for the last several weeks, we have been running once/week. I was doing the calculations on our mileage and what do you know...time for another induction:)

Congrats to Joan!!

and...thanks for all the shared miles:)

I Spy

2011-03-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Sam won his first baseball game!!

Jon was "watching" the game.

If I look at this picture too long, my hands start to sweat.

Before the game...
grass stained pants before the game=no sweat.
One thing to learn from mothering boys?...when to sweat.

the times

2011-03-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

So...not sure what exactly this means but...

BUT...now the sign spinners are advertising for their own services?

"Your Ad here"...Spinning for spinning.

Thriving economy? I think not.

There were four of these guys out on corners this morning.

(And yes..still am driving the van, Nancy)

See Level

2011-02-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday after completing another trail run through the hills of Torrey Pines, I noticed the change in view as my car descended the hill down towards the waterfront. I love the views of the beach trail run. Looking down upon the waves and shoreline is always therapeutic and invigorating. But it was interesting to watch the change in perspective as I became flush with the ocean level. I had not thought before about how the ocean view even feels different depending on my vantage point. The tide was out further than the last few times I had run there; leaving plenty of room to run on the beach between the break of the waves and the backdrop of the sandstone cliffs.

I remembered back to a run that Angie and I took a couple of years ago when we were both fairly new to the area and before we understood the importance of tide checking before starting out on a run. We were about 2/3 the way through our 9 mile run when we realized that the tide was rising so quickly that we would have to scale the cliffs in order to stay dry. I decided that maybe we should take off our shoes and wade out into the sea and maybe swim a bit if we had to. (Anyone reading this who is experienced with ocean adventures, realizes how naive that plan would prove to be). This was my first experience facing the forceful incoming tide and I quickly realized that even the strongest swimmer would not be able to swim against the crashing waves. The waters definitely had the upper hand. We began to scale the slippery cliff barefoot and wondered just how long we could "hang on", when right around the corner, we came across the stairs that would lead us safely off the ocean floor and up on to the beach trail.

We sat down on the stairs and pulled our socks and running shoes over our wet and sandy feet. The stairs and trail would add another mile or so to our planned run but we were so relieved to be safe and to admire the crashing waves from the winding packed trails of the overlooking cliffs that the added mileage mattered not.

Angie and I went on to have many more awesome running adventures including long training runs and even completing the Rock n Roll marathon together. Little did we know that right around the corner, each of us would face challenges in life that would prove to be more forceful than either of us felt capable of wading through. There have been times of panic and wondering when (oh when!) is that safe stairway going to come into view. Fortunately we have been able to lean on each other, our faith and loved ones for support and direction.

I know that when life seems to be slamming up against me, what I need to do most is step back and change my perspective; find a new vantage point. Anyone looking from just a few feet above Angie and I could have alerted us that safety was right around the corner from us. It would have relieved our panic and filled us with hope and peace.

Fortunately for each of us there is one above us.

One to whom we can call upon to give us the perspective, peace and direction we seek.

Rhyme w/o reason

2011-02-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

It is Friday (woot!) and I get to spend some time with my awesome friend, Peggy. I can. not. wait.

But before I leave...a few thoughts:

Flowers should not droop!

(after a few short days...)

Cupcakes should be cute!!

(one poem a week...u r welcome:)