Flying United to Colorado

On the plan, way in the back...nothing but the tops of peoples heads...

Sad and Convenient

As I was walking through Wally World, I spotted this unusual display. I had no idea these were so easily attained.

Location, location, location

The 1st picture is from way up on top of this little hill where the "I do's" were said. The 2nd picture is of Mark after most of the formalities had taken place. It kind of sums up the day

...beautiful, tearful, contemplative, memorable.

I didn't get much sleep prior to the wedding day. I had too much on my mind, with lists and questions and chores and oh my so much to do. Mark kept making fun of me saying I needed to go to sleep. People would ask me a question and I would ramble on about something not even close to the answer they were looking for. I couldn't correct it. If I think about it now, it makes me sad. Amy and I did so many errands in 3 days and worked up at the ranch cleaning and setting out tables, plus the practicing and walking the hills, it has worn me out for 2 days. Now we weren't the only ones working. Matt's mom busted her butt as well as the Patton's who own the ranch.
Everyone pitched in to help, family, friends and guests. They cleaned up the site so fast. They stacked tables, chairs and even brought down the 100 chairs from up at the ceremony site...

The day was magical. I will keep it in my heart forever.

Cutting the Cake

Wedding day

The Last List

Making the last list of things to do in the morning. Rehearsal was wonderful...cant wait to see it with all of the fancy clothes .

Hanging lights

Amy and her dad hanging lights in the 100 year old barn to help set the mood for dancing. It was another hard working day on the ranch...2 days to go. Tomorrow the families and friends will be arriving...I can not wait. So many memories already fill my head as I sit here in the quiet, wrapping utensils in napkins and tying them with blue gingham ribbon...sighhhh

360 of the wedding site

I had to post a video today of the property where Amy will tie the knot. The rolling hills are green and covered with wild flowers. Just how Amy ordered it. The day they got engaged, the fields were in full bloom and she wanted that same feeling on her wedding day. Out doors, horses and friends and family. We spent 3 hours up there today, doing practice runs with the horse and cart. Cleaning out cobwebs from the very old barn. I have had to fight the urge to cry only a few times today. It has been a magnificent and wondrous and once in a lifetime kind of day. As I sit typing this entry in the mother-in-laws living room, my daughter is in her wedding gown with her best friend sitting on the floor hemming her dress. SHE GETS MARRIED IN 3 DAYS...

Sneaky horses

Here are the two I spoke of earlier...very gentle, very laid back...

I'm on a train...

I'm on a train...I have been up since 2 this morning, it's now 7ish and it's time to get on the train. It was a sentimental journey, passing through some of my old haunts, Del Mar fair grounds, Solona Beach...(roller rink)...the beach in Cardiff, Swamy's where we used to play volleyball and watch the surfers. Encinitas...moonlight beach, elementary school, Leucadia, almost saw my house. Ponto beach... Lots of crazy memories flooding back. Now up in Clovis, playing with Havoc and petting the horses. Matt's mom is out mowing some acreage. Amy is at work, I wont see her until late tonight...More pictures coming when I can figure out how to upload them to Amy's lap top.

Going up

I originally took this picture because of the bulldog on the back of this guys shorts. It makes me think of Fresno State and the fact that I will be getting on a train headed for Fresno in 4 hours. Now that I look at the picture it reminds me that slides are not just for going down. That it's okay to look at the world in a different way. Maybe going up the slide will give me a new perspective.

I have had a to-do list all day. Dishes, laundry, pack, get the room ready for Matt. Have I done any of the list? Just the laundry. It is now 2:30 and I am playing on the computer. I need to finish packing, and get my stuff together for the train ride. I am excited and anxious all at the same time. It's like it wont happen if I ignore it. Once I get on the train there is no turning back. I hope we all do well on Amy's big day. I need to embrace the happiness of the day and let the tears come later.

For Mr. Don't

I love to do special things for people in hopes that they will know that I love them and they are important in my life. I enjoy finding the right little surprise for them especially when I know that time is an issue. It is my wish that at the very least, it puts a smile on their face and maybe a sigh of relief. Matt is coming in Wednesday night and I don't know how tired he will be and I know that the "men" are leaving very very early Thursday morning. I bought his favorite soda for the car ride. Smiles to you Mr. Don't. Love ya like family...ooh you almost are.

Wedding Ring Quilt

super stealth...will post a pic after Tuesday...you're gonna love it

So here is the lap quilt I was working on just 2 days before I left for the wedding. My mom finished the binding that I had started on the train/bus/train ride. Amy loved it but didn't want it to get dirty so she kept it at home. I was so busy with other stuff that I failed to get a picture of it completed. I will try and get one before too long...cool huh?

Free to be in the sun

Today was a day of eye doctor appointments,

exchanging Joe's shoes and learning that being pretty really HURTS.

I have a secret...I am overly self conscious about a few flaws. One of those,

"it's right in front of every ones face, why are they not laughing out loud,"

kind of flaws.

