Stand Up Paddle Event

Even though Howard is still recovering from his recent surgery, we decided to go out of town this weekend as originally planned. Our very dear friend Kathy's son Steven died unexpectedly one year ago from a thoracic aortic dissection and a memorial stand up paddle event was scheduled yesterday, come rain or shine, and rain it did!

Steven was 40 years old when he literally dropped dead on the floor at the surfboard shop he owned. He had no idea he had heart issues although his father, Kathy's husband, had died of heart problems at the age of 39. Since Steven's death, all of Kathy's family has been tested and subsequently one of her other son's has had heart surgery so as to avoid the same fate as his brother and father. Luckily, he was there yesterday, healthy, and able to support his late brother.

Steven was an avid surfer and was one of the first ones to promote SUP (stand up paddling). The idea of stand up paddling on a surf board was new to me but since learning about it, I've noticed it more and more. I saw alot of it in Hawaii this past summer and thought of Steven every time. Here is a picture of Steven in a SUP race...


Yesterday was WINDY, RAINY, and FREEZING but about 100+ people gathered at the Long Beach Harbor for the 1st Annual Adler Paddler SUP event. It was a 2.8 mile race around the harbor and fundraiser, raising money for Steven's son's college fund as well as The John Ritter Foundation. John Ritter died unexpectedly of the same thing and his wife and daughter were there with us yesterday to show their support. John's widow, actress Amy Yasbeck, called Kathy months back and has been a great comfort to her. It was a wonderful thing to witness and be apart of. Twelve of us camping buddies braved the cold and rain to support Kathy and even a few mentioned that maybe next year they'd join in on the race. FYI, I wasn't one of them. I'll stay back, take pictures, and buy raffle tickets to support the cause! John Ritter's wife said next year let's call it "Adler Paddler Ritter Sitter!" She thinks like me, she'd like to watch this event while sitting on the sidelines!

Here are a few pictures from the day...








Here's Kathy with us, some of her camping club buddies (it must be the angle of the camera because I look like 2 ton Hanna in this photo!)


This girl was smart, she's showing everyone how she attached her jacket to her paddle and used it as a sail...


Here are a few pictures of Amy, John Ritter's widow...



And this is a picture of Clark (far left), Steven's 14 year old son as he finished the stand up paddle event. He was chilled to the bone but smiling from ear to ear from such an accomplishment. The wind was brutal and I'm sure it was so hard for this little guy to finish the 2.8 miles but he did it. He did it in memory of his Dad...


And now getting a congratulatory kiss from Grandma Kathy...


The weather was horrible but the spirit at this event was bright and sunny, just like Steven Adler and John Ritter were in life. May they rest in peace.

It's Game Day...

And what a difference a year makes! Game day last year was rainy and depressing. This year the sun is out and we're spending it with fun, close friends.

I've mentioned before that our friend Lynn owns a restaurant here in town. It's a casual place and is always the perfect backdrop for a party. Although we do get together at each others homes too, having the restaurant to meet up at is easy and is never a burden on anyone (maybe I shouldn't speak for Lynn though huh!)

Game day at Lynn's will be perfect. She has a big screen TV in the restaurant, an ice and soda machine (for my Pepsi loving self), lots of seating, and plenty of friends will be stopping by. I'm sure it will be lots of fun.

I'm bring 7 layer dip and chips and will be rooting for the Packers since my cousin is a Wisconsin grad. I'm not a big football fan so it doesn't matter to me who wins or loses. For me, SUPERBOWL IS ALL ABOUT THE FOOD!

Have a GREAT day!

It's The Little Things...

And often the unexpected...

That make life so rich and full...

Such as...

1) My beautiful 22 year old daughter stating on Facebook that "my mom is my best friend";

2) Finding out on Saturday that I got a raise at work. It was out of the blue and substantial, something that isn't happening much in this economy;

3) Having one of the doctors that I work with give me a big hug today and tell me that she's missed me since I don't work as much anymore. We 're having lunch at her gorgeous home Friday at noon so that we can catch up and have girlfriend time. Not only do I feel blessed that she considers me such a good friend but I think it says alot about how she feels about me professionally. Even though we talk non-stop when we see each other (and some of it is about our patients!), I take it as a hugh compliment that she considers me one of her peers;

4) My handsome son sending me a message on Facebook, saying hello, just because!

It's often the little things, the personal things, that we treasure the most!

Up To My Eyeballs In Glitter!

A good nickname for my house these days would be "the house of glitter!" I have been busy making table arrangements for a Christmas party and I've got glitter everywhere, and I do mean everywhere! I'm sure we'll be seeing glitter sparkles around the house for months to come!

We have a close friend Lynn who owns a restaurant and we've become friendly with some of her other regular customers too. We tease that we have our own "Cheers" group just like the TV show but it's really true. This small group has become like family.

