Oh, this indian summer weather brings back great memories !! An outstanding time of year, when we headed back to Berkeley. Typically after four months of working hard at a summer job and being away from my Theta gals, I would be Beyond psyched to get back across the bay. It always started the same..with Rush Week. Unlike fraternities drunken revelies , the sororities put on these elaborate parties with themes and flower arrangements and lovely food. They were super organized and had been planned out in minute detail for months. It was intense and all-consuming, but it was also a wonderful bonding time and tons of fun. In particular, the Rush of our junior year is one of my All favorite time memories. You know how seniors are all ready to finish and move on..yeah, it was like that x10..our class ruled the house. Not to mention that our class was just the best group of women- I mean seriously outstanding and way cool. The stars alined when this group came to the Theta house..they are probably still talking about us!! I was the Rush Chairman and Murph was, of course, my constant right-hand gal. We would opened the door at 2723 Durrant and charm the throng waiting out front,"Welcome to the Theta house..please come in". Like I said it was very organized from the ( well..what were they called?!)university org. side too. Hundreds of girls who had signed up and then were housed in a nice hotel..put into groups and then went from house to house,meeting girls,trying to be at their best Without being snobby (ok, certain houses liked those who were snobby.) And then at an appointed time I -as well as the Rush chairmen in every other house - would say how lovely it had been having them but our time was up, and they would move onto another house.The first two days were brutally long because you were going to every house, but then the "cuts" came and every ensuing day you only go back to the houses that invited you. It gets down to two houses and then the girl chooses which house she wants to join. It worked both ways however, and the girl rushing can "cut" your house as well. Oh yeah..intense. so why was it SO much fun?!!! After the daily parties, we fortified ourselves and sat down to Hours of discussion and voting..more often than not into the wee hours of the morning. Then we had to get the next days party ready (think- themes) and do it all over again. We just weren't sleeping. Those nightly sessions were accompanied by a slide show with each rushee's picture that would come up and then I would say,"who met her today" and then we would discuss her. This is going to be hard to picture but I would make comments after each picture- mostly humorous ones. Oh yes, I was ON. The whole group was having such fun. No, of course, there were those individual gals who probably thought I was so obnoxious and out-of-control. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and acknowledge that...but WOW it sure was Fun!! I love those sisters..and we all knew this was our time because soon all those girls that we were working so hard on getting were going to move into our house and change the dynamics. I least that is how I saw it. I was nostalgic and liked things just they way they were. So I lived each moment to the max that week and perhaps always.Because I am eternally nostalgic. And when indian summer rears it lovely head, my heart goes back to Berkeley and my eyes get misty.

Lake Tahoe 2010

Tahoe is magical. Not only for Kevin and I, but now it holds a place in our children's hearts as well. Our first week there was full of family-including my siblings- and sun and activities. Then people had to trickle back to school and work. It wasn't just our group. California schools started earlier than usual, and our second week there was so quiet. The temperatures cooled off too. The end of summer eminent...but what a great summer it was. Kerriann began her 12th grade year by missing the first three days of school-wow, senioritis setting in early !! We made the most of each remaining day..and really it was lovely The kayaking was devine-the lake is so crystal clear ( Keep Tahoe Blue.) Our place was right on the beach. We kept the kayaks right outside the front door and it was so easy and lovely to just take them out whenever the urge came. We rented a speed boat one day, and that was fun but I so prefer the kayaks. I love all the traditional things we do (float down the truckee, hike northstar,go to the bridgetender for an alfresco lunch,kings beach marathons etc.) but it is just as great to find wonderful new items ( funny how most of that revolved around food/restaurants!! but some real yummy ones.) We love Tahoe!

Kelly is 6 months along and hiding the little Bo in baggy sweatshirts. She feels great and is still our energizer-bunny.

Baby Jane took her first hike at Northstar and did really good. ok, her mom was the Real trooper!!

next oops

So, my cell phone is missing. As I was about to fly down to arizona, Kevin says I need a phone, and offers up Denvers. How sweet. Well, now I have gone and misplaced that one. Wait, it gets worse. So I borrow Dallins and -BAM- yeah, that is missing too. Am I cursed, or what is going on?!! Now when I use Bo's phone he wont let me leave the room. Aside from that it has been great to see the kids. Their place is so clean and organized-definitely Bo's good influence. We went floating down the salt river on inner tubes. Gorgeous view-oh man. I really stood out in this floating crowd though...1. I was the oldest gal out there by a good 10-20 years (except a few hippie women but I am not putting myself in that category..yet) 2. I was -for sure- the only person wearing a one piece swimsuit ( bringing modesty to the salt river"several" pounds at a time!!) and 3. I was definitely the only person without a tattoo or 100 of them all over my body. But I was ok with all that and just had mucho fun. We have had lots of yummy food. Enjoyed a farmers market and gone shopping at cool spots. And I haven't even been to Smeeks orFrances yet.

