Birthday at Mt. Rainier

A couple of days before my birthday, while I was still in CA, Bill and I talked and decided to head to Mt. Rainier for my birthday (which he lovingly took off -- that was the best part). He came home the night before with Google maps directions in hand. After sleeping in a bit, and doing all the necessary preparation, we headed off.

Along the way, we saw signs so we knew we were headed in the right direction. After an hour and a half or so of driving, we turned onto a gravel road. The going was slow, but we passed other cars and could still get glimpses of the mountain, so felt we were still on course. Bill pulled off at a vista site and we both got out. It was a gorgeous point looking over a lush valley. Suddenly, we noticed that we were surrounded by swarming bees. So, we quickly hopped back in the car and continued our journey. When we stopped at the pay station, I stayed in the car as the bees were there too. Okay, I got out, noticed the bees, freaked out, screamed and jumped back in the car... On down the road we went, headed for Mowich Lake. We came upon several parked cars, and after looking at our map decided we'd get out there. Again....a swarm of bees. Were they following us? After observing the guy in front of us swatting them away, I confessed to Bill that I had been hoping for a Ranger station, bathrooms, and a place to buy a tshirt, not what seemed to be a very remote part of the mountain. Bill in his usual cheery way, was completely fine with this, so off we went, journeying back the 15 miles we'd come that had taken about an hour of driving.

We found the Sunrise entrance to Mt. Rainier...complete with all I'd hoped for. After consulting the map, we headed off for a hike. I'd packed snacks, so we weren't yet ready for a meal. Though we were on Mt. Rainier, we could still see the larger peak looming large and beautiful above us. The wildflowers were absolutely breathtaking....wild lupines, and an assortment of others I can't recall the names of.
I had donated blood the day before so was wondering how I was going to handle the altitude climb during the hike. We live at sea level, and were already several thousand feet above that. It was a little rough going at first, but then all was fine and we oohed and aahed our way up the trail to Frozen Lake. Aptly named...a gorgeous crystal clear small lake with a large snow melt. I imagined it to be a mini version of Alaska with the glaciers breaking off into the water. Bill asked if we could sit for a minute and he gave me my birthday card. Inside was info that we were going to see the world premiere of "Catch Me If You Can," and have dinner at Metropolitan Grill. Lovely!!!

We enjoyed the view, chatted about some of the history of the hiking trails, and talked about how much we were enjoying our day. Then, decided to take another trail back down. More lovely wildflowers, a babbling snowmelt brook....and then, a precarious snow field to cross. I had visions the entire time of losing my footing and slipping and sliding over the edge. We made it, paused to look back at what we crossed, at which time Bill commented that he hadn't realized what a steep drop off there was. Ha! My reply...I knew and the entire time had held the vision of careening out of control in my head. We came upon another snow field and decided to go around it.

My birthday dinner was a grilled cheese sandwich at the cafe, and after a second browse through the tshirts (I didn't buy one, couldn't find one I liked), we headed home. What an absolutely lovely day ~ it is truly a blessing to enjoy spending hours and hours with my husband, chatting and enjoying an adventure in the great outdoors together.

I'm a bit of a blogging flunky. I cut and pasted some info and it changed the text color and underlined it, and I can't seem to change it. The first picture, which I did not intend to be in that spot is of a little drive in we stopped at on our way back...so, don't expect to go to Wally's if you go to Mt. Rainier ;).

It's Rhody Time...

Here's a bunch of pictures of the Rhododendrons blooming in the yard... this is a wonderful time of year!!! Okay, that last one is a maple tree... but still beautiful.

What is ...

... the ONE thing that ALWAYS makes you smile?

For me, it is pretty much 

anything having to do 

with my family. 

What is it for you??????

What is your husband up to?

