Family Journaling

What a concept...an online journal for the whole family to share. This is an invitation for all of us to share our thoughts, ideas, funny anecdotes, frustrations, celebrations, well you get the idea. You are welcome to add posts, comments, add photos or albums, lists, add to the calendar, expand the links, basically share and expand to your hearts content. So hook up the RSS feed link and keep an eye on what the rest of your familia is up to. Oh and don't blame me if you start feeling all warm and fuzzy in the process.

I am no longer a wannabe

So after a few lessons I decided I was big enough to play on the real golf course and Saturday was my moment. Rachele and Ryan were in town for her girlfriend's wedding, which coincidentally was on their 1st anniversary, so they basically just swapped roles (bride/bridesmaid)and the four of us went to play 9 holes before the afternoon wedding fun. I am hooked. I was a nervous wreck on the first whole, but after that I just settled down and had fun. I only lost one ball (again on the first whole...didn't realize I had to keep track) and pretty much used my 6 iron for the whole game because I haven't had my full swing driving lesson yet, but it was great. I can't wait to play again. Check out the web album for some pics of the day.

My Broccoli Plants

My broccoli leaves are turning red. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I'm very sensitive about my garden, so it makes me sad to think that I'm killing my plants. By the way, Kitty killed 3 of the broccoli plants, and a wind storm killed another of the plants, so now I'm down to four. I can't afford to lose another. I need broccoli.

Monday Recap

This week's things to be thankful for: John's blood sugar is getting better, Rachele and Ryan are coming for a visit (I can finally dispose of the year old top to their wedding cake that is hogging space in my freezer), Brianna only has 4 weeks of school left, PJ has just slightly longer, work is plentiful, the bills are paid, my garden is starting to take off, life is good.

Ripples

Yesterday the theme in our lessons at church was all about achieving peace in our lives. So the question of the day is, what can we do to have more peace? Seems we are always faced with adverse situations that we have to be responsible about and those times don't always lead to peaceful conditions. I was thinking about what causes me the most stress or discomfort and the first thought that came to mind was when my family members are struggling. I can physically feel this ripple go through my body when one of you is upset. So for me, achieving peace would be casting a huge bubble over my loved ones and keeping them safe and protected. Not too realistic, I know. I guess in looking at the other side of this coin, I am filled with happy ripples when I hear you are doing well. Any thoughts?

Preview to my New York trip

My flight leaves SLC at 8:50 am, and I plan on being at the airport at 7:30 am. This means that I'll probably get up around 6:00 am, but I'm not worried about being tired because I plan on sleeping through the entire plane ride. We'll arrive at JFK around 4 something, and head over to the Hilton. I don't know what we'll do tomorrow night, and since I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing on Tuesday and Wednesday at the client's office, I hope that I get a good debrief tomorrow night.

It's supposed to be raining while I'm there, so whatever we do in the evenings and during the day on Thursday will be inside. I'll provide updates at the end of each day, with photos, to share the details of the day's events.

One thing I would like to do, but probably won't be able to do, is drive to Rahway, New Jersey (about 22 miles from where we'll be), to a cemetary where some of our ancestor's are buried. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but that's where one branch of our family settled in this country after being dispelled from France in the 1600's, and I'd like to see it in person. There will be more posts to come on this subject.


Update: Well I didn't think that it would be so hard to send daily updates, but it was. We worked until 6:30 every night, exercised, and then went out until midnight. I was exhausted, but it was worth it. I made sure to get some New York bagels (nothing special there...they taste like Salt Lake City bagels and even California bagels). I ate at Ray's pizza instead of Lombardi's, because Ray's was featured on the Food Network, and since the Food Network has become my bible to everything food, I chose Ray's instead. We also ate at this little place called the Stardust. I couldn't think of a more touristy place. The food was pretty gross, but the entertainment was great. The waiters sing and dance through your entire meal. I sang along to Hakuna Matata, and a Van Halen song (can't remember the name though). I walked around time square, did some window shopping on fifth avenue, walked through central park, went to the top of the rockefeller center, and I ate, a lot. Let's be honest here, I didn't really have money to go to a show or to buy clothes from the shops, so I indulged myself in New York cuisine. One night I went to a little Jewish diner that served lots of pastrami and corned beef sandwiches that were at least 6 inches tall. The best part of that diner was the 6" tall cheesecake (I brought two slices home for Ryan). I went to Roxy's, which is famous for their pastries right after I ate at Junior's diner. I had a panini from Cafe Europa, and a chicken pita from the street vendor around the corner from our client's office. But don't worry, I walked every where and went to the gym in the evenings. Oh, I even learned how to successfully flag down my own taxi. While I was working I learned that New Yorker's are addicted to work; and I presumed it was because many of them don't have family nearby, so they rely on their co-workers to keep them company. Afterall, who wants to go home to a lonely apartment that has only a view of the concrete building next to yours? I also found that I love the city; I felt myself coming alive when I was surrounded by all the people and the bright lights. I just wanted to stay out all night and talk with people, and see some shows, and even go dancing, BUT I didn't want to do any of that with my coworkers, so I went to bed in my super comfy hotel room. Well there's lots more I could talk about, like what I did while I was working, but I'm tired. So if you want to know more, just ask.

Happy Birthday Kayla!