The end of another soccer season...

Just a game or two left of kids soccer games this fall. Usually, by the end of the season we are bundled up in winter clothes to watch games. This year, we are still in shorts and t-shirts- temperatures in the 80's. What a gorgeous September, making up for our chilly month of June, I suppose, or global climate issues...
We sure do appreciate this commercial around this house-

It's Kind of a Funny Story

I caught Fresh Air this afternoon on NPR as I was driving down Provo Canyon for the one millionth time this fall as we try and get all of our belongings from Point A to Point B. Zac Galifianakis was the guest today, promoting his new movie It's Kind of a Funny Story, and talking about all being funny and whatnot. Good interview, I always enjoy Fresh Air- but don't catch it often enough. I'm putting this movie on my post-moving list-of-things to do, if I can handle one of the characters being named Noelle. I don't have to share my name very often, it's always a bit weird for me. When I was a kid I used to turn bright red and crawl under the pew when "The First Noel" was sang in church. The 'other Noelle' in high school was a teacher's pet/know-it-all- I think that's what ruined it for me.
 If you haven't seen his other movie The Hangover, I recommend it, it's funnier than you would think.

It's officially going down-

Super Fantastic Yard/Moving Sale

Saturday October 2

7 am - 2 pm

1165 South 1080 East (just south of the high school & indoor pool)

Springville UT

Clothes, shoes, toys, duplo legos, puzzles, crib and other bedding, books, housewares a go-go, costumes, furniture... and the list goes on as the garage fills up. A few neighbors are going to join us too. Don't miss it, pass it on!

the best part about moving

I don't know how many times mention of this picture, Steve O in a dress, has come up in family conversation over the years. It's legendary, to phrase it lightly. See what happens to you when you are the youngest?

Another myth turned to fact- my envelope full of concert tickets from my high school years. I have been looking for this envelope for about 20 years. I had just about resigned myself to the fact that it had been thrown away somewhere along the way, when I found it in the most unlikely of places- mixed in with college papers, in a box I've never looked twice at. When I was forced to face this box, I got nostalgic and instead of tossing the whole thing in the recycle bin, I started sorting. Retrieving papers I'd written in college, yes- on my typewriter, and getting rid of about 10 lbs. of stuff I'll never look at or need again- there, in the mix... was my beloved envelope.
Steve O has always given me a suspicious eyebrow tilt and nod of the head when I'd tell him about all the shows we use to go to, back in the day. He was especially skeptical about The Dickies- now I have proof.

real or fake? or does it really matter

I guess this film, Catfish played at Sundance last year, I missed it, another reason to feel giddy about moving to Midway- only 10 minutes or so from Park City. Anyway, if Catfish comes back to Utah, (it opens in selected cities tomorrow, Sept 24th) and I really hope it does, I will be there. I know not much else but what the trailer gives you, but it looks intriguing and I enjoy the raw filmmaking style. I just hope I doesn't end too freaky, like The Blair Witch Project and continue to give me the heeby geebies every time I go camping when it's been years since I saw that film. Catfish might make me want to what? cancel my facebook account? I hope that's all, if you know... don't tell!


Steve O saw this film about Joaquin Phoenix, I'm Still Here, last week and can't stop talking about it. Apparently tons of controversy now surround it- is it real or fake? Word is, it doesn't matter- Joaquin is jacked up. Either way, I hope I can get around to seeing it while it's in SLC, if I can stand looking at that hot mess hairdo for 120 minutes.

a proper rating system

Don't underestimate the importance of a properly labeling and rating your boxes. Apparently, I have been unaware all my life, that there is a level or two above just simply 'fragile'.
Q packed this one, I'm kind of afraid to even touch it.
I'd better start labeling more seriously. I did write in Sharpie "Adult Books" on a box yesterday, and then felt like I should clarify, (perhaps just with a ball point pen), then I figured, oh well- let whoever picks up that box get a good laugh.
Here's the final word in Yard Sale- I'm not quite ready this weekend, and we have 4 soccer games this Saturday. So Saturday October 2 is the final date, it's looking good folks- all sorts of treasures and good stuff coming your way.

see honey, what I could look like...