Last evening, Bill and I went to a Jimmy Hendrix Tribute concert.  It was a great concert, with some wonderfully talented musicians (Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, a guitar player from the Doors, and many more).  At one point, I looked over at Bill and asked if he was okay.  After he said he was fine, he asked me "why?"  I told him he hadn't moved in quite sometime.  To which he replied "I'm concentrating." He was obviously very intent on both listening to the music, but also observing the incredible talent of the musicians.  At the risk of sounding "old," let me say this was one "LOUD" rocking concert.  At the end of the evening, as we headed out the door, I noticed Bill had something whiteish in his ear.  At about that same moment, he casually reached up and pulled it out....I thought this was a bit strange, so I asked what was in his ear....Are you ready for the answer?....mint wrappers...in a matter of fact tone he explained that about the second song in, he could barely stand the noise (aka music), so he got out the mint from the restaurant where we had dinner, ate the mint, then put the wrapper in his ears. This is but one reason in a list of many as to why I love my husband like I do......

Why we vote

No matter who we are or what we believe (gender, race, politics, religious, etc., this is an excellent reminder of the impact we have on the choices for future generations, and the impact those of days gone by have had on us...

THIS IS MOVING.  HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET, IF WE EVER KNEW,  WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE. This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.  Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote. The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed  nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking  for the vote.    And by the end of the night, they were barely alive.  Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing  went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of  'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'  (Lucy Burns) They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above  her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping  for air.    (Dora Lewis)  They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her  head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate,  Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.  Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,  beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women. Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917,  when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because  they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right  to vote.  For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their  food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.    (Alice Paul)  When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks  until word was smuggled out to the press.  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf  So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because-  -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work?  Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining? Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new  movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle  these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling  booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder. All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote.  Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege.  Sometimes it was inconvenient. My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history,  saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk  about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought  kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said.  'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use,  my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just  younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn..' The  right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.' HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history,  social studies and government teachers would include the movie in  their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere  else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think  a little shock therapy is in order. It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'  Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.  We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women.

Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote. History is being made.

Tri Girl Tri

A few weeks ago, I headed to CA to take part in the Tri Girl Tri with my sister Teri.  We had been planning this great event for quite some time, so we were both very excited.    (Ummm... if you happen to run into Teri and she tries to tell you I cheated by doing a tri the month before, do not believe her.  We had an agreement that we were both going to do a tri before our tri together, though she did her's in the form of a relay, as the runner; their team placed first in their age division in Ukiah..congrats).  Anyway, I digress.

Thursday when I arrived, Teri took me to our brother Steve's house, where I spent the first night and got in hours of wonderful visiting with Steve and his wife, Diana.  When I got up the next morning, Steve informed me that I couldn't speak to him until after he'd had his coffee and worked his Sudoku puzzles...apparently, Friday is Diabolical Day and he times himself. (Somethings in life just do not change, such as the way big brothers treat little sisters :)) .

Anyway, Teri came to pick me up sometime later and we headed off to the bike store so I could pick up my rental bike.   This was some bike, let me tell you.  At home, I have a great Touring bike, but this was a true Road Bike....can we say "F-A-S-T", like the wind!!!  We also bought matching, must have, cycling jerseys.  Then we ran a few errands, and fretted over the windy day and the lower than expected temperatures.  In the evening, we enjoyed cheering Ryan's JV football team to victory, and met up with Haley and the rest of the local family for a pre-race dinner.  

Back at Tom and Teri's, we embarked on final race preparations, and later I headed to our room for a few moments of quiet time.  

The following morning, I arose earlier than early to get ready.  Word from the been there...if your razor breaks at 4:30 in the morning on the day of your big race, don't try to shave with just the razor head...it will result in bandaids in your arm pit, which can be very uncomfortable, and more unsightly than a couple of days growth.

Under the still cover of darkness, off we went to meet up with a few of Teri's friends and caravan to Lake Berryessa, the site of the race.  As we drove, we kept an eye on the temperature (in the 40's), and the windy (very windy).  We arrived and after bundling up in all the extra warm gear we had and convincing ourselves it would get warmer when the sun came up, we headed off to the transition area. About half way there, we were met by Teri's friend Jen, who informed us that they had cancelled the swim due to unsafe conditions.  At this level of competition, there is generally a large percentage who have never swam in open water, and likely are only able to swim the distance in a swimming pool, therefore, safety being of primary consideration, I thought this was wise.

