My Utah Family

We all have our homes away from home. I like to think of mine as the 136 house. If you've been around, you know the place. Its where it all happened. ALL OF IT. It's where I found my Utah Family. I of course have many friends, and through the years as our lives change and we go in are separate ways we have to make new friends and start all over again. I've done this many times. I'm truly afraid to count the number of roommates I've had through the years. No disrespect meant to the many who have touched my life in the past or who will likely touch my life in the future...but I'd like you to meet my current Utah Family, the ones that keep my feet on the ground, my perspective in focus, and fill my life with joy!

Bishop Barney...where would I be with out his influence in my life? Ahhh - Lost. This great man pushed me into the great unknown, the world of women. AHHH. I had the privileged to serve as Relief Society President with this great Bishop and I learned many a valuable lesson. Thank you Bishop for helping me embrace the Sisterhood, and for occasisonally suggesting that I strangle rather than embrace!

Sir Lance-A-Lot...Truly one of the most grounded and driven people I know. Lance and I had various opportunities to serve together in the 40th ward, and he's been a great friend ever since. Some meetings and early morning institute classes would have been unbearable without Lance distracting me from the topic at hand!

Miss Elaina...The lucky girl who got to marry Sir Lance-A-Lot. I knew she was the one for Lance after the first date that they rode their crazy bikes 100 miles because neither one would admit that they were tired. Perfect Pair! Welcome to the family...I've enjoyed getting to know you! I too am praying that Lance finds a School in Utah to take him....I want you both to stay here!

The Rogue..."a dangerous solitary animal that lives apart from the rest of its herd or group" - yet a kindred spirit. I misjudged Andrew when I met him, and its been good to be proven wrong. He's a teddy bear underneath all the angry solitary growl he has. We moved the friendship from the 136 house to f'n 1st and now that he's moved the real test of friendship is about to begin...

The Wife...she feeds me and she entertains me, and she is a worthy counterpart to Rogue. No longer an in-law, Stephs da bomb. And can I say that it all started at my house? Over a fierce game of Dominos? Yeah, I think I'll take credit for this match.

The Wench...yeah, that's me in the middle...I like to think that I'm the glue that keeps us all together...I also like to think that this little get together was for my birthday and that it was all about me...but I know they would have all went without me...it really was the Carlsons!

JB...Hermana Parker...the bleach queen! Parker and I had the opportunity to live together at the 136 house for almost three years. It was the best three years ever...we had our ups and downs, but she was the PERFECT roommate in every way. We lived together for so long that I used to tease her that I knew all the things I DIDN'T want in a spouse because of her!

Ada...our little Adelaide...The perfect child. Full of smiles and funny James characteristics. AdaCakes is the perfect mixture of her wild and crazy familys. She's been so fun for me to watch grow, and I'm greatful that Meg and Ike share her with me. And I'm holding Ike to the "if we both die...then Jane will raise Ada...Right?"

Meggie...our magoo. If you can dream it up, Meg's ate it - would you like spinach with that? Or did it - from dawn in the dishwasher to pee in a plant! Or overlooked it...I swear if Meg had lived alone, Ike would still be sitting on the porch singing to her and she'd still be doing yoga alone. Meg is our 4.0 spaz that has kept us all laughing through the years. Living with Meg was certainly an adventure! And yes, that's the newest baby James showing there in the baby bump...I can hardly wait for the little tyke to arrive!

Cozy...The greatest cook on earth! One of the most sincere and giving people I've ever met. Truly my mother away from home, but more importantly a great friend, my confidant, and an utter inspiration. OCD aside, she's perfect!

Ike...our resident ice cream addict. Ike used to hang out with Jac and I more than with Meg while they were dating...he kept our house in constant supply of sweets and entertainment. He's all growed up now and practicing law...we are all so proud...yet mystified as to how he even passed law school, cause we KNOW he didn't study!

There you have it...My Utah Family...I love them all, and I wouldn't be who I am with out all of them adding to my life! Thanks Friends!

The First Snow

This afternoon I made the treck up the hill to install a new payroll time tracker for Powderbird, just in time for the very first snow fall of the year. It was magnificent! I'm no ski bum but sometimes I wish I were. I love the first snow of the year, when everything is sprinkled in pure white snow. The trees take on their own personalites and the harshness of the rocks is more profound. Is it too early to start thinking/ singing "its beginning to look a lot like chrismas..."

