A California Weekend

Mom drove me to the airport early Friday morning when I got off work & I caught the plane to SanFrancisco. Of course it takes a couple hours to get to the airport from home, so I made it with just a little time to spare before my 11:00, right? Guess not! My flight was delayed until noon so I sat in the airport, blogged and watched people for awhile. Made it to SFO about 2:15 & made my way to the rental car waiting line. OH MY was it long. I waited almost an hour to get to the counter and get my keys. I was in a mildly sleepy state, so I may not have been thinking as clearly as I should have been... so when Erik at the counter offered me a shiny red convertible Camaro at a huge discount, I said, "Why yes, I'd LOVE to take that!"

This made the ride over to Turlock quite enjoyable in fact!

As for the reason I went to Cali in the first place? The race. Ahem...that is another story.

I mentioned before that the boys were ranked 3rd in the Nation, but that the normal anchor on the team would "possibly" not be able to make it? Yeah. He didn't make it. The boys still should have been able to get into the finals if they had done their best. Well, it just didn't turn out that way. The one they had in the anchor position ran about 4 seconds slower than he typically does. 4 seconds!! Oh, it was NOT pretty. The other guys were quite angry and it showed. Coach took us all to Denny's afterward and you could definitely feel the tension. Immediately after we ate, we headed to the hotel, I got checked in, and then I headed to town with my boy & his buddy. Walking the streets of Modesto at midnight is interesting to say the least, particularly when you've had no sleep in the last 30 hours! The guys needed some pampering and stress relief in a big way.

 The next day, we took off for SanFrancisco.

The boys checking out the city map.

We decided to ride on the city tour bus. It was so much fun. It was a first for all 3 of us to be in Frisco so it was quite an adventure!

Spending a whole day with these two was SO enjoyable!

Talk about personality! Laughter took up a large portion of our time.

Tony Bennett's heart that he painted (with left over paint from the Golden Gate Bridge)

and then left in San Francisco. 

The 'circles' on this building were spirographed!

 Brought back some memories & made me feel a lil old!

Frances Ford Coppola's hotel.

YES! I had the privelage of being escorted around San Francisco with

these ROCK STARS!! Who could ask for more?

So, my fascination with prisons, outlaws, crime, etc was like a super duty magnet pulling me toward what? Yes, of course!

Alcatraz!!

I have much more to say about being imprisoned...it will come later.

I did spend the following day touring the island and taking another couple of loops around the big city before making my way back to the rental car counter (boo hoo, I really liked that car!) and to catch my flight home. 

Once I left the plane in Seattle, I took the light rail downtown and walked to the ferry dock. I must say that walking through the red light district at night actually made me a little nervous! Quite odd for me, but almost refreshing. Like I actually may be somewhat human! ;)

Ta ta for now! 

Road Trip Day 2

What better person to spend Mother's Day with but my Mother?

We drove from Bryce Canyon National Park to Page, AZ on Saturday afternoon. Spent the night in a dive bomb hotel, but at least the continental breakfast was yummy. Fresh fruit & ice cold milk definitely hit the spot!

The day's adventures were mainly in Antelope Canyon.

Above, we posed as our tour guide, Al, snapped a shot of us at the mouth of the upper canyon. There's nothing I can say to adequately describe this marvel of God's nature. I filled my 8G memory card with photos of this place, and Mom also filled her card. Needless to say, it took a very long time to sort through them. I could have kicked myself because I walked off and left my tripod in the car when we toured the upper canyon. The canyon itself is...um....very tall! I am normally Mrs. Information, but I was absolutely awestruck and it was very difficult to pay attention to what Al was telling us as we walked through. Since it was so tall, it was a bit dark which required a longer exposure time, so I had to tweak my camera settings. I'm such an ameteur that I got plenty of blurry photos. Tough to hold still, tough to figure out exactly how to set the camera.

ANYWAY....take a gander at the upper canyon:

This one gives a tiny perspective at how high the canyon was.

We tried to capture as much texture as possible.

The "Coyote of the Canyon"

Why my Mother wanted to snap my FAT hind parts, I have no idea!!

The US Postal Eagle

After we toured the upper canyon, we found out that there was also a lower canyon. Since I had a DSL camera and a tripod, they allowed us to go through the lower canyon without a guide and we were able to spend 2 entire hours inside.

I think Mom was sayin..."Kiss this" when she started climbing down into the Lower Canyon.

They warned us that we would need water because as we walked through the lower part we continuously descended. At the end, there were 78 steps to climb to get back out.

More texture and color.

This is the initial descent into the lower canyon. If you look, you can see that the Lion King was watching over us. Mufasa!! :)

Not sure what exactly appeals to me about this pic, but it's my overall favorite.