Instead, we would run an extra 1/2 mile leg at the start.  Teri was obviously disappointed as she had trained long and hard for this moment.  I was disappointed, because swimming is my strongest leg, and running my weakest, and my feet were already bothering me.

In honor of the cancelled swim, several of us opted to wear our caps and goggles for the substituted run leg.  Off we went in waves of about 75...ankles twisting in the sand, adrenaline carrying us like wings.

Despite the wind and chilly weather, it was  a good race.  Teri placed 10th in her age group, and I bettered my Tri Turtle time (my goal for this race, in addition to finishing and having a good time) oh and, beating JLo's time (HA!).  

Throughout much of the race, Haley, Tom and Rachael sat bundled in a shared blanket near the transition area, cheering us as we passed through, and in general enjoying some good bonding time.  They did, however, make their way to the start of the race, and also up to the main road where they cheered us on as we came in on our bikes.

One of my favorite compliments of the day was at the finish line, when Tom told Teri and I that we weren't even breathing hard, and needed to do twice the distance next time.

Afterward, the group headed to a delicious lunch in Calistoga.  I believe a good time was had by all!  That evening, Tom prepared a wonderful post-race dinner for Teri and I (earlier in the day, he and Haley had planned the menu).  Thanks guys!

A few statistics - Number of participants ~ 600-700, all women, 1/2 Mile Run, 11.2 Bike, 3.2 Run.  Time: 1:45:03.   Purchases on the wish list for 2009---Road Bike!!!!  Next seasons goals--More Sprint Tris, relays, and an Olympic Tri.

Tri Turtle Tri meets Tri Girl Tri

On September 7th, I embarked on my first triathlon adventure. After months and months of preparation and training, I felt ready to go. Many asked me what my goals were. Well, for my first Tri..the Tri Turtle Tri..it was to have a great time, and to finish. 

I set off in the wee early hours with Bill driving me to meet my friend Deb. Deb had a few technical challenges, which we were able to work out relatively easily and be on our way. The race went really well. I had a great swim (my strongest area), a good bike ride, and a manageable run/walk. I have been dealing with a foot condition, which has made it difficult to work on my running. 

While on the bike leg, I passed Bill, who had gotten a bit lost while trying to find the lake.  He told me later, he knew he was on the right track when he started passing a lot of cyclists.  I was happy to see him waiting for me as I went through the transition area from my bike to run. I can't tell you what it meant to me to see him, and his wonderfully supportive smile. At the finish line, after a hug, congratulations, photo ops, etc., Bill informed me that he thought he'd like to do a tri sometime too.  Which leads me to my third goal...to encourage others to stretch themselves to "tri" something they aspire to do. 

We stayed for the award ceremony, and then said our goodbyes to Deb and her family, and headed off for a yummy Mexican lunch and then home for a nap. 

I honestly felt quite good in the days to follow, a little burned out on all the training, but excited about my next triathlon...the Tri Girl Tri, which I did in CA with my sister Teri a few weekends ago.

Some statistics:  Number of Participants ~ 300, Co-ed, Swim 1/2 mile, Bike 15.2 miles, Run 3.2 (5k).  Time:  2.28.41

A sense of community

Today, Bill and I went to Bainbridge Gardens to celebrate their 50 year anniversary. We had the opportunity to talk with a number of people, as well as view pictures and articles related to the history of the gardens.  Junkoh and Chris Harui opened Town and Country Florist in 1958.  Later, they opened what is now known as Bainbridge Gardens.  It was an amazing testimony to two wonderful people, and the heritage and culture that makes Bainbridge Island what it is today.  

I wrote the above a couple of months ago, and just realized today (October 22nd) that I didn't ever publish it.

