RIP DFW

Anyone who knows me knows my affection, admiration and respect for this brilliant man. The fact that the world will not be graced with any more words from him grieves me to no end. David Foster Wallace, you brilliant brilliant man.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122185639587957991.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Make your own meal

My dad

Yesterday marked five years since my dad passed away. My dad loved learning, books, family, camping, movies, reading and I miss him every day.

Reasons 587 - 591 why I love living here

#587 Being close to my favorite band and my favorite people


#588 Disneyland! Club 33!


#589 New Bookstores!!


#590 Great Concerts (Coldplay)


#591 This is my view from my office

Days 2, 3 & 4 in Cali

Bubble Gum Ice Cream ... mmmmm


We checked out two new used bookstores in town. Sad substandard disappointments.

Day two went to a "The Little Heroes" show.


Their biggest fans were there.


Hanging after the show.



and day three we had breakfast at The Longhorn.






Still anxiously awaiting everything we own to arrive on Monday and then the real work begins.

Next week I'll also be starting work at a law firm in town. I've heard the attorneys are pretty uptight there so we'll see how it goes. ;)

My Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday my sweet Maren.

They decorated the cake all by themselves. It was a princess volcano.




"Daughters can sometimes be too serious, teach them to laugh and not take life too seriously." ~Catherine Pulsifer

Mama's so proud

Mama's So Proud

It has come to a point where my kids ask me "is this healthy for me?" with every meal. They look at me with hopeful anticipation knowing that if the answer comes back positive then they can eat and eat and mommy will be happy. But if the answer comes back in the negative they are crushed because they KNOW that they will never see that tasty delight enter our home and the look on their faces is pure disappointment.

"Oh, so Oreo's aren't good for you?" "Can I have some more fruit leather?" As Carter has stated "You're raising geeks, Michelle. Nerdy kids". Yes, yes I am. Know-it-all, brainy, healthy, active, kids who love books, vegetables, and soy milk. It is my quest.

and as the video shows... I am one step closer. :) Happy mom am I.

p.s. this was ALL his idea. No persuasion on my part at all. Promise.

Let the Camping Season Begin!

There is just something about reading by campfire. I'm not a HUGE camper but I enjoy a good little camp out with friends. I got a little teaser at Wildflower and now I'm feeling the itch for a good hike and camp.

Living in Utah surrounded by the majestic beauty of these mountains creates a fierce desire to CLIMB them. I think a good rock climb is a must before I leave this beautiful region.


Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. ~William Hazlitt

It's Official

The kids and I are moving to Santa Barbara. We are very very excited about our new adventure. We can't wait! As of June 16th we will be back home.

for the many questions some of you may have please email me at my yahoo address. :)

Eyes

Rocks and Socks

Only the pros can climb in socks.

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." T.S. Elliot

"One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather one climbs because he is enlightened." - Zen Master Futomaki

"Remember that time spent on a rock climb isn't subtracted from your life span." - Will Niccolls

Wild Girl

Maren and I playing around. Photo by Angela.

What monstrous absurdities and paradoxes have resisted whole batteries of serious arguments, and then crumbled swiftly into dust before the ringing death-knell of a laugh! ~Agnes Repplier


The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

Another amazing weekend at home

Last weekend I went camping at Lake Nacemiento. Jenni was doing her fourth (? maybe fifth) Olympic Triathlon and her husband was doing a sprint triathlon and ended up being the Tri Legend of the weekend. One mile into his biking his gear shift malfunctioned and the back wheel wouldn't turn. Jon had to carry his bike ON HIS BACK for the 10 miles. Then, of course, he still had to run and play in TWO shows that night. INSANE! Jon is also in a band that played three shows at the Triathlon. They ROCKED! Little Heroes woo hoo!! Jenni completely ROCKED her tri. Her swim was in 25 minutes and her 10k under 51 minutes!! ROCKED IT!!!



I also had the wonderful opportunity of seeing Angela before and after the camp out. We went vintage shopping and found a couple goodies. Fun was had, memories were made. Shiny blue orbs.

What Name Fits Best?

I stole this from C-Low. So fun

1. My Rock Star (first pet name and first car): Pumpkin Storm

2. My Gangsta name (favorite ice cream and favorite cookie): Coffee White Choc

3. My Fly Girl name (first initial of first name and first 3 letters of last name): M-Wei

4. My Detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Green Whale

5. My Soap Opera name (middle name and city where you were born): Lee Redondo

6. My Star Wars name (first 3 letters of your last name and first 2 letters of your first name): Weimi

7. My Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front): The Peach Water

8. My Nascar name (first names of Grandfathers): Gardie Davis

9. My Lounge Singer name (name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy): Blu Mediterraneo Butterfinger

10. My Witness Protection name (mother's and father's middle names): Lee Poulter

I don't think I'll be fighting any crime as The Peach Water or Green Whale but I think Pumpkin Storm might have a shot as a Rockstar. What's your favorite? and what are your names? KiKi Accord and A-Pie, I'm talking to you.

