Some Saturday: Photos to Come

* Yard Sales
* 3-on-3 Tournament
* Moved a lot of furniture.
* Unexpected trip to Big Timber.
* Made Sushi.
* New Baby on the way!
* Freecycled the Sleigh Bed
* Grace settled in her new room.
* Jeremiah Johnson returned from the Beartooths.

What a Happy Birthday

Jim left this morning to go hiking in the Beartooth's, and I wondered what kind of birthday this would be with my Beloved wandering around in the wilderness, far from home.  Far from me.  In fact, it turned out to be a great birthday.  Emily made homemade cinnamon rolls for my breakfast this morning.  My boss baked me a birthday cake.  Emily and David brought me flowers, a balloon, and a candy bar at work today.  The carpet man laid the carpet in the new family room.  I received a card from all my coworkers.  I shared my book from Bailey and Caden at work, and was told that Bailey looks just like me.   I got to spend a $10/off coupon at the mall today.  I got to start moving furniture into the new family room.  I received several phone calls and dozens of facebook birthday greetings.  A dear one had her little boy today!  Emily and I made a midnight dash to get an ice cream sundae...just to clarify, midnight to Em and I is 9:00pm., we kind of like to go to bed early.

A good day indeed!  But I did miss my True Love sharing the day with me!  Hope he's sleeping well tonight in his tent.

Eggseptional Video

Since I can't figure out how to download this video, I'm just posting the link.  I've watched this video a dozen times today.  Hopefully G&G can see it, too!  (G&G: Click on the link below)

Bailey-Mom
Apparently you need a facebook account to view this video.
Sorry G&G.

Birthday Week

While at a sandwich shop on Saturday, I saw a sign of "16 Things That Took Over 50 Years for Me to Learn," by Dave Barry.  It was great reading, but #11 especially caught my eye. 

11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.

Well, when I was eleven, 7-Eleven had a jingle "Oh, thank heaven, for 7-Eleven."  Of course, all things being about me, I changed the jingle to "Oh, thank heaven, for Kim's eleven".  And ever since then, mostly, my birthday has been a pretty big deal.   And this is my birthday week.  You see, not only do I make a big deal about my birthday on my birthday, but it has now become a grand celebration of my birthday week. And I totally expect other people to make a big deal about it.  After all, I make a pretty big deal about everyone else's birthday! 

If you want to send me gifts or cards, please be sure to have them in the mail by midnight on Tuesday. 
Seriously, I love this birthday stuff!

It's Friday night, and I do have somebody!

After work today, I drove home to check on my guys, Jim and DK.  DK had CA over and they were perfectly contented shooting hoops.  I waited until Jim left for a funeral, then I went to pick Grace up from work.  Took her to a babysitting job.  Called Emily who was already gone for the weekend doing some house-sitting.  I thrifted a little at the 1/2 Price Friday sale; got some curtain rods, a couple shirts, a pair of baby shoes, and some partylite candles. As I was leaving the store, DK called and asked to go to CA's for the night.  I always let him go to CA's because he's a good guy. and I like DK spending time with good guys.

So, Jim: at a funeral.
Emily: house-sitting.
Grace: babysitting.
David: on an overnight.

I was glad to see Andrew when I returned home, and together we watched Whale Wars, then he asked to borrow the car to go to A's.  Sure.

I was just about to be lonely when Jim walked in from the funeral.  It was a funeral for a 20-year-old girl, that was killed in an accident a few days ago.  Alcohol was involved.  The funeral was held at the girl's home.  Even though there didn't appear to be any "religious" people in the bunch, they were blessed by Jim's words and presence tonight.  He spoke truth to hurting hearts.  Truth can either be a healing balm or salt in the wound.  There was probably a little of both tonight.  That's okay.  Both comfort and pain can lead to changed lives.  I'm so glad I'm married to a man that works to be an agent of change.

"But It's A Dry Heat"

Too hot to sit on my back porch this morning.
No air-conditioning in the house or my car.
Had to install a blind under a blind to block the evening sun.
Talked the boys into cooking dinner, so I could avoid the heat.
Considered going to see Harry Potter to be inside a cool theater.
Will not go to Farmer's Market for fear of melting.

So "it's a dry heat" you say?
Tell that to the sweat dripping down my back.

Name That Book

Here are a few of my favorite lines from the book I finished today.

"Every day was a happy day, and every night was peaceful."

"Yes," she replied in her sweet, musical voice, "I always give them an anaesthetic so they won't feel the pain.  It's a little service I throw in."

"It is quite possible that an animal has spoken civilly to me and that I didn't catch the remark because I wasn't paying attention.  Children pay attention better than grownups."

"Well, they have to grow up some time, and a fair is a good place to start, I guess."

"It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer."

UPDATE:  Charlotte's Web.

Beach Babies

It's been awfully hot in Oklahoma.

But somehow these two cuties are keeping their cool.