Sadly, Junkoh died this last week after a brief battle with cancer.  While we only met him a few times,  he touched our lives.  In a way that was quiet and respectful, in his presence, one felt a sense of peace that transcended the moment, and spoke of generations past, present, and future.

When you come to visit us, we will take you to this special place...show you the grounds and buy you a cookie.

SIlver Medal for a Bainbridge Islander

Emily Silver who qualified to swim the Women's Medley Relay last night, was one of two swimmers replaced by Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin. Because she qualified in the preliminaries, she will also receive a silver medal. According to the newspaper article, she has yet to receive her medal, but Dara let her hold hers.

Goin' Green and Dirty Dishes

As many of you know, Bill and I have an ongoing desire to be as "green" as possible. The other night, we took an online quiz related to this. We scored 9/10 (only because one was definitely a trick question, and neither of the choices was obviously correct. Alas, we chose the lesser of two evils, after which the question admitted it was a trick one, and showed the correct answer as ours..HA!).

Anyway, one particular question had to do with whether a dishwasher uses less water than washing by hand. We chose correctly--the dishwasher uses less water. The helpful hint to this was that it is unnecessary to rinse off your dishes, as the newer models do this for you. Bill said (to the air around him ) "Hmmmm....you'll have to take that one up with my wife." Okay I admit I use a dishwasher more for sterilizing than cleaning, as my dishes are pretty darn clean going in. So, as I stretch and learn on my journey toward "greenhood," I decided to put the suggestion to the test. That very evening, I put all those nasty, dirty dishes into the dishwasher, let them sit overnight, added some more the next day, let that baby do its magic, and WA-LA! I do believe they glistened in their cleanliness. Simply Amazing!

We are here we are here we are HEREEEEE!

Does this sound familiar? I believe it's from Horton Hears a Who. I haven't seen the latest version, but this is stuck in my head from when I was a wee one (yes folks, I too was once wee).

Anyway, I have plans to post someday soon. Our lives are blessed, and at the moment and for the past many moments, busy busy busy. We have begun demolition on our house. This is pretty exciting to us, because it means that in about 6-8 months, we will be moving back into our lovely house in its new form.

Meanwhile, we are living in a condo. I have never lived in an apt/condo, so it's a new experience for me. The windchimes that greet us, are not ours...the dogs that bark, are not ours...the voices outside our window, are not familiar. It is all new.

This morning, I went to feed the dogs at our house, and out from the brush flew a ring-necked pheasant. Then, I stood on the bank enjoying the movement of the water and the birds (crows and seagulls mostly) enjoying their morning hunt. I heard a familiar sound, and turned to see a hummingbird also in search of breakfast (guess I need to fill their feeder). All beautiful sights and sounds to behold.

This weekend, we celebrated Alani's 2nd birthday. Two weekends before that, we celebrated Haley's college graduation. These grander moments are wonderful reminders that God blesses us each and every moment of our lives. We strive to appreciate the grand and small in all that He has given us.

Bainbridge Island a Bicycle Friendly Community

Bainbridge A Bicycle Friendly Community

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, May 1, 2008 – Bainbridge Island is one of eleven communities across the country recognized today as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The competitive award process recognizes communities that have made “impressive, measurable efforts to integrate bicyclists into the community.”

“I have to say this is a huge accomplishment. The designation is one with real meaning – it is a very competitive process,” said Don Willott, chair of the City’s Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee. Communities are judged on their support of cycling in five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation/planning .

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate our Island’s commitment to alternative transportation,” said Mayor Darlene Kordonowy, noting that adding and maintaining bike lanes and walking paths along major roads received high priority in the City’s recently completed Community Priorities Survey.

“We’re fortunate to have a cycling community which is committed not only to riding their own bikes, but to educating the rest of us about the needs of bicyclists and the benefits of alternative transportation,” the Mayor added. “Completion of the application was truly a grassroots effort. Cyclist Joel Levin deserves special appreciation for his leadership on this project.”

