I was tagged by Kristin for a list of things I’m grateful for.  Due to travel, I’m coming to this a little late – but wanted to get my list in before my day is over (which it should have been an hour ago…..)

 In no particular order…

Weather.  I was going to say rain, because I do love rain – especially summer rain.  But a sunny day  is nice too.  As is misty fog in the trees.  And I’m quite fond of a thunder/lightening storm.  And sparkling fresh snow is beautiful, as long as I don’t have to drive in it. 

Lindsey, my new hairdresser. After living in Seattle area for 5 years, and trying 6 different hair stylists, I finally found one who actually LISTENED to what told her and gave me what I asked for. YEAH!

Christy – the gal who cleanes my home whenever I call – and is so affordable. In fact, after being in Salt Lake for two weeks, I will return home to a spotless home thanks to her. I don’t know how I ever got by without her.

Water. Crashing ocean waves. A babbling brook. A rushing river. A calm lake. Rain drops. Waterfalls. And an ice cold glass of clean, clear water.

The internet. Blogs. Email. YouTube. Huffington Post.  Watching Ashley model her latest clothing purchase for me on her webcam.

Getting regular Massages.  I have a testimony of massage.  And central air conditioning (which, thankfully, I don’t often need living in the wonderfully temperate northwest). Pedicures are awesome too.

Molbaks. I could browse this store for hours on end in any season, and leave feeling rejuvenated. Right now, Molbaks is filled with poinsettas and holiday decorations. They have something like 48 different varieties of poinsettia to choose from. Plus, between now and Christmas, they serve free coffee and Kringles (an amazing danish pastry) until 5pm.

Airplanes. I’d never go anywhere if I always had to drive.

My garden. As my many blog entries will attest. And the cute little birds that visit my feeder each day.

Music. Too many artists to name.

Girls trips. Kristin, when are we going to take our next one? Michelle? Chris? Kathleen?

Friends and family. It’s been so great to reconnect with long-time friends on this trip to Salt Lake. Nothing like laughing yourself silly, or a nice warm hug from a friend. And simple joys like granddaughters wanting to cuddle with you before bedtime, or waking you up with hugs and kisses (and asking you to fix them breakfast).

And spending time with my wonderful and absolutely nutty kids and grandbabies.  Today we had our first Thanksgiving with only my immediate family.   Jennifer prepared a fabulous meal (and Ashley’s sweet potato casserole was delicious – more like dessert than a vegetable, though ) while I did “crafts” with Kennedy, Emily and Marie. 

We also spent some time at the park taking photos and playing at the playground.  Did I mention my kids are nuts?

They must get that from their dad. Don’t you think?

I’m thrilled to announce the birth of Kathleen’s new blog. 

I think you’ll find it witty, inspiring, informative and wonderfully silly.  Please drop by and welcome her to the blogosphere!

BloggingFromBed.com

Ashley and I saw Twilight yesterday with a theater full of adoring fans… including some very silly girls who screamed and clapped when Edward first appeared on the screen….

First off, it was great having some mother-daughter-movie time.  Just fun to go hang out.  I miss being able to do that, so we must take advantage of the opportunity whenever it arises.     It was also great to have reserved seats.

The movie was….  good.  Not great, not bad.  Better than ok.  Some characters seemed well very cast (Bella, Alice, Dr. Cullen, and Jacob in particular) and others were good, but not outstanding.  Bella and Edward had definite chemistry on screen.  Edward (actor) didn’t bug me as much as I thought he would – he was pretty good… but he wasn’t perfect for the role.  Laurent had a fabulous chest.  Character development was limited, and important characters weren’t given enough screen time. - It all felt a bit too shallow to capture the intensity of feeling in the book.  Felt more like a Cliff Notes version.    I’m not sure someone seeing the movie without having read the book would really “get” the depth of the story.

I could have done without the weird tree climbing scene (not part of the book, as I recall), and I was disappointed in the sunlight meadow experience.  It surprises me they didn’t spend a bit more on making this film, knowing how very popular it was.

Of course the scenery in the movie was spectacular – it’s such a beautiful area.  Though almost everything had a blue cast to it that I didn’t see that much either time I visited… 

So see the movie – it was a fun afternoon diversion.  And I’ll look forward to on screen sequels.  But it really doesn’t live up to the standard of the book, imo.

Have you seen Twilight?  What did you think?

I had one piece of mail in my mailbox today – and it made me happy.

I can’t wait to give her a big hug and kiss on Saturday!

Every now and then, after The Daily Show & Colbert Report end, I leave the tv on and watch a little South Park.  Usually I end up turning it off after 2 minutes, but now and then an eposide just reels me in and I find myself laughing out loud at their potty mouth,  irreverent, often crude and off the wall humor.   I love that nothing is sacred on this show…..  they are equal opportunity offenders.

