Somehow Megan talked me into going back to the fair…and this is a little of what we saw – There are rides that look like bugs … and all sorts of animals. I'm not sure if the below is an alpaca or a llama, but it's being groomed to be some sort of mutant poodle! There are wonderful animal creations that don't breathe or smell bad either! There are games with prizes… can you tell why Megan liked the prizes here? There are friends at Home and Hobby… …and fun memories of Mike and Tom's first official job. There are lots of bright, shiny things! I'm not sure, but I think there are more food vendors here than anything else! Hmmm…what to try first? I think someone in the planning office of the fairgrounds has shares in an oil company…and not the kind that you drill for…because everything seems to be deep fried! We had to take the bait…or should I say chocolate covered bacon – it was actually pretty good, although not something I would try at home! We HAD to try the fried butter…what says heart attack better than fried butter? You have to sort of lean forward while eating the butter…it is melted and drips right out! I think that our favorite was the Australian Potatoes…smothered in ranch and cheese sauce. I will try and get a picture of that next
So…it was a day late in March. The family had all gathered for a nephew's wedding at the San Diego Temple. We were waiting for the stream of weddings to make room for our bride and groom to come out. There was sunshine, as we so frequently have in March in beautiful San Diego, so we were standing in the shade. Three brothers…Scott, Mark and Terry…were there together, when with my observant eye, I noticed how similar their hands looked…surprise, surprise! It dawned on me that here were three brothers, all with physically active, outdoor kind of jobs that had weathered, calloused hands. There was no question but what these men used their hands in their daily labor…no softness there, no manicured nails. If you were just to observe their hands you could assume that they were perhaps farmers, ranchers, ditch-diggers or mechanics. These were definitely manly hands. But even that doesn't tell the whole story. These are wonderful, kind men…fathers, husbands, brothers and sons, tender-hearted and with a gentle touch. They do honorable work and it is that work that makes them rough. There are more brothers, all with wonderful hands that look amazingly similar, but a less familiar eye might not be able to tell these three hands apart. It was just a little over a year ago that Scott almost lost not only his hand, but his arm, maybe even his life…all
I almost go through withdrawals when ever I am away from my workspace for very long. I know that sometimes my abilities are best put to other endeavors and uses, like with invitations, cards, personal visits and such. But there are times when having the freedom to be unrestricted to the day's goal is also nice. School is out…for the summer, of course. The boys are both working, albeit different times, so I have some sort of occasional quiet, but nothing that I can count on. Gone are the girl's weekends, when all the "boys" would be gone, off on Scouting adventures and camp-outs. Having a job eliminates that. Thank goodness they can fend for themselves, but I still seem to be required for some basic household order, as much of it as I can demand. I know that someday I will be a mere afterthought, with a once in a while triggered reminder to "check in on old mom" to see how she's doing. But for now, at least for some of my children, I'm a necessary figure at their house. It's all good. So with me, one thought always leads to another, and another, and another…right before I am distracted by yet another shiny, random thought. My Mom and daughter, Christie, came down from Utah to join in the festivities of this past weekend. There was graduation and an Eagle Court
On one of our recent trips to Disneyland, a couple of times ago, Megan found a memo pad that looked like the old tickets that you used to get on the individual rides…I can't decide which I like better since the passes have gotten so expensive. I remember when you could get in at a minimal charge and not go on the rides if you didn't want to. But for now, an annual pass is still the way for me to go…for now! Anyway, I thought it would be a perfect embellishment for a layout about myself, which I don't do very often. I have really enjoyed going to Disneyland over the years - as a child, as a teenager, on my honeymoon, with my children and I look forward to someday going with my grandchildren…when I get some! I remember being absolutely shocked, but excited the first time I didn't need a stroller at Disneyland. No having to park it, find it when you got off the ride and hoping that no one stole it while you were gone. (That happened once at Sea World.) Things change. Before long, the kids won't even need me to drive them there! The kids are funny. They keep offering to get a wheelchair and push me around Disneyland…someday I might take them up on it! After all the years I pushed them around, I think it only fair…except