Today I had one of those flaws RIPPED from my face. Through the brief pain, with tears falling out of my eyes and down my cheeks and onto the towel under my head, I was smiling, knowing that in a few quick minutes, I would be able to stand outside facing the sun with no worries. So now you know...I am not so confident after all.

Quilt Night

If it's Thursday, it must be quilt night. We had a meeting tonight about getting organized and streamlined. Lots of ideas were thrown into the mix. I need to remember to sit and listen better. I am the junior member after all...except for maybe one. Some day it will all make perfect sense.

Blue

Everything else is black....that's what I'm wearing to the wedding...most everyone will be in black...I guess it's the "new" wedding color. We will have the most fun on the planet that day...joyous and pleasant, full of love and laughter...I promise not to cry too much.

One Picture

It's been 2 weeks. I feel better. I still hate it. I told my mom today. I haven't told anyone else in the family but Amy and Joe. I saw a picture of me taken from this last weekends retreat. I am humbled. I know who I am inside. It's the outside that's all messed up.

I have a new perspective.

One picture has saved me. I am grateful.

The ides of March...

my boots

I found my wedding day boots....I can't believe I have boots....Amy and I went out over Christmas break to find some kind of Western shoe for me. We tried several different styles and I just got overwhelmed and felt like the walls were closing in on me, so we called it a day and left the store with nothing. Recently I had a spare 20 minutes and I was very near the store which sells such foot coverings so I ventured in by myself with no expectations. The sales people were very friendly and helpful, that put my anxiousness at a lower intensity level. I ended up buying boots with a round toe, something I was looking for from the beginning. I am over the top excited for the big day to arrive. I have booked hotel rooms and train tickets and now I am checking the list over and over...I have a few appointments left to do then I am off to be with my favorite girl.

Love Little Chicken

Little Chicken who runs with hair on fire. Love her to pieces. (not pictured...Squats with leaves)

Miss Chili Pants

Miss Chili Pants

The Feed Store

When we first move to Lakeside, this was the feed store. We bought our dog food here. We even bought our chicken feed here. One time when the kids brought home a dozen chicks from preschool, we bought a bag of feed and with ever bag of feed we got a dozen chicks free. Soooo then we had 2 dozen baby chickens...This store has been a western clothes store, and now it's a general store...

love the big red barn in my neighborhood.

baking and walking

Tonight I baked cookies as I was fixing dinner before going to life group...we explored "walking across the room" reaching out and leaving our comfort zone...I need work on that

Hellooooo...

This is a very cool addition to the play structure at school. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss and the contraptions he had in his stories. It is a kind of "telephone"...you speak into this end and the sound comes out way on the other side of the structure. The sound travels through the pipe, under the wood chips and out of an identical horn on the other side. The kids love it.

Pudding...

Know what I mean?

Oops!

I would enjoy a sign like this to tell people around me, things aren't going so well and I may need a time out...So when the sh!t hits the proverbial fan of life you would see me waving my green, circular sign.

No explanation needed!

Havoc's wedding outfit

Today was spent tying up loose ends. I finally made the time to look for Havoc's wedding outfit. I wanted to get him something new, just for him. I found a leather collar, all shiny and new. Polished and ready for the ring dog. I had to make a quick call to Matt as to what size he would need. Matt cheerfully answered my phone call and was very helpful. My efforts these next few weeks will be to remove as much stress from the bride as possible. Only time will tell if I am successful.

Play that funky music white boy

I often think when someone is not their usual self, that there must be something going on that I am not aware of. This week a dear friend of mine and co-worker as well, wanted to go up to the casino and eat at the buffet then go into the Dream Catcher lounge to listen to the band that plays music from the 70's. It sounded fun and a group from work organized rides and planned to meet for dinner. This night was all about my friend. She is approaching the one year anniversary of her husbands death. She seems to be coping well, until you dig a little deeper in your conversations. It has been a year of firsts. First Christmas without him...first birthday, first everything...She doesn't know it yet but she is teaching us how to cope with her loss too. We get teary eyed every now and again, it brings us closer. Tonight was one of those times. We had a good time watching her smile and dance and giggle and let herself be one of the girls. My life is richer because of her

havin' fun singin' and dancin' with the girl friends ... with music is from the
'70s Detroit Underground rocked the house

More Prayer Quilts

Tonight was the second monthly meeting for our prayer quilt ministry. We tied 3 quilts, sewed 3 more quilt tops and made plans for the next meeting. All of the ladies are wonderful, prayerful and giving.

Painted Toes

Today was a fun day with my friend Barb. We clucked like 2 hens in the hen house as we got our toes painted...I just love that girl.

Still Life

For real...I'm out of ideas...well, there is stuff going on in my life right now but i choose not to share. I should have some great shots in the next few days but for now, I'm drawing a blank. so maybe I will fill this space with words and not pictures or maybe just let it go. I'll let it go. No worries now, very, very busy...missing my "flash" .

The Backstop

Standing behind the backstop, guarding myself from stray bouncy balls. I'm not in the mood...