Usually it’s the ones that are “musicals” or which skewer religion that get me. Tonight was one such night….    a take off on “High School Musical“ 

Enjoy this 2 minute clip:

Here’s the full episode: South Park  Elementary School Musical.

Here are links to a few of my other laugh out loud epidoes for your enjoyment.

Chinpokomon: The first episode I ever saw and couldn’t tear myself away. All the kids get obsessed with the Japanese toy Chinpokoman and go to some camp and start talking Japanese and get brainwashed.

All About The Mormons: Stan attends “family home evening” with the new kid in town and hears the Joseph Smith story, South Park style – musical and all. Remarkably close to the truth!

Probably – Satan tries to choose between Chris, who treats him like gold, and Saddam – with whom he has more chemistry.

The Return of the Fellowship of the Rings to the Two Towers – The kids go on a quest….

Super Best Friends Jesus calls on the “Super Best Friends” (Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Muhammad, Krishna, Joseph Smith, and Lao Tzu and Aqua Man) to defeat David Blaine and thwart his mass suicide plans.

Are you a fan of South Park? Do you simply hate it? Any episodes to recommend???

I’m still rather distraught about the passage of Prop 8 in California, and what that says about our society.

Please watch this special comment by Keith Olbermann…. it’s not one of his rants, I promise.  His expressions are heartfelt, and his gentle questions to those that would deny others the joy of marriage are questions which I would love to have considered and answered.   If you voted for Prop 8 (or would have if you could), I urge you to watch this brief video. It’s a questions of love for our fellow human beings.

Happy Birthday, Ashley Rae!

26 years ago today, the light of my life was born.   From the very beginning, Ashley had a sunny personality, spreading joy wherever she went – and her quickly earned her nickname “Ashley Rae of Sunshine.”  

She sucked her thumb, which was far more convenient thank a binkie which can get lost in the middle of the night, and stopped on her own.  She slept 7 hours a night even as an infant.  Such an easy child.   She was also bald as a cue ball until almost 2 years old – when her beautiful blonde hair came in thick and full of body.  And no obnoxious waves like her mother has.

(Don’t you think she looks like her daughter Kennedy did at this age?)

She did give me grief a few times as a child. Twice, she got hold of a pair of scissors and cut her bangs off right to her scalp. I’m afraid I didn’t react very well.

Another time, when she was around four, she had been playing in her room and I went in to check on her. She was no where to be found. If you’re a parent who has ever throught their child was missing, you’ll understand how panicked I felt. I was frantic – called to her and searched the whole house – no response.

I ran outside and enlisted the help of some neighbors who helped search the streets.

About an hour later, when I was about to call the police, I went into her room again and decided to search the closet again. I had looked before, but hadn’t taken everything out of the closet. I moved a little pile of stuffed animals and found Ashley sound asleep under a little pile of clothes.  

Read the rest of this entry »

Kristin has finally finished designing/creatng her blog!

It is called Defying Sunshine – visit it now and welcome her to the blogosphere!

Meet the next President of the United States.

CNN just called it for Obama. I’m so happy.  It’s been a long time coming….   

Let the change begin! (Actually, it already has)

Here is his victory speech, in case you missed it – or want to watch it again.

OK, back to the travel log.   I think that this leg of the sisters’ Olympic roadtrip was my favorite. 

As we turned off of Hwy 101 and up the road toward the falls, I said – “I really hope we see rays of light coming through the trees….”

And not 15 minutes later, we rounded the bend and saw this.  

Cool huh?

Of course another abrupt stop, in the middle of the road, was in order.

When we arrived at the trailhead, a group of young scouts was just coming back, leaving the area nearly empty.  I think we only saw 3 – 4 people while on the trail – it was perfect. 

The falls are very beautiful, but the .8 mile (each way) trek to get there was as enjoyable and memorable as the falls themselves.  The path was simply enchanting, and I wish that we’d stopped to take a few photos of the trail itself.  We thought of doing so on the way back, but were both in urgent need of the restroom so couldn’t take the time

Along the trail there were a couple of charming bridges and several babbling brooks. 

One in particular was covered with mossy stones.  Kristin was very patient as I obsessively took photos from a dozen different angles (I hauled my tripod on for just this purpose).   Because we were in the dry season, there wasn’t much flow in the stream – I really want to go back in spring when the water is cascading over the even more brilliantly green mossy rocks, and take a hundred pictures.

This is a hike/walk that most anyone could handle…. this is going to be on my “must see” list whenever I have visitors.  Michelle, Chris – you guys need to make another trip up here!  Kathleen and Ashley, you too.  

To see more photos of Sol Duc trail & Falls, click here