But Wait! There's More (trademark)

Ronco owns the phrase.

I started redoing a wall in my house. I've never done a house project before. This is my second house, but I never even repainted a wall in the old one. I thought this would be a 2-day job and I would have pretty much instant results by the end of the weekend.

Nope.

The outdated striped wallpaper came off in 5 minutes. No kidding. Vinyl. Was even therapeutic.

But wait, there's more.

There was an underlayer of paper. Not paste. Almost a primer paper. Score, wet, peel. Score, wet, peel. Was feeling pretty good about it. Would be some work but the masonite was there and then I could get on with the change.

But wait, there's more.

Then we found the original wallpaper. What we thought was masonite was a brass look wallpaper with gold metallic polka dots the size of, well, 60's polka dots. Bigger than silver dollars.

I no longer have tan striped vinyl wallpaper, I have a metallic finish VINTAGE polka dot wall papered hallway. And that paper doesn't want to budge.

Why couldn't I have just picked a wall to paint?

Biscuits and Gravy

I did it! I made sausage gravy that tasted perfect. Robert like even. My roommate had me make it this morning and it was wonderful! I'm so proud. Come visit. I'll make breakfast. :)

I'm So Smarter

What a fabulous weekend.

I learned how to change a power outlet (go me!).

I started removing wallpaper today - another project in the works. This could take until summer :)

I walked 5 miles. We went to friends' to see their snowpeople.

I finally managed, though not very adeptly, how to thread needle with a loop. And I finished the first panel on my quilt - 23 squares down. Only 18 more sets across to go.

Tomorrow I learn how to make the sausage gravy.

Blog Blog Blog

So much for puttering today. I've managed a little throughout the day. Mostly I blogged. I used to keep journals. Now I find writing by hand to be tedius. I blogged and blogged and blogged. But it won't show here - way too much information for my gentle readers (ha ha Miss Manners I'm not!).

A couple of people have asked what I've been up to the last couple of days - sweet. I was able to peel off a list of things. At the risk of not fulfilling my idea for tomorrow I'm not going to blog it tonight. Let's see what delights I can post tomorrow. Apparently today I had too much time on my hands - time to get cracking with something tangible.

Bon soir!

Puttering

My mother used to say she was just "puttering" around. When she said that she would be working on this and that and that and this. That's my weekend.

I was supposed to be working in Vegas this weekend, meaning that New Years Eve was going to be in Party City. That trip got postponed. Then I took the day off today in anticipation of a weekend getaway with Sweet Stuff. That didn't pan out, so I decided to give in to fate and push around the let-down with puttering.

I ate leftovers and watched dance movie with my roommate last night (Her trip to Colorado was postponed due to the lovely 2nd storm). She knitted and I worked on ironing quilt squares (yawn). OK, the nice thing about that is, if I can get a hundred ironed and a few hundred cut this weekend, I don't have to do that tedius part of the quilting for awhile. (Remember, I started with the one of the most difficult patterns known to quilterkind).

I went to bed early and got up late. I checked worked email - really intense stuff: an e-card from a co-worker and another work calling in occupied with a myriad of family illnesses to tend to (yeah right). I just called in "off".

Today's puttering list consists of little things to amuse myself. If I'm so inclined later I'll add blogging to the putter patter and give an update. If not....well - who knows what I'll be up to today!

Ramping up to 2007

Well, 2006 has been a fabulous year. It started with a promotion and ended with a wonderful sweetheart who keeps me supplied with roses.

In between were trips to Pittsburgh, Savannah, Las Vegas (many), Dayton, LA, Vail, St. Augustine, Denver, Seattle, Coon Rapids (no kidding), and Paris. My daughter graduated and moved out of state. I hiked every weekend throughout the spring and summer and summited Mt. Timpanogos. I had a long 4th of July weekend hiking with my oldest and attending my favorite 4th of July party. Two new grandsons entered the world. I started a quilt. Two of my beloved kitties died this year - their presence is sorely missed. I attended a Barry Manilow concert on my birthday, in Vegas, with my oldest and a most fabulous Air Supply concert in May.

And of course I had my normal wacky Teri experiences along the way... moose sightings, my car not running and ending up with no fixes, a car wash and a working radio, feeding pigeons that were sitting on my arm in the Tulleries, a by-chance meeting at Starbucks with the new Newspaper Publisher for our local paper (with whom I've crossed career and association paths over the years without even knowing him) .

2007 holds my trip to Spain that I've been dreaming and planning for the last few years.
2008 already holds plans for two trips to France and a fabulous HUGE family reunion.

I really love my life and all the nutty and truly wonderful things that happen. Bring 2007 on - I'm ready!

Christmas 2006

I never got the tree up.

I only got half my gifts purchased and only one of them sent.

Half of the guests couldn't make it.

I didn't stress out.

I did have my daughter and grandson home.

My grandson picked out wonderful clothing for me.

I did have my Paul and we had a memorable first Christmas.

I did dinner and a movie with a friend on Christmas day.

I had a wonderful December trip to Paris and experienced a French Noel.

I have more dids than did nots. I'm left with some wonderful warm cherishable memories.

Thank you all!

Roses

Since the day after my sweetie asked me to go out, I haven't gone a day without roses in my house. Barely after the last stem gives up, I have a fresh bouquet. The gesture makes me feel so special. What is sweeter than that?

Chance Encounter Deux

I think it was BB (before blogging) that I, by chance, ran into a former employee, in Times Square. The chances of being in the same place (Times Square of all places), at the same time and recognizing each other was astronomical.

Fast forward to today.

Starbucks.

Suited man in line in front of me while ordering coffee. "Hi." Response: "Hi." Waiting for coffee. "Hi" again. OK this guys wants conversation. "Ready for Christmas?". "Not really." Laugh, "Me neither." He proceeded to tell me he was heading up to the NW. Now that incites conversation for me. Seattle? Oregon? Etc. I said I'd lived there for 13 years. He rattled off familiar Seattle suburbs to me. Then he asked what brought me here. "Work". "What do you do?". I responded with my usual generic-ism: a software company in....and I named the town, which I normally do not, but being in the same county, it made sense. He said he knew the company.

I work for such a niche software company that for someone to know it, you have to be in the newspaper industry. He was just hired as publisher of one our local newspapers. Knowing that, I told him some of my newspaper genealogy. He worked for the NW paper corp that I had. And he had just come from a corporation that my company had just taken live.

He later updated me about two former co-workers from Seattle.

How cool is that?

Such a small world.

Christmas Is Nearing

I'm not sure that vacationing in December was the best idea I've come up with. I've done it before and netted the same result (not the point of my previous missive - however applicable). I lose a week of sanity later.

I don't have all my gifts purchased and the tree isn't up yet. I know my family loves me (hint hint) and that January presents will be received with joy too. Hey - I won't have to compete with the rest of the family on gifts.

Tonight, finally, the tree goes up.

French Wine

I've never had French wine for having "French wine". I will from now on. The three bottles I brought back from Paris are gone now. I did well in my selection. One was consumed with my friends at home, another for another significant moment and last night at a friend's party where the closest of my "buds" were gathered. It was the perfect finish to the wine, the holidays, and the year. The wines, the memories and the trip, I'm sure elevated enhanced each other. What a lucky person I am to have all these experiences and friends.

If you....

If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.

How hard is this statement to understand?

Apparently it just beyond grasp for 99.99% of the world, including myself.

Jesse

While I was in Paris, my oldest step-daughter had her baby. He was born December 3, but wasn't due until Mid-February. She had some pregnancy related complications. He's up to two pounds now, but such a tiny, tiny thing. He's a fighter - glad to be a part of this big, big world.

Here he is at 10 days old.

Snow!

We got our first hugely SIGNIFICANT snowfall since I moved into this house. We've had snows, but they are hard to watch at night due to the area's lighting. Today, a Sunday, it snowed and snowed and snowed. I shoveled and shoveled and shoveled (love to do that). It is so beautiful!

I miss my daughter and grandson terribly today. Today is the type of day where we talked and played and watched movies and always had fun together as a family. Of all the people hanging around my house these days I couldn't get anyone to go sledding with me. So I went by myself.

I still have so much to do before Christmas. Almost every night is busy. I'm glad I went to Paris, but either I need to bag nice nice or just pull some late nights to get it done. Hard for me to bag nice nice. I like nice nice.

Sorry folks - this was supposed to be an upbeat post that turned gloomy. Hugs to everyone.

Paris

Paris was fabulous! My blogging died...I think with a too big word. Check back periodically - I'll get it updated with pictures and the stories. Boy do we have stories.

I'm adjusting to life with BF. I think I kinda like it.

More as I have time.

