In Case There's a Doubt About Where I Live

In the desert.

Today I turned on the AC in my car, only the 2nd or 3rd to this year, and sand shot out of the vents. Lots of sand.

I think I see Tusken Raiders (aka Sand People) passing by.

Summer of Train Wrecks

Is anyone watching her new show?

I guess I kinda am.

She's out there, trying to make a better name for herself, but along the way ponders doing another nude-ee shoot. (thank goodness the friend talked her out of it)

If she really wants to make a fresh start, let's clean up the language. Holy cow! Who talks like that in front of their own dad?

I'm not a fan. Haven't seen any of her movies. My only frame of reference is when she played Monica and Ross' cousin and everyone (including Phoebe and cousin Ross) had a crush on her.

It gets hard to pull yourself away from this kind of train wreck late at night. I watched two episodes last night.

I guess if I'm not careful, she's going to make her way in to my summer vacation, too.

Floats and Bands and Babies (Oh My!)

This past week was Pony Express Days here in our little town.

Activities galour...softball tournament, carnival, movie in the park, helicopter rides, cute-baby contest, a parade that went on for 2 hours (which had 6 different bag-pipe bands), concerts, just to name a few.

Saturday night we had a neighborhood BBQ, which was just out in front of my friend A'Donna's house. The BBQ was awkward for me, fun for my kids. There are some 'rifts' in the neighborhood, so some people, instead of grilling on the long row of BBQs, went off to someone's driveway and had a mini-party of their own.

I was bugged. Really bugged. So much that I lost sleep over it, but that's another can of worms.

BUT! The evening took an unexpected turn after the clique-ee BBQ.

As darkness fell, we gravitated to A'Donna's backyard around the fire pit.

There is something magical about a (backyard) campfire.

Marshmallows were burned, dropped and eaten.

We listened to the concert at the park.

As if there wasn't enough magic, through the darkness and across the fire, a neighbor recognized a long, lost navy buddy he had served with 18 years ago.

It was chilly. Isaac was miserable (as he was the night before when we laid under a pile of blankets to watch Horton Here's a Who in the park). I couldn't keep him warm enough curled up on my lap, and walked him home, but quickly returned.

Then, the proper cap to the evening: fireworks.

Sometimes it seems that no one gets it right in this young town of Eagle Mountain. But they outdid themselves with a great fireworks display. Isaac was able to watch from the couch in the piano room; Maddie in a sleeping bag next to the fire in A'Donna's backyard with me.

Like always, I was feeling crummy on Saturday and wouldn't have even left the house if A'Donna hadn't called and begged. What else have I been missing out on?

The Pressure Is Mounting

The wind is a-howling. Not unlike when mom, Jill, Jaye and Sarah were here in April.

This morning I spent an hour, maybe more, vacuming and wiping up sand because I didn't get the windows closed in time.

Now the pressure is building up so much that I can feel it in my ears.

So I've got a new slogan:

"Eagle Mountain. Where the weather is never perfect."

This slogan would work well for us existing residents, as to ward off more people from moving out here. (I just collectively heard mom, Jill, Jaye, and Sarah say "who would want to?")

But really, the weather rarely is perfect out here, though yesterday was pretty nice, just barely reaching 80 degrees.

We've had so much snow this winter, even long-time Utahs were moaning and groaning.

Then the ick and the cold that was our spring.

And if by change you get a day of sunshine, you'd better hope for at least a little wind, or the sky turns brown from the inversion, aka smog.

Who the crap let me move out here?

I'm Growing Cures in My Kitchen

My kitchen has black appliances and dark countertops. Oh, and dark flooring.

***Don't make this same mistake.***

It always looks like it needs to be wiped down, and I do so several times a day. Well. Not several...

Apparently all my focus/attention has been there, because I just opened the microwave and eww!

I've been warming refried beans up a lot lately. (no jokes please) The inside of my microwave has well, you can imagine.

I guess I'd better go and find the chisel.

Thanks for Bringing it Home David

I guess the way we're going to survive the week is by packing on the pounds.

I have my weaknesses. Chocolate. Cookies. Brownies.

Things that I don't keep around the house.

There are some things that never, ever tempt me. Until now.

I just ate 2 chocolate Zingers and might go for a third.

So when Friday finally arrives, and I get to reclaim my long, lost daughter, I'll need a cardboard sign with her name printed on it because she won't recognize me. I'll be 50 pounds heavier.

Then I'll need to explain: mommy was coping. And by coping I mean shoveling in all the Hostess products the gas station up the street has to offer.

Needing Some Hydration

First of all, the computer and I are not longer on the floor.

Second of all... well, (sigh) I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to make it through the week.

This morning I dropped off Maddie for science camp. She won't be back until Friday.

I cried myself to sleep last night. (haven't done that in a long time)

David's last words before he drifted off to sleep were "I don't want her to go".

This girl signed up for camp without any of her friends going with her. She is so brave, and is obviously way ahead of her momma.

But this might be coming at a good time for her and I. With her becoming more and more hormonal, we could probably use some time apart. Hopefully absence will make the heart grow fonder.

Her and I were far more cuddly and sugary sweet towards each other in the days leading up to her departure.

This morning my world became even smaller, and I love it.

Remember Elisabeth? My student in special ed? The one I adore? You know, the one that bit me.

Elisabeth's mom was at the camp drop off, sending off her other daughter Amy. Introductions were made and Maddie and Amy are sitting together on the bus and (hopefully) will have a great week together. I'm really excited. It's like it's meant to be.

And also brought some comfort to this sad mom.