Hanging Out With These Two People....

Life is good!

Camera

I have some great pictures on my camera. Unfortunately, I've lost something that I need to charge the camera and to connect it to my computer. (Read the cord.)
Bummer... I'm hoping to find it soon.

Breaking the Rules

A few days ago my super sweet friend Alison returned from school.

I love the girl! So obviously, after work I called her on the phone.

Happily, and much to my surprise, she was near by my work!!! Woot! 

So she dropped by and picked me up for a lunch date.

I was so excited that I broke one of my rules... I didn't have a visual or 

physical check on my keys. And I locked them into my car. Oops.

Thankfully, my sister had a spare key and we were able to come 

back a few hours later and get my car open.

So hurray, for friends and sisters, for rules and for breaking rules.

(You know, that is the first time that I've locked my keys in the car. Will it be the last?)

Traffic

Not having to struggle through traffic before, I've been surprised and annoyed figuring out the traffic patterns I'm currently facing. The biggest reason that I'm annoyed is because of the lack of consistency. One Wednesday, the drive I take (from the Farm to the West Side) will take 40minutes. The next week, (and for a very unknown reason) the drive will take 65minutes.

 Seriously, how do you plan for that!?

Here are a few pictures of other cars sitting around in the stop and go traffic.

Lunching

I never knew how much I like eating. I love it! 

But I really like doing it with other people.

I find that sometimes I have to eat alone. (Surprising? It shouldn't be right?)

Anyway, the point? I'm learning to enjoy fixing an easy lunch and eating it alone.

Here is one of my main stays.

Slice of delish Alvarado Street Bread with Butter

Three Dates

Handful of Peanuts

Carrot

Glass of Raw Goat's Milk

YUMMY 

More Bees - Pt. 2

So you last read that I fell in love with bees.

As time when on I continued to love bees. I would read about them - look at them - and dream about keeping them. I went to an art class and there met a woman who kept bees. We talked about bees pretty often.

My passion grew. I asked my dad if I could get bees and keep them at our house in SV. But after careful consideration the answer was no. My heart was broken.

But then, as I was working on an art project (it was an advertisement for honey no less!) I randomly prayed.

Basically I told God that I knew he cared about me. And that I knew he could send some bees my way if he wanted to do it.

Really, the prayer just sort of jumped out of me before I even thought about it. Bees? Who prays that God will send some? But I did - and thought little of it. Until...

I looked out my bedroom window the next day. In the tree right outside my bedroom window was a swarm of bees. They stayed around for the summer, over-wintered, and remained for the next year too.

While living there they never, ever stung a person. A perfect hive!

The Sting of Love - Bees Pt. 1

I remembered that I needed to post something about bees.

I've been sitting in a coffee shop for a few hours (which is remarkable peaceful considering how many people come in and out.) I'm almost finished with my internet required work - but I needed to get my head on straight again so that I can look it over and deem it finished.

So I thought I'd pop back over here and post something about my bees.

I have loved bees for years. It all started the first time I got stung - when was that you want to know? How did it happen?

I was over at my friends house. She was my best friend for a number of years. I loved her dearly (and still do...) We were having a delightful time visiting along with my twin sister, Ivanna. (Of course you all know who she is! hehe)

The three of us were watching my friends little brothers and two of their friends. For a grand total of four boys. Not a big deal for me - I loved children. After lazing around for a bit we decided that Ivanna would stay with the children and Friend and I would go to the store to get some junk food and soda. (This was YEARS ago, so don't judge harshly.)

I went to the back porch and called the boys up the yard. We thought they should know the plan. So I shouted each of the boys names. I watched in shock as two of the boys jumped up and ran - the opposite direction! Around a fence and out of view. The two brothers of my friend were rushing toward me. But then I heard (and they must have too) a shriek. The boys halted and then began traveling back toward their friends.

Then I saw it - a cloud if you will - of oh, oh! BEES! I knew enough about bees at the time to know that

A. They defend their hive
B. That they will keep stinging if you're close by
C. That the best thing to do is get away from where they live.

So I raced down the hill and got to the boys. There was a crazy lot of bees. And as I dragged the boys away from where they stood rooted to the ground I saw bees flying out of their shirts, down the necks of their collars, clustered at their waists. After going a good distance from where the hive was located, I knew the only thing to do was strip down.