The new winners bring the number of Bicycle Friendly Communities nationwide to 84, spread across 31 states. There are four levels — Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Bainbridge received recognition at the Bronze level, as did Port Townsend, WA. "This is some really good news, it is something we can build on as we work for continued improvements, and for now, it is an acknowledgment of our efforts and our potential," said Levin.

“The Bicycle Friendly Community program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life and transportation network,” said League President Andy Clark. “Today’s awards bring into focus both the geographic and demographic diversity of communities that are realizing the potential of bicycling to address the challenges of climate change, traffic congestion, rising obesity rates, and soaring fuel prices.”

Other communities receiving recognition included, at the Silver level, Colorado Springs and Durango, CO and Minneapolis, MN, and at the Bronze level, Arcata, CA, Charlotte, N.C., Charlottesville, VA, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Oxford, MI, and Sitka, AK.

A walk on the beach

Today, I took Chip and Luke to the beach near our house. It's a bit precarious getting them both up and down the rock wall, but we did it! They loved tromping around in the mucky sand and sea grass. Luke enjoyed stalking the seagulls and chasing a few into the water. While we were there, we were treated to a bald eagle hunting for an afternoon snack. I could tell he had his "eagle eyes" on us, as each time we got closer to him, he would fly a bit further out over the water.

Our Friend Brad

A dear friend in Christ, Brad Morris died a couple of days ago. He suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. His sister asked for thoughts about Brad to be read at his memorial service tomorrow. We'll miss Brad, yet we know he is in a better place now.

Brad's health was in significant decline for most of the time we knew him. He was in a wheelchair, and required constant attention and care.

Brad was a force to be reckoned with when it came to tending to our spiritual lives. His constant challenge of our interpretation of the word, caused me to take pause, ponder my own beliefs, and often re-read and study the scriptures we were discussing. I didn't always agree with his perspective, but I don't think that Brad's purpose was to get us to see things his way, rather it was to see things God's way.

I remember thinking about Brad one day when I was stopping off at the church building to drop something off. I was thinking how I wished there was an opportunity to get to know him better. Lo and behold there he was, getting out of the van just returning from the dentist. Though his mouth was numb from dental work, he seemed happy to spend a few minutes chatting with me. The conversation took an almost immediate turn from a pleasant superficial chat to something much deeper. He challenged my current spiritual walk, in a way that was frank and honest, not critical. His attitude was one of why wait, do the thing now I had been toiling over. Now, when a challenge is before me, and I find myself procrastinating, I often reflect back on that moment, and the way Brad spoke to me, as a brother in Christ who knew the value of taking care of things today, in this moment, for the opportunity may not come along again.

"Stay with it. That is what's required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, you'll be saved." Mark 13:13 (The Message)

Thanks Brad!

My next cup of coffee...

A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective
careers, got together for a visit with their old university
professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the
endless stress of work and life in general...

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen
and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic
assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some
expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help
themselves to some fresh coffee.. ..

When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the
old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently
address the small gathering... ''You may have noticed that all of
the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the
plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to
want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much
of your stress-related problems." He continued...''Be assured that
the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely
disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really
wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the
best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups....''
''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in
society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain
Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor
change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on
the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us... God
brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your
coffee!''

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just
make the best of everything they have... So please remember: Live
simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the
Rest to God.

And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the
most, but the one who needs the least.

The "burden" of the cross. Is it too much to bear?

<>


Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is pre paring us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready , to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...

The definition of persistence

Chip scratching at the back door
wanting to be let in.
I think I'll go let him in.

Sloopy Bubblelips

My cousin sent me this. I thought it was funny, and I'd love it if when you decide to decode your "new name," you'd send it along to me via a comment, so I can have a little more laughter in my day. Helen's new name is Boobie Farkletush. Mine is in the subject line of this blog post. I hope there's nothing nasty in here, I didn't quality control the content.