Want to Follow Us Around Paris?

http://two-girls-in-paris.blogspot.com/

Treo Blogging

In preparation for blogging from Paris, I wanted to do test run from my phone.
Isn't technology grand?
(From my Treo)

I Finally Found Someone

I finally found someone
That knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one
That makes me feel complete
It started over coffee
We started out as friends
It's funny how from simple things
The best things begin
This time is different
And it's all because of you
It's better than it's ever been
'Cause we can talk it though
My favorite line was
"Can I call you sometime"
It's all you had to say
To take my breath away
This is it, oh I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one
To be with every night
'Cause whatever I do
It's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone
Did I keep you waiting?
I didn't mind
I apologize, baby that's fine
I would wait forever
just to know you were mine
You know I love your hair
Are you sure it looks right?
I love what you wear
Isn't it too tight?
You're exceptional
I can't wait for the rest of my life
This is it, oh I finally found someone
Someone to share my life I finally found the one
To be with every night
'Cause whatever I do
It's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone
And whatever I do
It's just got to be you
My life has just begun

Bryann Adams and Barbra Streisand

Better than chocolate :)

I think this has been the sweetest week of my life.

Blah blah blah.

Big Horn!

#77 on my list of things to do/see before I die was seeing a big horn sheep outside of a zoo setting. Cross that off the list today.

Mid-meeting my manager dropped his jaw, stared out the window and was finally able to get us all to turn around. Wandering on our company's property was a beautiful (curly horned) Big Horn Sheep.

A few others had seen him earlier....emerging from one of our ponds and got this picture.

Gotta love living in Utah!

Dinner

I had the most fabulous dinner last night. A friend came over with the full intent to us to forage through the freezer for leftovers. Instead we pulled together salmon, salad, bread, dessert. We emptied a bottle of wine and had just a wonderful time talking.

The thing holding my attention though was how we moved around the kitchen. I have this long, skinny kitchen, designed in an era where Mom did the cooking without assistance. My ovens are away from the stove top, with the refrigerator in between. So given all we were assembling, we, very fluidly, worked on different parts of the meal, pulled all the pieces together, without careening into each other. Sometimes we just stopped our tasks and focused on particular parts of our conversation. And in doing all the separate pieces, on the fly, out came this magnificent meal!

OK, and the company wasn't half bad either.

Thanksgiving

This year's plans are proving to be most unique and wonderful! My daughter and grandson are planning their first visit back home after emptying the nest and my dearest and closest Utah friends are coming over to join us. Family and friends - isn't that what it is all about. Should I set a place for you?

November

November is a special month to me. A few births, but no deaths to note.

While I notice that the Christmas commercialism is creeping its way closer to the beginning of the month, rather than the post Thanksgiving tradition of years past, I can still manage to shop in retail store for another three weeks. After that - it is a real, not combined, grocery store for me and no retail stores until the middle of January. I refuse to be a part of the "hate thy neighbor and runneth over them" mindset that hits post-Thanksgiving until the giftcards are spent and the returns are finalized in mid-January. Right about now I become "ONLINE GIRL". Better yet this year...if your present is late from me - its a good thing - it means its origin is France.

The reason I started this post was simply to note that November is when the Gingerbread Lattes from Starbucks return. I am so there.

Church Politics

I was recently trained on the tasks and responsibilities for being a Eucharistic Minister at my parish. Today was my "first day on the job". I gleefully, if not nervously, reported for duty. Nervous for two reasons: 1) first day on the job 2) I read in the paper the EM's could no longer clean the Cups after Mass. When I was trained for my role, we were very carefully shown how (and why) to do the preparation and clean up. Our priest, while a rebellious spirit, is very strict on proper protocols to keep Holy things holy.

Posted on the setup area was the newspaper article and a note that until further notice (clarification and mud wrestling I think it meant) we weren't going to have wine with communion. Our priest was in the office and was apologetic, but holding out. I was laid off. But......we had a visiting priest who wanted us to continue with both and he would take care of the clean up. I was back on the job. Our parish priest didn't want the confusion and possible picking of masses based on the Communion components being offered. I was laid off again.

The visiting priest wanted another EM for the Bread. Back on the job with a promotion. A promotion without, "eeek", training. I didn't know how to bless the babies, or if I should, but I did, thinking my daily mantra: If He leads you to it, He'll lead you through it. My heart was in the right place so I know that my ministering was valid - given the situation.

It has been probably a decade since I helped out with Mass. I've wondered away from my faith and back again. Wash and repeat. But whenever I'm "gone" I feel empty and whenever I'm involved I feel "complete". Today, I felt honored, and warm and filled with the Holy Spirit.

To our dear Pope: I know the quest to know truly if lay people can be "proper" ministers to the people weighs on your mind and heart. I can't help but think that if we look back - with the exception of Christ, the history of our Faith (and all the variations which followed) clear back through our Jewish roots, has been grown, nutured, ministered, and preached by lay people. We are the torches which pass the fire to light the hearts which light the world. We are the hands that extend your healing when your arms can't reach quite wide enough. We don't want to just be mere recipients the Holy Spirit, but conduits. Please allow us to serve and continue to be of service in all things Holy.

In Search of the Perfect Coffee Table

Somewhere between $150 and $700 is the perfect coffee table. Somewhere in nearly a dozen stores that I visitied has to lie the perfect coffee table. How hard can it really be to find a piece of furniture that will just "do it" for you?

I finally found one. Somewhat plain, perfect, didn't have to empty my wallet to take it home.
My friend though now thinks I need a side table in the little alcove.

Somewhere between $300 and $1200 lies the perfect side table. I'm leaving that for another day. My work for today is done.

I think I'll just go put my feet up on the coffee table....er... maybe not.

Musings

Fair warning - this is a ramble.

Halloween on the Las Vegas strip wasn't nearly as exciting as I thought/hoped it would be. A few elaborate costumes and an Elvis sighting is all I can take away. A couple of gals amused me though - fun costumes, one with a top hat the other with wings gunning their motorcycles up and down the Strip. I met a wonderful sales guy at Sephora (my version of slot machines) who sent me home with a ton of samples because I was "so nice".

I left my car keys in the hotel deli the other night. When I went down in the morning I got the "no, no no". They called housekeeping, no keys there. I finally asked the woman whose keys were on the register?"Monica's". "No, I think they are mine. Does the tag say Hertz and Cobalt?" "no, no, no". "Please let me see." She handed them to me. Sure enough. I just turned around and left. Guess what? The car started with them. :(

Last night I saw a car pulled over by two officers.......on bicycles. Imagine telling the story to your friends....pulled over by bicycles. LOL.

I went to Trader Joes tonight. Yummy. A co-worker is driving the glass items home for me.

I have met several men lately whose wives have cheated on them. Ladies you are killing the spirit of these men. If they aren't the men you married, which they either are and you ignored it, or they aren't, and you don't like the change, or if they're just fine and you have an itch - end the relationship on those reasons and wait to share your party treats.

31 days until Paris.

Had a project go live this week. The team did very well. I'm glad I was here to see the culmination of their efforts.

Done rambling :)

I have really great friends!

This describes my friends so well.....

www.postsecret.com

Near or far, I think about you all often and I am very thankful that our paths have crossed.

Funnest Night

I just had a whole pile of work friends over for the evening. Rather improptu, most fun. I had just finished rearranging the family room. The room was formally my daughter's "living room". I had the furniture surrounding the fireplace, a coffee table in front of the arrangement. What a cozy place with fabulous company!

Time

I do believe, barely, that this weekend will be a relaxing one. I have the house ready for the carpet cleaner, the refrigerator cleaned out, the fireplaces waiting, the dusting done. I'm ready for the entertaining I'm planning on doing in November, the traveling I have during the remainder of October. There are projects (and still cleaning out fo closets to do) after the holdiays.

My work this week ended, amazingly, on Friday. There are some people in new positions and the placements seems to be working. Things don't seem so hard. Like there's air to breathe again. I knew this year would be challenging and the effort seems to be paying off. My team too, has stretched and grown. It's an amazing gift to know these people and interact with them from day to day.

Other dynamics seem to be in motion too. There's a peacefulness settling in on friends. I'm anxious to see what this coming year holds for all of us.

And my daughter is coming home next weekend for a visit - yippee!

Bubble Wrap

Just go there................

http://fun.from.hell.pl/2003-11-24/bubblewrap.swf

Morphing Teri

I have about six weeks before I head to Paris. My only concern so far is what shoes should I wear that will allow me to walk a hundred miles, but not look like an American. So different than a few years ago when I planned my first visit. Eh - it's a long flight. Plenty of time to figure it all out - right?

I'm entertaining a lot in November..... Wine Club, Empty Nest Party, Thanksgiving (my annual - whoever isn't leaving town and wants traditional but not-their-mother's dinner invite). All just seem such the natural order.

This isn't the Tear-Bear that I grew up with. In fact, until a few years ago - there wasn't even a Tear-Bear.

Learning to Quilt

My friend Jules quilts. She makes beautiful quilts for all her family members and made one for me too. (Blogged it). Recently, while I was at her house she showed me one she's started using the cathedral pattern. It is all hand stitched. ALL OF IT. Jules' looked like stained glass...bright colors encased in black.