I commanded them to take off their clothing. They protested. I help them get to it. As they took off their shirts they were covered in bees. They took off their pants - more bees. Of course, there was a lot of screaming and yelling. There were even tears. The noise attracted the friends boys' mother, who came over shouting at me. (Understandably - the woman didn't know me and her boy's were crying and mostly undressed. Which would be scary in a very scary way!) Then she saw their bodies. They had more stings covering their bodies then could be easily counted.

She got her sons and raced them to the ER, where they both were given shots and ended up just fine.

I, myself, got about five stings and four bites. (Or some sort of combination of stings and bites.) The trip to the store was canceled. I was extremely tingly, and my lips went numb. But after a quick call to poison control felt comfortable not going into the ER (or urgent care) and just relaxed.

And as I lay upon the couch recovering, I fell in love. Bees: delightful, powerful, beautiful and wonderful. Instead of the sting of death, it was the sting of love. And I've never stopped loving them.

Goats

I'm living on a farm. A goat farm. So it seems fitting that I should post some 

pictures of goats doesn't it? I took these weeks - and weeks ago. 

This mama was the first goat to have babies this year.

It was a hard labor. One baby died, which was so sad.

Although, it's also real life. I learned a lot from the birth. I've always known 

I love human births. I also knew I loved pig, cat, and rat births. 

Goat births were no different.

I loved being there. The goat birth was the first time that I felt, 

without a doubt that I belonged here.

Here's the sweet little fellow that made it. 

He's now big, friendly, and extremely healthy.

He got named Moses.

The Sword!

The below fellow and his family moved away recently. But first he graduated and got some extremely high honors when he did it. Because of his grade point average (I believe, come correct me on the comments if I'm wrong!) he got to cut the cake... with his most amazing sword! 

It was fantastic.

 I'm so happy I got to be there.

Getting ready to cut the cake!

Better than at a wedding...

And it's done.

The beautiful family!

I wish you lots of happiness and joy friends. You're missed in the Bay Area.

Coffee Chronicals

Well, in my last post, you would have seen that I drank some sort of cold coffee/sugar drink. After that extremely successful coffee experience I was feeling pretty kindly toward the drink that I had formerly despised.

And so, the next week I went to a coffee shop and got a drink (maybe it was a latte, or a mocha, or an americana, or well...) And I like that drink just fine. So I got another a few days later. My plan was just to randomly order something off the menu and see what I thought. And so I ordered the above mentioned list. Although not in that order. Things were going well.

(I had a little, tiny misgiving about the idea of drinking something to keep myself awake. In the back of my head I remembered that I'd thought that was a bad, bad idea for living a fully functional life.)

But, I was amazed at how much the coffee allowed me to function on tiny amounts of sleep. It was fantastic. I was so impressed with the wonder of it, that I told a friend (who is NOT a coffee drinker) about the greatness of the drink.

I said when you're really tired you should try drinking a cup of coffee.
He said that never, ever, would he start drinking coffee.
I suggested that he ought to reconsider.
He said there wasn't a chance.
I laughed at him.

Later that day, I went to bed. But I didn't fall asleep. Instead, as I struggled to recline in bed, while being extremely tired, yet fidgety and restless, I laughed at myself. The coffee was keeping me up! All that caffeine was doing its grand work.

So, after a brief and delightful coffee fling, I'm back to a coffee free life. And I'm loving it.

Food, Friends, Falling Trees

Today I went to my friends baby shower. I got to visit with some friends – which I enjoyed of course. I walked one dear friend out to her car and we got to talk a little bit. I reflected on how sweet it is just to be near her. She knows me. I don’t have to work to make her understand. There is enough shared history for her to on her own.

I’m living in a new place with really kind people. But, there is so much to learn. I’ve never lived with non-family. I don’t always understand the nuances of conversation. I don’t always know where I should fit in. It’s tricky knowing what I should and shouldn’t do. Knowing and being known is a tremendous blessing. 

After the shower I went out with my friend Kendall. We were able to visit and share some deep conversation. It was wonderful and meaningful, and I’m glad for it. We stopped at Starbucks and I got a coffee drink. (That should surprise you!) And guess what? I liked it! Yummy. How many other things am I going to find I like as time moves on?

Kendall and Osanna

(Here's the coffee drink. It's got whipped cream and no doubt 

copious amounts of sugar, no wonder it tasted good!)

I came back up to the farm to see some work had been done with the trees. Hurray for big strong boys. I love a can do attitude – and these fellows sure have it!

