Pirates.

I am re-committed to finding joy in the little things. I always try to, but every now and then need to be reminded of this.

This is my nephew Brayden just before his pirate birthday got going, with the most awesome pinata of all time. Only slightly more awesome than this was when he was fighting the pirate just before this. The pictures did not do it justice though.

Something New

So, a few months ago I started swimming, just for something new to do. I figured it is always good to stretch our boundaries and try new things.

Swimming was VERY outside of my comfort zone. Slowly, but surely I started getting more comfortable in the water though.

Yesterday, I swam a mile for the first time. 1650 yards. 66 laps. I did it in 36:16. Not to bad for my first time, I think.

I considered for a moment putting a picture of myself in my swimsuit up, but shortly after realized, there is no way that I want that on the internet...

Oh, it's you again. Hello there.

IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS...

I have remained unemployed.
I have driven thousands of miles.
Three members of my family died.
Another remains in serious condition after a car accident.
Was in Reno for Thanksgiving.
Had my in-laws at my house for a week at Christmas.
Had my family at my house for Christmas-Eve.
Had one moment on peace on a beach in La Jolla (more to come about this in the future).
Was fired.
Dealt with my brother's marriage falling apart.
Started using protection.
Started and stopped going to one church (one to many catholic comments made form the pulpit when my husband was in tow).
Checked out some books on Martin Luther and his 95 Thesis, because I decided I should now about how the catholic/protestant division started.
Contacted the pastor at my home church and have attempted to start attending there again.
Gave blood for the first time in my life (I'm O Pos).
Nearly passed out after giving blood for the first time.
Freaked my husband out by talking to his boss' boss, and I now tell the husband that we are BFF's.
Still have not finished reading East of Eden in the Baran Book Club. Good news is that I am about 100 pages farther along than the husband.
Started planning my sister's baby shower.
Chopped off half of my hair.
A very close friend had heart surgery in the bay area.
Enjoyed the husband being gone for a week (we needed a break).
Set off fire-works for the first time on New Years.
Have decided that I am officially losing my mind, or just not on my A game at all.

TWIST Tea

I am part of a non-profit group called TWIST (The Women's Improvement Society of Tuolumne). The main fundraiser for the year is a tea where everyone decorates a table. I did a little league table. There were a lot of really fancy tables, but I actually wanted my table to represent something in the community...

My favorite part is the sunflower seeds that are scattered around the astro-turf running down the center of the table... I also really like the jerseys on the back of the chairs (thank you salvation army and various other thrift stores in town...).

This is from the preview the night before. For the actual day we had no power, which also meant to heat... As the universe works, the power came back on as we were cleaning up, about 1/2 hour after the event ended. Se la vi.

Snow Day

After having now power since Saturday (minus a few hours here and there) and it is supposed to get down to 20 degrees or so tonight... We are staying at a hotel in our town (below the snow line). It makes me a little sad though, my dad is probably less than 150 yards away, yet staying at a hotel was better than the option than staying with him... Another story for another time...

Life as we know it

A few things that have occurred in the last month...
Most notably, my grandfather passed away.

Got some carpet in the orange bedroom, which has now become the master bedroom...

Steve and I went to the Bridge School Benefit Concert. This is one of the few moments that it was not raining. Totally worth it though.

A close "Uncle" aka Little Daddy passed away

Visited my mom's grave since it was so close to the other funeral.

There was many beautiful days in Sonora.

Made "The Uncles" Pear Pie, and it was fabulous...

And right now there is tons of snow at my house and no power, however pictures were not a top priority of all of that. I am sure there will be expanded posts about many of these later... As for now, I am alive, and have been very busy.

My Lady

My lady was in town a few weeks ago. So we did something new and different for us,

we went wine tasting.

Let me clarify, we both love wine and wine tasting, but for some reason

we have never done it together.

It was simply marvelous.

The husband even offered to come pick us up after it all, but that is another story...

Brook, attempting to find her prince charming.

Unfortunately, this frog was not it.



A little later that night with Zac-Bob in the background,
and moving on to margaritas and vodka tonics.

We also went back to the "good old days" and slept in the same bed that night.

The Husband was only mildly offended.

Brook, next time you must stay up for the whole three day weekend, in my opinion.