Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Photo Resolution 2010

25/52:


26/52:


27/52:


Temple Square was breathtaking. I'm so glad we took the time to see it up close and personal for ourselves. What an incredible and memorable experience!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

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!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Columbine Memorial - Part II

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post Part II from the Columbine Memorial but not only am I on vacation, but I haven't felt like blogging at all. It's just one of those blogging ruts that we all go through.

As I mentioned earlier, in addition to the middle circular area where each of the 13 victims (heroes as I like to call them) were memorialized, they developed a back wall with sayings from students/parents regarding that horrific day...


Here are some amazing examples of what people said and remember about the Columbine tragedy...









You cannot leave this memorial site without feeling overwhelmed, asking yourself how something like this could have happened. We drive past this school daily and each time I imagine the horror of the day. Truthfully, it's a bit unnerving.

I'm so happy that enough money was raised to errect such a beautiful memorial in honor of those killed. The victims, their families, the school, the students, the teachers, the community...they deserve to be honored, and remembered!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Columbine Memorial - Part I

My parents live only a few miles from Columbine High School, the high school where 2 students shot and killed 12 other students and one teacher, and injured many many more on April 20, 1999. A memorial was set up on the school grounds a few years ago and each time we come to Littleton we say we want to see the memorial but never do. Today that changed, and my heart will forever be changed from seeing it.

Tucked away in the back of the school, beyond the baseball fields, and uphill a bit, is one of the most beautiful, touching, and well done memorials you will ever see.




I know the 2nd picture is difficult to read as unfortunately many of them are. Hopefully you will be able to double click on the photos to enlarge them. The picture above is of the soothing water feature that is off to your left just as you enter the memorial site.

In the center of the memorial, forming a circle, are the names of each of the 12 students and teacher that were killed that day. A marble memorial for each, with something written about them by their family, engraved in stone. A lasting tribute to each one of these heroes. Again, I'm sorry that you may not be able to read these very well but at least you will be able to see their names clearly.















As you can see in some of the photos, in addition to the individual memorials, there is a large stone back wall with markings on it. Please come back tomorrow and I'll share Part II with you.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Greetings From Colorado!

We haven't even been in Colorado for 24 hours yet we've been to Urgent Care twice already. Once for me and once for my mom.

I was sick the whole drive to Colorado and spotted an Urgent Care only a few miles away from my parent's house when we arrived. Once we dropped off Jake I headed out to see a doctor. I really enjoy the drive from CA to CO but I was so miserable I didn't enjoy any of it. We spent Sunday night in a small city in Utah and we stopped at the local medical center on the way out of town. I walked in asking for treatment and they said they couldn't fit me in. I was so upset I cried all the way back to the car. They held my ability to feel better in their hands and they turned me away. I was crushed. I knew I just needed a z-pak (Zithromycin) for an upper respiratory infection and thankfully, I got the prescription for it at the urgent Care in Colorado and already feel much improved.

We wanted to go out to lunch today and as we were headed out to the car, I watched as my mom took a spill in her driveway so off again we went to Urgent Care. As it turns out, she broke her foot and is now in the big black boot and using crutches. It brings back all too familiar and recent memories for me!

On a happy note, I had my daughter pick a number today for my 500th post giveaway. She picked #22 since today is the 22nd (and my 30th wedding anniversary by the way!), so congratulations to my fellow nurse Tauna! I'll get the monogrammed plate sent out to you Tauna as soon as we return home.

Thank you all for joining in on the giveaway fun!

Friday, June 18, 2010

It's Friday


And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Did you watch the NBA play-offs last night between the Lakers and the Celtics? What a nail biting game for us Lakers fans but they did it, they pulled it off!

Congrats to the 2010 NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers!

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Don't forget to enter my 500th post giveaway!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

500th Post and A Giveaway

Just recently I wrote my 500th post! I'm at 514 now and it's really unbelievable to me. I guess a girl sure can write about alot of random stuff if she puts her mind to it! So in honor of my 500th post, I think a giveaway is in order!

Not to long ago I bought a cute housewarming gift for a friend that bought her first home. This darling monogrammed plate and stand...


Of course, I bought one for myself and I'd like to send one to you too with your initial! Just leave a comment and be a follower of this blog. Those are the only 2 requirements.

I appreciate followers and I truly appreciate all of the comments that are left here. Blogging and the friends I've made in blogland have enriched my life so much. I'm so thankful for each and everyone of you.

So leave a comment, be a follower, and you'll be entered to win one of these adorable monogrammed plates for yourself. We're going on vacation Saturday but hopefully I'll be organized enough to pick a winner on Monday. That's my goal anyway.

I'm also hoping to have monthly follower giveaways to show my appreciation (plus, I just love giveaways!) So stay tuned!