This and That and Other Fleeting Thoughts

So, not much has happend since the last post except that Dallas and I attended an UAMPS conference in Jackson Hole and on the way we bought 2 $1.00 lottery tickets in Malad, Idaho and won $12.00 which was a $10.00 gain. Dallas went on the White Water Rafting activity and I went on the Horseback Riding activity. He went down the river and I climbed to the top of the mountains for a beautiful view. While sitting atop my horse, atop of the mountain, very dark clouds moved in, the wind blew, there was thunder and lightening and it sprinkled. It was ......wonderful.

I participated in the 2011 triathlon but this time I recruited Dani Njord to swim for me. I was disappointed because I felt I didn't preform well and my bike chain fell off right as I was approaching a hill. I have no idea how much time it cost me. I guess there is always next year and maybe I will work on my swim. Probably not likely.

I did something I thought I would never have to do....I joined Weight Watchers. I have lost a few pounds but short of starving myself I'm not sure I can lose anymore and I REFUSE to give up my See's Chocolates.

A calm life right now is good and Juno - I just love her.

The . . . Exposition?

We were in Washington DC last week for a Power Convention. While Dallas was in seminars, I took the opportunity to see some of the sights that I didn't get to see last time we were there, which was about 12 or so years ago. I re-visited the air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian and then walked next door to this round building that is some kind of modern art gallery. I thought it would be cool, quite and a good place to use the restroom and not have to wait in line. I was right! I also took some pictures of the art on display. I thought it was . . . unique. As always with modern art, some is good and different and I like that, but most is right down stupid. Take a look at some of the pictures and see what you think.

I Stand Here Ironing

I know, the title of this post is a little strange but I will explain. This is the view out my kitchen window above the sink. It changes from season to season and this is probably one of the most beautiful. The tree outside is so full it takes up the entire view out the window, it is also very loaded with blossoms this year and smells divine. It makes me sad that I only get to see and smell this about 2 weeks out of the year. I guess that makes me really appreciative since the timeframe is so small.

I enclosed a picture of the blossoms up close because they are so pretty. Each individual flower is so small but together they make a beautiful blossom.

In the next picutre you can see how big the tree is and truly how many blossoms there are.

Now, about the title. When I was in college I took an American Literature class. It was one of my favorites. By the way I was 35 when I took this class. Anyway, we read a short story by Tillie Olsen named "I Stand Here Ironing." I would recommend you find the story on the internet and read it, it is only about 60 pages long. I really enjoyed and related to this story because of where I was in life. Basically, it is about a woman that spends a lot of time doing the mundane task of ironing. While she irons she thinks about her children, her family, her marrage and just life in general. What could have been different, what could she have changed. It is something I have done many times while I do mundane tasks, especially while I am standing at this window doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

Can You Travel Too Much?

This past month Dallas and I have been to Mexico City, Pebble Beach and Death Valley. All are very different places but we loved all of it.

We stayed with the Nancollas' and Nansi was our tour guide. We saw the pyramids, the royal palace, the archeological museum and the city in general. The weather was perfect.

A few days later we took off for Pebble Beach and stayed at Georgia Whites house with Joyce and her grand-kids. The travel seemed long because Donner Pass was snowy. It rained most of the day we were at the Monterey Aquarium but was really nice weather the next day when we went to Point Lobos and the Bixby Bridge. The time there was way too short and we will hopefully get to go again.

Last weekend we went with Njords and about 25 other bikers to Death Valley. Again, the weather was perfect and it was nice to get some sun. I loved Death Valley and would love to explore more. We went to the lowest place in the United States at 282 feet below sea level. We did almost 1000 miles on the motorcycle.

We had a few mishaps here and there but basically all went well on all the trips which is a miracle for us. My opinion, you can not travel too much!

What The ?

I took this picture when Brooke and I went to Seattle last October. We were walking along toward the Gates Sculpture Garden and I look across the way and saw this on the hillside. I said, "Oh, my gosh, look Brooke!" and she said, "What is it?" I really felt old at that moment in time. I had come from an era before, one that included my mother and many before me. I was a little depressed. I was in the last generation to use a typewriter. All those that have come since, have used a computer to type letters and documents, therefore, they would not need one of these. I still like it because it was big and as in a previous post I have commented on how I like things like this.

The giant type eraser brought back those Jr. High type-class memories, like spinning the little eraser wheel and rolling it along the desk when I was a little bored in class, or how I would use the little brush at the end that was supposed to sweep the erased particles from the type paper, to sweep my desk. I also remembered that I got my one and only D in that stinking type-class. Ohhh the memories.....

Que Sera Sera

So I was wondering today what the new year will bring.

Will Brooke or Dru get married this year?

Will my Mexican vacation go as planned? (we all know why I think about this)

Will I ever figure out my new droid phone?

When will the snow melt and the temperatures rise so I can run outside?

Will Juno get enough love?

Will we experience health, wealth and happiness?

To all these I say .... What will be, will be.

I hope that Brooke and Dru get married.

I hope that my vacation goes as planned.

I know that I will figure out my new phone if I read the manuel.

I know that the snow will melt and the temperatures will rise and I will get to run outside and I hope it happens by March.

I am pretty sure Juno will get enough love but she will think she need more.

I know that only I can make sure I am happy and I already have so much wealth. Maybe not monitarily but I have the best husband, children, grandchildren, dog, friends, home, etc. It is true that we can do many things to ensure that we stay healthy but I hope we all continue to have good health.

Happy New Year!

The Loss of an Old Friend

So it has been a month tomorrow since my old friend Dick Stauffer left to continue his journey on the other side. It is extremely lonely outside in the yard now and sometimes I remind myself that he is gone, really gone. Who will plant my pansies for me? Who will clear the snow from my driveway? He is not there for me to gather up his rose clippings or just sit in his yard and talk with him. It was an honor to hold his hand until he passed. I hope he will be there to grab mine when it is time for me to pass to the other side.