relatively off the grid

I "lost" my cell phone right around the beginning of May. So if anyone has left me messages or tried to get ahold of me That is why I'm not answering. Wow, there might be a segment of people out there who think I am the rudest person when really I am just clueless. I adapted, using my childrens phones or-gasp-the landline at home. It works. Then life got tough because I "lost" my ipod. I say "lost" cause now I'm thinking someone is playing with my sanity and stealing my things. The little goats don't share their ipods as readily as they do their cell phones!! On the most recent trip back east I only went on a computer for a very brief moment ( to write an entry actually ) while Kevin was checking out of our hotel. I didn't bring the DS intentionally to show the fam that I am Not addicted to sudoko. I glanced at newspapers-but never once saw any comics. And-this is a biggie- I didn't get a sunday paper. So there ! I think that is pretty darn off the grid. And I survived just fine. I did notice in Boston ,where people live in extreme proximity, that they use gadgets (ipods,cell phones and such) to find their own little bit of space. The trains-while efficient and obviously necessary-would drive Dallin the germ-a-phob CRAZY, and me..well,give me my car back Now please. I truly need my independence and privacy bubble, and I am not afraid to let that be known. Apparently the definition of a Westerner. Don't get me wrong I loved visiting back there. But I know where I belong. The trees and vast openness of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are gorgeous. Sharon, Vermont in particular is an absolute gem. I never knew Dartmouth was spectacular. And That is the real value of traveling..you find these things out and it is So fun!! That being said, less than 48 hours after landing back in the beehive state I am off to Arizona to see how Dallin and the Bowens are set up. I need to know where my loved ones live so that when I write them or talk to them via the landline, that I can truly picture where they are. A sprinkles cupcake doesn't hurt the learning curve.

There is a reason that people "summer in Maine"...it is Divine. All my life I have been drawn to books about Maine, and then I created my ideal image of it. And I have not been disappointed one bit. That doesn't happen too often in life. I even knocked off a big item on my bucket list...went kayaking on Long Pond in Acadia National Park. It was perfect. The water was so clear, the temperature was mild ( both in and out of the water.) I have found another "happy spot" in the world. Then I found the cutest shop on the planet earth. I mean, REALLY, I could just move into that shop and be perfectly content the rest of my life. It was if the buyer had purchased everything in the store with me in mind. It was called-of all darling things-"under the dogwood tree". Not that this day needed anything more BUT the lobster rolls and blueberries have been sublime. Truly one happy camper on this road trip!!!

computer/old person malfunction..

what the hay..my computer wouldn't let me finish my writing. Is it telling me that I write too much?! Ha- I will show it and just continue on in another entry! What? It works for me. So , look at the pictures and then read this . The photo of Denver was snapped as he went out the door for a week long boy scout hike/camp thing. When he walked out with all that gear on top of that hot,hot sweatshirt I almost died. Well,no not died but I immediately started sweating for him. He had a great time but they did come home a day earlier than planned. The scout master said the "boys" were just exhausted. Hmmmm. I've been there buddy, I know who was the tired one! Yes, and that brings us to the next pictures. anyone who has been knows what embroidery floss, mega braids,canoes,and "twilight" paraphernalia means...GIRLS CAMP !!! We had simply the Very Best time EVER. So glad that I was asked to go up and help. Our camp director is the most creative person and it is always a Joy to work with her! It was a bittersweet time however as this was our last camp. Next year Kerriann and all her friends will be graduated and moving onto college. It was a very special treat to have Chelsie with us one more time. Honestly they were many moments when my eyes were welling up realizing this was the last time. Well not for them. They will have their own daughters and opportunites to go back to camp. Chelsie is just destined to be asst. camp director for the rest of her life ( we decided "asst." was better because you get to go but aren't really in charge , so you get to play more!) But it is different for me..I want to "end" my camp days on an up-note. Ack, I sound as morose as my mother. Moving on then, Preston turned 3 and we celebrated down by a shallow creek,perfect. Jane got blessed on the 4th of july. Porter was there but not for the picture so Bo stood in for him...way to be in every picture Bo. Our days have been full..but in a lovely way. More lemonade please.

summertime

Summer is just gliding along . Here are some pictures of what I've been occupying my time with. Kelly and Bo moved down to arizona. Dallin moved a week later.

His "last night" he wanted to spend up at sundance-would be my choice as well. It is always wonderful to get up in the mountains where it is cooler. It had rained that afternoon which made it even better.

Little Jane is putting on ounces nicely. Preston calls her "baby j" in a funny western voice. She is a very good little gal and Devin deserves that.Such a patient mother. Harrison is having a good kid summer. I took this one morning when he was sleeping in ( going back to our 6:30 am wake-up in september will be a bear!) His room is done up in flags and posters of the things he loves. Apparently he was so fond of Muhammad Ali's famous quote,"stings like a butterfly, floats like a bee" that he made up his own poster!! My garden is on auto pilot this summer. But it still knows I love it and it tries so hard to make me happy. It is a mish-mash of volunteers..grape vines and california poppies from one neighbor, sunflowers-just because this is utah, some wildflowers that must have blown in on the wind..and they all live together so nicely with my tomatoes,lavender and strawberries that I put in years ago.Its really a lovely little spot.Kevin is not allowed to spray any of his nasty chemicals in d