Happy Birthday, Jess!

Sixteen Candles?
Why have yucky wax candles when you can have 37 fries?
Thanks for lunch and laughs, Autumn

And my Robbie said, "Your birthday was one of the best days of my life."
Thanks, Babe

Happy Birthday, Autumn!
*Hope it has been exciting and sweet*

In a Sentimental Mood

I had to find a couple photos for work.
It got me thinking about my music from early childhood.
Music is always important to me,
but this stuff is in my cell makeup.

By 8, I was choreographing dances to songs like,
"The Gambler"
in my front yard with friends-Along with donning this happy Brownie beanie which coiffed
my "Dorothy Hamil" hairdo my mother was rather attached to.
IT WAS THE 70's!

The other songs that brought back joy are on this RETRO LOVE
playlist you're hearing now if you have your sound on.
FM100. We sang together in the Pinto hatchback.
Had to throw in a little Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, though.
I remember this from the skating rink.

Other poignant memories:
Dad's banjo.

Mom wearing a head scarf, sunning herself in the back yard.

Cleaning on Saturday morning. We put a vinyl on the player
and the family did chores while rocking out to John Denver, Roger Wittaker,
Air Supply and more.

My parents took me to my first concert at 8- Air Supply.
I was in love. Had many records. Drove my brothers nuts.

Aw, I won't ever have to relive it,
I've got the music.

The laugh of the day:
Green Smoothie.
Ever tried it?

It's the craze in athlete's or anyone's nutrition:
Just blend a mixture of veggies, fruits to offset the highly GREEN taste,
possibly a protein power,
and voila, you have a heavenly protein power drink.

My version?
After 30 beastly minutes on the treadmill- or mill stone??
slash recumbent bicycle,
I whip up a frothy, chunky drink with what I have on-hand:
Free tomatoes from my neighbor, Spinach and cucumber.
Yes, water and agave nectar to entice.
Do I have apple juice, an orange or lemon zest?
NO! Add a scoop of protein powder and my courage to the mix.

Needless to say, it took about 20 minutes
to choke it down AND a fresh commitment
to myself to keep the necessary ingredients around
so I never relive this morning's high school science experiment:)

Try it some time. The word, "Gratitude" comes to mind.

Deb

These are my 7 cousins, missing their mom.
This is one, tight-knit family.

This is my Aunt Deb.
Deb was one of the naturally funniest people I know.
Jo could put rabbit poop in her hand and it would make her laugh harder:)
We laughed about everything. Even the saddest things.

She had more hot dog jokes than anyone else!

This is my Aunt Deb.
She's an angel now.
I miss her.

Nov. 1953-Aug. 27, 2009

We kicked-off the week with a camp-out, Dad's idea.
And what fun! The kids are hiking
in the above picture.

They loved it all. Well, until Donovan got blisters
and the boys headed back to the parking lot with Dad
and.....
Ivy lead the way up the mountain.
"I just want to see what is at the end of the trail, Mom."
What a sport!
We enjoyed everybit of this overnighter
and hike.

Donovan now suffers from "pyromania!" He tried to light every stick on fire. Harrison just took lots of pictures, mainly of nature. He wants to get the photography merit badge now.

I love to cook while camping. I'm best at the propane stove thing, but we got breakfast down this time: Make sure the flames on the fire are high and set the griddle right in. Fun! Good thing everything tastes great when you're camping:)


Let's hike!




My little happy campers.

We're definitely going to do this
activity more often.







Below: The kids' invention- "Door of Doom" ride. We do crazy things when we're camping and deprived of electronics. We have video, but we'll spare you:)

No more teachers, no more books!

Back to the books.
It is time. Time to go to school, time to go to work.
I suppose I'm ready.
I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now,
in fact, getting excited about my new post at the school.
I'm only worried about doing homework with kids,
making dinner,reading,
getting people to bed on-time and all of this nonsense.
It's what we do though, right? We can do this again.
Wishing YOU luck and feel-goods.

*Be sure to check the bottom of the screen for favorite video clips*

Today is about art-journaling.
Catching up with thoughts and feelings in a way that only
needs to be understood by an artist.

This is how I get out of my head
and get it onto paper where I can sort it all out.

Look at Maxfield Parrish's work up there:
It needs no explanation, just one look and you feel it.
Wow!

Who is your favorite artist?

H with 2 awesome grandmas

Fillmore on the 4th!
We live for the celebration with family:
From the parade down main at 10 am
to the fireworks on grandma's lawn at 10 pm.
Here are a few of the things that happened this year...

The Bonds- Where are Megan and Tyson?

Donovan and Connor on the a.t.v. Buddies!

Here's Grandma, Beth and Suzie- 3 stand-up-comedians.
They're hilarious together!

Cousins Shelby and Morgan- and new puppy, Daisy.

