I got some new T-shirts today. I always need new T-shirts in the Summer because I tend to sleep in, exercise in (when I actually manage it), do yard work in, clean in, paint in and generally abuse the T-shirts I have to wear around during the Summer; then I can't wear them around anymore because they are too abused. Now I have a "wear around" set and a "work around" set...Pretty handy.
I might have got a little bright with a few of the colors, but why not? Black and white are boring...how about jewel tones purple, yellow and orange (or is it salmon)? Mix it up a little, right? It is just nice to have a few cool (as in not hot) shirts to get me through the season. Although, I am wearing one right now, just put it on tonight to lounge around in, and will probably end up wearing it to bed. Oh well, I have another to wear tomorrow!!
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: Speaking of T-shirts...My Mom has started to give us T-shirts each Christmas with goofy sayings on them. I think she spends a good deal of time picking a shirt JUST for each one of us and we all get a good laugh out of it. My last one said something like "let me drop what I'm doing to work on your problem"...Another good one is "to err is human, but to blame someone else shows management potential" or "people like you are the reason people like me need medication"...She is so funny.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Day #252 - The Long Way Home
Today I came home from work, picked up Travis and drove right back down the Canyon for my work picnic/Summer party. We got there a bit late hung out with a few people and tried to at least talk to everyone for a minute and left after about an hour. Dinner was yummy and it is always fun to see work mates outside the office with their families that you only get to hear about. The best part of the night was Carrie getting stung by a bee on her lip...how does that even happen?
On the way home Travis suggested we go up Big Cottonwood Canyon and over Guardsman's Pass then thru Park City Main Street on to home. We knew it would be a longer drive, but the night was still bright and it was beautiful out.
What a fabulous drive. Steep Mountain peaks to sunset views of Mountain Ranges to open fields to steep roads w/drop offs to the side, that made me clench my teeth and duck my head, to Deer Valley Resort and Park City Main Street w/all the temporary outside deck seating, lots of people, mood lighting, shops lit up w/ambiance...it was a fabulous drive and a great way to spend a weeknight. Sometimes the long way is the best way...
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "I've been a long time coming, and I'll be a long time gone. You've got your whole life to do something, and that's not very long." Ani Difranco
On the way home Travis suggested we go up Big Cottonwood Canyon and over Guardsman's Pass then thru Park City Main Street on to home. We knew it would be a longer drive, but the night was still bright and it was beautiful out.
What a fabulous drive. Steep Mountain peaks to sunset views of Mountain Ranges to open fields to steep roads w/drop offs to the side, that made me clench my teeth and duck my head, to Deer Valley Resort and Park City Main Street w/all the temporary outside deck seating, lots of people, mood lighting, shops lit up w/ambiance...it was a fabulous drive and a great way to spend a weeknight. Sometimes the long way is the best way...
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "I've been a long time coming, and I'll be a long time gone. You've got your whole life to do something, and that's not very long." Ani Difranco
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Day #251 - Visitors - Episode 2
Sunday night my friend Jen came up with her husband, Steve (now a very good friend of both Trav and I as well) and their 3 year old Erica. Steve is an avid biker, just like Travis, and broke his ankle (badly) early in the ride season in a freak biking accident. I say it is "freak" because it doesn't sound like a radical crash, but rather a poorly executed dismount. Anyway, he is limping around after surgery with screws and pins and things...poor Steve.
In the meantime, Travis is riding almost every day and giving Steve bike envy. Just the month before Steve's unfortunate ankle roll crush and burn (he had to ride an hour back to his car with a broken ankle - OY) he rode in a small bike race with Travis (see post #222 for dete's) and did REALLY well. I know this year was to be a very dedicated bike riding/training year for both of them. This bit really has nothing to do with today's post other then to express how badly I feel that he got hurt.
Anyway, we made dinner and ate on the deck and Erica tortured my cat and dog and got bored in two seconds at my un-kid-friendly house. I am realizing more and more there is NOTHING for kids to do here. Oh, I could put them in the back yard and hope they can tolerate a few ants crawling up their pants, or stick them in front of the TV, but what in the world do kids do all day? I feel like I need to invest in a toy box good for ages 1 - 11...surely 12 year olds can figure out how to entertain themselves.