My friend Randi knew of the pattern - she's doing one with a muslin background. She does a contrasting blanket stitch around her window panes.



I did this sample in brown - just from quilter quarters. The top center (left in picture) pieces show how it comes together - the tan center is loose and will have the edges pulled around it. The top space I've left open to show what the window panes are covering.

My first quilt is for my oldest daughter. It will have a maroon background.

I'm having fun working on it. The youngest daughter, who just moved out, calls me and tells me the tales of her new job. I sew and listen and understand how quilting became a part of our history and an artform.

Empty Next

Week three of empty nest.
1) Why do I keep typing empty next? Something subliminal there for sure. I don't feel the least bit complacent.
2) Why do I not have a spare second?
3) Perhaps because I get everything done for a change, the seconds just seem taken.
4) The house is coming along, the yard looks great!
5) I haven't blogged, I haven't hiked, I haven't sat on my duff. I hardly have time to e-chat any more.
6) My travel schedule is kicking up again :-) No complaints whatsoever about that.
7) I'm investing time back into work again - great things are happening. ;-)
8) Using a term a friend recently used....I'm in a "happy place".

My Weekend

My first full empty nest weekend. Amazing! The entire yard is done, front and back - and the lawn is mowed (sorry neighbors - I had to do it on Sunday). The fireplace is clean. Wood is in the house. (OK winter - I'm ready). My projects and reports for work are caught up.

I bought the material for Heather's quilt. Now I just need to get the pieces cut. I was going to do that today - but I didn't get around to it.

My daughter called both yesterday and today, not too early in the morning, but early enough that one day I had still been asleep and another that I was just starting to move around. I've talked to my other daughter too. Nice. Perfect.

Tonight I'm going to do the rarest feat of all my world. Sit and watch TV. Imagine that.

The Amish Children

The news today of the slaying of the Amish schoolchildren breaks my heart. It pains me more than mainstream violence of the same nature. The additional, abhorrence, I think is because "our" violence was forced upon a group who by every fiber of their daily existence, are a kind and loving people. Every minute of their life is lived in peace and their footprint on this planet causes no harm to the earth or to mankind. For this reason I deeply regret the injustice and violence injected unto their community.

God help us all!

On Being Teri

I love my life! I love today. I appreciate the yesterday's that got me here. And best of all - tomorrow holds the mystery of so many wonderful things. I love my life!

Bye Bye Birdies!

My nest is empty. The first time.....ever! My duaghter and grandson drove off in the U-Haul to my daughter's post-graduate career and their new home. I am so excited for them.

Yes, the house will be hollow.
Yes, it will be tidy.
Yes, I'll be solo.
Yes, it is time.

A new era for sure!

Congratulations! Best wishes! Have fun! Live!

St. Augustine

I toured the St. Augustine Bascilica today. The first Catholic Church in America. The tour guide was talking about Spain. I asked her if she had been to Santiago de Compestela. She did the Camino! "A Pelligrino!", she said. She proceeded to tell me about the lady who made the crepes, the alberques, the trail. I think I'm going to get to go.

Beach Sounds

I've been keeping the patio door open every night. The waves, orotund as they hit the shore, lull me to a deep sleep. I'm going to miss this.

Dance, Dance Wherever You May Be

My Jaguar Dance trumped your Hurricane Dance!

And just so you know - down here , the cheers could be heard for miles...or is that smiles?

Beauty and the Beach

I started walking the on the beach this morning as soon as the pitch darkness gave way to the first hint of silver on the waves. I could hear voices on the beach even though no one could be seen. As I walked, occassionally I could see a lone figure or two cross my path between the town and the surf. I'd forgotten that dawn unfolds rather than "ta da-ing" its way into the day. I walked in the soft sand out and surf sand back. I don't like walking at the water's edge when I can't see exactly where I'm stepping next. It was the perfect tickle breeze temperature.

Tonight, after work, I practically ran back.

I walked the along the tide line for about 3 miles. I just wrestled with the water letting my mind wander. I listened to a mystery on my iPod (I can't just sit still on the beach and read). Awhile after turning back I suddenly turned around. Behind me was the most beautiful sky I'd ever seen. It was purple. Not sapphire, not sunset pink. PURPLE PURPLE PURPLE. I was facinated. I'd walk for a bit and turn around again. After awhile it faded into just a storm threatening grey/blue. But then the beauty was in front of me. I had moved away from the surf. The wind had created little sand dune ripples in the baby powder fine white sand. The north side of the sand was a pale pink and the backs of the ridges were a deeper pink. The contrasts and the now pink light of the sunset made for yet another facinating facet to the evening's walk.

All in all today, I did about 9 miles of walking - barefoot. My dogs are barking for sure. I opened my patio to let the surf sounds lull me to sleep. Another day in paradise.

First Class

Airlines have a small, but significant way of recognizing a frequent traveler. It is call a First Class upgrade. Unless flights are over four hours one no longer earns a meal - however - the wider seat, additional legroom and the privilige of boarding and exiting the plane first is a nice little "thank you". I am perfectly happy with (and fortunately fit nicely) in a coach seat.

I love the little thrill of hearning my name called, just before boarding, to have my ticket exchanged for a First Class seat. You'll her me hiss a happy "YES!" as I trot to he desk for my prize.

The one thing that I've promised is that I will always remain appreciative of how I got to First Class - from my hard work, a fabulous job and really nice ticket agents. I refuse to treat the crew as if they were my personal grunts. (Some people leave the seats a wreck). And I hope that I get assigned a coach seat often enough to continue to appreciate the times when my ticket is chosen for an upgrade!

Sylvan Lake...Again

The extra fun of my Vail trip was being there at the peak of the fall color change. When I was there in the spring, the trees were just beginning to show a hint of green. Now, having gone through their season, I was witness to their vivid end-of-season color show.

We hiked Sylvan Lake after work. Dusk comes early in the fall in the mountains. We got to the park just as the sun dipped behind a mountain peak. Since I'd hiked the lake trail once before and having hiked in pitch blackness before, I felt we could do it without risk. And we did. It was pretty seeting it at dusk.

I'll post pictures when I get home. The lake was so still that the pictures I took are so symetrical that you can't tell the hillside from the water.

Absolutely Shocking!

I now know how I don't want to die. That would be by electrocution

My stylist and I decided I needed a new "do". We also decided should not try a new cut. (Have I mentioned I LOVE my stylist?). We decide upon curly top sans the perm. I promised Robert in March of 1986 I would NEVER perm again. So every morning with a little magic from a bottle, a hair dryer and a gadget called a diffuser, I create a soft pile of curls on my head. This has taken practice as wavy is easy, curly requires a knack.

I was in the knack groove this dark and early morning until the worst noise and the electrocution began simultaneously. Know what people do when they are being doused with electricity? Stare at the offender. Finally I was able to let go.

I am now very curly in front, wavy in back and wondering if the hotel will actually replace the offender.

But wait....there's more.

Back to my room. I'd marked the offender with a little eyeliner to see if it was replaced. Nope.
Down to the front desk, tell the night clerk, leave for three hours.
Back to my room. Still there.
Down to the front desk, tell the front clerk, he leaves for five minutes.
He comes back having extracted the dryer off the wall from Room 101.
Room 101 was obviously a smoking room - imagine blowing someone else's old smoke into my hair. Yum.
I ran into a coworker in the hall. He was heading to the grocery store. I went with him and bought my own dryer.
While I hate dragging it around with me - it beats the alternatives.

Caribou is Reindeer

I had Caribou for dinner tonight. It was yummy. I knew when the waiter didn't ask how I wanted it cooked that it would probably be trumpeting at my table. We went rounds on the fact that I prefer my meat medium well. Finally he relented. It was done perfectly as I liked it and I loved the meat.

Actually the whole dining experience was kind of funny. We arrived at the restaurant was asked if we had a reservation. "No". No less than a dozen empty seats faced us. Before we were seated the lady asked us to wait a moment while she inquired if the couple behind us had a reservation. Then we were led to a teeny table right next to the kitchen, that in order to be seated, a potted tree needed to be moved. Then horror of horrors we ordered water.

The funniest part, before the "how done can I get it" scene was the Laurel and Hardy round about the Caribou. I asked what the caribou meat was like. My question's intent was to inquire about the meat e.g. buffalo is lean, deer is gamey, elk is, etc. You guessed it, the waiter's reply was "Caribou is Reindeer".

Mount St. Helens

It's been a few years since I did this hike. It was the 2nd hike I'd ever gone on. I thought I was going to die. I didn't fall or anything, but I was tired and I literally bruised my butt crawling down every boulder.

I sent an email note to my friend this week who got me started hiking and was the patient soul who carried my pack down for me that day. I told him about all the hiking I'd done this year, including Timpanogos and thanked him for his patience. I got a sweet note back.

Reminiscing, I looked up the Mount St. Helens trail stats and aboutlaughed my no longer bruised butt off.