This is the best I could do to get a shot of the sunbeams as we were showered with sandy grit.

Another shot that shows some perspective on the size of this canyon.

More Texture...I feel some paintings coming on :)

And there goes Mom after the climb out headed back to the entrance. She continues to tell me that I try to kill her on these adventures haha.

This was absolutely the most memorable Mother's Day I've had.

Mom seemed to be pleased as well.

The photos don't do the place justice. I did realize while I was there that I am in need of a wider angle lense. Definitely next on my list of goodies ;)

Antelope Canyon is a MUST SEE!

Blessings!

 

Part 2?

Part 2 is coming, really!

I'm sure there are just hundreds of people out there who are all incredibly interested in my road trip, right? Ahem...as if.

Work has kept me busy busy busy recently and my internet at home has been acting up, so when I did try to upload my photos from Day 2...Mother's Day...I got frustrated and finally just gave up on it for the time being.

I will be hopping on a plane to the lovely city of San Francisco when I get off work in 6 hours....(anticipation aaaahhhhh) to watch my baby run in the

NCAA D2 National Track Meet

tonight! Today is the prelim, tomorrow is the finals.

They've had a major set back though :(

The anchor on their (mile relay) team may not make it. He has been drafted to play in the Canadian NFL (whatever they call it) and is having to work out details, so he's delayed in arriving in Cali and possibly won't make it at all.

WITH him, they have a good chance of being the National Champs in their 4X400 race. Without him...lets pray they make it to the finals. If (WHEN) they do, they will be All Americans.

My baby is (almost) an All American NCAA runner!! Yay!!

Best of all? I get to see him and hug his neck in less than 24 hours!

Woo Hoo!

Pray that Eddie makes it to the meet, please.

Will update asap!

Blessings ;)



Road Trip Part 1

Bryce Canyon National Park

We stayed in #5

It was the cutest little thing! The lady who ran the place was a chatty Cathy &

served us breakfast before our adventure into the park.

First thing we decided to do was drive to the very end, then hit all of the pullouts on the way back through.

There were LOTS of pullouts. I've just included a few photos.

My beautiful Mom marvels at the vast canyon

from a bench at 9100ft elevation.

I have to include an occasional dead tree.

Odd fascination, I know.

This character was not to be spooked.

I mean, wouldn't you be at least a tiny bit scared if this woman was right there in your face?

The technical term for these clay columns is hoodoos.

Made us feel like we were on some kind of ancient burial ground or something.

Photos just don't do the place justice...but I tried!

Hoodoos as far as you could see! It was amazing.

Those who have facebook can see tons more photos from the trip.

Livin on the edge!

Ok, not the VERY edge, but close enough!

Day one of the trip was so wonderful. I wanted to go hiking down into the canyon, but Mom thought I would  have ended up required to leave her there for the buzzards if we did. I chose to preserve the relationship (chuckle) and we made a plan to head out there again next year. Originally, I was supposed to be there with a very nice, reliable, professional photographer & group of other people who are as ignorant as I am with regard to using the camera, but I cancelled my place on that trip for something else. Quite clearly that which I thought was reciprocal was not, therefore the latter plan was foiled. OH, where was I?? YES, I plan to hook up (not in the modern sense of the phrase) with my photographer at Bryce Canyon next year! He has the integrity to show up for his appointments and I must learn how to optimize my camera! 

Will post more of my ameteur photos from day 2 soon.

Blessings!! :)



I'm AWAKE NOW!!

Slam, bang, boom...thump thump thump...meeeooowwwwww...pant pant pant...

This is what my "alarm" sounded like last night.

Yes, it finally happened.  Of course the chase culminated in my room.

Max got up close and personal with Lola.  

I'd been pondering exactly what he may want to do with the cats that he so persistantly attempted to get near. I found out. My vicious pit bull wanted to PLAY with the kitty.

Yes, after their encounter there was blood everywhere. On me, on the carpet, on Lola, on my Mom and, of course, on Max. Why? Because Lola literally tore his entire muzzle up. She has no front claws, so she did this with her teeth and her back paws.

If there was ever a time for Max to show how incredibly mean and scary he is, that would have been the time, wouldn't you think?

No, Max is a big, playful dope who just wanted to romp around with the little fur balls in his new home and he paid the price for it.

I will be careful that they not meet up again any time soon just in case he is holding a grudge. I don't know if he's smart enough. 

I wish I was dumb (smart?) enough to forget things.

It just goes to show: Not all pit bulls are killers!

I'll be off work soon & I have a road trip to blog about!

Pics on the way later today.

:))))))

Because of You

I was self sufficient,

gratified by my independence,

alone but not lonely,

I thought.

But I was restless,

searching blindly for something

to fill an empty place

I didn't even know existed.