Davis Halloween Party

Halloween: it is what you make of it.

Sissy was determined to make it good this year, and I have an uncanny feeling that she's also planning to be a party animal every year.

Heaven Help Us.If this is any indication, we had a good time. Sissy and Brett and I had fun decorating the house, but the most fun came when we got to decorate Brettly. He had a mask that would be to hard to eat in, therefore he attempted to hold still while Sissy and I each took our half and painted him up. Albeit what he thinks he's not the best canvas but when life gives you lemons you apply blood and mascara. The Evil Slayer: One of my favorite cousins came as Miss Marilyn Monroe, all dazzles and smiles and tons of glitter left behind: A party is not a party with out Jordan...love the hair Jo! We had some party crashing witches. Not that any of us who were related to them were surprised. These two green witches came in cackling but not talking. If they hadn't have been blood relatives they might have been able to pull it off. But we know our mother(s) too well. The only real surprise was that Mom drove all the way from Star Valley to get some kicks with us, not that she and Robin crashed our Par-Tay. We were so glad that they joined in the fun. It sure made for a few more laughs.If you know me at all you know that I hate dressing up. As an adult, I dislike Halloween in general. I enjoyed it as a child. With a mom like mine who couldn't...she went all out. Some things never change. I at first, of course, decided that I'd not be attending this Halloween party, but Sissy was so excited about it that I went costume shopping. I figured that if I found the appropriate costume I'd probably attend. I dressed up as a Medieval Maiden. I don't believe in dressing up as something your not. So this was rather fitting. I've always wanted to be a redhead, however this wig turned out to be a lot more orange.

Yep, I pretty much went as myself. The Wench.

Mands & Jer

The merging of two extra ordinary families: The Andrews-Wimmer Wedding. And what a delight it was to be able to be there for it! Miss Mands looked awesome and I've really never seen a bride shine the way that she did through the entire wedding day. Jeremy is truely the best man that Miss Mands could have found for herself. I'm so happy for them both.I'm very excited for this union to grow and develop and I hope that we are able to stay close through the process. Congrats to both of you!

Thriving...

I'll be the first to admit that I do not make new friends easily. I like what is comfortable, what is old, what is steady. Due to this mentality I have a selection of solid friends that date back to childhood who I've stuck with. However as time goes by things change, regardless of if I want them to or not, and I am often forced outside my comfort zone. Some two summers ago while serving as the RSP I was forced to get to know the Sisters of the 40th ward. I learned many things, but the one thing that I took away from that calling was a few SOLID friends.

What started out as "activate" her roommates turned into one of the closest friendships I've ever found outside of family. That's right...I'm talking about the great and steady Steph. For the record, cause she'll kill me if I don't state this part, Steph was active. She was the insider in the plan. The plan didn't quite take off as expected, however I found a life long friend in the process.

When I met Steph she explained to Rogue and I that she worked at Wingers, funny how he heard Hooters and the name stuck. (She does have the body for it!) So the Hooters got shortened to Hoots and the rather unlikely friendship thrived. Then Hoots got married and still we thrived with the added bonus of one of the greatest men I've ever known, Mr. Robby. Then came the curse of Law School Graduation for Steph and the big move to the big ugly desert, and the hours on hours of bar review, and STILL we thrive.

I promised to make the quarterly journey down to sin city and visit, and so far I've held my own. This is a picture from my last visit back in July. And today the O'Briens are flying into Utah and I get to spend the evening playing chauffeur. I've never been more excited for a trip to Spanish Fork in my life.

Welcome Back Steph & Robby, if only for the weekend, its great to have you HOME!

Star Valley Sunset

I know I promised to write about the PackTip, and the story really is coming...when I find time.

For now, enjoy this little taste of Heaven that I captured while I was in Star Valley on Vacation.



Mind you this is all within one hour as I stood out on my Parents Lawn. OHHHH AHHHH.(That bit was for you ma...) It was SO nice to spend so much time at home. I've even started contemplating what the heck I'm doing living in Utah. All I need is one reason, and I'm moving.

Too bad my ONE reason is The Impossible.

Enjoy the Sunset!