Trouble with Pictures

I'm supposed to be working. I have been, am taking a break now (is that fair when you're only an hour into work?!) and will return to the grindstone soon. I haven't blogged in days because I haven't been able to get my pictures to upload. It's extremely frustrating to me when I have limited internet access and cannot get something to work. WAIT! I get frustrated when I have unlimited internet access and cannot get things to work.
The days continue to be busy around here. There is so much to learn and do - and I love it better now than I did when I first came to the farm. That's a good sign isn't it?
Well, I'm going to try to get some pictures to upload again so that I can post some other stuff.

Getting Pulled Over: Life is Never Dull

I've been pulled over four times in my life.

Once for someone wearing their seatbelt improperly (I was ticketed and then the judge threw the ticket out later.)

Next, when the tint of my father's truck window was so dark it was illegal. (No ticket there.)

Again, in Nevada for speeding. (I got a ticket fair and square.)

Finally, yesterday for backing up on a roadway! I didn't get a ticket, but did get pulled over by THREE DIFFERENT OFFICERS! (It was at the same time, no doubt they were traveling together.) My parents and Uriah were following a way behind me and wondered what I could have possibly done to get pulled over by so many officers.

The officer who did most of the talking was actually pretty nice to me, and said he'd let it go. When he left he gave me knuckles and said to have a good day. I wanted to get a picture with them, but was to nervous to ask if they'd do it.

Maybe next time.

Blind Dating

“I turned a blind date down lately. I’m only interested in casually dating, and I’m not sure if I’m even okay with that.” – Osanna to Kendall

(This really did happen, and Kendall said I should post it on my blog. So Kendall, if you’re reading this – this is for you.)

Random Thoughts About Random Things

I'm doing this new thing - writing random thoughts about random things. I have journaled daily for years. But this is on the computer and totally random. Each paragraph is about something else... and it's been very fun. Here are some thoughts from the week.

4.7- 

This afternoon Uriah came to meet me and we went for a hike. We went to Henry Cowell and enjoyed some time visiting. He tried to get on a branch to sit with me and over shot the branch no less than three times. It was super funny and I loved it. He’s easy to love.

I’m learning to love things I never knew I could. Like watching part of a movie, or drinking milk. Last night we watched part of a movie, and turned it off to watch more later. I have hated that sort of business in the past, but I think I’m learning to love it. It’s fun to look forward to the end. I’m excited about seeing it. And milk, why, I haven’t enjoyed drinking milk in years! It’s been so long. But yesterday I drank a cup of milk and it wasn’t hard. It wasn’t bad. And today I drank a cup of milk and truly enjoyed it. That was surprising!

4.3-

I went to the beach with Thomas and Uriah. I love Thomas – he’s really wonderful, and frustrating, and madding, and lovely at the same time. We went to Davenport beach, which was so nice. Not too crowded, and just right for me. Although, it was pretty cold. I snuggled between the boys and we talked and talked.  

3.30 -

Jenni had her baby yesterday. I have been tired as a result. Things are not always as they seem… which must be a good thing. Do I always trust my own intuition? Almost. That’s one of my most feeling driven parts of me.

3.27-

My car is still not working properly. Boo-hiss. I wish it would. It’s driving me crazy and I ahhhh! CAN NOT TAKE IT. So super seriously stressful. {The car has been fixed.}

Week One: Adventures While Living on a Farm

This week has been different. REALLY different. I moved out of my parents home and over to a farm. I wanted to live more "country" and I AM now. I've been having a good time. The learning curve is steep - but at least I enjoy learning new things.
I've got limited internet access right now - and so I'm going to cover the week here quickly.

Friday: I moved. Uriah came to visit me, but never made it.

Oops! He drove right into Water.

Saturday: Worked on getting settled. Went out to dinner with Uriah (to celebrate the removal of the Corolla from the water) and friends who had helped. I didn't get a picture though.

Sunday: Pretty normal, except my car overheated on my way back to the farm, and I had to sit around for a bit. "Helped" with milking. Oh, I learned a VERY cool game called Flinch. I think you'd like it too.

Monday: Made Kefir. Helped around the farm a bit. Dropped my car off for repairs (with my dad.) Got my sisters car to borrow. She is sweet. Went to book club. Discussed The Man Who Was Thursday. Got a call from a friend that she was in labor. Went to her house in Sunnyvale. (I've got a picture, but it's not uploaded... sorry!) Slept for 15 minutes in the night.

Tuesday: Returned to the farm around 1pm. So tired... I wanted to sleep but couldn't. Made dinner - broke an important glass of the family I'm living with. Got antsy - went for a run. Looked at the stars a reflected how good God has been to me.

