Day #41

I love it when my girls spend time together. The lazy, low key summer days allow for that. This morning two of them pulled out DDR…

"You're a FANTASTIC DANCER!" says the DDR Voice

Day #40

This is my daughter Samantha. We call her Sam or Sammy. She swam competitively for the first time this summer. Honestly, I didn’t even know if she could swim a full lap before this. And I found out that she can & she’s fast, too. She worked hard and gave it her all. In the season championships, she placed in the top 10 of all of the 11-12 girls in her freestyle events. Once again, I’m amazed by her….so proud!

I love her orange cap. It's so her. =)

Day #39

Since today is going to be over 100 degrees, I’m posting this to help us think “cool thoughts.” On Sunday, it felt hot so we head to the City for some cool (it even felt cold!) San Francisco weather. That’s my youngest in the photo.

My beautiful girl. She's in the middle of "pretend" I think.

(for a larger image, click on the photo)

Day #38

I’m back! It’s been over two months since posted here and today I return! And there’s no better way to start again than with a picture of my niece with a cone on her head….a real life Conehead.

Liz...she's beautiful even with a cone on her head.

Day #37

I’ve been exploring the Sacramento area more these days. I’m especially on the look out for local, public art. I recently discovered that the Sac City park system has a “Art in Public Places” program. Pretty cool!

>>If you’re interested in visiting these places, download this list.

I’m going to slowly work my way through that list. My first stop was Granite Regional Park off of Power Inn Road. I loved the art installation there by Tony Natsoulas.

Granite Regional Park is really a local gem. Along with the art, it also has a great skate park and dog park.

Day #36

(excerpt from “Wildflower” by Bon Jovi)

“She wakes up when I sleep
To talk to ghosts like in the movies
If you don’t follow what I mean
I sure don’t mean to be confusing
They say when she laughs she wants to cry
She’ll draw a crowd then try to hide
Don’t know if it’s her or just my mind I’m losing…

Nobody knows a wildflower still grows
By the side of the road
And she don’t need to need like the roses
She’s at home with the weeds
And just as free as the night breeze
She’s got the cool of a shade tree
She’s growin’ on me and I can’t live with out her…”

And now, The O’Jays singing “Wild Flower”

And one more “Wildflower”…this time by Sheryl Crow:

Day #34

Mark’s such a great dad. You can’t see it in this photo but he’s ‘growling’. Emily is working hard to control her giggles.

(for a larger image, click on the photo)

Day #33

This is my friend Pamela & I am pleased to say that I was able to spend some time with her this week. She is: witty, surprising, a communicator, a fighter, a lover of God, full of hope,  non judgmental, and gifted. Her laughter is contagious and her sense of humor is quick & clever. She’s my friend.

(for a larger image, click on the photo)

Day #32

This is our good friend, Isabelle. She just had a birthday. I asked my daughter, Sam, to give me 6 words that describe her.  They are: silly, pretty, fun,  smart, friend, colorful and creative. (Sam gave me 7 words!)

(for a larger image, click on the photo)

Day #31

When Kadie was a baby, we used to do ‘baby dancing’. I’d hold her close and sing (sorry, kiddo) oldies, like this one from Donny Osmond:

Thought I was in love before
Than you moved in next door
Pretty blue eyes
Pretty blue eyes

All the guys in the neighborhood
Keep saying that you sure look good
With your blue eyes
Pretty blue eyes

Saw you from my window
My heart skipped a beat
I wanna sit on your doorstep
So now I can meet
Pretty blue eyes

Please come out today
So I can tell you
What I have to say
That I love you, love you
Pretty blue eyes

And now from Donny himself…