Monday, May 30, 2011

A long (rainy) weekend

Red roses, purple peonies, white as love
We continue to have a cold, wet spring as evidenced by the skiff of snow on the rooftops this morning. But inclement weather and all, I love a long weekend, rain, shine, or otherwise. Say no to the Sunday night blues. Say yes to sleeping in and sharing the last piece of banana bread for breakfast. Today we remember those who have gone before us, in battle, in sickness, in tragedy, in youth. We remember them all. And miss her too.

The sun did make an appearance on Saturday and BD and I played a bit of tennis and ran a million errands. We made it home just as heavy clouds rolled across the valley. What do to but watch a movie and fall asleep to the sound of rain falling outside open windows. On Sunday we ate salted baked potatoes with BD's family and tart rhubarb pie with mine. We were delighted to met Jody's new fiancé Mark and see the wing. Even though he still uses a hotmail email account the sisters and I decided we can work around that. He's in.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

A few weeks ago

I need to play a bit of catch up. Earlier this month we spent a weekend in Deer Valley: it was a dreamy slice of staycation pie. I particularly love the off season. Not just because the hotel staff is embarrassingly attentive, but because the whole area is nearly deserted and you feel as though you have it all to yourself.

BD already mentioned that we enjoyed a Sunday brunch and two weeks later I'm still thinking about it. I'm telling you, the Glitretend is my most favorite place to eat brunch. The last time we had brunch there was on our first wedding anniversary. Aw, nostalgia. The food is so good you need a cigarette afterwards.
Knox Blox Rainbow Jello Kabobs / Glitretind Restaurant

You shouldn't be surprised to know that my favorite part was the dessert room. I fell in love with these Knox Blox rainbow jello kabobs. I mean really, aren't they perfect? They made my whole weekend. Well actually, big white fluffy robes, a hot tub soak, and dinner with friends also had something to do with it.

Friday, May 13, 2011

I am: trying new things, like tennis

For the record, I am not a highly coordinated or sporty individual. I've proven this to myself time and time again. Flash back to Jr. High during a Jr. Jazz (city basketball league) game where I caught a rebound much to the shock of myself and team mates and in a total anxious panic I threw the ball back up in the air and SCORED A BASKET FOR THE OTHER TEAM. I kid you not. The shame of that moment has been with me for an eternity until recently when I realized that hey! I made a basket! In a basketball game! With people watching! There's a really good possibility that was the only basket I made the entire season and I will cherish those two points forever and ever amen.
Fast forward 15 years and the competitive drive is still very much lacking (except for annual Speed Championships with the family: watch out). And the anxiety of being in front of people is still very much present. I am no stinky cheese because it is clear that coordination does not get better with age. However, the only sports I've ever, and I mean EVER squeaked out a win against BD are racquetball and tennis. So obviously this is something I feel very obligated to pursue so that he is never allowed a leg up. Our marriage depends on it.

{Bethany, Dani, Nerd, Jane, DeeDee, and Kim @ Coach Mike's} Photo courtesy of sweet Jane
This week I started TENNIS LESSONS. Somehow I miraculously convinced 5 other women that this was a good idea, and they started with me. BD had to push me out the door that first night because I was so nervous. But in the end, it was the most fun I've had in a good long while. Once we had been chastised for not having the right shoes or the right equipment Coach Karl initiated us to the court and while observing us giggling and high-fiving each other said "I have a feeling this is going to be 50% tennis and 50% ... something else." That remaining 50% is yet to be determined, but we sure did laugh a lot. Coach Karl should be knighted for his valiant effort spending over an  hour with the 6 of us delinquents. I'm looking forward to spending Thursday evenings with these beautiful ladies out in the sun, out on the court. Here's to trying new things, like tennis.

Congratulations to Bethany who is graduating from Law School today. Huzzah! I'm proud of her to the point of tears. Plus she ends emails with the words like, "Also, I think you're very good looking."

So naturally, I love her.

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Here's to a rainy Mother's Day

BD here. We just got home from a relaxing weekend away where there were no alarm clocks. I made sure of that. It was just what we needed. Although, there was that incident with the toilet...

While every day holds something that reminds me of my mom, Mother's Day is a great time to actively remember her on my terms because I don't do it enough in the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Gina and I reminisced about both of our mothers at various times throughout the weekend. Driving down the canyon today I remembered with shock that she's been gone nearly 8 years next month. For Mother's Day 8 Years ago my siblings and I went to Color-Me-Mine and each designed a plate for her, then presented them while she was in the hospital. They are still hanging in my dad's kitchen.

Mom and Grandma in the kitchen - ca. 2001
When I actively remember her, there are some things that I particularly cherish:
  • She had as much influence on me marrying Gina as I did. Seriously.
  • She slept in a hotel one night because we had a fugitive snake loose in the house. (OK, it was probably my brother or me that left the cage door slightly ajar) 
  • She once traded a house.
  • She and my grandma had a wonderfully close relationship; that must be why I love talking with my grandma.
  • She trucked me around the Intermountain West to appease my crazy mountain biking addiction throughout my adolescence.
  • In fact she eagerly supported every whim, interest, or talent that I ever had.
  • She teased me because Gina had a bike before she had "the ring."
  • The wing.
  • Taking walks in the woods on family camping trips.
  • She never forgot anything, especially the important stuff... right down to the hour of the day it happened. 
  • She made everything special with her "touch."
  • She had a heart that didn't fit in her body. 
  • After she was gone we found out hundreds of small acts of kindness that she had done for people that no one in the family knew anything about. 
  • She had to wait nearly 10 years before having her first child (me!) which is now something I know a little about and will forever honor the pain and desire she felt to be a parent. 
  • I love her for not giving up.
The MOST Important Women in my life (Leaving for Brazil - ca. 2001)
Lastly, I vividly remember that she loved Sunday Brunch. Gina and I were luckily able to carry on the legacy of the family Sunday Brunch today and I'm sure we'll continue it far into the years to come with our own family. While I skipped the State Crit championships at Pioneer Park, it was much better to get away and spend some quality time with the Mrs. and without the bike.

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln

Thanks for letting me indulge here.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Color (ish)

Tulips / Temple Square / May 4th
One of the best things about the warmer (ish) weather this week is that I've resumed taking short walks during the work day. It's a whole new world out there! With people! And street tacos! I no longer dread having to walk across the street to the bank or even 3 blocks to the post office. Any excuse is a good excuse to experience spring. And smell the flowers, as they say. This weekend I'm excited to spend a couple days away (ish). Even though we're not going far it feels like a real vacation when someone makes the bed for you. Oh yes, there is a bubble bath in my near future. I can tell BD's having a loooong hard (ish) day at work. I offered to fake an apendicitis to give us both an early out day. He declined my theatrics but I think it made him smile. Worth it.
Mom's 60 (ish) Birthday

Also today ... Happy Birthday MOM! You da bestest momma. I'm certainly glad you squeaked me in as your #6. Now give Zoee some cake.

As always, thanks for reading. Avaniceweekend!