My youngest, Tom, is turning 16 today. He's not quite ready to get the driver's license because he hasn't been driving for 6 months quite yet – that's somewhere in August, I think. But this is yet another milestone for me, as well as Tom…he can officially date, not necessarily paired off, but double and group dates! The big question is: when will the first date be? Am I ready for my 6'3" "baby" to enter this social step? Sure. I certainly don't want to rush or pressure him, but it will be another new adventure. Just in case you don't remember him… At Pioneer Day, Hegessy Ward. With his brother, Michael… At La Jolla Shores… Playing with blocks at Grandma Naylor's. Tom really knows how to party! It helps having older sisters:) He has always loved watermelon! What is it about boys and camo? …even when they get BIG! Tom is a Scout, through and through! He became famous on a book cover…all by just blowing a bubble! From that to this! With a little help from big brother Jake! He still loves La Jolla Shores… Megan thinks this one resembles a "big foot" at the beach! Watch Tom grow! Here's a few more – a little of this and that! Well, I guess that will have to do for now. So girls…he's available! Who could resist a handsome young man that dances with his Grandma? Happy
Photos are one of those things that help to keep memories alive. Looking at a photo from your past, either recent or distant, can somehow transport you back to a moment in time. I remember these two boys, so many years ago. They used to be small. Now, they not only got older but they tower over their mom! I miss the little guys, but at the same time, I love my big boys! I can't have it both ways, so these pictures are a quick visit to the past. We don't get frequent visits from Nancy and the family, but I sure love it when we do! I remember that day well. Nancy, sitting on the couch, pulling in Kaleigh a little closer for the shot. The boys were off playing, probably a computer or Xbox game, but the girls always sit and visit. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are a little chilly in May in La Jolla. But when you used to live in wonderful San Diego, but have moved to Nampa, Idaho, and come to visit in May, you just can't miss the opportunity to go the familiarity of the sand and surf at your old hang-out. The kids would run out into the water and play for a while, then they would need to come back to shore and bundle up in towels to get warm. I don't know the exact date, but
I have been wanting to post some scrapbook layouts, but I think I need to spend a lot of time on the text in the post…oh well! No one really cares what I have to say, right? It's all in the pictures, huh!?! Actually, I usually have a lot to say, but it's a time issue. I'm not the best with time management, but I love to scrapbook and sometimes it's easier to say it with pictures. It's one of my favorite creative outlets and I can't seem to give it up. I know that some of my friends would much rather read, but for me…it's all about color and color makes me happy – either observing it, mixing it or combining colors to form pleasing palates. These colors were perfect for the colors in the photo, which was of my little friend Henry, at my daughter and son-in-law's (Christie and Matt) wedding open house. The photo was taken by Alison Beachem! I really love subtle patterns that can mix and mingle with each other to make a bright, cheerful page. Everything about this layout compliments the cupcakes in the photo. Believe it or not, the cupcakes came first! This picture really takes me back! Mike is graduating in a couple of weeks, Tom is turning 16 at the end of the week, Heather is in college and everyone else is BIG and playing football. I love
I had the opportunity to do something fun this year – be a judge at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar! No…I'm not going to tell you what I was judging, just in case you entered something and don't agree with the judge! But it was an interesting and educational opportunity. I would love to have the opportunity again next year. Both Mike and Tom have also been working at the fair for set-up in the Home and Hobby department and they will continue to work there once the fair actually starts, after school and during the day when school is out. Now I'm going to have to do a serious plug for submitting in Home and Hobby. Enter! I have seen some wonderful arts and crafts that haven't been anywhere near the San Diego County Fair! Did you know that there are cash prizes available? Did you know that there are areas of submission for children? We used to do this years ago with our children, things like Megan's Betty Boop collection and Jake's Lego creations. It doesn't have to be anything massive, just a bunch of any type of item, like bottle caps, matchbooks or pigs or along a theme, like "I Love Lucy" merchandise. It's a chance to strut your stuff! On to scrapbooking… I made this layout for a Pinecone Press upcoming Options kit with