It's fun for the whole family with this iphone, itouch, ipod app. Everywhere we go we are altering friends and family's pictures in Fat Booth and laughing our heads off. It's $.99 well spent, in my opinion, and depending on how you feel about your own person fat booth picture- you might love the app or hate it, looking into what could have been (if you'd let go of all self control over the years) or how you might look in the future... or how you looked before your season on The Biggest Loser.

time to apply

If you're (anywhere) near the area (Provo UT) and you make some funky craft or art... you might want to apply for the Winter 2010 Beehive Bazaar coming up December 1-4th. Applications are being accepted until September 29th. Get all the info at thebeehivebazaar.com

mustache shaping chart

Mustache sampler, or if you asked my 6 year old (a few years ago)- nose-stache.

sidetracked-

I came across this gal's goods on flickr- eye candy- I would recommend a visit here. It makes me want to take a bunch of my fabric and jazz up the woodlands. It could be some interesting Halloween yard decor. I've got lots of costumes... would they perhaps fit on my trees? By the way- for those in the area... big yard sale coming up Sept. 25 & 26th. Be ready for costumes, books, clothes, household goods and stuff, lots of really great stuff.
Same lady, from Toronto Canada, now, which box did I put the felt and zippers in?

a bit of recycling...

This winsurfer sail has been in our garage for years, ever since, in fact, Steve O fell into it ripping a nice big hole- honestly, this sail is from way back in the day before the sport of windsurfing killed itself by becoming too specific and technical- morphing into kiteboarding and kitesurfing and could only be done in a handful of places in the world with enough consistent wind. After a amazing windsurf specific trip to Maui in 1994 (or so) we dropped out of the sport, mainly due to the fact that we live in Utah where the wind blows very inconsistently except at Rush Lake in Utah's West Desert where I'm not really interested in hanging out, not to mention the whole family thing... But enough about the history of windsurfing... I've been meaning to cut this sail up and make it into something for eons.

An so, the big reveal... the one and only item (so far) to be made from the sail- a messenger bag with many recycled sail aspects. I put the sail with this super sturdy brownish upholstery fabric that is so heavy duty, it could probably be used as carpet in an office building. I hate working with it, it has cost me much frustration and many sewing machine needles- but I love the end result.

It's kind of cool looking, backlight and all. I just listed it on etsy, along with many other bags, garlands and felt dolls. Check it out, and get details here.

anticipating/dreading

The hour has finally come... it's time to start packing up and move. The amount of goods a family (OK, I'll admit- I am mostly to blame) can accumulate in 13 years in one house is rather astounding. The space in this picture is what I have be frightened to tackle. It doesn't look like much- about 500 sq. ft. of 4 ft. tall crawl space directly under our family room. The beauty of it was that it was available space- all warm and dry but virtually unusable for anything but storage. Some people in our neighborhood have actually turned them into playrooms- what? Then where do you put all your fabric and craft supplies? (Oops... cat out of the bag...) and your camping equipment, winter clothes, holiday decor, archived papers and pictures, films and such (and such and such). I realized yesterday as we made a family 'fire line' up the stairs and into the garage... I'm really going to miss this space, like, really bad. The new place has only real, full-sized basement space, space that could be easily tempted into becoming life-sized rooms.

Can you believe all of this came from the crawl space... I'm a little embarrassed- don't open the garage door please. And like I said- a lot of it is fabric and craft supplies. Priceless goods, I tried to explain to Steve O. If myself and the children can only easily reach the supplies, I can teach the children all sorts of clever and creative skills to last a lifetime. But for now, be a dear, pick up that box and put it in the garage, please.

but do you keep it in your pocket?

There is something so intriguing, yet ridiculously absurd about the wooden, or in this case, bamboo, iphone cover- it's like knitting a cozy for the frame of your bicycle- but then again, why not?
By the way-Happy Thursday everyone.

September

This time of year is simply delightful. Here's my top ten for September 3rd:
1. everything in bloom
2. in the 80's
3 windows open all day
4. eating something from the garden for every meal
5. kids in school
6. peaches
7. tomatoes
8. mountain biking
9. soccer games
10. house- sold

I'm getting some sewing done now that the kids are back in school and we are getting back into a routine. These cut out- a few completed- messenger bags are on their way to Salt Lake City Bicycles next week.