A. Follow the instructions to find your new name.

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine
your New first name:
a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloopy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dink y
z = zippy


2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine
the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin
b = feather
c = b atty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hams ter
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine
the second half of your new last name:
a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.

Children laugh an average of 146 times
a day; adults laugh an average of 4 times a day.

I hope this put a little more laughter in your day.

Tagged by Alani

Well, it is both an honor and privilege to accept this tagging opportunity from lovely Alani. (Good thing she's not old enough to buy spray paint. HA!)

8 Things I am passionate about:

God
My wonderful husband - Bill
My beautiful children - Timbra, Haley and Justin
My spectacularly adorable granddaughter - Alani
My health - spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional
The health of others
Water - I like to be near it, hear it, see it, in it, and drink it. I love the ocean...there is nothing like the sound of water lapping on the beach, or waves crashing.
Nature - you name it, I love it....trees, flowers, bald eagles, little birdies, otters, whales...the list goes on and on (I don't really like bugs or bees or slugs or that type of thing).

8 Things I say a lot:

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Fabulous
I thought i was going to pass out
I have a great idea for a vacation
I'm cold
I need some, I wish I had some, do we have any... CHOCOLATE
Hon.................. (as in Honey would you, could you, do you think...)
Scawee (As in Scary)

8 Things I have learned or accomplished:

Being a wife, mom, and grannie are BY FAR life's greatest blessings
Others think and perceive the world differently than I do (imagine that)
Respect for my health
Laughter and Play are a universal language and key to a healthy life
Singing off key is okay
There are no mistakes in art
Cancer does not always equal a death sentence, and can be an opportunity to examine your life
Embrace the madness

8 Things I aspire to do:

Be an accomplished gardener
Speak a second language (as close to fluently as possible) - currently, Spanish is the front runner, with Sign as the runner up
Specialize in an area of Mental Health that would allow me to be considered an "expert in the field"
Travel to Ireland
In October, I plan to compete in a Triathlon (Sprint not Ironman - I ran a marathon in 1998 - I'm on the 10 year plan)
Ride a Century (100 mile bike ride)
See whales underwater while scuba diving (I'd also love to see a whale breech, preferably while I'm in a boat or on the shore)
Sing on key
This makes 9 - I'd like to die laughing, singing, or asleep, knowing I am a saved christian

8 Things that attract me to friends:

Lots of LAUGHTER!
Knowing that no matter how often we see each other, we can always pick up where we left off, with no regrets for time apart
Mutual respect - for family, friends, and self
The ability to share in one another's joys and sorrows
The ability to celebrate and appreciate life
A sense of adventure
Lack of envy
If they have chocolate

8 Artists I never get tired of listening to (or reading)

Most forms of Celtic Music
Bing Crosby - especially, White Christmas
Gene Kelly - especially, Singing in the Rain
Beethoven
Acappella singing with my church family
Bill
Alani
Peanuts (reading the daily comic strip, the wisdom is priceless, and their rendition of Hark the Herald Angels)

8 TV shows that I enjoy watching:

ER (I am pretty sure I've never missed an episode)
Biggest Loser (I think the transformations are amazing and inspiring)
Bull Riding (Bill suggested I add "tolerate," but I actually enjoy the show)
Extreme Makeover Home Edition (always makes me cry - often very big tears)
How to Look Good Naked (only saw it once, but thought it was fabulous)
Criminal Minds (though the subject matter is horrific, the therapist part of me can't resist)
House
CSI - Miami

I am not going to tag anyone, because I think everyone I would tag has already participated. I asked Bill and he said "no thanks," which would be on his list of 8 things he says often.

Update - I've been listening to the things I say frequently and two additions would be - "I was thinking" (often followed by "we should ..."), and "very nice." There may be more.

Good News from Iraq

Friends,

Couldn't resist the chance to share some rare positive media coverage:

http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php?script=news/news_show.php&id=15637

You all made it happen. Thanks,

Rick