Sunday's "Your Life Story" entry No.9

What is your favorite season and why?

I don't know if I can say that I love one season more than the other because I really love the beginning of all the seasons, but if I had to narrow it down I would pick fall and spring. And if I had to narrow it down even further I would pick fall. My current location unfortunately doesn't really have much season change; especially in the fall. In southern California the fall's air doesn't cool down to a nice crisp temperature, it in fact warms up with the onslaught of the Santa Anna winds. October should be a time of unearthing the winter sweaters and the long pants but instead I'm still wearing my summer gear.

I grew up in Utah and lived in Boston for a short time and so I have such fond memories of the fall season. I loved the morning and the nights crisp air and the warmth of the afternoon sun. I loved reacquainting myself with my winter sweaters that sat dormant through the summer months and pulling on my knee high boots that sat tucked away in shoe boxes awaiting falls arrival. It is the most beautiful time of year in New England. When we lived in Boston I walked to work everyday and loved the sound of the crunch of fallen leaves beneath my feet and the feel of the cool wind as it bit the tip of my nose. The colors of the trees are brilliantly bright in New England. One weekend we drove up to New Hampshire with some friends and got a real taste of how just how spectacular the New England countryside was during this time of year. The whole road trip was one big perfect scene from a movie. It was breathtaking and it where my mind wanders during these hot and dry days of Southern California's fall.




"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life." - P. D. James

Fun with Friends

The Marriotts came into town last week and we meet up at Lego Land. It was a great day; full of hugs, laughs and smiles.
Some friends come and go, but others you have for life.

Jack F, Kate, Thomas ,Andrew and Jack M
Weeee...Alice Caroline and mama Carrie.
Jack Jack
Check out Jack's face... now that's pure joy!
3 Towhead's
My boys
Arr Matey

I'm In

A few months ago-

My friend April told me about a trip she was taking to Thailand with a group of women. At the time I didn't know anything about the trip except that it sounded amazing and I will admit I was a little envious. Well over the last several months I have gotten to know one of girls who organized the trip. Her name is Emily Falconbridge. She's not only super talented, but she is one of the most genuine people I have ever meet. I knew if she had anything to do with the planning of the trip it must be great. Her friend Tara Whitney, who I am anxious to meet, is the other person who organized the trip.

Last Saturday-

April called me with news that they needed to fill a spot due to some tragic events happening to one of the ladies. (Her husband had a massive stroke and ended up passing away. I don't know this women but my heart goes out to her at this terribly sad time.) I of course wanted to go and so the long processes of praying, planning and pleading began. I don't think I have fully convinced Chris that leaving for a week with women I don't know, to a land far away, and spending x amount of dollars is reasonable, but he is an amazing husband and has found away to be supportive of me and my seemingly crazy desires. And for that I am soooo grateful. I really am a lucky girl. I leave on October 23rd for what I hope to be an extraordinarily enriching experience.

Sunday's "My Life Story" entry No. 8

Where was a special place you liked to play as a child.


Until recently my parents lived in the same house for over 30 years. 3308 North 350 East was the address my parents brought me home to from the hospital and where I grew up. Shortly after moving in my parents put in a sand pile and built a playhouse with swings. They planted a garden, an apple tree and a cherry tree. Like our family, the cherry tree grew to be a big and beautiful. It not only produced years of juicy red cherries but it endured many hours of climbing, jumping and swinging among it's branches. It was the perfect tree to play in. The branches were strong and sturdy; easy for a kid to maneuver through and it's limbs provided shade from the summer heat. My sisters and I would spend a few hours some days setting up house among it's lofty branches. Our bedroom on one branch, the kitchen on the other. We were really good at using our imaginations. It was also among those branches I mastered the skill of day dreaming.

A couple of years before my parents moved the cherry tree died and sadly had to be cut down. I told my mom it was a sign that it was time to move on. They kept a section of the trunk to remind them of the years of joys it provided to them and their children. The tree is long gone, but the memories it provided live on.

Spooky Lesson In Aperture Mode

I'm having a bit of cranky day. OK, I'll be honest a really cranky day. Anyway to help get my mind off my utter disappointment and my lack of indecision I picked up my camera. I thought today would be a good day to explore the options my camera has to offer other than auto. And to I turned my dial to 'A' and opened my user manual to page 42 and gave myself a little lesson on how to use the aperture mode on my camera. The manual listed 3 clear steps. Easy enough. Well, not exactly. I came out with a few good shots but thinking I could master this lesson in 20 minutes was a bit unrealistic. Unrealistic...I hate that word today!