My Smokin' Chick

For as long as I can remember I've loved horses. As a kid I always dreamed of having my "own horse." As many of you know, I'm a bit spoiled and have been blessed with horses most of my life. My first love was a Sorrel Quarter Horse named Bobbie. I started ridding him when he was three, and except from some minor training from My Pops I taught him everything he knew. He was easily my best friend all through High School. If anyone is looking to figure out what makes me tick...your out of luck, cause he's not talking. When I moved to College my Pops sold my loyal Bobbie and I lost the love of horses for a while. Its not that I cant ride something else, its just that I didn't want to.

Three years ago I fell in love again. I attended an auction in Ogden with the family, and we were all just "looking," simply admiring from the stands. Well that admiration turned into my Sister buying a horse...that pops later bought off of her, and pops buying a horse, and Pop buying ME a horse! Now there are two ways to look at this spendthrift that has become my dad. 1-(and most likely) he wanted some new mares for his stud and he couldn't pass up such a great price or 2-I have him so wrapped around my finger that he wanted me to fall in love again with horses and he gave into my pleading. Either way he succeeded. He went home with three grulla mares.

Now everyone else seems to think that he found three winners, but I only care about one of them. My Little Smokin' Chick. When we bought her as a yearling she was a little tuft of white fluffy hair. As she's grown she's changed significantly. She's no longer as fluffy as she once was, but come winter time we are all reminded of her early days as she has more wool than she does have hair. As she grew into her skin she had some really neat zebra stripes.

But now, at 4 she is showing her true colors, she's what you would call a Silver Grulla. And she's a beauty.

She's what many would call Bomb Proof. She's docile and patient, the perfect kid horse. However she has a vice, as we all do...she has warts in her ears and throws a royal tantrum whenever you try to touch her ears. Bridling her has always been rather difficult. Other than that she's an angel. My angel.

Perhaps one day I'll get my five acre plot and have my horse...till then I'll let dad keep her...since he paid for her and all!

Here she is getting "familiar" with Chief, our Stud. Many people do not ride their Stallions but our Big Monster is a teddy bear for the most part. They are so cute...kissing in the meadow!

2001 "American Spirit"

Back in 2001 I was sent to Texas to a Tax Seminar in August. A week in hot sticky texas with no rental car all alone. Typically I like to fade into the background at these things and pick up interesting tid-bit here and there; but I dont socialize. Not my thing. Why would I want to chat with some other equally dull accountant? ;)

However, I had the great fortune to sit next to one of the most interesting people in Texas. And we became pals for a week. We discussed our likes and dislikes, and we found we each had a love for art. Since she was a local she knew all the good digs, and she had a car. We wandered Houston Musems, and its been so long that I don't remember all the other places we went, but we had a great time.

We all know that I'm a bit passionate about the American Flag and in Texas my patriotism only grew. I've always loved the Texas state flag and I took some pretty great pictures of rows and rows of flags while in Texas. I of course mentioned my love of the American Flag to my new friend and found that her love was as deep as mine. In fact she told me, she'd painted her rendition of the Great Flag. On the last day of class she brought me a print of her painting and I've finally framed it. It currently hangs in my office, she's entitled it "American Spirit."

I love this picture, in case you cant make out the detail she has stars all throughout the flag that are "bleeding." I think its one of the most interesting peices I've ever had the pleasure to own. Many great thanks go out to my lost friend in Texas, Mrs. Allison Fox. Thanks Friend!!!

Musings of Sir Jack

I hope we all have at least one friend that we can be apart from for a duration of time and then have an opportunity to re-connect as if you hadn't missed a beat. I had such an encounter just this week. I found it to be a the highlight of my week (yes, sometimes I am just that lame). My reconnection came via the ole phone lines of course and though I'm sometimes horrible at returning calls and just plain never answer when it rings I am glad that this friend persisted in the attempts to contact me.

There are some bonds that bridge the gap of time and cover all changes. Jack and I have a bond like that. Really there is no one I love more than the fun loving, teasing, tinkering, pain in the behind, quality friend than Sir Charles Benson Tippetts aka JACK. I never doubted for a minute that time and distance would change our easy friendship which got me off the hook during his mission; I seldom wrote and he seldom complained. It got him off the hook when he moved to the armpit of Wyoming and decided to get married instead of vacationing with me in the Caribbean. Real friendship forgives you not showing up to said wedding due to a timing conflict.