At any rate, I gave some sour patch type gummy candies to Erica in a baggie and told her she could have them if she promised to be nice to Bart (the dog that bites if provoked) and she promised. Then she jumped at Bart like 1 minute later and he skittered away and scared me to death (I would die if he hurt a kid). Jen told her I was taking the candy away. She apologized and promised not to do it again so Jen told her I said she could take the candy home and have 3 pieces tomorrow. A few seconds later - BOOM she DID IT AGAIN.
Jen reacted well to the challenge I thought, although, she told Erica I was taking the candy away for good and she would have to wait for the candy until she came back next time. I REALLY wanted to cave in and give it to her - Bart was fine and she was crying so sadly and saying "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry" "I'll be nice to Bart I prooommmmisssse" all the while hiccupping and sobbing big tears. Jen just held fast and kept speaking on my behalf since I'm sure she could tell I was going to say something stupid like, "oh, it is ok she can have the gummy savers" and to Erica's credit she still found it within herself to give the mean lady who refused her treats a hug goodbye.
Next time we will go to Jen's so Erica is in her own environment. It is hard to give the kids the attention they need and deserve when friends are trying so hard to catch up after a few months of not seeing each other. It probably wasn't fair.
I did get some pretty cool flamingo stickers from Erica that I put on my favorite bookmark...very cool. It is always good to see Jen and Steve. They are such nice, funny, smart and solid friends. I really love them. The best part is Sunday was their anniversary...REALLY? Well, OK - we are happy to celebrate with you!! HAPPY 13th ANNIVERSARY Jen & Steve!!
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubard
In the meantime, Travis is riding almost every day and giving Steve bike envy. Just the month before Steve's unfortunate ankle roll crush and burn (he had to ride an hour back to his car with a broken ankle - OY) he rode in a small bike race with Travis (see post #222 for dete's) and did REALLY well. I know this year was to be a very dedicated bike riding/training year for both of them. This bit really has nothing to do with today's post other then to express how badly I feel that he got hurt.
Anyway, we made dinner and ate on the deck and Erica tortured my cat and dog and got bored in two seconds at my un-kid-friendly house. I am realizing more and more there is NOTHING for kids to do here. Oh, I could put them in the back yard and hope they can tolerate a few ants crawling up their pants, or stick them in front of the TV, but what in the world do kids do all day? I feel like I need to invest in a toy box good for ages 1 - 11...surely 12 year olds can figure out how to entertain themselves.
At any rate, I gave some sour patch type gummy candies to Erica in a baggie and told her she could have them if she promised to be nice to Bart (the dog that bites if provoked) and she promised. Then she jumped at Bart like 1 minute later and he skittered away and scared me to death (I would die if he hurt a kid). Jen told her I was taking the candy away. She apologized and promised not to do it again so Jen told her I said she could take the candy home and have 3 pieces tomorrow. A few seconds later - BOOM she DID IT AGAIN.
Jen reacted well to the challenge I thought, although, she told Erica I was taking the candy away for good and she would have to wait for the candy until she came back next time. I REALLY wanted to cave in and give it to her - Bart was fine and she was crying so sadly and saying "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry" "I'll be nice to Bart I prooommmmisssse" all the while hiccupping and sobbing big tears. Jen just held fast and kept speaking on my behalf since I'm sure she could tell I was going to say something stupid like, "oh, it is ok she can have the gummy savers" and to Erica's credit she still found it within herself to give the mean lady who refused her treats a hug goodbye.
Next time we will go to Jen's so Erica is in her own environment. It is hard to give the kids the attention they need and deserve when friends are trying so hard to catch up after a few months of not seeing each other. It probably wasn't fair.
I did get some pretty cool flamingo stickers from Erica that I put on my favorite bookmark...very cool. It is always good to see Jen and Steve. They are such nice, funny, smart and solid friends. I really love them. The best part is Sunday was their anniversary...REALLY? Well, OK - we are happy to celebrate with you!! HAPPY 13th ANNIVERSARY Jen & Steve!!
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubard
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day #250 - Visitors - Episode 1
My baby sister Keri, her husband Golden and their baby Seerie came to visit on Saturday night. We talked them into staying over (why have a guest room if you never get to use it) and it was fun to catch up. It got a little stressful at times with the baby running after Bart's tail when we weren't looking and when she was out on the deck for ONE second and ran straight over to the uncovered outlet with her pointing finger headed right for the socket, but Seerie is at that more then cute stage where she sort of gets what you are asking her and says "yes" to almost everything, but just shakes her head or screams for "no".
It is fun to watch my siblings be parents. I can see their perfection AND their flaws as they do their best not to loose patience and make the best decisions, but ALWAYS it is about the kid. I love to see my spoiled baby sister be a caring and concerned Mom. Oh, I don't mean she wasn't always sweet and kind, etc. But she and Chuck were the babies and everyone knows the babies get treated differently then the oldest kids. I am just a middle child - that is probably why I am so well adjusted (LOL).
Keri left for Las Vegas today WITHOUT the baby or Golden who usually go with her while she does hair for a week at a time once per month. She was pretty worried about leaving her little baby and got teary when she talked about it. I hope she is doing ok and that Golden is surviving without her - at any rate I am thinking about them all.
It is fun to watch my siblings be parents. I can see their perfection AND their flaws as they do their best not to loose patience and make the best decisions, but ALWAYS it is about the kid. I love to see my spoiled baby sister be a caring and concerned Mom. Oh, I don't mean she wasn't always sweet and kind, etc. But she and Chuck were the babies and everyone knows the babies get treated differently then the oldest kids. I am just a middle child - that is probably why I am so well adjusted (LOL).
Keri left for Las Vegas today WITHOUT the baby or Golden who usually go with her while she does hair for a week at a time once per month. She was pretty worried about leaving her little baby and got teary when she talked about it. I hope she is doing ok and that Golden is surviving without her - at any rate I am thinking about them all.
Here are a few photos:
Golden and Keri freezing on the deck on an August night,
but we can't bring ourselves to sit inside instead
Seerie in her Big Girl Chair
I'm in love with this photo - Travis and Seerie - SOOOO CUTE!
It is always fun to have visitors...come over anytime!!! At least when the house is clean :)
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "If you are a host to your guest, be a host to his dog also." ~Russian Proverb
Just for you Aesop...
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day #249 - Getting to the Bottom of IT
It has been a rather busy weekend for Trav and I and there are several things to be grateful for. I admit I have become a bit lazy this last month, but I am determined to get back in the saddle and focus on the reason I started this blog in the first place - to remind myself of all the little things there are in life to be grateful for.
1st - Bart keeps having some irregular...um...BM's lately. All of a sudden he will just have diarrhea for a day and then he will be regular again. I am so GRATEFUL that we think we have figured out what is going on.
When we sit out on the Breakfast Deck Bart will often lick the bottom self of the grill we have out there. Travis is a master griller and we use it often. Bart likes to lick any grease that may escape. Travis tried to clean it off the other day, but there is charcoal bits stuck fast that he couldn't get up with soap and water. We think Bart has been licking his belly sick in the evenings we spend out there...silly dog.
The UN-Silly part is he tends to leave presents on the carpet by the sliding glass door - not just one, but multiples. Lately Travis has been the "finder" and therefore the lucky "cleaner". On Saturday he woke up at 5:30 a.m. and yelled up the stairs that it was my turn and he wasn't going to do it. He is right, I have not had the pleasure for quite some time, so I got up and handled it.
While on my knees cleaning up spot 4 of 6 I started to feel a bit snarky...when I was done I wrote a list of the Saturday chores I normally handle while Travis is out doing a bike ride to train for his big 80 mile mountain bike race in September. It was a full 8x10 page looking sort of like this:
KITCHEN:
Empty and load dishwasher
clean fridge (in and out)
clean oven (pull apart all burners and wash underneath)
vacuum and mop floor
clean sink
MAIN BATH:
Sink
Mirror
toilet
floor
That sort of thing for every room in the house...Then I went back up to bed and very nonchalantly said something like, "Ya know, I am glad you woke me up to give me my turn to clean up Bart's mistake, you are absolutely right that it was my turn; it got me thinking that, since you can't ride today, maybe you can take a turn at cleaning the house."
Travis "What?" confused look on face
HB "You know, so we can keep it even"
He informed me, after I mentioned I had left a list for him on the kitchen table, that "the jerk store just called...they are out of you!!" I told him I thought he might take the idea well, but my point was made...LOUDLY, although in a quiet voice, and not without consequences in a less then peaceful morning.
