Striking

"I come down to the water to cool my eyes. But everywhere I look I see fire; that which isn't flint is tinder, and the whole world sparks and flames."

From a beautifully written collection by Annie Dillard

Thanks, Jenny, for the wonderful surprise. I'm already devouring it.

Me + Sprites = No Friends

Well, I haven't worked things out with the camera sprites, but I was able to recover the pictures that I was able to take. I picked some of my favorites.

Frankenbrain

Anybody out there know where I can get a new brain? Or a new set of genes?

These migraines are killing me

Crap!

Don't you hate it when you leave your cell phone, and charger, in Utah?

My last night

On my last night in Utah, I am a little sad. I'm sad to be leaving such a beautiful place and leaving my friends. Jenny is having her first baby in a few months, and because of several factors, I won't be able to be here to help out when the baby comes. That, and I'll have to wait until Utah thaws out to come back. The snow was pretty, but way too cold for me.

I had a really great time here in Utah. I've spent the last few days with one of my best friends, and I've made some new friends. Some notes on our adventures:

The reception Saturday was incredible. I met so many nice people. Some of whom I had heard (or read) about, and others that came to celebrate. It was cold, there was snow, but it was worth it. The food was delicious, the fire was warm, and the backdrop couldn't have been any better.

Sunday, a bunch of us went down to Little Wild Horse Canyon for a short hike. BEAUTIFUL! Unfortunately, my camera decided it was time to start acting up. Apparently, just being in close proximity to Dan and Jenny does that to cameras. So, I managed to get a few pictures, but they started getting fuzzy. I'll post a few when I get back home and can sort things out with the camera sprites.

After Little Wild Horse Canyon, Jenny and I drove down to Moab to stay the night and see Arches National Park on Monday. Too bad we both forgot that Columbus Day is Monday and a lot of people use this 3-day weekend for off-road sports. 10 hotels we checked were all full. We had dinner, and headed back home. Late night.

Monday we just sort of chilled. A busy weekend really wears out the pregnant folk. I was pretty tired myself from the hike and boulder climbing we did Sunday. We stayed close to home, watched a movie, took a nap, and went to a birthday party. All in all, it was a really good day.

I'm excited about coming back in the spring when all sorts of new life will be here. New babies, new flowers, new bugs!

and

i accidentally bought a roast beef sandwich kit to bring for lunch.

down the toilet, that's where my morning went

A Trip is not a trip is not trip

Today I am flying out to Utah for my friend Jenny's wedding reception. I packed a couple of days ago to be sure that I had everything I needed. I made my list, counted out how many pairs of socks, how many shirts, even dug out my travel sized everythings. I'm ready. Hubby brings me to work with my carry-on and suitcase. All is good.

Then, it hits me.

I forgot my pillow.

This is no ordinary pillow. Some may find this disturbing, others will completely understand. I've had this pillow, and one just like it, my ENTIRE life. This pillow has been through everything with me. It has traveled around the world with me. It defended the freedom of These United States with me as I loaded containers in Kuwait. When I found myself all alone, no matter where I found myself, my trusty pillow was there.

I immediately started whining. To my coworker's dismay. Then I call Hubby and he's not there. I have to leave a whining message that I forgot something very important. My pillow. When he called back, there was no sympathy, only: "Maybe now you will have learned your lesson. All those times you make fun of me for making lists, now maybe you will start making lists." But I did make a list. Never have I had to put the pillow on the list, because that would be like putting your right arm on the list.

Hubby suggested that maybe Jenny will have a pillow. I reminded him that not only do Jenny and Dan need their own pillows, Jenny's mom is in town, and I will be using the air mattress. I don't mind the air mattress, but I need my pillow. Then I said, "Maybe I can just sleep on a couch cushion!" Hubby exploded in laughter. So supportive. Then he comes up with these ingenious solutions:

A bag of flour
A bag of corn meal
Ooh, Rice!
Ooh, Ooh, a ziploc bag full of rice!

About this point in the phone call, Jenny emails me with a weather update. Instead of the worst winter storm in 10 years, now the weather people say, just kidding, rain and cold and wind. I email her back and say, "I forgot my stinking pillow," Who cares about the weather, I FORGOT MY PILLOW!!!

Ever the solutionist, Jenny assures me that they have plenty of pillows that stink that I can borrow.

Hopefully, my trip won't be ruined.

I am looking forward to the bonfire. I haven't been to one of those in a while.