9 miles round trip, 4 of which (2 in and 2 out) are forested. That leaves 2.5 miles up and back of the rock stuff. Granted the rock stuff is equivalent to a couple of Timp Cave trails but - that's doable.

Timp was 18 miles round trip - St. Helen's 9? A piece of cake.

How one's perspective changes as time marches on.

Advertising

Ya'll know I've lived inside the world of advertising for over 25 years now. I still appreciate how a picture can be worth a thousand words. This billboard was parked outside my (ritzy) hotel room in Las Vegas.

To you I simply say: Thank God for Business Travel and Billboards.

One More Timp Pic

Pat climbed a little hill to take this shot. There are actually two Moose up there. We think they were the pair we saw in the morning on the way "up".

Big guys - really big guys.

Destiny

This is 20+ pounds of pure love.

Union Aquaduct

The Great Western Trail it wasn't. That was my goal today, but thanks again to Utah's lack of trail signage and my doubt about my map reading abilities, I hiked the Aquaduct trail today. I do have to say, that after hiking it to the end, I took off on another trail and hiked it to the end/top too. So all in all, while the destination wasn't that grand - the hike, 10+ miles and the trek itself - was worth the adventure (or lack there of).

Happy Birthday Virgo!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing - Happy Birthday! Thanks for the light you introduced me to. I am forever grateful.

Weekend Walking/Hiking

Saturday I walked around Indian Hills. I found some interesting streets up there. I'm actually looking for my house's twin up there. I think I came close, the homes in one area were very similar. I did find Redford Road and Osmond Lane. One of these days I'll see if I can actually find the Osmond properties.

Today, my grandson and I went hiking. We did Indian Road Trail (again up in Indian Hills). We did about five miles. Nick is getting to be a very good hiker. His listening skills are improving. We heard some clopping and were able to see a herd of deer before they toook off in the opposite direction.

Another nice weekend of wandering around.

Timpanogos Trip Pictures

Here's a quick update with pictures from the hike :)

Timponogas 2006

Aug 19, 2006 - 12 Photos

I put captions on the photos - so cruise away!

Trader Joes

One of the gals at work had a Trader Joes bag. My eyes lit up. Trader Joes, Trader Joes, Trader Joes. Turns out, I have been about 3 miles away most of my stays here. Now I just have to figure out how to get all my goodies home. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy!

Mystere

I went to my very first Cirque de Soleil show tonight - Mystere. (Pronounced Miss Stair). I had a good seat - 2nd row on the rise - essentially in the center. I could see everything very well. It was a beautiful, beautiful performance - a circus ballet.

The costumes were as opulent as they could be for being spandex and the characters took on both strong and submissive roles creating artistic visual stories. The performances varied from conveying innocence and primal passion to intimacies that sometimes made me feel like a voyeur intruding on a passionate affair.

But folks.....it's really just a circus act!

How's that Mr. Wiggles?

LVII

Las Vegas again!

I've had the most wonderful time this week.

I'm working, doing what I used to do this and having fun! Seeing my LV favorite places - Metropolitan Antiques and Chad (HI CHAD!), India Oven, Sephora. (I haven't made it to Desert Passage this trip...yet.) I don't gamble here - I shop.

And walking the Strip, I can happily say I've shaken all the ghosts I mentioned in my last Las Vegas blog. It's my town now with my own happy memories and haunts.

And it is only hovering in the high 90's or low 100's this trip - what's better than that!

Timpanogos!

We made it to the top of Timpanogos via Timpanooke Trail on Saturday.

Stats:
Altitude @ trailhead: 7260 ft., altitude @ top 11,750 ft! Total miles 18. Total time 13 hours. (A little while on the saddle and a little while at the top!)

Timponogas 2006

Aug 19, 2006 - 12 Photos

This was the longest hike I've ever done. I can't say it is the toughest as last year (even though we didn't make it to the top) and Mt. St. Helens seemed tougher. I trained harder this year - hiking (not walking) every weekend since the end of April.

I'd like to do Mt. St. Helens again just to see if my intimidation factor has been lowered. And if it has I want to see the top. With it coughing around - that isn't likely for awhile.

Timpanogos is the 2nd highest peak in Utah, only outdone by Mt. Nebo to the South.

A grateful and heartfelt "thank you" to Pat for all the hikes we've done this year and the nearly two decade friendship. I was (not really) perfectly contented to stay on the Saddle and call it good. The top, after so many hours of hiking, such a barren landscape, and all those teeny tiny stick figures appearing to be scaling straight up the side of the mountain, made me want to call "uncle". His "well I'm going up without you then" got me going.

So at 46 years old, I've done something more and harder and better than I've ever done before....once again. I'm so very very blessed.

Missy Missy Moo Moo

Michief died this morning.

My daughter came out to the car as I was leaving saying she was howling and heaving. Two heaves later the light left her eyes. Aparently she had suffered a heart attack.

Missy was the "daughter" of (very old) LapTop who still graces our household. Her "son", Destiny, a 22 lb yellow cat, lives with us too. Missy had the softest fur, like silk. She was a thief - nightly taking shoes, soft toys, my wallet, and who knows what and patiently carrying them up the stairs howling all the while. She wasn't stealthy - we always knew what she was up to. All of my grandson's soft toys have teeth marks from her nightly ventures.

I have never cried so hard over a pet. You see, Missy took my happy scratches on the head when things were good, shared many a movie with me and many, many times allowed me to bury my head in her fur in sorrow. She'd just nestle closer and let my heart empty onto her. She took on tears no one else knew I'd shed. She was as gentle as she was soft.

At 7:15 this morning I had to start calling vets. It's amazing how cold and impersonal the messages are in these places - most gave emergency services references and stated they opened at 9:00. I found one that opened at 7:30. When I called the technician was very kind and explained the various services available. When I went in she looked sad too. She asked me all about Missy and her eyes welled up. She handed me tissues and didn't try to rush me. I spent a lot of time holding Missy and felt I left her in good, loving arms.

All that and I was still the first one into the office - go figure.

Travel Story

This isn't my story, but it is one that one of my team members told me today. It's too funny to pass up. This last week, during code orange, a woman dressed to the nines, big sunglasses and teensy heels, clip -clops up to the gate on a final boarding call with her newly purchased Caribou (translated for those outside of Minnesota - Starbucks) coffee. Ask she continues towards the gate, Mr. TSA says "ma'am I'm sorry but you can't take that on board". She responds "why not? It's decaf." She steps aside and sips on it some more. (Remember final call?) Mr. TSA politely reminds her that the flight is ready to leave and she needs to board the plane. Another stip or two and she finally throws away the brew.

And would you like a butt-crack with that?

Seriously kids - if you want to show your boxers and buy your pants too big and least consider how big your tookus is before you plop it in an open back chair.

Imagine if you will, a lovely Sunday morning, outdoors. at Starbucks, me sipping my latte and reading a magazine, when suddenly I glance up to ying/yang patterns in front of me. Wearing his pajamas? No.....I can see the pants under his rear end on the chair. But there it is, in all it's glory is his BUTT CRACK.

And he wasn't in a hurry to leave. *sigh*

Ridge Trail

We hiked the Ridge Trail to the Mill Canyon turn today. Very nice, overcast day. This hike teases you with a lot of ridge lines (just when you thought you'd topped out). We saw hawks flying over the valley. Their screech was magnificent to hear.

We chatted with several bikers who seemed to come in "herds" and many times we hit the cross-roads at the same time.

The neatest thing was seeing the Timpanogos trails that we'll be doing very soon. This piecture is the muntain we'll be hiking. Square in the center, at the top, is our destination. Today was 10 miles round trip. Timp will be about 18. We promise to wave at you from up there. :)

Thank you MI-5, Scotland Yard and our HSA

Thank you for your due diligence and thwarting of a potential travesty. I know there were probably a lot of grumbly dehydrated passengers who most likely did not express themselves in the most positive appreciative manner. But know as a frequent traveler and American Citizen, I am grateful for your efforts. (And so were the grumblers.)

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's on the Trail We Go!

Sunday my daughter and I took my 6 year old grandson on his first official hike. We did the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (see my earlier blog about the trail itself). He did great! We went about a mile in and back out. I refused to haul his water for him (the only whine we got).

Timp Cave Trail

I did the Timpanogos Cave Trail again today. I went earlier this year and toured the caves themselves. Today was merely an endurance run for The Big Timp Hike coming up in a few weeks. This trail is paved, a mile long and boasts a 1000+ elevation gain. The picture is looking down on several segments of the trail. I drew lines to show how many switchbacks just this little segment has and the grade this hike offers. The first time I did this trail it took me 90 minutes just to get to the top.

Today I was up and back down in 90. Just a walk in the park - yup yup.

Teri Who?

For those of you stopping by because of the family reunion post - I'm Lucille's daughter :-) Remember the precocious one? Yup - that's me! That hasn't changed either. See you in 2008!