Summer Reading

I don't regularly take the time to read.  There.  I said it.  I'm too tired, too busy, too lazy to read.  I am pretty good about borrowing, buying, and getting books.  And I'm not too bad at starting books.  But really reading books, from cover to cover, understanding, and not college-text-book skimming books, now that's a rarity.  Unless it's summertime!  Several summers ago I decided I would make it my goal to read one book, a classic, one I'd never read, so I chose To Kill A Mockingbird.  I loved it!  So each summer I make a concentrated effort to read one classic.  A couple years ago I read Jayne Eyre.  I asked for a copy for my July birthday, and finished it...by Christmas!  I did finish it, though.  And loved it.  Thought maybe I would read it again sometime when I have another six months.

So this summer I have made another concentrated effort to read.

I finished this book this morning.  I might have considered the two-hour investment a waste if I hadn't been sitting on the back porch, watching the sunrise, basking in it's warm, healthy-vitamin-D glow.  I picked this up at Sacs, drawn to it by the cover.  And after reading it, I really don't know what the cover has to do with the story.  I was disappointed, but read 'til the end. 

  I read this book because:

A.  It's apparently very popular

B.  Grace had read it and loved it.

C.  It has a red cover with the word "love" on it; two of my favorite things.

It was a easy read, with great encouragement in living a life of love and service.  Something we could all use a little more of.

I have already started my next book.

Stay tuned.

Oh, and any suggestions for my Summer Classic choice?

Fourth Report

The Fourth found us at the Shureb home, complete with Mushball Field, tables of food, and one roasted pig.

Said Mushball Field

My S'mores-On-A-Stick

Roasted Pig

Wonderful host and hostess

Pig's Roasted Face

Because the pig had a face, and because I saw the face, I somehow couldn't eat much of the roasted pork.  I had a couple bites, but then I really don't eat pork, even when I haven't seen the face.  So I enjoyed lots of sides!  And a couple hours of good conversation.  Jim enjoyed the Mushball game.  I enjoyed not being forced to play.  It was a great day!

Hoopfest, The Croissant

A three-hour wait between games left me wandering downtown Spokane, looking for breakfast.  This corner cafe caught me eye and the line out the door indicated it must be delightful.

The outdoor seating wasn't exactly a sidewalk cafe in Paris, but it would do.

Charming, complete with instructions.

I waited in line for nearly thirty minutes before even getting into the cafe.

The cases and counters were full of freshly made pastries and breakfasts.

I bypassed the french toast and quiche for this irresistible almond croissant.  After all I am all-things-almond; almond bear claws, amaretto lattes, sweet almond body oil, almond butter and amaretto candles!  Yum!  My first bite of this dainty took my breath away, literally,  as my eyes rolled into the back of my head.  Should food really taste that good?  Or maybe the question should be "Shouldn't ALL food taste that good?"

Yes, David's team winning the championship at Hoopfest was sweet.  But this wonderfully almond delightful croissant breakfast was the perfect pregame delicacy. 

Hoopfest, the Team

Playing on the streets

Over 7,000 teams of all ages competed.  40 city blocks were closed.

Bozeman Junior Hawks

Championship Game Salute

Champions

Hoopfest, the Hoopla

Hoopfest had quite a carnival feel. 

It also had a touristy feel, including it's own memorabilia store.

There was also an ominous feel with injury boards and emergency carts.

The downtown mall was p.a.c.k.e.d. with people.  Tall people.

There were cute vehicles, and free cheese.

Between games I found myself with quite a bit of free time.

  Maybe too much free time?

Happy Fourth!

My earliest July 4th memories involve laying on the blacktop of the elementary school behind my grandparent's home in Rockville, MD.  I must have been young, because I remember being terrified!  It seemed as if the rockets' red glare were the bombs bursting in air, right over my head.  Since then, I've watched fireworks in many places.

I've viewed fireworks on the riverfront in St. Louis, in Chihuahua, Mexico, from an airplane in Phoenix, AZ, and one particular July 4th I watched fireworks from our balcony in Springfield, MO, praying that our overdue baby would not share a birthday with the USofA.

Another memorable viewing was the July 4, 1976 bicentennial celebration in Washington DC.  I was not so afraid of the fireworks that year, but remember being a bit unnerved by the reported 1,000,000 people that were on the mall.

Many summers found us watching Mr. John's fireworks at New Life Ranch.  Although a couple of those summers, either Jim or I were in the cabin with a terrified toddler.

Our first summer in Chicago, July 4th found us on top of some unknown hill, viewing several firework shows all around the North Shore.  The Nellis family in Lake Zurich, IL provided a lake-front show the next year.

Tonight we will be guests of the Thompson's again, for their very own backyard fireworks display!  It seems like no matter where we celebrate July 4th, there is always a pause to remember where we have been, not only as a country, but as a family.  I am so thankful for both.