Dimly aware

that I was somehow unfinished.

Then you came

and filled everything.

Every space, every need,

even secret dreams

I had concealed from myself.

I was self sufficient

and restless.

For a time, I was profoundly peaceful

and complete

because of you.

Thank you, friend, for all the things that meant so much to me.

For concern and understanding you gave abundantly.

Thanks for listening with your heart

For cheering me when I was blue.

For bringing out the best in me and just for being you.

Thanks for in-depth conversation that stimulated my brain,

For silly times we laughed out loud

For things I can't explain.

For looking past my flaws and faults,

For all the time you spent.

For the kind things that you did.

Thank you, thank you, friend.

My heart, my soul, my life

 will never be quite the same.

If I'd never met you, I wouldn't feel the pain

of losing your sweet love

I wouldn't feel insane.

But if I'd never met you, I wouldn't know the pleasure

of ecstasy's warm gifts and memories to treasure.

Now moving on with life, I force a wistful grin

Ever curious what went wrong

and wondering what might have been.

On loan in part: J.Fuchs

Just in Case

Curious?

Yes, it's still there.

I mean, DUH

Speak things as though they were, right?

I may as well give it a shot.

What else is there to do?

You win.

Turn the knife.

Bask in it.

;)

We will all reap what we sow.

Each and every one.

Attitude

My Attitude, My Choice, right?

Why sometimes is this concept SO difficult?

Expectations are the root of nearly every disappointment. After one human being lets you down numerous times ie: "I'm going to do blah blah at blah blah time" one would just expect that it's bound to happen an indefinite number of times, right? So when this phenomenon occurs on yet another day and yet another "promise" it should not seem so odd nor cause your "blood to boil," right?

Okay, as long as we've got that out of the way...

There remains but One who will never let you down.

Deut 7:9: Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.

Psalm 36:5:  Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Psalm 119:75: I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (Not that we could ever comprehend being afflicted, but even if we are feeling persecuted we must remember that God is faithful and this is the reason for it)

1Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

In searching scripture, yes there are many 'faithful' men but only God is ALWAYS so.

Only God will never let me down.

Only in God can I have true inner peace.

THEREFORE:

I opt to take on each new challenge with a prayer and reliance

on God as I have never had before.

I am in charge of my attitude.

 

I will be an optimist.

I will have more faith. (Not to be mistaken for persistantly gullible)

 

My Attitude, My Choice!

 

Road Trip: ONE MORE DAY!

 

2 More Days!!

Completely, body and soul, utterly WIPED OUT!
Just wanted to share a link...my speedy young man can be witnessed running the first leg of this race...the announcer was quite confused and did not mention that it was Harding who was in 2nd, then 3rd, and finally finished second in the race. He kept calling them something else. He did get it figured out at the very end, but then he confused Eddie with Blake...and they are quite obviously not the same person lol...anyway: Enjoy!!
http://www.flotrack.org/video/487792

http://www.flotrack.org/video/487792

The Month I Was Waiting For

I can't believe it's May already.

In just 5 days, I will be on my road trip back to the South probably for the last time.

There is really not much I miss about being there. Of course I miss Kory terribly, but regardless of where I lived, I'd be missing him since he's "all grown up" now and no longer living at home. At least I have the privelage of seeing him twice a year.

Speaking of Kory....

I received another call from him the day before yesterday...2 days after the tornado incident...and he & his girlfriend had been in a wreck. WOW, is God trying to say something to him, to her, to me or ALL of us??

He spent the afternoon in the hospital. When the EMT came to the door of the truck (Her Jeep Grand Cherokee which she totalled in this wreck) Kory couldn't remember his name and he was bleeding from someplace just above his face so he was sort of a mess with a concussion. (((sigh))) In the process of this wreck, he hurt his leg as well, so it was questionable whether or not he was going to make it to the BIG track meet this weekend.

Guess What?

He toughed it out and went, so...

Part of his track team spent the day today in DesMoines, Iowa at a very important meet.

THEY BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD BY 2 FULL SECONDS IN THE 4X4 RELAY!!

Did I scream that? Oh, yes I did!! I'm so excited for them!

So, I get to see my baby boy for at least a little while next week, I'll finally get to meet his beautiful girlfriend too!

I get to see my girl Morgan and hopefully get to see Amber.

I'll get to be reunited with my baby doggy Maximus and bring him home with me :)

& I'll close the door on this chapter of my life.

The road trip will be fun, but bittersweet.

Things become a little clearer to me every day.

God and God alone is who I can put my faith, my trust, my hope in.

Men will fail me every time. A well known fact, however, I let my guard down and it bit me, bit me hard. I've learned my lesson.

Time to start over.

Welcome May...I've been waiting for you :)