So many many questions...

I was in a restaurant and this was hung on the wall. So so SO many questions. Why? Curlers? the light switch? and why is it red? perhaps to match her outfit? Is there a reason she's missing teeth? Is she perhaps preparing for some sort of event? one with a very lax dress code? why did someone feel the need to capture this moment? questions questions, someone help me with the answers.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Effie whom I love so only for her will I do this.

10 years ago I was: A single college girl living it up in Provo. Five things on my to do list today: I lead an exciting life so proceed with caution: 1. pick up Scout awards for pack meeting. 2. Finish chores before Sara and kids get here at 10:30 3. Finish magic treasure hunt for pack meeting. 4. Go for a run. 5. Take Isaac around for his walk-a-thon. Things I would do if I became a billionaire: I'll just save you all the cliche answers filled with humanitarianism, charity, mansions and cars and just be honest: devote it all to ridding the world of Beef Jerky forever. 3 of my bad habits: Some members of my family consider my vegetarianism/veganism as a bad habit (I don't), 2. buying books (really, I can't stop) 3. being selfish.(I am a selfish selfish girl) Places I have lived: Solvang, Goleta, Provo, Orem, and American Fork. (boring boring girl)5 jobs I've had: 1. Waitress (horrible at it, really really bad) 2. Payroll Clerk (oh yes, I know what you make)3. Microsoft Assembly line (they had to shut down the whole line when I cut my finger and got blood all over the product. "Blood on the line!! We've got blood on the product!" oops) 4. Mom (best job ever) 5. Book Store Queen (ruler of bibliomania land) Something most people don't know about me: I have a tattoo of The New Kids on the Block that covers my entire back. True story.

I tag Aimee, Jenni, Chari, Sara, Patrick, Harv and YOU.

Take me back home!

While it's good to not be living out of a suitcase anymore, searching through endless bags for two matching socks, spending the kids college tuition on cali gas prices and dodging my mother's cat I still want to go back. How I miss my friends, my family, my home and the SUNSHINE.

Spring break was fun fun fun!!

We ran through the sprinklers...

We went to the zoo.


... the beach, and ...


DISNEYLAND!! Some friends and I took the kids to Disneyland. They LOVED it. The kids had a good time too.













These are friends from LA.

The Hulk to the Rescue

Spring Break is coming and with it a trip home to California for the kids and I. The road from Utah to Solvang is long, lonely and slightly scary at times. I put on the brave face but the thought of doing the 12 hour drive with three kids and no phone alone terrified me to no end. Enter my hero and my brother Carter Lee (aka The Hulk). Carter is sacrificing TWO weekends for his pathetic sister. He is driving down with me flying back to Utah, working all week and THEN flying back to California to drive back with me. Who does that?? My brother, CARTER.

This picture was one we took last year sometime. We are all piled on top of each other on the floor. Carter is the one on top with the blue eyes. These are all my brothers: Me, Carter, Eric, Lance and Patrick.

"It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea." ~Dylan Thomas

Cleo

This is my beloved Cleo Book Group. Clever Ladies Educating Ourselves, Clever Ladies Eating Out, Clever Ladies who are Eccentric and Original. They all fit.
As someone who has been in MULTIPLE book groups I know when I find something unique and THIS one is. I've been plagued with inconsistent half-hearted attempts with book groups who pick the worst possible books imaginable with people who don't mesh, click or connect. Cleo is something completely different. I view it as my own personal Algonquin Round Table. Books that would have been mediocre reads have become some of my favorites because of the women I have shared them with. They have brought books I never would have read, insights I would have never thought of and countless laughs, giggles, and howls. These women challenge me, bring wisdom, and enrich my life for the better. So on our two year anniversary I celebrate these beautiful clever exceptional women.

Best weekend in the history of weekends

I spent last weekend in Santa Barbara with Jenni, my mom and Angela. It was by far the best weekend ever. So much fun was had that I didn't even take any pictures.

4:18 on a normal day

This is my little family 4:18 on a normal day. Isaac reading a Magic Tree House. Maren is normally doing an art project or playing dolls but today she was on the Strawberry Shortcake website coloring. Jonas crawling around causing mischief and me doing my thing (which I guess is making faces).

Super Mom or Indentured Servant?

My blogger-ific cousin Janelle got me thinking about this. Some days I feel like Super-mom: able to leap buildings, cook dinner, make crafts, read to three different age groups, french braid and get in a good run. Other days it's slave from sun up to sun down complete with toilet scrubbing, diaper duty, mopping, battle referee and three whiners all while being peed on, spit on and pooed on. Today was a slave day/screaming banshee. Is it a full moon?

Pencil Toppers

Maren and I had a craft time. Pencil Toppers!

Easter!