Just because we have a solid friendship doesn't mean we always have. I still remember a time when Jack sat atop his garage and shot his dang bee bee gun at me as I went out to feed the horses. Thankfully for me he was a really bad shot and I don't think he even got close to hitting me. His story is that he wasn't trying but I'm sticking with the horrible shot scenario. He was trying...we don't call him Jack because he is sugar an spice and all things nice...

Jack always used to get a kick out of driving me to the edge and listening to me scream. Now I'm no chicken but I am scared to death of heights and flying into the unknown; Jack's the opposite. He liked to live life as fast as he could on his pieced together contraptions. There are few people (like maybe 3) that I'd trust completely to take me on some foreign trail at top speed. I think this may have been one of Jack's favorite pastimes...riding hell bent on some motorized vehicle be it a sled or a bike and listening to me cuss and scream at him. We went often and we always had one hell of a good time.

I think I will always harbor bad feelings towards him for getting better grades than me in Junior English; when I wrote his damn papers for him! Perhaps its not his fault that the teacher preferred boys over girls. I will never forgive him for moving so far away after we had finally learned to tolerate each other as neighbors. All that aside we had some really great times together.

Jack has always been able to make me laugh and bring genuine happiness to me even if he is the world's biggest pest. Ha. I remember after one wrestling match that he had just won he came over and sat by me still literally drenched in sweat; his and some other dirty boys, and he proceeded to hug me and coat me in as much sweat as he possibly could all the while grinning like a school boy and barely noticing that I was trying to rid myself of him. He was the ultimate pest in high school, but I love him nevertheless.

The list of pranks that he pulled or attempted to pull really are endless but all in all we were the best of friends from about the 8th grade on. I still consider him truly one of the few people I would never want to go without. Life has certainly led us both onto different paths and we've missed a lot of each others lives but talking with him last night was as if we had just seen each other. It was so nice to re-connect and remember and laugh at all the old times and attempt to catch up on the current times. It was nice to have someone check up on me and listen to my wants and desires and attempt to understand.

I hope it is not another six months before we talk again and another two years till we cross shadows on the ground. Hopefully we will see more of each other, and soon...even if it does mean some traveling for both or one of us. I miss ya Jack, what I wouldn't give for a big ole Goat HUG. I send out my love and my congratulations on the upcoming baby! Heaven help us...the world does not need more tinkering Tippetts boys...well on second thought, the good far out weighs the bad...I am hoping for a healthy baby boy!!!

Meet Austin

This is Austin the Altima; The Love of My Life
July 2005 took me to the Nissan dealership in search for a college graduation present for myself. I succeeded. I walked out two hours or so later the proud owner of a beautiful silver Altima. I do not post this because I have a lack of interesting things to write about, but because she is now mine. All mine. 2.5 years of back breaking payments and a thoughtful boss who has helped me avoid taxes by applying my bonus to my loan balance has given me the freedom and security of a paid off car.

This to many of you may sound a lot like boasting, sorry about that, its certainly not my intent. I only post this to express my intense happiness at paying off my beauty. I love this car, I think I love her more everyday. I fell in love with her from the great marketing when she first arrived on the market. You may remember the commercials: a large checkout scanner brings car after car across repeating "four door sedan, four door sedan...beep! beep! beep! (lights flashing all around a beautiful beast of a car) THE NEW NISSAN ALTIMA." I knew then, without driving her that she was the car for me.

I did the responsible thing of driving various cars, saving the Altima for last, and I took along the family; yes the whole family...we do things to the extreme in this family. Anyway, I'm sure it wasn't Dad's favorite, but the Altima had me won over before I ever drove her. I took her off the lot that day; with only about 200 miles on her when I drove her off the lot.

Ms Austin and I have had our moments; on the eve of her one year birthday she was side swipped by a 15 year old girl in a parking lot. To my good fortune said 15 year had her responsible mother riding shotgun and I had an opportunity to meet a woman who owns a van covered in dents an dings and harry potter stickers. What self respecting adult puts stickers on the side of a van? No offense to the Potter fans of the world, but can you say TACKY? I didn't have my finest hour when she approached me with the following comment; "we may have sort of bumped your car." I think my reaction was justified given the warning that she gave me. Sort of bumped was the worlds biggest understatement. Both doors and the rear quarter panel had to be repaired.