Laser sailing

A Sunday sail Steve O and Q- at Jordanelle. In a few months the ski hill you see in the background (Deer Valley in Park City UT) will be covered with snow.
I'm kind of excited about it, kind of not.
I think I'll just focus on the upcoming Labor Day weekend- the grande finale o' summer fun.

school lunch

First grade is tough- little ones need to adjust to the long day of sitting still and listening, not wandering about doing exactly what they want, when they want to do it.
Tough stuff.
C started 1st grade on Tuesday and his mood has been deteriorating all week. This is very hard for me, the Mom, to watch the little fella stress out about going to school the next day, crying himself to sleep. Trying to get to the bottom of the problem and find out what exactly was making him so sad, I quizzed him on the possible problems- the kids, curriculum, teacher, having to sit still so long, shiny happy faces, too hot or too cold, lunchtime, recess...
Roughly all of it, was his reply, but then he shared that lunch makes his tummy hurt, before and after he's actually eaten. Recess- not much better either, he imparted.
At this point his 10 year old sister M, who had been listening to the who conversation chimed in, "Eating lunch in the school cafeteria is freaky- those kids are crazy." She paused, perhaps for emphasis, and then continued to add details after reading the skeptical look on all our faces- the crowd was growing, Q (14 yr. old) had now joined the conversation.
"No really Mom," M pleaded and then began to demonstrate, "the kids get their corn dogs, peel off the corn coating and then wiggle the cornless dog around on the stick." She made a dorky face as she illustrated the event and those involved, "all the boys laugh- they think it's SO funny!"
Then Q chimed in, "It's true! I've see it, you should see them squeeze the grease out of the grilled cheese sandwiches!" another demonstation followed.
I begin to get the picture, it comes back into focus- all my days spent in school cafeterias when I was a kid. Oh dear, I recall the madness. The noise, sights and smells- hundreds of kids, lots of food, spotty supervision.
Who doesn't remember scavenged containers filled with ketchup, mustard, juice, milk and grilled cheese sandwich grease... hurriedly mixed together with corn dog sticks then passed around on a dare, potato chip bags exploding all around you, naked hot dogs on sticks-
My tummy is started to hurt too.

one snazzy bowl

I almost impulse bought this bowl today- 5 seconds after first seeing it...
Now, I think I might dream about it tonight and order a few tomorrow. So great- and available at Scandinavian Design Center, with a bunch of other really cool stuff.

Mancebo on tip-toe

Here are the winners of Stage 4 Tour of Utah- on the podium (l to r) Tanner, Lill, Leipheimer, Mancebo, Boswell. The stage was a criterium, a one mile course up and down Main Street in Park City. Lots of climbing- over and over and over again for the patient/exhausted/hard-working riders, good observing for us cycling fans.

Dinner was wood-fired pizza at Cafe Galleria in Midway on the way back home. Oh how I love pizza piled with non-traditional pizza toppings (this pizza was topped with pesto, chicken, zucchini, arugula, pine nuts and maybe a few other delicious tidbits I can't think of now...).

Round it out with some dessert at the newly opened "Fill'er Up Coffee Station" also in Midway. Yummy baked goods, ice cream, coffee, tea and (sandwiches are coming soon... like for Swiss Days on Labor Day weekend.) The atmosphere on the patio is delightful, meander through the hollyhocks to find a hidden table and enjoy your treat.

the next act

Back to real life- after a few weeks of vacation 'real life' will always leave one breathless. Lots of catching up to do- yard work, grocery, school shopping, cleaning, soccer practice, kids on a better schedule so they can get up without too much trouble when school starts next week... blah, blah, blah... boring. What I should be doing is sewing. I need to get busy making up some messenger bags, like the one shown here. It's not that I don't enjoy the process, it's just the getting started part that is so tough. Too many summer fun distractions.
One would think I have plenty of motivation for locking myself in my sewing room, I have a stack of media ready to go to while I sew- Glee, season 1(and another 90+ movies in my Netflix queue), then Anna Karenina (audio version) that I've just barely started- I've never read it before, Dragonfly in Amber (audio and book version) the second book in the Outlander series, I cannot wait to start it. I spent my weeks at the beach entirely submerged in Outlander, I happily left the real world behind- and lost myself in this book, great read to get lost in by the way.
I've also just started Little Bee (our book group book) so far it's very good, but I only have the print version, and now that I'm back in the real world I need the multi-task version (audio). What I really need is a Kindle so I can go back and forth between listening and reading (the old fashioned way) and focus on one book at a time.
There are just not enough hours in the day.
So, here's to motivation, let me see if I can pull it off making some messenger bags this week and get my kids into bed before 11 pm every night.