Tucked Way Way Away

Part of my puttering today involved digging in boxes. I had put them away after I moved here, but couldn't remember what exactly was in them. I found a card that I bought a long time ago with the intention of giving it to someone that I was spending time with, but wasn't actually dating. We'd become close. The words, as you will see, are deep. At the time, the inside was the original point and the front just struck me. I meant it half as "friend love" and half was "ah hello -- Mr. Oblivious". I never gave the card because I chickend out thinking I would freak out Mr. Oblivious. But I've held on to it. I find it every now and again. Maybe someday I'll find someone that will fully fit the card.

The front: My love for you knows no bounds. It is as endless as the universe, transcending even the very confines of time itself.
The inside: There. Top that!

Treo Toys

This is the coolest thing ever. I only wish I wanted to spend the nearly $200 they want for it. I'm not saying it isn't worth it (it is SO cool).

https://mytreo.net/store/product.php?xProd=311

Just shaking my head on the cool factor.

It's All About Me

I've prepped for two days to hike and haven't pulled it off this weekend. I'm exhausted. So I figure I need to just "nap" my way through this weekend. Sometimes stopping is what one is supposed to do. I hiked twice last weekend so my average one hike per week is still in tact.

I've been puttering around the house, a little in the yard. I've been looking for apps for my Treo on line. Resting, restoring.

I don't normally follow my horoscope - but I stumbled across this today and it is very descriptive of me. Some aready know this about me, some don't. "You make it look so easy, but what others don't realize is how much agility, ability and flexibility it takes to scale to these heights. Your decision to consistently deliver something extra has really paid off. "

So today I will care for myself.

Stewart Falls

This hike was recommended to me by a friend last year. I attempted to do it from Sundance then, but it was too early in the season and the trail still had a good deal of snow on it. This year I approached it a couple of months later and from the Aspen Grove route.

One of my friends says, "Utah is the worst state for trailhead markers". This trail was no exception. The first trail marker was half way to the destination. Fortunately there was a nice Park Ranger in the lot when I headed out and he pointed out the trailhead.

This was a nice 5-6 mile round trip hike. (Yes!! I did 18 miles this weekend).

The trail was forested and had great mountain peak views. The waterfalls were spectacular. The stream was shallow enough that I could get close to the falls (short of taking a full on shower) and enjoy the coolness of the spray.

This picture doesn't do it justice. I had to go down stream quite a ways to take in the whole view. Standing right next to the spray at the very bottom (there are people in the picture) was so refreshing and the vegetation behind and to the side of the falls was very, very lush. The sky was electric blue. I could only get a teeny patch in the picture or lose the bottom of the falls.

It was a busy day at the Falls - Pioneer Day. I saw probably 30 people up there.

Wardworth Trail

Let's see - if it isn't a workday it must be a trailday.

Wardworth Trail in Hobble Creek Canyon was our destination yesterday. Pat, Julie (shown left) and I started later in the morning. It was a warm hike, but, I think it was still cooler than the 99 degree temperatures the rest of Happy Valley was enduring (later climbing to 106).

This trail had the most forested area that I've hiked in Utah. We followed Hobble Creek upwards with moderate elevation gains. We did about 12 miles total.

I can't locate a decent Web description to share - I'll just share the trail head marker. We made it to the Dry Canyon cut off in about and hour. About another 2.5-3 miles after that we found a shady clearing to stop and eat.

Kids Say The Darnest Things

Two comments from my grandson that CANNOT go unblogged.

First Story. My grandson got his kindergarten shots today. Four of them. The nurses double team the kids to get it over quickly. His mom explained what was about to go down. "Will it make me stronger"? "Yes, it they will keep you strong and healthy". OK. Round one. No reaction. The nurses are surprised. Two down, two to go. Round two. "DAMN IT" "that hurt!". (Emphasis on "damn" and emphasis on "it"). That comment is so my mother :-)

Second story. My daughter and grandson live with me. I travel for my work. I'm often gone a week at at time and I take a shuttle to the airport so my car stays at home. I came home late at night from one recent trip and went in to the office early the next day. That next morning he looked out the window and exclaimed: "Look! Grandma's home - her car is gone!"

We put the FUN in dysFUNctional!!

The Letter

The letter my daughter has been waiting for came today. She's on her way home from her trip. It is just sitting there. Taunting me. I callled her - ARE YOU HERE YET? Are you almost here yet? She's a few hours out.

This is it - door #1 to her dreams.

I can't wait!

I hope it is what she hopes it is.

My baby!

UPDATE: It isn't the offer letter we're hoping for - but it was the next step. Almost there sweetie!

Dear Robert,

This has been a wonderful month in one regard - I've seen all the girls. And very sad in another.

E. is having a baby in a few weeks and I went to her baby shower this weekend. She has a wonderful husband. I wish so much that you two had known each other.

L. is pregnant and glowing. I took the most beautiful picture of her at the shower. J is the sweetest thing. L and C have been married for a long time now.

HM's family is beautiful. A1 is a spitting image of her mother. A(boy) is tall and handsome and has the most beautiful smile. I love him dearly. A2 is just a bundle of joy.

HC is planning on going school for interior design. I got to hike with her earlier this month. We've taken several trips together this past year. I enjoy traveling with her.

W graduated college this spring, all on scholarships. It looks like she's going to be selected for a counseling job with state Corrections. A big step on the way to her long-term goal. They will pay for her Masters. N is so beautiful - I'm going to miss him something awful when he moves away with his mom. He laughs at "Home Alone" just like you did.

Robert, you'd be so proud of all of them. They're beautiful women. I love them all so very, very much.

Your sister K is sprouting wings like me. She's got a new position that will "travel her".

Mom looks good - she misses you and Dad something terrible.

I stayed at Brian & Julie's this weekend. Honey. their baby Jacob died while being born last week. Please find him up There and watch over him OK? He was only 20 weeks along. Julie showed me his tiny footprints. I just don't know what to say to them. I thought all the way home tonight - how you would have known just what to say or do. I finally cried on the way home (the top was down on the car and my tears dried like sprinkles on a windshield). I'm sobbing now - finally. I've only had little trickles all week long. My best friend is aching terribly and THERE'S NOTHING I CAN F%#*&*$ DO ABOUT IT!

Julie's mom was there - we all talked about you a little bit.
Same with Lenny's in Seattle
Same with at Mom's
Same with at the shower - except, being that the shower was for E - most people, other than your family. didn't know me. I ended up being discussed as"Bob's third wife". I finally changed my name tag to that. I was elated that E asked me to be a part of it and as I told her later - "it is what it is".
The girls all, always talk about our parenting. I love the stories they remember.

You're in our hearts and on our minds. I don't know if you know it for sure - but you are. This song reminds me of you - always.

Even now
When there’s someone else who cares
When there’s someone home who’s waiting just for me
Even now I think about you as I’m climbing up the stairs
And I wonder what to do so he won’t see
That even now
When I know it wasn’t right
And I found a better life than what we had
Even now I wakeup crying in the middle of the night
And I can’t believe it still could hurt so bad
Chorus:
Even now when I have come so far
I wonder where you are
I wonder why it’s still so hard without you
Even now when I come shining through
I swear I think of you
And how I wish you knew
Even now
Even now
When I never hear your name
And the world has changed so much since you been gone
Even now I still remember and the feeling’s still the same
And the pain inside of me goes on and on
Even now
Even now when I have come so far I wonder where you are
I wonder why it’s still so hard without you
Even now when I come shining through I swear I think of you
And God I wish you knew
Some how
Even now

And me - I have a very loving, caring circle of friends. As usual I have a supportive and wonderful managment team to work with/for. I have the neatest job on the planet. I've made friends - both in person and online. Pat is here too - he's a good rock to lean on when I need to reminisce about days gone by and he takes me hiking. Your family keeps me as one of their own.
I just wanted you to know we've been thinking about you and we miss you.

Love, Teri

The Grass Is Greener...

...At the neighbor's. I live in a beautiful house in a nice neighborhood. My lawn is yellowed in spots. I've been summoned to meet with the HOA board to discuss a restoration agreement of some type.

Postive Notes:
My paint is not peeling
My garbage cans (garbage, recycle, green recycle) are all tucked away from sight
I have two very nice cars in the carport and nothing propped up on cinderblocks
I have flowers in the flowerbed

Negative Notes:
I live in the desert
I travel for my work
My sprinklers aren't on a timer and are broken
Watering the lawn isn't not on my top 10 things of priorities in life
I will spend more time manicuring my lawn (more so than my toes and nails - which I don't pamper either) but it will be on Sunday, when I have, in the past avoided power tools and outside work out of respect of the neighborhood's beliefs.
I will stay up later and get up earlier so I can water better. It is a balance between city ordinances and proper water conservation and my professional and famial responsibilities.
I will paste the "Utah" smile upon my face and bucky up to the "rules".

By the way - my top 10 priorities in life:
My kids, my grandkids, my faith, helping someone else, exercise, my friends, my job, etc., etc., etc. Even etc. does not include whether my lawn or anybody else's is dry. Things like food on the table and a happy heart take presidence in my book.

