Sea + Friends + Family

To-See List

This weekend, I have a list of to-do's, or rather, to-see's. There are some special people in my life I must make time for, and want to make time for. My schedule doesn't always allow for it, especially since I have to make a trip to see them.

1. Shannon C.

Shannon's my oldest friend - from 1st grade. I remember seeing her at school, with her cool paint-splatter t-shirt and freckled face. One day I was playing in my front yard, and she pulled around in the driveway in a old blue ford that her dad drove. We smiled and waved and I knew from that moment on, we would be good friends. She stayed my friend even after one of our cows kicked her in her face and knocked her front teeth out. Gotta love the friends who stick with you through the thick and thin. I've probably laughed more with Shannon than all my other friends combined!

I had the privilege to be a bridesmaid in her wedding to Craig about 6 years ago. Since then, Craig has lived with Lou Gherig's disease (ALS) for about a year. He's not been given much more time to live, and it's heartbreaking to see his condition worsen and their lives dramatically change. It's times like these I wish I lived 5 minutes away. I would want to make them meals, try my best to make them laugh, or just listen. I pray for them and I want to see Craig back to his old self.

2. Jenny A.

Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. I met her in 5th grade, at church, I think. She was crazy. And I loved being with her. My wildest stories as a kid must all link back to her somehow. She was Anne and I was Diana. She's the friend I learned to dream with. We were always dreaming about the Thelma & Louise style cross-country road trip we'd take the moment we graduated from high school. We knew exactly what kind of men we'd marry, and that we both wanted long tree-lined driveways to our picture perfect homes. I've seen five of her dreams come true: Roger, Abby, Emily, Lily and Matthew.

So this weekend, I'll go stay at Jenny's. My heart has missed her!

3. John Charles

What to say, what to say...this one's a doozy.

I'm officially making the drive down south because of him. Because of Father's Day, and he's my father. I haven't seen him in years. He's a hard man to keep track of. But there's no dad like him. When he laughs, I die laughing - it's contagious, I can't help it. His eyes and smile stand out from his tanned, leathery face. He's been a logger for over 30 years, so he's tough and lean. He has a brokenness about him that makes me want to cry forever when I see it in his face. I want my dad to be whole and new again. I had a dream once that he was at church with me, and he was wearing a classy fedora, and his skin was a smooth as a child's.

So I'm going to try and hunt him down tomorrow, and if I don't find him, I'll go to....

4. the Pacific Ocean

I need the sea. I need the wind and the cold, salty air. I need the sand in my toes. I need to go on a looooooong walk and talk with God.

This will move you.

Days with my Father

When the sun seems so far away....

I wish I were at The Parker.


I'd walk through those big orange doors...


Through the lobby...


And have a nice cool drink at Norma's. Then I would most definately take a nap in the shade.



After that, I'd probably go on a walk through the grounds...





I'd have dinner and dessert...



And sleep sound until the next morning when I do it all over again...

Death by Laughter

Go here NOW.

Twinkle Tree

I don't know about anyone else, but I like trees with twinkles in them.

"I wish I could sit on the moon."
- Ieuan Price-Davies, 5, London, UK

Hurricane Ike

Check out these amazing photos of what happened when Hurricane Ike came through.

Thought of the day.

I like white, and I'm proud of it.

It was a beautiful day at Alpental...

Heather...



Jill...



and I...



put on our boots...


and began the ascent.



There were exotic flowers...



and boulder fields...



and mossy rocks...



Pretty soon we were above snow level.



The last mile was solid switchbacks, and Heather was leading at a good pace, but it was worth it all when we came to Snow Lake.



We stopped at the lake to eat & drink...



Heather: "I'd give you a bite of my sandwich, but then you'd want the whole thing."



and Jill killed a bee that was attacking me!



Isn't it gorgeous?!



The end!

Fanfare

I found this photo online, and have to share it. I love it!

On another note... have you ever seen a lisianthus? It's one of my favorite flowers.



I bought a bouquet at Whole Foods on June 13th. It's lasted until today. 4 weeks! Just a simple little bouquet. All you do it put sugar in the water and voila! Long-lasting flowers.

A Weekend Away

Christy, Connie, Jen and I went to San Juan Island this last weekend.

I suggest at some point in your life, live with 3 good friends. And go on vacations together. And laugh a lot. And toast a lot. And meet lots of people from foreign nations. It's so wonderful.



The pier at Anacortes




We got up at 4am to take this trip.







Where we stayed.




We had dinner at Roche Harbor on the 4th.







We rented these scootery pod things on our last day.

Happy 4th of July!!

I get to go with my girls (Connie, Christy, Jen) to Friday Harbor for the weekend. We're staying in a log cabin out in the country! We'll watch fireworks out at Roche Harbor, ride mopeds, collect rocks at South Beach and hopefully get some kayaking in.

What are you doing for the 4th??