A few weeks back Lynn had a dinner for our group and mentioned that she wanted all of us to come for a special Christmas dinner on Monday, Dec. 20th. At the time, we were all seated at one long table and I told Lynn that I'd make the table arrangement for our get together on the 20th, thinking that it would pretty much be the same. One long table, very casual, no big deal. Little did I know!

Long story short, my husband happened to mention that Lynn was closing down the restaurant the night of the 20th for the party. It seemed odd to me that she would close down the restaurant for our little group dinner so Howard called her and come to find out, she was closing down because it was her employee and special customers Christmas party! She hired a DJ, was expecting about 40 guests, and here I had VOLUNTEERED to do the table decorations! I immediately felt panic but it all turned out beautiful, glitter and all!

Here is a glimpse as to what my dining room table has looked like this past week. Centerpieces for 6 tables, candy in ribbon adorned dishes, and candles, all waiting to be delivered to the party...




The restaurant looked so festive with the red tablecloths and green napkins. Lynn's twin daughters folded the napkins to look like poinsettias and did such a great job...



It was such an enjoyable evening and Lynn was so happy and thankful for the decorations. I was just happy that she was happy!

Parent's Weekend

Back in September we attended parent's weekend at Arizona State where our daughter is a senior. As tradition would have it, we attended the football game on Saturday night. This year instead of a group of us going out to dinner first, our daughter Courtney and her 2 roommates decided to have a "tailgate" party at their apartment. The girls took care of everything and bbq'd hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. It was so nice to be able to relax, talk, and have a little fun taking pictures before the game...


We also did something different this year by taking the light rail train to the game. The light rail is new and has only been up and running for about a year now. We've watched them build it since Courtney started at ASU so it was fun to be able to take it to the game...


Boy you talk about packed in like sardines. When the light rail pulled up and the doors opened, my daughter said "run run run!" I must not have been moving fast enough because Courtney gave me one big push and I went flying. One minute I was outside on the landing and the next minute I was inside the train. Luckily I landed on my feet!

Do you remember Courtney's best friend's sister Macey who was hit by a car last December? Macey has done so much better than predicted and to look at her you would never know what her poor body has been through in the last 10 months. She looks amazing and is doing fantastic. With all of the surgeries, Macey's head has been shaved so many times but her hair sure looks cute and sassy now! Here is a picture of my daughter's longtime best friend McKenzie, mom Robin, and sister Macey. Such beautiful women aren't they! I think this picture is a Christmas card in the making!


Beautiful and sweet roommate Jordie...


Once we were in the stadium and sitting in our seats, Courtney went up to use the restroom. After a few minutes I saw Courtney walking down the steps, but she passed us by. She had the cutest, most frail woman hanging onto her arm. Courtney had seen an elderly couple trying to maneuver the steep stairs down to their seats and decided to give them a helping hand...


Aren't they the sweetest looking things!

Missing In Action!

I've been gone from blogland for so long that I'm wondering if I still have any friends out there! It's seriously been a whirlwind since June and it doesn't seem to be slowing down, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is good!

The last 2 weekends we've gone RVing with some of our camping club friends. Nothing makes me smile more than spending time outdoors in the beautiful fall weather, being with my family, enjoying great food, and making memories with friends that I adore...



This last weekend was spent RVing at my favorite campground, Serrano, located in Big Bear, CA. I love our RV trip to Big Bear each year and they just seem to get better and better each time. A few of us always go on a Saturday hike which is a highlight of the trip for me. This year four of us girls took the chairlift to the top of Snow Summit then hiked the 4 miles back down. This is definitely not a good picture of me, but it's real. Here we are on the chairlift, four wind blown women, all over the age of 50, anxiously awaiting a great afternoon hike together...


For someone who has been a city girl her whole life, I sure have turned into one nature and mountain girl in my old age. Hiking in the mountains is so peaceful and always makes me feel so close to God. Big Bear also has a beautiful lake. Here are a few pictures of the view that I took while hiking...



You know you've had a wonderful time when you feel like crying while saying good-bye. Yep, that would be me!


We leave on Thursday for Arizona, parent's weekend at ASU for more fun and special memories with family and friends...and yes I'm sure, more crying!

Summer 2010

September 1st already!? I adore Fall and I'm thrilled it's here but boy did summer zoom by. Summer 2010 is now a memory but what a fantastic one!

As soon as I started working less hours in June, I hit the ground running and haven't slowed down since. I calculated that I've only been home 5-10 days the entire summer. It's been a blast and I've never felt so free!