So, thanks, Shelby for providing so much entertainment for the kids.
Mine were in 7th heaven.

Girls, girls, girls! They had a blast. They even pose for the mommies:)
Macy, Ivy, Campbell and Azi

What would the 4th be like without the sideyard scrimmage?
Football game-
quote of the day when Satasha got knocked down by her
boy cousin: "Sissy!"- brother, Chase

Yummy Dutch oven chicken and fixin's, laughs, stories and more stories,
games and Deano's pizza at the Carnival. Main street USA, pretty much.

So many I didn't get pictures of, but we had a blast and we love you all!

Updated family photo:

My huge, extended and obnoxious family
got together for family photos a couple of weeks ago.
We have a riot together.
Here was my little fam--happy as can be!
Thanks, cousin Maddie for hiding behind
the photographer and snapping photos
for me. She was so cute and manipulative:)

I wish I could post the whole fam damily,
but I signed an agreement.
Love 'em and miss Wad's and Jody's families already!

Fame! I'm Gonna Live Forevah...

*Childhood Flashbacks*

Ivy's eating her apricot fruit leather today
and I remember my mom making
us fruit leather from our own apricot tree.
I loved the stuff.

Then out of the blue, I'm seeing this very
picture: Me, Rod Decker and an annoying fly.
I'm not swatting it away, it's some girl in front of me. I'm to his right
looking just like Ivy in my claim-to-fame
blooper reel. Minutes :58-1:05.

Even cookier is my swing dancing with Rod's brother
at Rob's work banquet a couple of months ago.
I know! Astounding.

And hey, let's hear it for the fly anchor dancers!

Christina's Tag

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

*NOT going to work this summer
*Anniversary getaway to Park City this month
*Bear Lake with Rob's family next month
*Me finishing my bachelors and teaching h.s. English
*Paris with Rob-Next summer??
*High speed internet;)
*Reading every classic out there
*Grandkids

8 Things I did Yesterday:

*slept in
*Prayed and read my scriptures first thing-goal met
*redid my glitter toes
*Cleaned the Church
*Rob and I took the kids to see Treasure Island at Hale
*Sat and read at Murray Park while the kids and Rob played
*Ate at Noodles. Yum!
*Ate a Twix

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

*Continue on to get a doctorate
*Publish a book
*Be an avid skiier
*Finish our own basement and have a game room
*Hang out with all my favorite rock bands, sing and fall in-love- ok, that was a high school dream
*Live in Europe
*Help my kids understand how important their education is
*Do it all and do it well

8 Shows I Watch:

*Masterpiece Classic
*Masterpiece Mystery
*Monarch of the Glen
*Loved THE MOLE when it ran for two seasons. (Years ago!)
*Wheel of Fortune
*Jeopardy
*I could watch reruns of Northern Exposure everyday (Yep, Years ago!)
*I watched about 10 episodes of Jackass-laughed so hard and then stopped and repented.
OK, so t.v. isn't my thing, but I enjoy movies.

8 Favorite Fruits:

This would honestly be easier if they were veggies:
*Bananas with:
*Strawberries
*Apple
*Grapes smothered in yogurt with nuts. Why did I have to tell you all that?
Then I like:
*Watermelon
*Is Avocado a fruit?
*Oranges
*Tomato

8 Places I'd Like to Travel To:

*France, by bicycle, subway, taxi, foot. I want it all.
*India.
*All over England and Scotland.
*Boston-Before Fenway is torn down
*Nauvoo and all Church History sites
*Anywhere in Asia
*The Holy Land
*Argentina with Rob

8 Places I've Lived (even if only on holiday):

*Millcreek Canyon. Loved this home.
*Yep, Provo for 4 long months as a Newlywed.
*Moab, spent summer weekedends on my bike with Rachel being crazy.
*In a charming cottage house in the avenues next to Weber State.
*For a week in Puerto Rico at a resort I dream about.
*Utah- As a permanant residence- all my years.
*For two weeks in Germany with a dear friend, Judith and her amazingly daring hubby, Burkehart.
*I lied, there was Italian Alps in there for a few days.
*NYC for a week.


There you go. Now you know more of me than you did. Perhaps more than you ever wanted to know, but that's what blogging is all about. It's my journal, my radiohead, for all to peer into, disect and see how I tick.

You can amuse yourself and do this too. Thanks for the inspiration, Christina T.

AAhhh, Summer.

Baseball,

Waterballoon fights,

everyday sibling fights,

Reading a book at the park while the kids play,

Going to a play,

more baseball,

opening the windows to save on the power bill,

Sunday night doesn't mean it's all over,

Baseball tournament

now that D's team is actually hitting!

Summer read:

Fabulous story, long, but Chuck never disappoints.
I have to finish it so I can watch my Masterpiece movie.