I'd love to have an automatic sprinkler system and have tried to obtain quotes to do so. Apparently my lawn is not on the top 10 list of contractors either. I'd love to have a personal gardener too (think Desperate Housewives :-)

Living in a very LDS neighborhood, I'm perplexed on two levels. One: why the focus on the so very generic cosmetics? I don't think President Hinkley would think these activities are constructive or productive. Why do I not see any volunteerism on the group's part to assist those not fortunate enough to reside in our "hood" that have no lawns, no cooling system, windows that are in need of insulation or reapair? I know my Priest would be kicking me out of the communion line for being so blind and ill-focused. And two: Well, I guess, I just don't understand since all the interior and exterior and career and family responsibilities fall on me, the single mother/professional, why this natty little detail has to have so much focus.

Life is so much more than a yellow lawn.

I Washed The Car

Now everyone, please, leave me alone until September. OK?

Squaw Peak - Sort Of

We didn't exactly have directions to get to Squaw Peak. We finally just stopped at what appeared to be a "trail head" and started "up. From what descriptions and pictures I found later, I know we still didn't find the real deal, but what we did find was a perfect, hike with full valley views.

I love hiking with Pat. We hike at the same pace, we complain about the same stuff, we "oh God!" about the same incredible views, we take tons of pictures and we tucker out at the same time. One can't beat that.

These pictures are from the trail which overlooks Utah County. The first picture looks over a gorgeous mountain valley and the lower one over Happy Valley. We could see our respective residences and all the local landmarks: The Provo Temple, BYU, Utah Lake, Mount Nebo.

And..... the receding snow fields of Mt. Timpanogos. Tick Tock.

I won't be able to hike next weekend :( But, we have customers in town for the next two weeks and they are avid hikers. We plan to take them back to this spot, do the "Y" and probably another one or two. And there will be a couple of BBQs. (Our customers are like family.)

The weekend after next we have another hike planned too - probably somewhere on the Nebo Loop. The perfect summer!

Fireworks

As usual the fireworks were spectacular and were better than the last time. I'm finding there are events and people in my life that are so intertwined, that any piece, disconnected from the other, might break the fragile ecosystem within my soul.

My precious daughter - my continued lure to the Northwest, my hiking partner, the friendship we've forged now that I no longer need to "momma" her.

My dear, dear friend, Lenny, who, with his every word and action endears me to him more. It is beautiful to see him find peace in his work and his soul. He's like a piece of fine wood. As the surface and edges wear, the grain and finish become more defined and the Artist's vison emerges.

I met a wonderful musician who, just for knowing her, without listening to any of her work, I know I like it. She is lyrical without a song or instrument.

The party was fun, as usual. I finally had to leave to go back to Kitsap County, catch an hour cat nap and then my shuttle to the airport.

I did miles upon miles of hiking this weekend - probably 20 or so in all. I spent time with family and friends. I picniced and partied. I didn't sleep. I'm loved. I'm restored.

The fireworks photos are taken and pubished by the Seattle Times.

The Road to Nowhere

My daughter and I decided to explore the area around her home this morning. We found a road in the back woods and followed it.

The huge "woof" "woof" "woof" scared us. We just about turn tail and ran thinking there was a dog in the woods. Nope it was a HUGE owl. They don't hoot they bark. He flew a few rounds over us, landing long enough for us to admire his largeness and then went back into his secret garden again.

Urban forests just do not exist in Utah.

Seattle Sunshine

It's true!!! My trip to Seattle was cloaked in morning fog and then burned off into the spectacular summer days I fondly remember. The mornings here though have been sooo cold. (Not complaining).

I took the ferry from Kitsap County. I loved commuting on the ferry when I worked back in Seattle after having moved to the penninsula.

I spent some time at the Pike Place Market and then walked up the hill to Capitol Hill (the "don't do this at home" street). From "the Ave" I walked up to my friend's house. (Where we'll be watching fireworks tonight). I had to laugh, he thought that I'd driven a rental and parked it a few blocks away. Nope. Hiked that puppy. And then back down to the Ferry again. About an 8 miile day. Loving that!

Hurricane Hill

Sunday. 3 miles total my carcass. Something more like straight freaking up. This was similar to the Timpanogos Cave trail. But the effort was worth it. 360 degree unobstructed views (not counting the fog over the Strait of Juan de Fuca) of Port Angeles and the cascades from the top of the hill. It was beautiful to see the remaining snow piles (one was over 6' feet high) and blanketing the whole north side of the slope.

On this picture on the left is a small snow remnant. To the right heading towards the horizon is the trail. Now if you look at the right third right where the dark blue meets the light blue of the background mountains, you'll see a tinywhite dot. That is the parking area. Blow ups of the picture show the trail popping out on the other side of the dark green hill.

We saw a deer and a couple of Olympic Marmonts. Mr. Marmont is quite the show man. He looks like an overgrown prairie dog with a squirrel tail. He was busy digging, but paused to pose bringing up a sprig of grass balanced on his nose.

This hike was literally an uphill climb without much forest. But again, another testament to the beauty of the Olympic Penninsula.

On the way home we stopped at a lavender farm. Chapstick, cookbook: cookies, candy, salad dressing. The annual Lavender Festival is next week - everything was blooming and beautifully scented.

Sol Duc Falls

Saturday. We took the "long route" to and from Sol Duc Falls. There's a short jaunt (less than a mile) from parking lot to the falls or there's the Lover's Lane trail and the "mapped, but unnamed" trail. We took Lover's to the falls and the "unnamed" back. For a total of 6 miles.
This was a lovely, forested set of trails. There is nothing like like hiking the forests of the Olympic National Park. Ferns, flowers and the wondeous scent of moss supporting forest dampness. We ate lunch at the falls. I, uncharacteristically circumvented a railing, climbed down a little hill (obviously not the first one to do so), propped myself against a tree and shot some unobtructed vews of the falls and the canyon the water cut through.



My daughter and I had the most fabulous time.

Extreme Team

I've always thought my company loved me. But it just dawned on me...I spent several winters working in Minneapolis at and experienced -40 degrees (wind chill). Today, I'm in Las Vegas and at 8pm the thermometer was registering at 118 (its a dry heat).

What is the message here :-)

Tick Tock It's Amost Timpanogos Time

I'm watching the snow melt..

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Timp_6520.asp

I did 10 miles this weekend on a flat trail. A few more practice runs, a trip or two up to Timpanogos Cave and I'll be ready to rock and roll!!

Almost

PostSecrets 6.25.06

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Bonneville Shoreline Trail - Provo

Once again, I fell short of the "whole route". This time though, it was because I read about the trail post-hike. I figure now that I was half a mile or mile from the end, now that I know there was an "end" to this section. And actually, I could see the where I think the end was - because I really wanted to keep going and not stop - but I figured next time I'd start at one of the midpoints and then proceed further. I usually end up dog tired because after I go as far as I can, I still have to get back to the beginning. Enough about the shouldacouldawouldas.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/bonsh-pr.htm

This was a fabulous trek! I took poles, but didn't need to. There was a decent amount of wildlife: a hawk flew a few feet above my head into the canyon, a lizzard, ground squirrels, something waited me out in the bushes (a delicate walker - I'm thinking a deer). A stream to cross.

Two specatular views presented themselves: The view of the canyon highway between Provo and heading towards Sundance and Provo itself with Utah Lake behind it. The trail was well maintained and the grade was great for a moderate stroll.

From one of the open areas on my path I could see a trail/area that I've been wanting to explore, but didn't have a good map to see where it would take me. And now I know that I definitely want to cross the road and explore the Provo section of the Great Western Trail.

The neat thing about hiking is you can knock off a 10-12 mile hike by noon if you just "bother" to get out of bed.

Puisque je peux

Je vais à Paris en décembre !

The Grandma Factor

OK - The grandma "tolerance" gene has finally kicked in. It is a miracle transformation that I heard was commonplace, but had yet to experience. Take this scenario.

The rule was no nailpolish in the living room. Has it ever been followed? No. Same this weekend. All nails (including the boys who wanted to be really funny) were done. And this morning the inevitible happened (do the math). Bottle of polish spilled on the floor. Better yet, not just a blob, but a lightening bolt streak caused from trying to recover the dropped bottle in a panic.

My granddaughter's mother was grim and grandma (me) just plain didn't care. I checked the internet and found some possible solutions (we'll see if they actually work). We'll deal with it tomorrow after the kids leave. I just don't care. It is just carpet. Her feelings were hurt - no need. We'll deal with it. The moms in the house are like - "wait a minute - you'd freak on me". Yup - that's the Mom Factor. This is the Grandma Factor. The rules have changed.

Trail Discoveries

Last weekend I hiked along the Provo River trail and discovered a trailhead I hadn't seen before. I took on a bit of it and have decided I want to to more. It was part of the Great Western Trail (http://gwt.org). The Great Western Trail system traverses 4,455 miles through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. A whopping 1600 miles of the trail exist in Utah. Utah stretch alone is about 600 miles short of the full length of the Appalacian trail.

