HOW COULD I FORGET?

So, so many things happen in a day, a week, a month, a year. In May the kids had a dance recital, their first ever (and possibly last), and I didn't blog about it. They danced to "Run Around Sue."





Also in May the kids made their first stage appearance in "A Mid Summer Night's Dream" and I didn't blog about it. Brit had the part of King Oberon, Kaylee played Puck. They were amazing!





In June, after our anniversary in San Francisco, we spent a quick weekend in Arizona. Thank you Woodards for hosting us...again! We were on a mission to find just the right winter home for the kids and me. And while the weather in Utah was unseasonably cool that weekend, it was also unseasonably cool in AZ, making it perfect.

The last weekend in June was spent in Moab, Ut. with my brother Brett, Mom and Tim.







July, July, July... July has sort of just happened. July is generally my favorite month of the year. This year I decided to use all the positive energy and optimism of warm weather, summer fun and lazier days to tweak a few little things in my life that I think need improvement. I'm hoping to track my progress over here.

All of these things that happen seem fresh in my memory, for now. But time can make memories fuzzy, less vivid, sometimes even hidden. My blog is supposed to help capture the memories. I need to blog better.

20 YEARS

Yesterday marked the 20 year anniversary of our wedding day. On June 1, 1990, I became Mrs. Bringhurst, and let me tell you, that was a a rung or two up on the alphabetical ladder! Imagine going all through your school days with a last name starting with S. It moulds you, shapes you, makes you feel like you must fall back in line... Then one day you are a B! Suddenly you can be first (or second) in line, stand a little taller, wait a little less, be somebody! Ahhh.... marital bliss.

Since that day we have lived in seven places, owned three houses, had two children, owned seventeen cars, three boats, two trailers, and many, many pets. We honeymooned in Disneyland and returned countless times with our kids. We backed into parenthood and never looked back, sharing nearly every day-to-day, and, exciting new experience with the kids. This year, to celebrate our 20 years of marriage, we planned a trip without the kids.

SAN FRANCISCO

Have you been? Everybody's been to San Francisco! Except me. I had never been until this past weekend. I LOVED it! We had great weather which, as anyone knows, will make or break a vacation for me. Some of the highlights were:

ALCATRAZ! Because I love, love, LOVE history! And this place was full of it.


We took the audio tour


I really liked zig-zaggy Lombard Street. Driving it was fun and all, but I want to live there.


And this place, to remind me of my back-of-the-line roots.


GHIRADHELLI SQUARE = CHOCOLATE


I loved our tour of old boats. I love old things.


I loved this place... where I paid $15 for a small bag of cherries.


I loved the seafood, the atmosphere, the ocean. I loved that everyone rode bikes and owned dogs. AND... I loved having this handsome guy, all to myself, for one whole weekend!


My only regret is leaving my camera home. Thanks Jeff! For a perfect weekend.
*pictures courtesy of Jeff's new camera, that might need a little tweaking*

WHY DID IT TAKE UNTIL ALMOST 10 AM FOR ME TO ROLL OUT OF BED THIS MORNING?

'NUFF SAID!

LIVED TO TELL

Yesterday my dad had surgery to repair his thumb and shoulder. He was able to have both surgeries done on the same day by two different doctors and surgical teams. Since I myself am an avid hater of anesthesia, I can really appreciate the value of this "working together for the greater good" method of surgery.

Tonight we were able to visit him at home and he was doing well and in good spirits. He was excited to show us his helmet and armored clothes to emphasize how much worse his injuries could have been... As if distracting us from letting loose a lecture on the dangers of old men riding motorcycles. It didn't work. We lectured anyway- a little bit. He also showed us pictures taken a couple days after the accident of his bruising and road-rash. The entire right side of his body is a huge bruise. It was ugly and shocking, and I'm not JUST referring to his old man bum peeking out in some of the photos. Giggle, giggle, hee hee...just kidding Dad! Kind of...

Then I took some pictures of my own and warned him I would be blogging about it, again.

This is just a small section of the bruising


His best scabs and rash are hidden under bandages and clothing


Hwellp, now I know where I got my legs from...


Then he told us the whole story of how it all happened, and how plainly and simply grateful he is to be here. And I told him how I knew before it happened that it would happen. And I don't know how I knew. Sometimes I just know. And after enough incidences of sometimes knowing, I've learned that the only thing I can do is wait for the phone call. Some things can't be explained, and I'm okay with that.

He's here, he's healing, he's a good grandpa, and I'm okay with that too.

HOW CAN DOING SO LITTLE HURT SO MUCH?

On Monday I had a whim. I wanted to go for a run. All my friends are doing it, I want to do it too. I made Brit go with me. We went about a mile. I jogged maybe, MAYBE, a quarter of that mile. Yesterday I HURT!!! I hurt from head to toe. I hurt like I'd been skiing all day. I hobbled around, moaning and aching, feeling so sorry for myself. Today I hurt. Not quite so much, but still, so much. Tomorrow I have to get back out there and give it another go...

PRAY FOR ME! (or pray for rain)

WHEN IT RAINS

Yesterday was a little hectic. And a little stressful (see previous post). Then the rain started. And the heavens opened and flooded us with all that "wetness" that Dan Pope promised for May. And sometime around 2 am this morning, in the midst of all the rain, this happened...



Mama Lucy FINALLY had her twins.

A boy


and a girl


Lucy had a hard time bringing these babies into the world so Kays and I had to give her a hand (or two) but all three are doing well now.

My Tuesday this week started at 8 am yesterday, and ended at 4 am today. My Wednesday started much too soon at 8 am today. I think I'm gonna need a nap. Yeaawn...

IF I HAD A NICKEL...

How many times has this happened to you?... You wake up on a typical weekday morning to take care of children, pets, regular household chores... It's always a little crazy in the mornings, isn't it, trying to get everyone going and out the door? But, once the craziness is done, once the kids are out the door, the animals fed, a load of laundry started, you brew up a nice cup of herbal tea, maybe scramble an egg, and sit down for a nice, quiet, peaceful breakfast. Next thing you know the phone is ringing. It's your dad's wife calling from California to let you know your dad has been in an accident on his motorcycle.

Diane: "HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY." (Lots of emphasis on that part) "He is in the hospital..." Me: "Wait up... Hold the phone... His what now?! Motorcycle?!" Diane: "Yes. He laid his bike down riding this morning and he is in the hospital in Long Beach. But HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY." Me: "Is he? Was he even okay to begin with? Because look at the choices he's made! He's a 64 year old man who has never ridden a motorcycle his entire life, who all of a sudden decided to buy one (?) and ride cross-country!" Diane: "Would you mind calling your siblings to let them know? And make sure they understand HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY."

Children, talk to your parents! They need to know the dangers and consequences of their reckless behavior! I've seen a rise in the number of irresponsible, devil-may-care choices in Seniors recently. I dare say we may be looking at a new epidemic! No one wants to get the call that their 60-70 something parent has had an equipment malfunction while sky-diving, or blown out a knee on their rollerblades. What happened to the good ol' days of rocking chairs on the porch? Something must be done to stop this madness. Maybe we should start with celebrity endorsed public service announcements...

Based on the info I got, Dad has injured his right shoulder, arm, and hand. He's also broken his left thumb which will require surgery and pins to put it all back together. Diane was still two hours out from reaching the hospital so I will have more info later once she gets there and can talk to the docs. I've decided to hold my tongue and not give him a lecture. Looking something like this

for several weeks is punishment enough.

Seriously though, it could have been much worse and I am very grateful that HE IS GOING TO BE OKAY.