No Drama Vacation

Dallas and I attended the annual Death Valley Motorcycle ride again this year. I had a blast! I acquired a whole new gang of friends. Notice how they are all guys. Absolutely no drama and I didn't have to wait for the bathroom. The weather was a bit chilly but just right with all the leathers on.

Death Valley is actually filled with color and strange little towns. So many minerals in the earth there. I think I am a deseret rat at heart because I just love it. I can't wait for next year.

Have To Save These Pictures

It is time for a new post and I have some pictures that I really couldn't have get lost in the giant vortex of the computer world. Dallas just backed up my data and these where not there so I figured if I put them here I would have them.

The bouquet in the class container are flowers from my wedding 30+ years ago. I decided that I had carted them with me long enough. They have turned brown and ugly and the container is broken thanks to Audrey when she was small and into everything. I took pictures and thew the flowers, container and all away. Sentimental aren't I?

The other pictures are of a Penny Rug that I made. I walked into a craft store and saw this on the wall, it was the first thing I saw actually, and I loved it and wanted to make my own. Then I thought, Charo would love this! It would also be a good excuse for not being on time with a Christmas package. I bought the pattern and fabric and proceeded forth. It is a true gift when you work hard and love each and everything about the project and don't want to part with it. It turned out beautiful and I had a hard time not keeping it for myself, but I wrapped it with care and a lot of love and sent it to Charo whom I know will love and appreciate it deeply. I will just have to make one for myself now.

I really love it when I exceed my own expectations and do better than I thought I could on a project. This is just such a project. I really, really, love this.

A Very Merry Christmas!

I haven't written a new post for a few months so I'm falling down on the job. I am really enjoying Christmas this year and am looking forward to a great New Year. We have had such a great and fun 2011 so it might be hard to top but I look forward to trying.

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!