SHOOT ME

First of all, I should know by now to never say never. Brynna went through the Hannah Montana phase...if you haven't been through it yet, it's basically like a Barney phase (overacting, annoying whiney voice, and plain creepy). I don't know what it was other than the fact of seeing her face popping up everywhere. It wasn't too much of a good thing, just too much. When it hit the Walmart scene, that's when I declared, "I will never buy Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana stuff ever."

So, today, I'm doing things around the house and a song comes on, next thing, I'm dancing...making up a routine. After hearing it I went to research what it was. Much to my dismay, I lived to eat my words. I purchased it on itunes. Now granted, I'm on some pretty heavy antibiotics where some of the side effects that could affect the central nervous system are: hearing voices, seeing things (hallucinations), nightmares, depression, confusion, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts or acts. OR maybe, the side effects have started and this is considered a suicidal act. Never the less, rule numero uno: Never say Never.

What Is Lost, Can Be Found

Rewind a couple years back. I was kayaking in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, was overturned, and while bracing to hit the ocean bottom, lost my wedding ring. For our 10th anniversary, we had this ring made and I loved it. I called Jason from Mexico crying...by the time I told him what happened, he was just relieved I wasn't in a jail cell rotting. He was calm as could be and told me, 'it's only a material thing, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters.'
Fast forward...Aug/09
Jason had to go work in L.A. for a week and it was over my birthday. He asked me to come out and spend my birthday with him and pick out a new wedding ring from the same jeweler we always use. I was ecstatic! And then I saw our hotel. Remember from a previous post how I said while in California, I do not like to stay in big hotels due to my fear of earthquakes? Jason told me before he left, that we would be in a smaller hotel. I think it was the first time in our marriage he justified lying to me. His response when I saw it...'well, it's smaller than the other buildings.' He booked us at the Hilton...top floor.

This was our view from our hotel room...

The first thing we do, is go to the jewelry district. I will never purchase a good piece of jewelry anywhere else. Prices for quality almost feels like I'm committing a crime. One ring I tried on was 3 karats, and he asked $1300 for it. CRAZY. I had my choices down to 2 wedding rings and couldn't decide. Then, the jeweler pulls something out, obviously planned....it was MY ring, the one I lost, re-made. I felt the same as when I was in school, and would lose something important. I would go to the lost and found, and upon finding my lost treasure, relief would flood over me. Needless to say, my choice was made, SOLD. Kind of sad we paid twice for the same ring, BUT even though it is material, there was great meaning behind it. And here it be...

While walking downtown, it was a pleasant surprise to see the changes there. It used to be a place where people really only went to work. Now it's turning more into a New York style with more and more people living there and developing the area.

I took these pictures for two reasons...

One of which is part of our retirement, and second, if you think your HOA's are bad, take a gander...

Later, we went as a family to dinner.

My kids LOVE the city...

But love the pool more..

The pool is at the top of the hotel. A little eerie when the businessmen had their binoculars shining down, but, whatever...I'd be doing the same EXACT thing.

Lying in the hotel bed that night, I kept waking up...'what if there's an earthquake'...and then I'd plan it out in my head. Then I'd admire the city, then...'what if there's an earthquake?' I'd re-evaluate and revise my safety plan.

But I awoke at around 3 am and was at peace. The picture below was looking through my eyes from my bed. I started counting floors instead of sheep, listened to cars and sirens instead of crickets. I've come a long way since the midwest. I like to think I am balanced between the city and country...but my lifestyle is definitely city. I love growth, diversity, endless activities, and the feeling that I can become anything my dreams desire. My music posting was what I was listening to on my ipod and described EXACTLY everything I was feeling.

Other random things I miss about L.A. ...

Dummy models in the fasion district that actually have butts. Definitely fit the Latina (and me) demographics.

LOVE, LOVE the prices in fashion district.

And another thing I forgot...

...how much I actually enjoy people putting corny junk on their car, for entertainment purposes while sitting in traffic.

We were able to visit the Thompson's, Hoeke's and Lin's.

Sorry for not having pics of eveyone, but I had to steal these off Brynna's camera, and most were blurry.

My Peanut Butter frosting cake. :)

Birthday Clowns.

Kids that won't share cake. (AKA Josh)

Nanc

For some reason, this looks like a surrogate mother family photo...but no, it's just some white people holding an asian baby.


While at home, I was treated well. My friends do a wonderful job of always remembering and making me feel special.

She knows what I love...accessory rings!!

Sorry, Suzanne...you didn't pose with me. :(

And to my amazing R.S. Presidency...you are truly my sisters. I love what we experience together...the laughs, hardships, joys, and especially the unity.