dog parade

The Dana Point Marina, an excellent place to get a treat and watch the parade of pampered pups that pass with their doting owners- sometimes in strollers, I mean please people... This big fella caught our eye- how could you miss him? A newfoundland with a lion haircut, pulling a wagon. Even the tip of his tail was left long, like a lions.
To top it all off, the wagon was full of puppies, (chihuahua puppies not newfoundland)... does it get any better than that? And, yes, that is my son- eating his ice cream and petting the puppies (that probably haven't even had their shots yet.)

Doheny

Could there be a better beach to learn to surf? Doheny is our favorite, just south of Dana Point Harbor- and just a bike ride away. The little waves roll in all day, no black ball- you can surf all day. Foam boards are also a wonderful invention- inexpensive, buoyant and virtually harmless to those in the water around you (we found this out the hard way).

And while I'm singing praises... thank goodness for the waterproof camera (Olympus Stylus Tough) for being able to capture these close up images. Great picture- way to go Steve O.

And this gal couldn't love surfing more. She spends hours on end in the water, despite the coldish water (what is up with the water temp. this summer So Cal?), sans wetsuit, ready to catch the next wave. You go girl!

From these pictures it looks like we have the beach to ourselves- this is not at all the case- and part of the fun. Folks of all ages spend the day learning to surf, teaching their kids- having a blast. It's good fun watching everyone- tandem surfing, grandpas styin' it up but especially the little kids in their tiny wetsuits paddling around on longboards, shredding the waves.

smoothies

We made it to the beach, it's quite lovely to really be on vacation- with a book, my bikes, a stack of games, surfboards and boogie boards, sand and some sun and my family.
I love these giant succulents at Dana Point Harbor where we paused on our bike ride for smoothies this morning. I just had to keep snapping pictures of these plants, amid all the patrons, embarrassing the kids can be so fun.

24th of July festivities

Somehow I think it's a first for our family... but we spent 'Pioneer Day' July 24th in Escalante amongst many folks local and otherwise. Small town parades are the best. Participants and observers swap greetings, "Hey Uncle Ray!" as the floats pass and did I mention candy? Every kid brings a bag to fill and by the time the party has concluded it looks like Halloween. This guy was one of our favorites- I don't know type of motor was rigged into this armchair but it was moving.



This may not look like Halloween amounts of candy (I may have been exaggerating just a little)- but the important thing to take note of is- it's not all Tootsie Rolls and Salt Water Taffy... tiny chocolate bars and bags of Sugar Daddys were flying through the air too. Hallelujah.

This tiny dude was so cute, and of course -everyone knew him by name.

After the parade we wandered down to watch the "shoot out" in front of Griffins grocery store. This cowboy wasn't fast enough on the draw...

family

We buried my Dad on Tuesday in Escalante Utah. The services were just perfect- a well spoken, heartfelt tribute to a wonderful loving father/husband/grandfather/uncle/friend. With much gratitude in my heart I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped my Mom care for my Dad over the years- for everyone that came to the funeral, sent flowers and cards, made meals and went out of their way to help, it is truly appreciated.
Having all of our family together was great. Here are almost all the cousins (Precia's little M was napping) playing in the Escalante river in front of my folks place. Building dams, catching frogs, playing in the waterfall- just like I did with my cousins when I was their age, in the very same spot.
This time of year it's all about finding some water to cover yourself with during the blazing hot days. Here is Calf Creek kind of muddy after a little bit of rain. All of my brothers and sisters and kids spent the afternoon in this spot, playing around, soaking it up, having a party- just like Dad would have wanted us to do.
It seems like every day this week we've see a rainbow after the thunderstorms, stirred up by the summer heat, roll across the sky. The desert landscape is so spectacularly green this year thanks to a very wet winter and spring.
We have so much to be thankful for everyday.

