Island Girls

Fittingly, Rachelle and I hopped on a ferry and spent Friday in Friday Harbor. We also drove around the entire perimeter of San Juan Island and stopped at several places along the way. It was her "final summer fling" before returning to college next week. (Sara was invited to join us but she didn't feel well that day.) We had lots of FUN!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

My baby daughter, Sara, is leaving the nest and flying out into the world to seek her fortune. She departs September 9 for Cologne, Germany and will be employed as an au pair for 3 children. Her commitment is for one year. I'm just sure I'll have to visit her at least once while she's there. Then, as long as I'm in Germany, I might as well travel the rest of the European continent and re-visit places I first saw almost 30 years ago. It just wouldn't be fair to Sara if I only visited my Idaho-residing daughters and not her.

Recent Book Purchases

Compare Lance's most recent book purchases to mine:

LANCE'S: Principles of Air Conditioning; Strategic Intuition; The Art of What Works
MINE: Modoc: The True Story of the World's Greatest Elephant; The Rhino with Glue-on Shoes; Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science

"Anniversary" Trip

Due to a variety of circumstances, what was supposed to be our 25th wedding anniversary trip turned out to be a solo vacation for me. Not to worry, though; our marriage is still very much intact and all is well. Our real anniversary trip has been postponed and will occur eventually.

While I vacationed, Lance slaved at home on my anniversary gift--a tiled bathroom floor. (It looks great and is a wonderful gift!)

I, on the other hand, had lots of fun, and have the pictures to prove it. (Warning: the words "visit" and "visited" and synonyms will be way over-used in this post.)

The trip started off a little rocky. No sooner had I checked my baggage and headed for the security check-point, than I realized I left my cell phone in our car. I found a pay phone but had no change, so I had to charge a call on my Visa and call my phone. Poor Lance was half-way home, but he willingly turned around and delivered my phone to me. Fortunately, I still had plenty of time to make my flight.

My parents transported me from the airport to their house where my ghetto mobile (multi-colored, dented Ford Windstar) was waiting for me to drive to Rexburg. Annica, Josh and Max (the Olde English Bulldogge puppy) were my first hosts. They planned a day trip and we went to Yellowstone--one of my most favorite places. The cool, rainy weather was a nice change from the 100+ degree temperatures I left behind in Washington.

After two+ great days with Annica and Josh, I returned to Utah for the duration of my vacation. Monday I had a craving for (which I always do when I'm in Utah) for Arctic Circle fries, fry sauce and a lime rickey. Of course, my parents indulged me. After filling our bellies on that, plus a bunless junior bacon burger, we visited my Uncle Ray who was a hospital patient. He had fallen, broken his hip and shattered his elbow. We then visited Aunt Helen and cousin Peggy at their home.

I realized I didn't have my own photos of the homes I lived in in Clearfield or the elementary school I attended there, so we went there and I took pictures. My old neighborhood (where I lived until age 9) has fallen into a state of dishevelment, sadly. Monday evening, brothers Blake and Chad and their families along with Melanie's family joined us for a family dinner at our parents' home. We ate, took pictures and chatted. Some of my nephews willingly hugged me. Some hugged me but not so willingly.

The following day was spent with my sister. She and I, along with my sister-in-law Cindy, saw the movie Julie and Julia. I also accompanied my new step-nephews to one of their schools where we tested one nephew's locker combination. It's been many, many years since I've worked a school locker combination. That afternoon I hung out at an auto repair shop while they inspected my van because I suspected an oil leak and smelled a funny odor. Fortunately, no car problems were found, and I left the shop with all of my money in my purse. Sister Melanie spoiled me with a yummy gluten-free dinner she prepared, and the boys and I had some more bonding time.

My parents picked me up early Wednesday morning and we traveled to Manti to attend my cousin Sadie's wedding at the Manti Temple. Beautiful wedding, beautiful day. Lots of relatives on hand to make me feel like I was attending a family reunion. I arrived back at my sister's home just in time to assemble the dinner she had prepared the night before. After the boys went to bed, Melanie insisted that I join her in her scrapbook/card-making/craft room to make a card. I resisted but she persisted, and I came home with one lovely, home-made card made partially by me.