Can't wait to play with y'all.

Pedicure girls: I haven't forgotton you. Let's get together.

Memorial Day, 2009.

There are so many more to remember who are gone now.

Not just those in my family,

but those from other families, fallen because of war, hunger and wickedness.

Take a moment to thank someone who has served our country

and kept our families safe and happy.

Thanks, Dad- Viet Nam

(My father spent and hour the other day telling me the most beautiful and spiritual stories

about his serving and mission and serving his country. He was called to both

and was guided in both. He served as a chaplain's assistant in Japan.

He listened to the life stories of many soldiers about to die

and wrote to their families to tell them about their gallantry, their love and their passing.

He amazes me.)

Thanks, Grandpas:

-R. Wesley Chamberlain, WWII

-Chester Wright, WWII (Fighter Pilot)

-Glen J. Preece, WWII (Engineering, Cook)

-Earl J Frampton, Korea (Infantry in trenches)

-George P. Greenwell, WWII

I love you and miss you.

Check out Jenny Sweeny's art.

I dream with this stuff on a blog named after another artist,

Anahata Katkin.

Yummy!

So here it is. Finally.

I'm doing the Pay It Forward, thanks to Autumn.

The first three friends to comment on this post

will receive a gift from me.

And what else, but my favorite hobby of late....

a pedicure!

Oh, but the catch. You must be willing to reciprocate

and offer something you do for three of your blogging connections.

Can't wait to see you. Love you, Jess

When did my favorite music become "Easy Listening"?

So I'm coming home from work and am pushing radio buttons

as I often do.

I settle on fm100 only because Crowded House is playing.

I feel nostalgic and remember how

much I enjoyed this song, not only for its merits,

but for my memories surrounding this 80's hit tune.

Then all of a sudden I wonder, "when did my Alternative hits become Easy Listening?"

Isn't it crazy to hear our stations evolve, and do they

really mean to say, "Hey, you're way outdated and OLD"?!

I mean, some of my 5th graders think 80's music is the best.

I still think 80's music is the best.

Oh, no! That means I'm just like my parents in that crazy,

fuddy, duddy sort of way.

Did I just type fuddy, duddy?

Ok, I think it's time for a mid-life wack-out. You know,

sports car, boobs, that sort of thing.

I'll probably stick to a tub of ice cream and a late-night showing of Pretty In Pink or something.

Now, there's a classic.

Name this band and you're right up there on the cool scale
(as far as this oldie is concerned:)

Happy Tax Day

Can I just say that Buca di Beppo restaurant is not only tasty and nourishing, but they are known for their artwork as well!?

My sis, Juliet and I spent just as much time in the bathroom laughing and taking pics as we did eating with the family (on her b-day dinner). Featured is a beautifully framed antique brassiere.

Hilarious! Check out the "Pope Room" for large groups. It's our family favorite.

Just wondering what the visuals are in the men's lavatory;)

Note to Self

The Spring Break Chapter Book

Chapter 1:

Autumn and I are busily writing memoirs of our Las Vidas LOCA

and it usually involves daily comedy, circus acts and elementary routines

(names have been changed to protect the not so...)

Chapter 2:

This Spring Break involves U2 on the mp3.

Not so sure about the new album,

but this is always the case for me and my faves.

I tend to hold fast to the past.

Chapter 3:

Jane Austen's Emma

Current read. And Note to self:
Stop reading books with incredible speed readers!
I need a little more than a weekend.



Chapter 4:

Everything feels better when the nails look great!

Am I becoming obsessed? Nah. Just love making a bit of a change.



Chapter 5:
Watched a cool "procedure" this weekend.
Thanks, April for inspiring me to be brave and watch.
*Always love it when it's someone else*
Textbook.


Well, Autumn. It didn't involve crazy man bum, but a weekend in 5 chapters.
I rather liked Chapter 7: Man Bum. Very Amusing.

Love you, Friends!

My favorite flowers, Cosmos, for you.

For you when you lift me,

laugh with me,

love me-when not loveable-

and listen to me.

I love you!

Gene Kelley.

see last post

Have you seen this guy dance?

Have you heard this bird sing?!

I am in love with all of his old musicals,

especially the ones he directed and choreographed

(Singin' in the Rain, American in Paris).

He only has to smile and I just melt!

It was a different era of dance and expression.

One of my faves from "S.I.T.R."
OOhh, la, la. Cyd Cherisse and those endless legs!
Gene is definitely one of my top 5 actors

These are the crazy things running through my mind when I get off

the phone with Cami P.

LOL!

I'm her inspiration

One powerful flick!

Crazy Swiss Bird Lady.

Hey, what do caterpillar footprints look like anyway?

MY inpiration!

Love ya, Cam.

Your turn