My Dad

My Dad, Jeff Rex passed away early this morning, he was 65. He's suffered from Lewy Body disease for many years. But, regardless of the dementia that Lewy Body inflicts on its patients, he was cheerful, peaceful and desperately funny until the end. He cracked jokes constantly, inadvertently and with definite purpose on many occasions. Caring for him was a happy task, full of confused banter, mixed-up, unfinished stories and a slew of giggles for all. My Mom, tireless in her careful attention to his needs for so many years, is an impressive model of love and dedication in the face of trials. I don't think I've heard her complain once about the difficulties in her life or the workload she carried every single day- running a bed & breakfast and taking care of Dad everyday. I try and follow he example, but continually fall short. I suppose I've still got many moons to try and get it right...
My Dad is my hero. He's a person who led by example, teaching me to work hard and play hard. He taught me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
I just found this picture this morning shuffled in with my unorganized mix of family photos and letters, and somehow, I don't recall ever seeing it before. This picture of me and my Dad (I think it's Rhode Island) seems to sum it all up. My Dad was always there for me, encouraging me to climb higher (letting me step on his hands if necessary), enjoy new places and work hard. He taught me to adore my children, embrace the company of family and friends, and love adventure and travel- smiling and laughing all the whole way.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday July 20, 2010 in Escalante UT. For more information look here.

and it's free...

Is there any better use of a hot, dry summer day than a clothesline?

Found jeans

I kid you not, we found these jeans on the side of the road this morning while riding bikes around West Mountain this morning. I never stop to pick up "roadkill" objects, they are usually frightening items I would never, ever touch. (Ok, I admit, once, last year I found a fishing knife on the side of the road when I was out running, but I've never even been close to picking up an article of clothing.)
But today we slowed down for a phone call and feeling in a silly mood decided to go back and see what we had just passed. A pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans, that are actually my size, what are the chances?


We had to have a "Who-Wore-it-Best" contest back at the house. From these pictures, I don't see myself as the winner... I believe Kip is the -hands down- winner with his "rear view" shot, but he let me keep the jeans anyway, thanks!

gnats

Here's a little video from our day at the Great Salt Lake. All I can say is thank goodness they are gnats and not bees.

salty fun & games

It occurred to me the other day that I have lived in Utah for 20 years and I have never been to the Great Salt Lake. Deciding to fix this oversight- we packed for a day trip and headed out. From what I could find out from google searching, Antelope Island is a great place to venture into the water, so we gave it a shot.
I'd heard and read all sorts of nasty reviews of the Great Salt Lake, but, let's face it folks and recollect what the Great Salt Lake is- the 2nd saltiest lake in the world (only the Dead Sea is saltier). Of course it's going to be a barren wasteland full of bugs, bad smells, mud and a salty residue on everything...
Being warned (and warned again) of the unpleasantness our adventure would entail- this is what we found as we arrived on Antelope Island. A gorgeous view of expansive water and desert, well-kept covered picnic areas, clean sand, showers and bathrooms. Not too smelly, and a breeze keeping the bugs at bay.

Getting to the water was a bit gross, depending on how you feel about gnats. The sand on the edge of the water was covered with thousands of gnats that moved in waves when you stepped forward. Kind of funny- kind of disgusting. The gnats weren't really interested in you (they didn't bite) as long as you kept moving. So into the water we went... very floaty, surreal feeling. You just bob effortlessly near the surface, this picture was taken with both hands on the camera. No need to expend any effort to stay afloat.


Little dude did some serious shrimpin'. Tiny pinkish brine shrimp are all over in the water, easily caught in a water bottle.


I couldn't head south, back home, without seeing Saltair and the surrounding area. So we headed west on I-80, past the airport, just as the sun was getting low in the sky. We went for a glimpse of Saltair but found ourselves enjoying the extremely photogenic Temple of the Birds and it's neighbor- 'burned-out-train-car' (for lack of a better name), just to the east. We just couldn't stop with the pictures. Oh the evening sunlight and colorful graffiti combined for some clever pics.

We weren't the only ones talking pictures, we counted 3 engagement and 1 bridal photo sessions going on as we wandered about. Here is the rare picture of the train car without any random strangers (oh wait, there is just one...).

Time to head home as the sun set, what an unforgettable day. To see a ton more pictures of the day- look here.