This summer I visited beautiful Colorado once again, drove through Wyoming and saw parts of Utah for the first time, met my dear blogging friend Janiece in person (in SLC), spent 4 days in Grass Valley CA with my best buddy/sister Debbie, moved my beautiful daughter from one apt to another in AZ, went to Hawaii with BOTH of my kids, hubby, and long time friends, spent time at the beach with our camping club, and just finished getting my handsome son moved and settled into his new apt. It's been the busiest summer ever but what a great time!

I also lost 9 lbs this summer and have changed my whole way of eating. Jenny Craig has worked well for me, but more importantly, it got me motivated. There were a few weeks that I was unable to eat my Jenny Craig food because of traveling but I continued to lose weight. I'm making better choices on my own, eating more fruits, vegetables, and fish. I still have 6 lbs to go to reach my goal but the end is in sight.

It feels good to be back in blogland! Happy September and Happy Fall!

Home Sweet Home!

We had a nice productive trip to Arizona but boy does it feel good to be home. As much as I love going places, I love coming home just as much. There really is nothing better than being home sweet home.

Arizona was hot hot hot this time of year. Our daughter was moving from one apartment to another this last weekend so that was the reason for the trip. We rented a U-haul on Friday, bought bedroom furniture at Ikea, and moved her into the new apartment on Saturday. It was about 106 degrees that day. I don't think I've ever been so hot. Oh, wait a minute, yes I have! I was in Rome in June about 8 years ago and was completely miserable. Arizona in July or Rome in June, it's a toss up.

Also, our daughter's good friend Jynelle was moving on Sunday and had planned on moving all by herself in that heat so on Sunday we packed up the U-haul once again and moved Jynelle to Scottsdale. It's no wonder I lost another 1.2 pounds but we were happy to do it. Jynelle is the sweetest thing and just got her first teaching job after graduating from ASU in May. This is her first "grown up" apartment and we're so happy for her. She and our daughter were beyond thankful for all of the help but like I told them, "this is what being a christian is all about!" People loving, helping, and being there for one another. That truly is what makes the world a better place.

Even though we just got home last night, I volunteered to work tomorrow because they're really short staffed (as usual). I do have to say though that I'm loving this per diem gig. It's great to be able to work when you want to work and when it fits into your schedule. Tomorrow will be perfect. I won't be in charge and I get to work with 2 good friends. It should be a fun, stress free day!

Introducing...

Rufus, the newest member of our camping club crew...




Rufus, or Roofy as he is affectionately known, is a "double doodle." Golden Retriever/Poodle and Labrador Retriever/Poodle = double doodle. What a cutie but what a handful!

He is literally wearing his new parents out, but boy do they love him already...


Everyone loved Roofy, except this spoiled little one...


He wanted no part of him and certainly didn't want his momma showing anyone else any attention, especially a handsome, spry little youngster such as Roofy!

Welcome to our camping club Rufus, and welcome to your wonderful new home!

Seeing Places We've Never Seen Before

Sadly, we left Colorado yesterday for home but we're taking our time on the road and we took another route home this time around. We've never been to Salt Lake City so we decided to drive that route and to also meet up with a few friends at the same time.

I fully intended on getting together with 2 very dear blogging friends, Janiece and Darlene (they're sisters), but I just learned they are in Idaho right now. Talk about disappointing! Janiece recently had a heart transplant and has been staying with her brother and his family here in SLC where her surgery was performed. Her sister Darlene from AZ is here visiting all of them and I was hoping to meet up with them both. Darlene and I have gotten together a few times when I've been in AZ but I've never had the chance to met Janiece. I really thought this was going to be the time but it looks like they've gone to Idaho for a few days where Janiece lives. We we're so close Janiece!

We were able to get together for dinner tonight with one of our very good camping club buddies, Donna. Donna is an attorney and took a job here in February. Her sons are in college and don't want to move, plus they would lose alot of money if they were to sell their home in CA right now. Donna's husband and sons stayed behind in CA while she is working here in SLC. They moved their RV here and she is living in it for the time being. Donna flies home every other weekend to be with the family and granted, it's not the perfect scenario, but it's working for them right now.

We went to a neat place for dinner, the Red Iguana. When we drove up, I realized it's a place I've read about in blogland and was thrilled to be able to try it out for myself. The food was delicious, but more importantly, the company was awesome!


If you've read my blog for very long you know that I am a devout Christian and am very true to my faith. I am happy to say though that today I got a glimpse of something that is very near and dear to many of my blogging friend's hearts. I got a glimpse of Temple Square! I love my LDS blogging friends dearly and I've come to love their religion because I love them! I love learning about other people's faiths and I cannot wait to visit Temple Square for myself. It's on my SLC "must do" list and hopefully tomorrow is the day! By the way, eating at Cafe Rio also made the list!

Photo Resolution 2010

I'm so thankful for sweet friends that take car trips and bring me home fresh goodies...

23/52:


24/52: