My feet were planted firmly on the ground... Then I felt like a little girl who slid down the moon. I laughed with joy as it tickled my back. wow what a nice couple of weeks we have had. September 9th brought a big surprise party for Greg he is 30 now. That party was good fun. There was even a band. Of course I brought the hoops out to play. Always a hit! The next day not to let our livers dry out we went to another surprise birthday bash. This time my Pops, it was his 60th birthday. We had the party at Monahans. So many friendly faces wondered in and then, stumbled out. He was full of birthday spirit.
September 11th follows. I reflected on my own hero. When he kisses me goodbye in the morning, I try to never think of the worst. I try to remember he is out to protect and to help. I still can't help but feel sad when I think of all our fallen hero's. Is is bravery? Is it just their duty? I don't know. What I have learned from being married to a firefighter for almost 7 years, is that it takes a unique strong beautiful human to do this work. The saying, " he'd give you the shirt off his own back" explains my husband. If his duty calls him to run and save you, your family. Rich or poor. He will. and he will hold your hand while you may be scared but, you will never hear his heart pounding. Just see his sweet soul in his eyes as he looks back at you and promises peace and safety. Okay, what better way to celebrate such men and women??? Watch a fly over at the Oakland Raider game. A new year for the raiders but, same old sacs...
I returned to playing tennis on the 15th yeah nice, a great workout. The 16th was my beautiful cousin Anne's wedding. She looked so calm and full of love. Later that day we went to the Elton John concert. I don't know if it is the words I heard at the wedding but, all day I saw beautiful things all around me. Flowers, Family, smiling faces.
And as Elton says it, there was a time when I was everything and nothing all in one. When you found me, I was feeling like a cloud across the sun. But, I need to tell you how you light up every second of the day. but in the moon light you just shine like a beckon on the bay. I can't explain, it's just something about the way you looked tonight. It takes my breath away. It's this feeling I get about you deep inside. I can't describe but, it's something about the way you looked tonight. It takes my breath away, the way you looked tonight. With every smile you pull the deepest secrets from my heart. and all the honesty and I'm speechless and I don't know where to start. and I can't explain but, its something about the way you looked tonight. it takes my breath away....

DEATH BY SUNFLOWER

This years vegetable garden was a small delightful one. We included our favorite summer treats. Eggplant, green beans, basil, tomatoes, and radish. In one of the garden boxes we have vines of pumpkins. All turning a beautiful orange. They are small cute pumpkins. One afternoon, I got this idea of cutting down the very large sunflower that grew in the middle of the box. Loaded with seeds the head of the sunflower hung towards the ground. This is when I got the image of being caught under it's branch when I cut it. I had to do a self portrait and call it death by sunflower. Imagine being caught under such a pretty flower. It was 12 feet tall and the head of the flower must have weighed 3 pounds. I now have it on the porch for the squirrels to munch and crunch on.

David Newell 's 60th surprise family dinner. 8/26/06 6pm
We had a typical Italian feast at Fior de Italia 2237 Mason Street. Our antipasta included sweet tender crab, a large prawn, prosciutto over melon, and tomato and mozzarella with basil. Moving on to a trio of pasta. Followed by our chosen entree. No birthday party is complete with out cake and other yummy desserts. I loved the evening sitting with Justin and Marianne, Jason and Liz and Chris. We joked that we were at the kids table. We had the most fun and we could see everyone from our table. I feel so comfortable with my family. So loved and so very blessed. I looked around the room and saw the smiling faces of my loved ones. In today's busy world, your lucky to have the time set aside to cherish such special nights. My dad said it best last night." Love the ones your with. Tell them you love them when you can. Kiss them and be their friend." Seems to me, he had spoken from his heart last night. Hmm, I wonder did he know it was a surprise party.

These just could not be missed. Our Memorial day bbq. It warmed up enough to swim.

Summer Fun!!
It has been a year in our new home. We love it here. We have had some great parties and so many wonderful guests. The pool is getting some great use. I wanted to show off a few pictures around the pool.

Montana Vacation

It was a wonderful two week summer vacation away. People ask what do you do in Montana. Well, you can do as little or as much as you like. The days are very long. Allowing you to pack in a full day of activities. We spent our time in the town of Condon. A little town nuzzled in the beautiful Swan Valley. The Surrenas have their family home along the Swan River. A house so packed with love it oozes out between the logs that hold the cabin together. This year we had the pleasure of showing it off to our friends Cristen and Nathan. They fell in love with Montana. We also spent three days in Glacier National Park. Staying at two old lodges. Day One Lake MacDonald Lodge. A modest lodge. We were not lake side but we did catch a great sunset on the shore of the lake. We took a small hike this day near the lodge. The Johns Lake Hike. How many shades of green are there? The forest floor was spongy and soft. Moss grew in many nooks and crannies of fallen trees and big rocks. The forest lead us to the river. Now, how many shades of blue are there? The water rushed by us as we stared in awe of its beauty. This was an easy hike but just what we wanted. Day Two. We hiked the 11.5 miles from Logan Pass down to our car. This hike is called the HighLine Loop. Wow! The flowers, the clouds, the mountains, oh my. Around each corner the scenery changed. Allowing for many picture taking opportunities. We sang and clapped our hands to keep away the bears. We never saw a bear BUT we did see the meanest, scariest, don't mess with the best. Yes that's right folks, a wolverine!! And, not to brag but, Chris got it on video.. From there we stayed at the beautiful Many Glacier Lodge. Lake side this time and only for $150.00. Before heading back to Condon we took one more hike along an easy trail to a waterfall. Glacier was an amazing part of our trip. A place that allows you to really think about what is truly important. Allowing the nasty stress to come and go. Leave it behind and move on. You feel so small and almost, invisible among such age and wisdom. A place that has survived for years. Really puts life in perspective.
Before saying goodbye to Montana Cristen and I had booked ourselves a little pampering at Mountain Bliss Spa in Bigfork. We took an hour 45 minute yoga class. (the best we ever had) and we each had a spa service. This is the way to ease back into reality.