side by side

Only one night of this on Wednesday, except, I'll be sleeping in a cabin with a bunch of teenage girls and whispering to Kent through a cell phone.

Silver lining, I'll be reunited with my husband on Thursday, and after 30 years, I'll get a room for two at my family reunion.

Marriage. I love it.

a near death experience

At about 6:24 pm last Friday, Floyd nearly met his death while driving along Seal Beach Blvd. As he was about to cross the 405 overpass, something broke inside. He wasn’t quite sure what had happened, but there was a crackly thud then he started slowing down. Not certain how to proceed, he slowly made his way to the shoulder of the road.

Next thing he knew, he was smoking. What had just happened? All vital signs were functioning, but he didn’t think he should move, so he sat, and sat, until he eventually felt himself being lifted unto the back of a truck. Had salvation found him?

Floyd knew he was old. He had been many places, seen many faces, and he felt he had served his purpose. If life ended now, he was at peace.

He sat in a critical state for a couple of days while a diagnosis was made and deliberations were had about his future. Would it be better to let him go or to give him a second chance? It was confusing because he had done so much already. He didn’t have anything left to prove. If it was his time, it was his time.

After much discussion, it was determined that Floyd had a little more to give. He could recover from this near death experience and offer more service to those who love him.

The transplant won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

Thank you for sticking around a bit longer, Floyd. We can’t wait to haul another Christmas tree on your racks or load you down with 300 lbs. of flagstone. Most importantly, we’ll try to not make you feel like a waste basket on wheels anymore. You’re too good for that.

Much love to you. Get well soon.

a midsummer's day distraction

I should be working, but I'm not. It's summertime and it's hard to concentrate. Why doesn't everyone get the summer off? Kids AND adults need 3 months of vacation. If I had it my way, I'd be at the beach reading a good book. Maybe I'd go in the water, maybe I wouldn't. Either way, I wouldn't be staring at my computer in my matchbox office. I would be outside. Sounds lovely right now. I guess the beach will have to wait for Saturday.

So, the last few weeks have been busy, but mostly the enjoyable kind of busy. We made trips to Redlands and Claremont, celebrated Kent's mom's birthday, enjoyed a fun-filled Fourth of July, replaced the Cat converter in our car (don't ask me what it does, but hope you never have to replace yours), saw a Wilco concert (maybe that was before the last post?) and attended Michael Jackson's Memorial Service. Yes, we went. Did we put our names in the lottery? No. Kent probably wanted to, but we didn't. The tickets were given to us by Michael Vega, a yellow page rep I work with. Bless his soul, he also got us tickets to the Spice Girls Reunion Tour, a concert that would bring Kent and me that much closer to matrimony.

Moving on to some summer shots.

The Fourth:

The Claremont Parade Crew.

Grandpa Sommer and the parade entries.

Cute Sommer nieces and Lainey. Love the big bows, very festive.

Mimi and Sommer

I don't think they make American flags much cuter than this.

MJM (Michael Jackson Memorial):

The police were out in full force: bikes, horses, even Segways (sad I didn't capture those) were everywhere in case the crowds got rambunctious. They weren't really necessary. Everyone was quite calm.

Our glorious parking pass. We were prepared to pay at least $40 for parking, but this little pass came free with our tickets.

Jess and Nate, our memorial buddies. Tickets and wristbands were required to get in.

Oh, Michael. Those BAD days were good for you.

I'm not quite sure about this, but I think the host from the Bachelor was a newscaster at the memorial. Not sure why he was there.

The site in front of the Staples Center. Camera crazy.

Michael reincarnate.

See those programs we're holding so excitedly? Well, one of them is for sale on eBay. The bidding ends in about 14 hours. We'll see what we get.

Kent couldn't see him in person, but the memorial was a fine second choice. (Click here for Kent's review.)

Grandma and Grandpa West's House:

My sister Jayne. How does she do it? Not sure. She has quadruplets and here they are in the pool at the same time.

Brynlee

Weston

Cambria

and Addison. Whoever invented Floaties is a lifesaver. Quite literally.

My other sister, Nini, and little Malia.

Is it bad that I took the camera out and watched this little guy soak himself? At least I turned the water to a warm setting.



An outside, afternoon shower? Why not.

Summer is all about: Swinging. Isabelle knows that and...

so does Grandpa.

It's also for Jumping and...

Playing games, and Grandma is the ultimate Game Lady.

Mom and Dad. They make so many things possible. Love them.

Summertime is so great.

What a good life we live.

zucchiniland

This summer has brought us more zucchini than we know what to do with, so we have been gathering recipes and experimenting with this abundant vegetable. Sauteed with onions is always good, but I had to make cookies for an activity tonight, so I searched the Internet for a zucchini cookie recipe and ended up with a delicious, healthy find. Well, relatively healthy for cookies. It has wheat flour, honey, brown sugar and zucchini--healthy, right? Here it is in case you find yourself in the same zucchini bind:


ZUCCHINI CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
(Makes about 3 dozen)

1 egg, beaten
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 tbsp. vanilla extract (Mexican vanilla if you have it--it's the best!)
Combine in large bowl.

1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Combine in a separate, small bowl and blend into liquid mixture

1 cup finely shredded zucchini
12 oz chocolate chips
Stir these into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet, and flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350°, 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy and Happy Summer!