UPDATE...Jason is back on the crappy birthday list. After ALL that, on my actual Birthday, he forgot to tell me 'Happy Birthday.' So to all those who were like...'ahhhhh, what an amazing man, he's so wonderful'....yep, although he is, he is yet still a man.

"You can't take your eyes off it; I've seen you. You're not eating. You barely sleep. It's taken ahold of you. You have to fight it."

What??? Is this supposed to be a threat??? I 'DO' a lot....ohhhh, are you talking about the thing I may or may not have done with a list? Let's break this down for those who aren't following. The Bishopric have a list in their clerk's office...let's just call it their 'precious' (in a hair raising Gollum/Smeagol voice). 'Precious' is a list of all who have given talks in church for the past two years. Oh, a master list hanging in the open, you ask? Why, yes...all handwritten, VERY hi-tech. A few weeks ago, 'Precious' went missing and all of a sudden they have all turned into Aragorn, Gandalf, and Gimli (you can place the name for whomever you'd like) and have been hunting down and threatening all in their path. 'Precious' was shredded, destroyed, and pieces were distributed to the fearless trio creating sorrow, bitterness, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Luckily, the Hobbits saved the day...and 'Precious' was restored (in better condition) to it's rightful place. The world is made right again. Live and be with the Elves.

FYI...I may live 'in the hood' but I do have a very involved neighbor that informed me of mini- van driving up and down the street...and a girl and boy who got out and delivered the package to my house. (I know that just described like 80 percent of our ward, BUT we can identify cookies to those who make them). I appreciate that cookies were involved, but if I wake up dead (oxymoron) from poisoning...I just wanted the proof out there so the authorities know where to turn.

ASBA Conference...Work and Play

I went to Flagstaff for a conference presented by the Arizona School Board Association. Being on the governing board, I am able to attend trainings, which are beneficial and rewarding. I come home with a better perspective, one that often changes my one-sided thinking. Being with other school board's from AZ, we are able to share ideas and work together on how to improve our districts. Jason and the kids came on Fri. to spend the rest of the time with me. We were able to do a few activities together, one being the Lowell Observatory. I wasn't especially excited to go, but was glad I went. Jason was the one having to drag me out....I found it fascinating. AND....you can't beat cool weather and the smell of pines on a 115 degree day in Phoenix.

Board Prez..Chrissy Pritchard, Yours Truly, April Allen,

and Superintendent Dr. Gail Pletnick
'SQUIRREL!'

Nathan was able to help move the 6-7 ton telescope.

113 year old make-shift telescope...made from frying pans, bicycle chains, airplane parts, etc.;

I can't get my hair dryers to last a year.

Percival Lowell's Mausoleum

Proof mausoleum's are creepy. This spider was ginormous. If you click on the picture, you can see it's hair and lunch.

Percival discovered the planet Pluto from here....although now it's not a planet...go figure.

.....'SQUIRREL!'.

NE braska

It's not what many would call a vacation...as far as excitement and luxury go. Every year we go to Nebraska for the summer. Several reasons for this are...family, friends, green grass and clean air, sweet corn, thunderstorms, relaxation, free meals, and fireworks (real ones, not the sissy sparkler crap).
We packed into my mom's car..not comfortable for the 19 hour drive. It always starts off great, but we all have slight tics by the end. My best friend is my ipod. Not only does it help me drive all night, but keeps me sane. The drive home was rough...ask us about our wild mustang sometime.
We came home with great memories....rocketman, private tours in a hospital, learning the lesson that leaving the men in charge does NOT mean the children are safe, Dora the Explorer being a *(!!!#@!, beach balls in a doctor's lounge, facebook quizzes, moaning Myrtle, ethnic festival, realizing why artillery shells are meant to explode in the air, soccer games, trackball, doing princess hair, Ryan Reynolds :), and seeing friends some of which has been over 10 years....just to name a few.

We stopped in Castle Rock, CO to see the Berglund's.

This is an aerial view of Grand Island, NE. I had to climb 1,123 stairs on the ladder from the water tower to get these shots. JK..it's from the tallest building in the city.
Yes, I did grow up this sheltered.

A taste of our Downtown.

Fun with the Cuzn's...

SLIP N SLIDE

HOT PANTS

'My life sucks.'

Great-Grandma Etta

Notice, Brynna is taller.

Grandma and the Crew.

Rainbow Boy.

Mom's Posse.

Feelin' the Love.

Don't Inhale Yellow Smoke

Experiments.

Notice how he is aiming up.

Sweetest Friend in the whole wide world.

Employees Reunite.