Today I was up on the Provo River Trail (a different stretch than last week) and found another trail head The Bonneville Shoreline Trail. It is a 90 mile path that follows the eastern shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville from Springville to Salt Lake City.

I am on a roll - getting some hiking in every weekend. Lovin' the summer.

Air Supply

I had a post up about the Air Supply concert I attended on Memorial Day, but the picture I was trying to upload of them just wouldn't show. Trying different technical tricks, I erased the post. Anyway.

The concert was great. I really like the smaller, more intimate venues. I had a 6th row seat. The two really played to the audience, even walking through the crowd while singing and playing the guitar. It was great. I loved this song - it was the first time I'd ever heard it.

I was down my dreams were wearing thin
When you're lost where do you begin
My heart always seemed to drift from day to day
Looking for the love that never came my way
Then you smiled and I reached out to you I could tell you were lonely too
One look and then it all began for you and me
The moment that we touched I knew that there would be
CHORUS
Two less lonely people in the world
And it's gonna be fine
Out of all the people in the world I just can't believe you're mine
In my life where everything was wrong
Something finally went right
Now there's two less lonely people
In the world tonight
Just to think what I might have missed
Looking back how did I exist
I dreamed, still I never thought I'd come this far
But miracles come true, I know 'cause here we are
CHORUS
Tonight I fell in love with you
And all the things I never knew Seemed to come to me somehow
Baby, love is here and now there's
CHORUS

Eeeewwwww!

I went to the office today to drop off some things for the breakfast party tomorrow. The office park area that I work in has ponds and streams and ducks. Right now there are lots of ducks. And lots and lots and lots of baby ducks.

As I turn into the driveway I see a lone yellow teeny weenie baby duck. He's peeping to beat the band.

I do my tasks inside, call my daughter and ask if she really wants the duck she's been talking about for a month. Yes! I said if he was still out there by himself and I could catch him without a swim, I'd bring him home.

As I'm leaving and I still hear Mr. Squawker. I'm really starting to feel guilty about duck-napping. But...the being on one side of my shoulder says if it is still there and in distress then I'm doing the right thing. The other side of course is saying "no don't".

I get to the edge of the driveway and get out of my car. I'm still hearing peeping, but not so much. I make a chirping sound and the grass moves. I look and there he is wrapped up in the long grass. I reach for him and he struggles, but I can see that he's pretty stuck, kind of laying sideways. The grass is that sticky grass that just seems to grab fluffly clothes. So I figure he's fluffy, etc.

Well being superhero I wrap my hand around him and pull figuring I'd just rip the grass. Out he comes with some resistance and so does the %@#*$(!% SNAKE that is attached to him.

Aaaaaaaggggggguuuuuuuhhhhhhh!

He was still alive when I "rescued" him. "Jack" died later in the evening.

So much for being a superhero today. I can hardly wait to see what that event does to my subconscious.

Sylvan Lake Trail

Sylvan Lake Trail skirts the entire lake. I took this hike after work one day. It was an easy one and didn't require hiking poles and allowed me pretty much to zone out. I'd packed my dinner (hummus, wheat tortillas, blackberries), but there really wasn't a place to stop where I wouldn't be dinner to the newly hatched mosquitos. Nearing evening and being between the hills and the lake, I could hear limbs breaking up the hill. I'm sure it was about time for the deer to come down for their evening cocktails. I didn't wish to surprise or be surprised so I ended up eating in the Beast (the rental company gave me, ME, a Trail Blazer).

I loved this curvy tree. I'm sure there's an interesting story to tell as to how it grew that way.

Sylvan Lake is about 15 miles from Eagle. I enjoyed my stay in Eagle. It allowed me to get to work quickly (west) and have good access to Vail (east). I walked to/through town most mornings and evenings. I even managed to make an evening service at St. Mary's.

I grew up in Colorado. I'm in Utah now, a stone's throw from the hills. I love being here - but the mountains just aren't the same as Colorado's. John Denver captured it a it a long, long time ago.

The week in Vail was great. I managed to pull off three fabulous hikes. It felt more like vacation than work. Thank you Colorado!

Hanging Lake

The group I was working with this week decided we needed a little "team building" exercise and a hike to the "boardroom" was in order.

Hanging Lake was one of the most beautiful excursions I've taken. It's up there with the Washington Coast, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Timpanogos in its uniquess and beauty. Breathtaking.

The climb is had 1020 feet elevation gain in 1.2 miles. The trail "up" follows the stream's path downward. The stream was rushing hard as several people said it was the peak of the spring run off week. This borrowed picture shows the final few "steps" to reach the lake.

Sprouting rock is a bit further up the path and very much worth the extra few yards of climbing. The rock in this picture is well over 6' high.

You can find out more about the trail here: http://hikingincolorado.org/hang.html

Booth Creek Trail

Working in Eagle County this coming week inspired me to come a day early to do some hiking. One of the Vail information booths told me about this hike (not many trails open yet). Sunday morning I hit the trail at 8:00AM. It was so beautiful.

I was the only person going up and only met a handful of people coming down. I didn't make it all the way to the falls. About 1/4 mile from the falls there was a snow field on the mountainside that covered the trail. It was too steep for me to take on my own. Where the trail might be there was ice. Where I stuck my poles to see if there was a trail - it was soft and the poles poked in but found no earth. If only I had thought to bring a shovel - LOL.

Here is a wrap-around view of the trail: http://rockymountainscenery.com/booth/booth1qtvr.html


Here you can see the various versions of "spring" depending on the altitude. Where I was taking the picture the trees had started to leaf out. The trees at the next level were just barely starting to bud. The trail description boasted meadows abundant with wildflowers. The day I was hiking was very warm, but it was one of the first of the season. The flowers weren't ready to show themselves.



There's a small airport in Eagle. The commercial planes are all prop jobs. I learned on this hike that as the planes come near the valley, the sound they make is similar to the low growl of a large cat. Fortunately there were some frolicking Partridges that helped check my overactive imagination.

Two hikes in two weekends YES!

The Scariest Thing

I was driving home tonight, at dusk, on one of our main residential streets. Going the opposite direction, on the sidewalk was a toddler. On the sidewalk, in the street, on the sidewalk, in the street. As I'm watching him in my side mirror, I'm starting to get very cold. I pulled over and asked a guy who was just getting out of his car and chasing his dog who is running towards me (big dog, top down, little car, thank you) if he knew where the little boy lived. He didn't.

With that, I flipped the car around. I was trying to follow the little guy and not scare him, but not let him back in the street. I start talking to him and he came towards the car. I was frantically waving at the people's house I'm parked in front of and still trying to keep up with the kidlet. Finally they opened the door. They didn't know him either. Then he was on a dead run into the street. I doubled my speed so if the car that I thought was coming would see me first. False alarm.

All of a sudden he turns around, runs back to me, arms in the air and lets me pick him up. My legs turn to rubber and it took everything I had not to drop like a rock. I was debating with myself about calling the police when a lady a couple of houses up the street started to frantically call a child's name.

I called out that I had him. I put the baby into Mom's arms. She was pretty much speechless and was probably more rubber legged than I was. She was trying to tell me how he must have opened the door and slipped out.

(May 30th update. A couple of days later I realized it was the grandma I had handed the baby to. Driving home tonight I recognized the woman who was walking up the stame the street using a white cane. Now, her speechlessness makes a whole lot more sense. Her grandson had wandered outside and there was no way for her to SEE where he had gone. Thank you Lord for making me STOP!)

I know honey, my grandson was and is still the master escape artist. Earlier this year he rode his bike past her house to the mall (nearly 2 miles) and we didn't know he was gone. He's called 911 twice now - the most recent call was to complain to the dispatcher that my daughter told him he couldn't go outside to play.

Yes, ma'am, your child is probably nearing the age of two.....that hug I gave you, wasn't just for today - it was for all the excitement yet to come.MM

Every Sunday

I go to Church on Sunday - but the blog isn't about that.

Every Sunday I log in to Post Secret. I love this site. Some of the posts are funny, some heartbreaking. Sometimes there are things stated that I do/have done/have said/have thought and get a good belly laugh that there's someone (or two, or three) out there just like me :-)

I still haven't seen my secret and I'm trying to figure out how to portray it. One of these days I'll send it in but I won't tell you which one it is....that's a secret!

Wine Club

Tonight was Wine Club night. Now for anyone reading this outside of Utah - you're thinking "so what"? Well, here in Happy Valley, the fermented fruit if the vine is not the beverage of choice on a Saturday evening.

The group is really for/from a housing area where some friends/co-workers of mine live. Even though I'm a Valley Northerner, I've been included. We have a great time tasting different wines, (in our club - tasting means "let's see how a half a glass of that tastes"), talking about their local government's politics, living in Utah, and just whatever.

It's really nice to have some new friends "on the vine".

