Home for the Weekend

It was so much fun to go home last weekend and see everyone.  The grandkids are so cute and it was great to see them.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures on Sunday of Vea, Tua and Tavake.  Sorry Tevita and Makenzie and Jared and Adrian.  I will get more pictures of everyone at Bear Lake.  I'm still getting used to the fact that I have a camera since for so many years I haven't. 

Beth and Russ did a great job of the Spencer reunion on Saturday.  The dutch oven cookoff was fun and there was so much good food.  Daniel had a great time with the kids games and congratulations to Naki for winning the quilt.  I understand that Sione is the one that ended up with it. 

Sunday was a little surreal.  I had just gotten used to being at home and then had to pack up and leave again.  It seemed a little weird to be home because it doesn't feel like my house any more.  Leaving Dad is the hardest thing I have to do though and brings lots of tears.  Thank you everyone for helping to take care of him.  Also thanks to all of you for coming to dinner and wishing Dad a happy Father's Day.  We love all of you tons.

I don't know if you can see these very well, but here are two of the bunnies outside my apartment.

Earthquakes

So I have been in my apartment all of three days and we have had two earthquakes.  I know this sounds crazy!  Saturday night I was sitting in the living room in my camp chair when there was a big bang and the windows rattled.  I heard later that it was a quick earthquake.  Last night just as I was going to bed, there was a shaking for about 15 seconds.  I had forgotten how the earthquakes down here feel.  Of course, a lot of neighbors came out of their apartments to see if anything was going on.  Then everyone just shrugged and went back inside.  I am definitely in California, land of daily earthquakes. 

I will post pictures of my apartment when I get some furniture.  Right now it is a little pathetic with 2 bar stools, a camp chair and an air mattress.  It is worth the wait though.  I like being on my own and away from living with someone else.  Even though Denise and John are friends and co-workers, it was a bit awkward. 

There are lots of birds, bunnies, squirrels, and lizards.  I have been trying to get a picture of some of these critters for the grandkids.  I finally got a picture of a lizard sunning itself on the wall, but am still working on the bunnies. 

Denise has two little dogs.  Annie is a Jack Russell Terrier, and I am not sure was Rosie is.  They are both very cute, but Annie is a very hyper dog.  Don't get a Jack Russel unless you can handle hyper.

Blessings

I had the fantastic opportunity to meet a man who came to the ranch for a class.  He appeared to be in his thirties, but of course I couldn't tell.  He was completely confined in a wheelchair and very small.  His arms, hands and legs were misshapen.  He had to be carried out to the deck for meals and was completely dependent on someone else to assist him in all but running his chair.  When I got the chance to talk with him, I was so moved by his spirit.  I asked him how he was and his response was "Awesome." 

I am so blessed to have such a supportive family who have cheered me on as I have taken this huge step out of my comfort zone.  It is honestly confirmed to me every day that this is where I should be and what I should be doing.  The people I have met from all over the world are amazing.  There are so many good people who surround us daily and we should count our blessings that we are able to associate with them.  It feels good to be helping people in their quest for a healthy lifestyle and to help them combat terrible disease.  We need to stop the petty dramas in our lives and truly look for the blessings in our everyday lives.

Another blessing I enjoy on a daily basis is being able to wake up in the morning above the clouds as you can see in the pictures below. It is fun to go out for a walk and have this be my view.

Morning Walk

I have decided that I am starting off this new phase of my life being as healthy as I can be.  Thus, I have started off the last two mornings with a 6:00 am walk.  Yesterday I saw some gorgeous flowers on my walk and determined to bring my camera along on these walks in the future.  Most of the flowers come from the neighbors landscaping.  These blue/purple flowers were so pretty and they were almost a bush. 

There are also orange trees everywhere and they are fun to see and know that I'm in a climate where orange trees can grow and flourish.

As you can see, there are cactus everywhere too.  I'm sure everyone thinks that cactus are not the most beautiful plants in the world, but check out these cactus.  The one doesn't have any flowers, but look how pretty it is.  Maybe it isn't a cactus, but a huge aloe vera plant.  I really don't know, but it looked so cool.  You probably can't tell how bit it is, but it's taller than me. 

The ones below are my favorite.  They are on these huge cactus plants, but the flowers are beautiful wispy things.  I had to climb through the neighbors yard to get the close up.  Hope they didn't mind.

This picture taking and blogging is fun.  I hope it is giving everyone a glimpse of my life right now.