2006 Book Update

I've finished:

The Rescue Artist
Edward Dolnick

A true life tale of the theft and recovery of Edvard Munch's The Scream in 1994. Intermixed with the main story are other tales of stolen art and the sometimes miraculous recovery.


Night
Elie Wiesel

Incredibly powerful. His imagery, his down-down-to-earth-everyday style of relating some of the most horrific moments in history brought me to tears on nearly every page.


Ramona the Pest and Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Beverly Cleary

"Comfort Books" from my childhood.


1000 Best Places to See Before You Die
Patricia Shultz

I've made a personal goal to visit 500. In my first 30-some-odd years I've seen 10; I'll really have to pick up the pace.

My Mom has Cancer and Other Reasons I Haven't Written Much Lately

Mom,
originally uploaded by pseudoirishlass.

So, the title pretty much says it all, no? We found out a little over a month ago and on Tuesday my Mom underwent surgery to (cross your finger and say a prayer even if you don't think He's listening) take it all out. Everything went well and the doctors are very optimistic about her recovery, but this has been really hard on me.

Lucky for us, it is not an agressive cancer, not one that is likely to take her life, but there is always the possibility. And that teeny-tiny possibility scares me. Really, really scares me. I don't know what I'd do without her. I really don't.

I have to say that the folks at the Huntsman Cancer Institute are wonderful. I was so impressed by the attention and care my Mom got there. God forbid I ever have to go there again, but it is a beautiful building, with beautiful views, and the kindest, most caring staff I've ever seen. They take every measure to make sure their patients are treated as guests in a 4-star hotel, and they'll never know how much that means.

She's home and resting now; well on her way to a full and speedy recovery, and I will thank God every day for having her here (even if I only half-believe He's listening)

Note to Co-Worker in the Next Cubicle

I can hear you...even when you whisper.

Here is the Church...

Steeple

This is totally the church from "Footloose". I'd forgotten all about it until I watched the movie over the weekend.

Seriously, Footloose...

Church

Stained Glass

Independence Day

Independence Day in my family is celebrated by consuming a huge breakfast of pancakes, eggs, chocolate milk and most importantly unlimited amounts of both sausage and bacon....this breakfast celebration has thus been dubbed "Porkfest".

Growing up in a huge family, bacon and sausage were treats. We had them only occasionally and when we did get them they were rationed. "You can have 1 sausage, or 2 pieces of bacon." So having as much as we wanted was a special celebration, indeed.

Porkfest 2006 was held up American Fork canyon and an area known as Mutual Dell. The Dell as we have always called it consists of a couple of pavilions, a lodge, lots and lots of individual campsites, a huge open area/baseball field, and hiking trails. My parents spend a week there each year with my aunts and uncles. It is a time for everyone to hang out together, play Bingo, roast marshmallows, and eat.

Aside from the huge rainstorm and flash flooding it was a succesfull event. Pictures of the week long outing have been posted to Flickr.

In a Nutshell

With Independence Day falling on a Tuesday it seems that the festivities last nearly a week.

Friday:
My 9-year old niece, Louise, ventured to the big city for a girls night out/sleepover. We started the fun by meeting up with some other folks at Iggy's, followed by an excellent Irish step dancing concert in the park. The concert had over 1300 people in attendance and was probably the biggest turnout of the season. Lots of fun, but it was hard to see the stage.

After the concert, Louise really wanted to swim, so we headed down to the pool where she practiced everything she learned in swimming lessons until 10:30 or so. Back up to the apartment where we watched a movie until she fell asleep.

Saturday:
We headed out to breakfast where she ate nearly all of her adult-size French toast, egg, bacon combo (That child is stick thin, but eats practically everything in sight!); then we headed down south to a bridal shower for my cousin's fiancee.

After the shower I headed back home to edit some pictures and do some laundry (possibly a nap was taken during this time as well). Around 5:00 I loaded up and headed back down to UC for a dutch oven feast and fireworks with nearly all of the family.

Sunday:
It was all about Sparky as she received her official name and blessing. Congratulations to my brother who refrained from blessing her to "nourish and strengthen our bodies", a common LDS prayer phrase used when praying at meal time. He was really worried it would just pop out. Also good: quiet baby + no squirming = sleeping baby.

After the "church" portion we headed over to a local park and had a picnic to celebrate T2's special day. Aside from the Latino throw down over who reserved the pavilion (We did) it went really well and everyone had a lot of fun.

Festivities are set to continue through Tuesday with camping, BINGO, and Porkfest 2006.

Little Princess

Sparky's Blessing Bling
Originally uploaded by pseudoirishlass.

High Speed

Holy Cow! I just downloaded the newest version of iTunes in 3 minutes!!! That used to take a couple of hours. Consider me a convert.