Opening Day

Today was 2006's Opening Day for the Timpanogos Cave. I've done the hike each year, usually in the fall, but I don't always tour the caves. I made it to the top in an hour - this means I'm in shape and ready for the hiking season :)



This year I did the cave tour. Creepy thing though. We follow the ranger through the caves and every now and again, along the walls you'll find a ranger or two crouching. As you pass, they get up and continue on their way in the opposite direction. I know they're there to make sure everyone keeps going and doesn't decide to do their own cave exploration - but it just creeps me out.

And for me, how could there not be adventure? I got stung by a bee after I'd come off the mountain. I'd gone across the road to nosh on some nachos by the raging river. Coming back across the foot bridge there was that familiar "ouch". I did the bee hop and tried to disrobe in front of a dozen people trying to get the bee out of my shorts. I went into the Ranger's station in search of a pair of tweezers (Lenny told me I was supposed to ALWAYS carry a frist aid kit - did I listen - NOOOO). I was dubbed the first "accident victim" of the season. GREEEAAATT!

Empty Nest

My youngest daughter graduated from college a couple of weeks ago. She and her son live with me. Empty nest emotions are setting in as I listen to her adventures of finding her "dream career". Her dream job will surely take here away from where we live. I'm not sad. I'm not a brooder. I've already started my list of "things to do".

I have a million things I have thought of doing when I "could just do them". I'll just have to methodically start working through it. This time of my life has been referred to in the past as "the golden years". I think it has always been thought of in the vein of sunsets, closure, downhill, aging. Me? I'm thinking "gold" as in "precious" and will work toward the goal of "platinum" as in "I'm not going to waste a single opportunity".

Here's to both of us.

Viva Las Vegas

My oldest daughter and I headed south to Las Vegas this week.....about 12 hours after I landed from my Dayton trip. Las Vegas was a road trip in the Miata. WHAT A BLAST!

I've been to Vegas nearly a dozen times. Each trip offered its own unique purpose and created its own history. A few trips have been work related and have either minimal signifigance or allowed me to stay at a notable casino. I recalled trips with significant others - each with its own adventure and place in my heart. Despite the numbers of visits this one took on its own uniqueness and place in history.

It was Heather's first visit to Sin City. She had places she wanted to see and I had places I wanted to show her. A perfect balance. We found the Klondike. This was where Robert and I stayed when we rolled into town with no forethought during spring break in March of 1986. We'd decided to get married and just went about doing it - with no reservations (nice play on words Teri). I had no idea where we had really ended up.

I was able to share the Golden Gate with her - the secret world Craig introduced me to. We dined on shrimp and beer. We kidded around with Bob Long, the Golden Gate's pianist. Heather got the Fremont Experience.

I did some of my famous "gee I hope I can find that thing I didn't buy last time I was here and wished I had" shopping. I did some of my "there's a Sephora here" shopping. And I introduced Heather to Chad....sure to be my dearest Las Vegas friend. Chad runs the Metropolitan Interiors store - at Sahara/Paradise Roads. I adore him, I can't visit Vegas without visiting his store and can't leave without buying something from him. He dotes on me during my visits and is just "so cute". It works out well because I just have to eat at India Oven which is in the same shopping center.


And of course the trip wouldn't have been at all if it weren't for my icon Barry Manilow. We did the April 26 show, 2nd row. AWESOME as always. I've created two Barry fans this year...my Mother-in-law Joanne and Heather. Yes, it is a very fine year.

Dayton, Ohio

This week's trip is to lovely, downtown Dayton, Ohio.

Friday evening my little happy feet found the river walk, a great coffee shop with wonderful chocolate candy (my substitute for a real man I've been told). I located the Catholic Church and a Peace Museum: www.daytonpeacemuseum.org.

Saturday was warm and sunny. I wandered around downtown all day, basked in the spring sun at the river, visited and shopped at the Peace Museum (why oh why when I'm traveling must I buy things like figurines?), revisited the coffee shop and bought more candy, and went to Mass. The church was so beautiful inside. They had a brochure on the parish's history that explained all the decor. Beautiful!

My customer took me on a 90 mile tour of the region Friday. It was interesting because this is where my family came from. I recognized many of the township's names. I wish I had a car - I'd be out in the country cemetery in no time flat.

Mt. Timpanogos

This is the mountain that Teri hiked.

Late last summer we did "the trek" and took the Aspen Grove trail to attempt to get to the top of Mount Timpanogos. We tuckered out about a mile from the top - that would be a little more over that way, some more up there and some back that way.

It was a beautiful hike, all 14 or so miles of it and a very long day. We saw snow caves, a glacier, Columbine, even a moose (not the one shown below). Will we make it to the top next year? Damn right we will!

Counterculture

From www.answers.com - coun·ter·cul·ture (koun'tar-kŭl'ch'r) n. A culture, especially of young people, with values or lifestyles in opposition to those of the established culture.

In Utah one definition might also read "e.g. Wine Tasting Club". Without explaining the pairing dynamics of the core part of this group, I was invited to a friend's house for a wine tasting party. Supposedly there were supposed to be one or two other couples, the host/hostess (friends/co-workers) and Pat and myself (pair, not couple).

A flyer about the club/event had been posted in the common area of the group's homes and it had been "removed". The paragraph that had been submitted in the local newsletter had been trimmed to a sentence. But a crowd showed up! A few other "prospects" were later identified as possible "drinkers".

The cross-section of occupations, religions and backgrounds was so refreshing (as was tasting the different kinds of wines). We all commented on how somewhat rebellious and how very liberated we all felt.

There was another emotion from the evening that I personally experienced and that had to do with coming of age and "me". This is the type of life I've been seeking for decades. I've found myself (even though I would have never, in a million years, thought that that ephiphany could even remotely have a chance to occur in Utah).

Could it be, perhaps. that without contrast one cannot fully appreciate the image?

Jules

I worked with Jules a few months before I got to know her. We became friends 17 years ago today. I remember the date because I left my Income Tax forms at home and had to drive back during my lunch hour so I could mail them. Jules offered to keep me company on the drive. I'm really glad she did.

Over the 17 years we've collected a few stories ("hey sailor") , logged a few miles (Seattle to Denver to Key West), fought a few battles (Go Broncos!) and cried a few tears. I'm so happy we've maintained our friendship despite geography changes - my life would have been quite dull without having known her.

I'm so happy for her too - after taking the l-o-n-g road, she and her high school sweetheart got back together and got married. And now after a whole lot of practice they have:

Coon Rapids

Yes, it is true, I was in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Here's a bit of trivia for you....Did you know that Minnesota is known for the highest annual production of CHOPSTICKS? This I heard over dinner. I had to see if I could substantiate the statement beyond local yore. Sure enough I found this on the Internet (and that makes it REAL - right?!?) "There is a company in Hibbing, MN which is expected to produce about 7 million chopsticks daily".........and it goes on to say "In the case of the plant in Minnesota the question remains as to whether converting trees into chopsticks is a responsible use of timber. "

I can see the headlines if this gets out: Chopstick Manufacturing Threatens Timber Levels in Northern Central U.S.

The shuttle driver who took me to the airport won my admiration - I teased him about stopping at a Starbucks for me. HE DID! And offered up some fabulous stores. Jennifer Aniston thanks you Danny from the bottom of my paper cup!

Retire the Groundhog!

I've come to believe there is only one sure way to determine that Spring has officially arrived. The top goes down on the Miata. Folks, Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I can tell you exactly where Teri is.



Bye bye!

Magnificent Magnolias

This picture was taken on my very first trip to Georgia. Magnolias are huge (bigger than a Frisbee) and smell exquisite. I wanted to drown in the essence.

Sweet tea, sweet potato pie, Sonny's BBQ.

Southern drawls, rocking chairs on verandas, humidity - I love it all.

Home

I'm home this weekend. The weather's lovely. I'm not inundated with work. So...
I did Spring cleaning, laid on the hammock with Baby Kitty and thus became a human magnet for Baby Kitty's departing winter fur. I walked, I pulled weeds. We changed lightbulbs. I had the snow tires removed, watched a movie. Basically lived a life.

We had a robin hopping across the back fence and across the yard. The two quail that had a race around the front had us laughing hysterically.

It feels so good and looks so nice! Welcome spring!

Barry Manilow

If you know me, you know this. If you don't know me here is Lesson #1. I am a Fanilow. It isn't a closet addiction - I'll tell anyone.

Most recently I attended Barry's show in Las Vegas during the PBS Special taping. 3rd row. I'm going back next month for my birthday, April 26. I have a 2nd row seat. This will be my 17th or 18th concert of his. A little trivia - the first concert I attended in Red Rocks, Colorado had a ticket price of $12.50. I have attened his concerts in Red Rocks, Denver, Portland, Puyallup, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. A couple of years ago I hopped a plane and attended in Phoenix - life goal #32 fulfilled.

My hope upon hope - to meet Barry next month. I could scratch off life goal #101.

Thank you Barry for all the variety and memories.

Your #1 Fan!