I was sick. Really sick. My baby was ruined. To make matters worse a week later while driving the wrecked car to Star Valley a hub cap came flying off of an oncoming van and sliced, yes sliced the front bumper straight down the middle. EKKK!!! And they say that crap happens in three's; not three day's later a rock chip broke my windshield. It was a very bad month; very bad indeed.

But I learned a valuable lesson; a car, even my car, my baby; is only a car. It was repaired and she's mostly as good as new. I'll be honest and say that I left the chip in my window to remind me that it was only a car; an object and she could be flawed. It took me a while to relax and learn, but everything has a lesson if you look for it.

Best feature: The Heated Leather Seats.

So flawed or not, she is mine and I love her.

The Drummer

Last night I brought home tax returns to prep for clients as I watched IDOL. Nothing blog worthy there, I will likely find myself doing this many times in the coming months. So why make a point of mentioning it? Only because about 9:45 last night I received a text message from an unknown number asking what I was doing. I of course replied with the traditional who is this? And the unknown answered by calling me. At this point I was sure that whomever was on the other end of the phone knew me or it wouldn't be calling. So I answered. No one on the other end. Well no skin of my back...I went back to work. Another text beeped in with a "is this becca" And of course my response was "nope, sorry to disappoint, wrong number." I of course thought my encounter with said strange number was over, however I was wrong. Now strangers don't often appeal to me, however I was bored, and a bit sick of work. So when unknown number texted again and asked if I wanted to chat I agreed.

Drum roll...the unknown number happened to belong to a rather animated and humorous man with a gravel voice that has the ability to send pricks along the spine. I only got a sample of said man's voice because me being the non trusting sort refused to answer the phone when he called, however he did leave a message; trying to convince me that he was the good sort and I should pick up the phone.

For the next couple of hours the two of us swapped texts back and forth. Turns out my Gravelman is a professional drummer; or so he said. Also turns out said Gravelman's dad played the drums for Rick James. Fascinating stories and lots of laughs came from this complete stranger.

Moral of the story: never trust a stranger, but indulge on occasion and you might have the good fortune to run into a real rock and roll bad boy. I think my Gravel Drummer will become a good friend; if only via text I'm still hesitant to trust a random stranger.

Ahhhh....Twilight

Twilight, and I'm not referring to the book (however, I have read it and certainly recommend it) I'm talking real life twilight. Really, is there a better time of day? There is something about twilight that I find very calming and peaceful.

Obviously twilight outside the city is preferable to the haze that the city adds but not all of us can live in Star Valley and enjoy the open air.

Daylight savings certainly messes with ones sleep patterns but it is also is very conducive to enjoying the moments of twilight. I'll admit I love the "fall back" timezone. I am guilty of never changing my clock in the bathroom in my apartment as I prefer to live in "this" time frame. I am suddenly more awake and alert at 9 am where as during the summer it takes me till 10 am to wake up. I think I am ready to embrace the morning hours again, and since my workload is growing more and more substantial each day as the year comes to a close it is probably a really good thing that I am getting a jump start on my days again.

I don't know what exactly it is I like most about the twilight moments, there are so many but I think I'll focus on one thing in particular. At twilight everything is more enhanced, the light plays off certain surfaces and seems to dance and glitter in front of you. The illumination of light and dark is very fascinating to me. I think that God gave us twilight to remember to pick a time to shine. We cannot always be fascinating and glittery nor can we always be positive and outgoing. There is a time and a season for all things and if we embrace the things that are illuminated for us, and in us, and not dwell on the dark moments or the hazy images in our lives we will be able to find more happiness in what we are and in who we can become.

So if you rise early enough to see the morning twilight or if you are more like me and you never miss an evening twilight remember to let the light illuminate off you the way that the light scatters over the Earth before and after sunset.

Star Valley Getaway

I drove to Star Valley in the rain, I love the rain, unless I'm driving in it, in the dark. But I woke up Saturday morning to the most beautiful sight. The sight of snow capped mountains out my back window and the expanse of fall leaves on the lower trees. It was certainly a thing of beauty. I like snow, I love the first snow falls, they are astounding and amazing in the way that they cover and hide the imperfections. The parentals and I sat in the hot tub of such a beautiful morning and commented on the calm after the storm. It was nice, the only thing worth getting out of bed for in the morning is a great soak in the hot tub surrounded by the most beautiful view. I'd share pictures, but my camera was a bit tied up with last weekend's adventure, so I have nothing to show. But trust me...it was awesome.