Travis did clean with me on Saturday and the whole house got cleaned in 2 hours instead of 4 and it was REALLY nice to have the help. I have to say, I don't mind doing the weekly chores because I usually take my time and listen to a book on tape while I do it and actually enjoy my "alone" time. Besides that Travis doesn't expect me to do it. If I don't feel like doing it, I don't, and I very rarely get grounded for not doing my chores :)
Travis helps out plenty, but I was actually irritated on the "equality" thing. Are things ever REALLY equal in life? I don't think so and I don't pretend that they should be; why waste the energy on believing something that is not real and will only disappoint you?
I hope we have resolved Bart's "issues" and we will not find those lovely gifts anymore...I still laid out 8 pee pads tonight just in case.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Always forgive your enemy's - nothing annoys them so much." Oscar Wilde
1st - Bart keeps having some irregular...um...BM's lately. All of a sudden he will just have diarrhea for a day and then he will be regular again. I am so GRATEFUL that we think we have figured out what is going on.
When we sit out on the Breakfast Deck Bart will often lick the bottom self of the grill we have out there. Travis is a master griller and we use it often. Bart likes to lick any grease that may escape. Travis tried to clean it off the other day, but there is charcoal bits stuck fast that he couldn't get up with soap and water. We think Bart has been licking his belly sick in the evenings we spend out there...silly dog.
The UN-Silly part is he tends to leave presents on the carpet by the sliding glass door - not just one, but multiples. Lately Travis has been the "finder" and therefore the lucky "cleaner". On Saturday he woke up at 5:30 a.m. and yelled up the stairs that it was my turn and he wasn't going to do it. He is right, I have not had the pleasure for quite some time, so I got up and handled it.
While on my knees cleaning up spot 4 of 6 I started to feel a bit snarky...when I was done I wrote a list of the Saturday chores I normally handle while Travis is out doing a bike ride to train for his big 80 mile mountain bike race in September. It was a full 8x10 page looking sort of like this:
KITCHEN:
Empty and load dishwasher
clean fridge (in and out)
clean oven (pull apart all burners and wash underneath)
vacuum and mop floor
clean sink
MAIN BATH:
Sink
Mirror
toilet
floor
That sort of thing for every room in the house...Then I went back up to bed and very nonchalantly said something like, "Ya know, I am glad you woke me up to give me my turn to clean up Bart's mistake, you are absolutely right that it was my turn; it got me thinking that, since you can't ride today, maybe you can take a turn at cleaning the house."
Travis "What?" confused look on face
HB "You know, so we can keep it even"
He informed me, after I mentioned I had left a list for him on the kitchen table, that "the jerk store just called...they are out of you!!" I told him I thought he might take the idea well, but my point was made...LOUDLY, although in a quiet voice, and not without consequences in a less then peaceful morning.
Travis did clean with me on Saturday and the whole house got cleaned in 2 hours instead of 4 and it was REALLY nice to have the help. I have to say, I don't mind doing the weekly chores because I usually take my time and listen to a book on tape while I do it and actually enjoy my "alone" time. Besides that Travis doesn't expect me to do it. If I don't feel like doing it, I don't, and I very rarely get grounded for not doing my chores :)
Travis helps out plenty, but I was actually irritated on the "equality" thing. Are things ever REALLY equal in life? I don't think so and I don't pretend that they should be; why waste the energy on believing something that is not real and will only disappoint you?
I hope we have resolved Bart's "issues" and we will not find those lovely gifts anymore...I still laid out 8 pee pads tonight just in case.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Always forgive your enemy's - nothing annoys them so much." Oscar Wilde
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Day #248 - Floridians
I thought I would just write a tad about my Sister's kids since they flew back to Florida on Weds. I had a few opportunities to get to know them a tiny bit better while they were here this last month.
Ethan is Melissa's oldest and he is the kind of guy the girls all crush on. He is funny, nice and cute (gonna be handsome). I loved it when Avery, his 4 year old cousin, walked over to him and he said, "No, you can't hang onto my arm." The next time I looked - there is Avery with both arms wrapped around his arm. He didn't look too happy about it, but he was a good sport and he was very nice and patient with her.
Ryker got some of the Avery weight as well. One thing I didn't know about Ryker is how he enjoys to sing...I say sing and should probably say hummmmmm....I don't think I was around him when he wasn't humming something. I hope he has the opportunity to develop the desire and enjoyment of singing.
