Happy Birthday My Friend...

Today is my old friend Jessica's birthday. Well not my old friend...I mean my long-time friend. I met Jess on the first day of 5th grade. I was back at my elementary school after having moved to a different school for just one year the previous school year so I was feeling kind of like the 'new girl.' But Jessica was brand new at our school and she seemed kind of shy, so I got it in my head that I would be her friend and she could be mine! When we got into the classroom and were allowed to choose our desks I decided, unbeknownst to Jess, to discreetly choose a seat by her and I just knew we'd then become friends. Apparently Jess couldn't decide which seat was best, because after choosing one she then wandered around and chose another one. So yes, I followed her like a little puppy dog; thankfully she was none the wiser. I think it's kinda pathetic, but it doesn't matter because it worked and we became great friends all through our school years and now here we are 28 years later! Jess has always thought that story was extremely funny and I can see why. Another funny thing about that school year was that our teacher, Mrs. Baker, could never remember Jessica's true name....she was always calling her Jennifer and the whole class would say "Jessica!" whenever she did.

Things I love about Jess...

She used to write me funny notes in school (Santa Party Note)
She comes up with the best nicknames for her kids and her pets
I always laugh when we are together
We get each other's senses of humor
She is a good mom
She had a cool, peach VW bug in high school and always drove us everywhere
She is a loyal friend
She always knows how to make things look beautiful
She is forgiving...thanks Jess

Happy Birthday my Friend!

Jessica in 5th grade

Me in 5th grade

Shake...rattle...roll

Why I am glad I don't live in California - Reason #52

I am happy that I was not living in California for yesterday's 5.4 earthquake. The epicenter was in Chino Hills, which is the city Layne used to work in when we lived there. Yikes! Apparently the phones were out for a while and then the circuits were all busy, so I know I wouldn't have been able to get a hold of him. I do not miss that part of living in California. Even when they're moderate like Tuesday's quake, you don't know that when you are going through it. And then you spend the rest of the day, and usually the next couple of days, stopping for every little sound or movement that might be an aftershock, or even worse, 'the big one'! The thing that was always eerie to me is the sound that accompanies the quakes. Hard to describe, but there is definitely an earthquake sound.

I am pleased to say that I talked to my folks in both Placentia and Corona, and no damage - but stuff did fall over at my Mom's ~ quite a bit of stuff actually. And Joe said that at work the water sloshed out of the aquarium. Interestingly, the fish continued to swim near the surface of the water after it was all over. I asked him if they were 'swimming' upside down :) but he said no, just swimming near the top. Dont' know why. Hmmmmm......

Cool Nielson Family Birthday Stuff...

Layne's Grandma Nielson (who passed away before I ever met Layne) has one son and two grandchildren who were born on her birthday. Layne's dad, Steve, was born on March 2nd, 31 years to the day after his own mother was born. Then Layne, was born on March 2nd, again 31 years to the day after his dad was born. I always thought that was so interesting, but then after a Nielson family reunion tonight I found out that Layne has a cousin who was also born on March 2nd! Isn't that amazing? I think so. I also think Layne's grandma must have loved it! :)

My Cheatin' Heart...

I fell off the wagon...the Diet Coke wagon. It started with cheating by taking a couple of sips of Layne's soda on a hot day, and from there it just spiraled out of control. I was painting my living room and it was hot and I was thirsty and I just had to have an icy cold soda. And then another. And then on our trip to SLC this weekend, I totally caved. But now, it's Monday, I am back home, and I'm off the stuff. And as insurance I am posting my soda issues here so everyone knows what I am up to!

Layne habla espanol...

Our good friends The Powells were here for a quick (too quick) visit recently. Their son Truman brought a library book that he loves, which was in Espanol so they had Layne read it to him. Layne read each sentence in English and then in Spanish. It was funny to see how much expression Layne read with ~ I think he read with more enthusiasm than he does just reading books in plain, old English! And everyone ~ kids and grownups alike ~ were intrigued by the story when he read it that way!

...Anyway, I just have to say that I L-0-V-e it when Layne speaks Spanish. When we went to Puerto Rico a couple of years ago he was speaking Spanish all over the place and it just gave me the warm fuzzies. I am glad he went to a Spanish Speaking country for his mission and that he has kept up his fluency. Mi gusta mucho!

Layne - tu eres la luz de mi vida - te amo!

The Disney Princess I Am Most Like, Apparently...

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Weeds

I hate weeds. I have weeds. Lots of them. That is essentially what makes up most of our property in the back. But, we have our garden back there too, which I really like. However, I have those pesky weeds to deal with but I am trying to keep up with them. I have decided though that I can't do it myself and that the kids are just going to have to pitch in. You might be wondering why they haven't been helping with this so far. It's because I have been too lazy to put up with what I know will be the initial complaining, whining, etc. stemming forth from my children. However, it hit me today that that is how it always is when I teach them how to do a new chore. It's never fun for anyone at first, but then they get used to it and stop complaining and just do it.

And now for my philisophical thought on weeds... :)

A couple of days ago I was weeding out front...way less imposing weeds out there, yet still weeds...ugh! I went out and worked and got them all up and am glad I did. Today I had a thought about weeds. I went out to water the plants and flowers where I had weeded, and it was so nice looking. So clean and fresh and tidy. It made me think about the weeds in our lives, whatever they may be for each of us. I procrastinated taking care of the weed problem, but when I did get to it, it wasn't all that bad. I felt good about cleaning out the weeds. And now I so enjoy looking at my flowerbed. I realize that as long as I do the work to keep it maintained, it is not such a problem and I am so much happier. That it how it is in life.

So keep weeding wherever you need to (I'm gonna)..it's worth the effort!