The "calm after the storm" did not last long, before noon it had decided that it was time to snow again and down it came. I was nestled into the couch enjoying conference so I couldn't care less. But my pops was out working on the new barn and he came in like frosty the snowman. Burr. By late afternoon Mom closed up the house to the storm as it was only getting uglier and the thought of the long winter closing in on Star Valley in early October is a bit much to bear for some. When we awoke this morning we had a good solid 4 or 5 inches everywhere. Now I live right at the base of the greatest mountains in the valley, so we tend to get more snow than anywhere else, but we didn't believe the reports we were hearing that there wasn't snow anywhere else. So we went out to scout the valley for snow, sure enough, it only hit us.

We picked up Grandma and drove around the valley, checking all the new construction going up and the constant change around the valley. We found on the Idaho side of Freedom an actual Elk Farm. Kinda inhumane if you ask me, obviously no one did, but these poor Elk didn't hardly have room for half as many as were caged in. Sad. And we also ran across, a true sight to behold in the 400 acres of the Private Double L Ranch. I looked it up, pretty ritzy right in my own back yard...have a look.

Stay Tuned...

I am. I'm escaping the hassle of everyday life and I'm going home in search of some peace and relaxation. I've made my football picks, but I'm leaving it all up to chance, as I'm removing myself from my DVR and will have no way to will the outcomes to change. So it will be what it is, isn't it always though?

I learned many a great thing at institute last night and hope to soon find time to blog them. I also found great meaning in last nights episode of Grey's Anatomy and hope to soon find time to blog them. But since Larry the Laptop is having a major meltdown at this time in his life, male menopause, it just may have to wait.

Don't forget General Conference this weekend, I'm looking forward to the great messages that are about to be shared! Don't worry folks, I'll be back before you know it...unless I find a better offer along the way.

Looking Forward To:

1) Sushi Tonight w/Miss Mands & Boo
2) Seeing If Utah Will Win 2 In A Row
3) Watching Airforce Light Up BYU
4) Game of the Weekend: Detroit over Phiadelphia
5) New England vs Buffalo: Another 38-14 Win?
6) MNF: Home Opener Saints Over Tennessee
7) Wednesday: Michael Flying to AZ
8) Hailey's B-DAY The Big 27
9) TV Premier Week: Welcome Back Grey's
10) Cooking with Cozy

Welcoming Fall!!!

It might be too much to ask for me to blog during this point in the year. I'm hungry. Hungry for football. Therefore, in any downtime at work (self created downtime) I read, I don't blog. By the time I get home the last thing I want to do is sit in front of the computer. So alas, I have a great adventure to share, but it shall wait till I find the ambition to log it for my readers. For now I will simply give you a list of the reason's I love this time of year.

I HEART FALL

1) Football Season Begins
2) 55- 75 Degree Weather
3) The Leaves Turn Colors
4) Life Settles Into A Routine
5) Great TV Premiers

I not only feel it in the air, but in my bones; September is a Wonderful month.

Wares Wedding

My most recent adventure took me on a 26 and a half hour car drive, that's 1750 miles. And it was worth every mile. I ventured out of the miserable hot desert of Utah and trekked out to Sunny and enjoyable California. The main purpose of said trip was to attend Matt and Brette's wedding, but also to escape the pressures of work. I also wasn't sure if Miss Mands would ever come home on her own, so I drove out and brought her back!

The wedding was amazing and Brette of course made a beautiful bride. The Andrews family proved to be even better than I could piece together from the many stories that I've heard over the last year or so since meeting Amanda and Brette. Thankfully the Andrews housed Heidi and I the first night in California. The reception was also beautiful, but I think I'll steer clear from Cesar salad for a while. Heidi and I helped out in the kitchen and I'm not sure I've ever seen that much salad in one place in my whole life.

The wedding was at the Newport Beach Temple and Heidi and I stayed afterwards and participated in a session. It was a very nice session and a beautiful temple. Both inside and out. It was the first pink temple I've ever seen!