The following morning I drove north to Alpine and went to breakfast with sister-in-law Cindy, nephew Noah and niece Makenzie. Nephews Preston and Jake were awake when we returned so I had a little fun with them. Jake will finally let me hug him, though he's not so willing to do it. Cindy took me to a craft warehouse sale and I bought some good, very inexpensive stuff. So much stuff that I had to send a box to myself at home because I couldn't transport it all on the plane. That afternoon I went to the BYU campus and walked around the bookstore. I got rid of a little more money there, and met former roommate and friend LaNae. We had a nice, little chat and laughed together like we always do. I realized I didn't have the proper attire to wear to Sadie's wedding reception that evening, so I had to make a quick stop at a store and buy a skirt. I was even bold and ask the saleslady to steam the wrinkles out of it which she gladly did. (At least she seemed like she was glad to do it.) Next, I drove up to friend Elain's house and had a great visit with her. I don't often get together with her, so it's good to see her when I can.

I met my parents at a restaurant for dinner. Superwoman-like, I took my new skirt into the bathroom and emerged in wedding reception attire. After an unintended detour, we finally found the site of the reception. Again, more relatives and chatting. Too bad we spent money at a restaurant. We could have had a nice dinner at the reception. My parents got in their car and I got in my ghetto-mobile and we ended up at their house where I spent the next 3 nights.

I was a little lazy Friday morning and puttered around in my pjs for quite a while. After a yummy lunch of garden-fresh beets, new potatoes, corn on the cob, and steak, we visited cousin Bethany and her little "doodles" (boys Kyle and Carter) at their new home. Then I visited another friend Jana (my friend since 5th grade). Although it was hard to talk over the constant yapping of her guard dog/teacup poodle, Tinkerbell, we had a very nice, fun visit, as always. (It's hard to remember why I once owned and loved poodles so much.) That evening my mom and I watched one of my favorite movies, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

Saturday my parents treated me to a very delicious, very filling, very pleasant, gluten-free, halibut au gratin lunch at Taggart's Grill in Weber Canyon. It was fun to eat and watch peacocks strolling past the window at the same time. Lovely lunch in a lovely setting. It was the only restaurant I've ever dined at that had a "rattlesnakes in the area" warning sign posted on their entrance. We visited brother Chad and family at their home just a short drive from the restaurant. We were still too full to eat any dinner that night, but not too full to share one of the flourless chocolate cakes we bought at Taggart's.

I flew home Sunday and was grateful that the lady who was very sick and coughed her lungs out on my flight to Salt Lake City wasn't on my return flight. Now I'm home and preparing for a young women's retreat this weekend. I love vacations!

Opposites Attract

Today is our 25th wedding anniversary. I'm married to a most remarkable man. We have so many things in common: love for each other, love for our children, love for children in general, both first-born children, both wear orthotics and glasses, both have strong testimonies and love the Lord, both most comfortable in jeans, neither is a "cat" person, both enjoy travel (but have "never been to Spain"), both football fans, etc. We also differ in many, many ways. Fortunately, we celebrate our differences and appreciate each other. Here's a sampling of how we differ:

Lance (hereafter referred to as "L"): still has his real, natural hair color
Natalie (hereafter referred to as "N"): has fake "natural" hair color

L: practically perfect in every way
N: not so much

L: vanilla is his flavor of choice
N: prefers chocolate

L: doesn't like nuts in food
N: the nuttier the food, the better

L: calm, cool, collected
N: worrier extraordinaire

L: risk-taker
N: play-it-safer

L: Mexican food lover
N: seafood lover

L: prefers games of strategy
N: prefers word games

L: computer expert
N: computer illiterate (mostly)

L: spicy food lover
N: mild food lover

L: sports participant
N: sports spectator

L: great dancer
N: has two left feet

N: remembers names, birthdates, phone numbers, song lyrics, trivia
L: brain doesn't store that information ("Why do you wear your bra so low?")

L: prefers action movies
N: prefers comedies and romances

L: navigates by following maps
N: navigates by reading written directions

L: good driver
N: much better driver (uses turn signals and can talk and drive simultaneously)

L: uses cruise control
N: prefers to control the vehicle herself

L: loves to hike and "rough it"
N: likes being a pampered camper (i.e. running water and electricity)

L: has wide feet and hands
N: has narrow feet and hands

L: soccer player
N: piano player

L: likes a few vegetables (gags on beets and dislikes asparagus)
N: likes most vegetables (especially beets, asparagus, zucchini)

Happy anniversary to the most patient, loving man alive--Lance!!!

UPS Delivery

My friend, the UPS man, delivered our air-conditioner today. Soon I will be a much cooler person in every way! Thanks, Papa!