Lawson...I got to know him better than the others this visit. Lawson has a lot of depth and a big personality. His expressions are mature and he is SUPER funny. He tells stories in mega details and in turn wants EVERY detail related to him. I am used to being the bottom line girl...I couldn't get away with that in Lawson's company. Plus, Lawson has his own interesting style that I loved and the friendliest smile in the whole world.
McCauley...dimples, smiling, beautiful, poser...literally posed all the time, well whenever we mentioned a photo. So cute and such a little helper. She is such a girl, but I also saw photos of her cliff diving and heard tales of her wrestling with her big brothers - definitely one to watch.
It was so great to have them here and to get to know them a little better. I asked if they were excited to get home and Lawson said "no"...I know they have missed their Dad and are excited to see him, but I was touched they had been having such a great time here and then he said, "school starts 4 days after we get back." Ah, I get it, still I think they enjoyed it here in UT and it is AWESOME they made it a priority to come visit this Summer.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Ethan is Melissa's oldest and he is the kind of guy the girls all crush on. He is funny, nice and cute (gonna be handsome). I loved it when Avery, his 4 year old cousin, walked over to him and he said, "No, you can't hang onto my arm." The next time I looked - there is Avery with both arms wrapped around his arm. He didn't look too happy about it, but he was a good sport and he was very nice and patient with her.
Ryker got some of the Avery weight as well. One thing I didn't know about Ryker is how he enjoys to sing...I say sing and should probably say hummmmmm....I don't think I was around him when he wasn't humming something. I hope he has the opportunity to develop the desire and enjoyment of singing.
Ethan and Ryker w/Uncle Travis
Lawson...I got to know him better than the others this visit. Lawson has a lot of depth and a big personality. His expressions are mature and he is SUPER funny. He tells stories in mega details and in turn wants EVERY detail related to him. I am used to being the bottom line girl...I couldn't get away with that in Lawson's company. Plus, Lawson has his own interesting style that I loved and the friendliest smile in the whole world.
Lawson w/the aforementioned Avery - I told him to smile..oh well.
McCauley...dimples, smiling, beautiful, poser...literally posed all the time, well whenever we mentioned a photo. So cute and such a little helper. She is such a girl, but I also saw photos of her cliff diving and heard tales of her wrestling with her big brothers - definitely one to watch.
Mc w/Aunt Keri and Cousin Seerie
It was so great to have them here and to get to know them a little better. I asked if they were excited to get home and Lawson said "no"...I know they have missed their Dad and are excited to see him, but I was touched they had been having such a great time here and then he said, "school starts 4 days after we get back." Ah, I get it, still I think they enjoyed it here in UT and it is AWESOME they made it a priority to come visit this Summer.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Day #247 - Beautiful Noise
Last night I was awakened at 2:19 a.m. by thunder so loud it felt like the house was coming down.
There is a skylight in my bedroom. Sometimes I can see stars out the window and I often just lay there for the minutes before sleep begins to claim me and just look at the sky. Last night there was no sky, but there would suddenly be a bright flash and seconds later "BOOM" like the shot of a cannon, right above me, and then the echo...this happened about 3 times in a row and then it seemed to move farther away and there was only hard rain and distant thunder.
The Sonic Boom had startled me awake and my heart was pounding - it was a little rush to wake up like that, but it didn't take long for the pouring rain to put me back to sleep, even if I did think fleetingly of the leak in the mudroom...Oh well.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "If the thunder is not loud, the peasant forgets to cross himself." Russian Proverb
It was AWESOME!!!
There is a skylight in my bedroom. Sometimes I can see stars out the window and I often just lay there for the minutes before sleep begins to claim me and just look at the sky. Last night there was no sky, but there would suddenly be a bright flash and seconds later "BOOM" like the shot of a cannon, right above me, and then the echo...this happened about 3 times in a row and then it seemed to move farther away and there was only hard rain and distant thunder.
The Sonic Boom had startled me awake and my heart was pounding - it was a little rush to wake up like that, but it didn't take long for the pouring rain to put me back to sleep, even if I did think fleetingly of the leak in the mudroom...Oh well.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "If the thunder is not loud, the peasant forgets to cross himself." Russian Proverb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)