Long after the reception Heidi and I finally found our way to her cousin's house five minutes from the beach in Encinitas. We crashed immediately on the couch after such a long night.

The next morning we found ourselves on the beach. Each of us had a great book and we soaked up as much sun as we could get in during just one day. And I suppose I should have followed Heidi's lead and and actually applied sunblock, but I was playing tough.

After enough sun for one day we collected Miss Mands and began the journey home. Saturday night found us sleeping in St. George at Mand's brother-in-law's parents house. And bright and early we all piled back into the car for the final lap. We made it back in time for a very emotional sacrament meeting. See next post for details. It was a whirlwind kind of weekend, and believe it or not I'd do it again. Even the 26 1/2 hours in the car. Thank heavens for the Altima.

Spectaular Saturday

Ms. Mands and I had quite a filled day yesterday. We woke up at the ungodly hour of 7 and forced ourselves to function. Ok...I forced myself to function. Mands was already raring to go. I hate morning people. Anyway...We loaded ourselves into the car and made the trek down to the E center for a "Yard Sale." Before you jump to the conclusion that we went shuffling through all of west jordan's junk, listen up. We were informed via an email flyer (thanks Heidi!!!) about a scrapbook company or 2 unloading some pretty good stuff to benefit the Salvation Army. And now you are aware of why I actually agreed to getting up at O'Dark Hundred. You can imagine our surprise and dismay as we found ourselves wandering isle after isle of junk junk junk. And then...We found them. Creating Keepsakes were out in full force and they were practically giving stuff away. It was great. We came away with some great stuff and we automatically had the bug to go scrap away.

But we were forced to hold off as we had a Ward Activity to attend. But since we did not relish the idea of playing sports with the ward we wandered down to the Temple to inspect the flowers the 40th ward planted. I love the flowers at temple square. But why do they trim them back so early in the year? Needless to say all the daffodils that we had planted had been cut back, so we didn't get to see all our handy work, but we were able to identify some of the flowers as our own. The Pictures you see here are our handy work.

We eventually made it to the ward party right in time for lunch and a few sun rays as we chatted with friends and checked out our new scrap booking magazines! Mand's and I have decided that Lisa Bernson, founding editor of Creating Keepsakes, is a scrap booking Goddess!From the ward party we headed to NAILED! to get our toes done. And there really are only a few things more important than cute toes. So I'm ahead of the game!

From there (only 2pm - I've been up FOREVER by now) we headed to the Carlson's for some cupcake decorating and some good company in the greatest kitchen ever. Sister Carlson is a wonderful woman with amazing cooking talents that a few of us have been trying to tap into now for a very long time. We are not thrilled with the fact that she and Bishop will be released from our ward very soon and they will leave us alone in this single hell for good. So we have decided to take matters into our own hands. And have created a private touterage with Ms Cozy. We shall call it Cooking with Cozy. We start the 8th of May, look for good recipes soon! With any luck we shall learn great cooking along with eating great cooking!

So this is where any normal day would run out of fun, but as explained earlier Mands and I have the bug to scrap so we invited many over to join us in our fun. We picked up our prints from the temple and headed home to transform the penthouse into a scrapbook heaven. Once again, thanks to Miss Heidi we have about 20 prepared kits that are adorable and need only to be put together. So Ms Mands and Foxy Coxy and I began the process of creating a 20 page scrapbook entitled "all about me." We had tons of fun as we talked and laughed and misread our directions. We were joined a lot later by three of the most adorable girls we know for a packed house. We lasted till about midnight scraping away. And the books are complete and ready to be packed with pictures and musing of our lives!

It was a whirlwind of a day, one I enjoyed very much!

Fierce Grace

This is a Tony Stomberg photo entitled "Fierce Grace." This horse is magnificent and its raw beauty is flawless. What a great capture.

Stromberg believes that horses can be profound teachers, bringing deep wisdom to a world dangerously out of balance. Through the power and mystery of the horse, Stromberg seeks to re-ignite qualities of freedom, spirit, power, grace, harmony in people’s souls.

“The spirit of the horse”, quotes Tony, “is a magnificent teacher to humanity.”

We All Know One

OK...I had to post this. He He He. Each time I see it I laugh a bit harder. We all know one, and most of us act like one!