Wednesday: Went to work - gone all day long! Retrieved my fixed car. (The part only cost $10! I wanted to dance and sing!)

Thursday: Worked. Alarmed my boss at the second recess by looking ill. (I was only tired.) Was late picking up a friend from school because it was hot and I wanted to paint my toenails. Friend and I hung out with Uriah. Ran into loads of friends at the Point. Such a sunny day! Did dishes on the farm.

Friday: Did loads of errands. Went to Dr. Studer in San Jose. Spent time with my sister. More dishes. Spent the night with my brother Uriah at his house sitting job.

Saturday: Went to the Farmer's Market. Visited my parents house and picked up needed items. Returned to the farm and helped out with various tasks. Went shopping. Ran over to Amy's house to get a cook book for a cake recipe. (How amazingly cool that was! I seriously ran.) Made a chocolate moose cake. Did more dishes. (And I didn't take a picture of the cake!)

Sunday: Went to church. Had lunch with my sister and brother-in-law. Went to Davenport beach. Played with a friend and Uriah. Went to Costco for shopping. Visited Amy again and ate dinner with her. Returned to the farm. No one was home. Did dishes. Other people returned. Visited with them. Processes milk. Gave a back rub. Got read to - and piano played to.

Okay, that was a little more than a weeks worth of activities. And it's likely you don't care that much. I cannot help but remembering a friend telling me how arrogant it is to think someone wants to read about my life. He said it in jest, but, for some reason that's coming to mind.

  

 

Knowing Me...

Some people that know me know this: I love rules. I actually do. I don't like stupid rules, and I don't particularly like rules that other people make. But I do like my rules. I make rules for myself about a lot of things.

Examples?
If I think I'm reading more than I should, maybe for two weeks I can only read two chapters a day.
Another? I have to visually see my keys (in purse or hand) before locking my car. (Some of these rules are useful you know!)

Well I also have a blogging rule. Once I "publish" something I cannot edit it. That means, my misspellings, typos, uses of wrong words, wretched sentences... all of it, stays.

When I read over something I've written, I get to laugh rather than edit. And that's a wonderful thing.

Pictures Finally!

This is not modern art. These are pages I needed for my class. The printer threw a fit and crumpled page, after page. 

The good news: I have an iron!

(Did you know that the letters that have been printed on the page can get ironed off?)

She Hearts It

My sister, Lis, has started blogging for a review site again, called sheheartsit.com. They'll be reviewing all sorts of products - from humidifiers - to kids play things - to makeup etc. To all you mom readers {cough, cough. I know I don't have many of you!} go check it out.
If you aren't a mom reader - you can still check it out. There are some great products that non-moms would love too.

What Does It Mean?

When a man says "I'm keeping my options open." when he speaks about women - what do you think it means?

Babies and Thoughts

I finally uploaded my camera software onto my computer. I promised someone that after I did that I'd start posting pictures.

That means this should have a picture - but I've only got one of the baby I'm thinking of - and I don't know that I'm allowed to share it. (You know, I'm not even in the photo.)

The point of this post really, is that my sister had her baby (All 11lbs. of him!!) this afternoon. Everyone is healthy and happy. He's beautiful. One HUGE child.

I wanted to share it with someone. I wanted to have a friend that lived close enough that I could run over and hug someone and jump up and down or something. But I don't - yet.

Ahh, maybe someday soon.

Movie Ideas Needed

This is a request. I need to come up with some movie ideas for a group I'm in. The movies can be about anything, but need to have some element worthy of discussion. If you've got any ideas, please, please!, leave the title. I'm pretty much the worst movie picker I've ever known. Perhaps with your help this group won't find that out. Thank you!

Wind and The Window Flower by Robert Frost

Growing up I loved real things. Things that made sense - were clear - could happen. Fairy tales were hard to understand, and completely unbelievable. And I didn't like them. Science Fiction - even worse! I was allowed to read whatever I liked, and that resulted in reading some very silly books, and skipping some others that would have done me good.

It also resulted in a deep love and connection to reading, which I treasure today. So I'm not complaining a bit. I'm very thankful for the encouragement I was given to read, read, read.

One of the interesting things that occurred though, was a very difficult time understanding poetry. Because poetry works you over, painting pictures and giving new meaning to words I found it confusing and well - boring. And so, I didn't read poetry.

Somehow, that changed. I started to enjoy thinking more deeply. I liked to look at pictures. I learned to love not understanding something the first time I looked at it. And then, for the first time in my life, when I read this poem, I was stirred. So I thought I'd share it with you.

Wind and Window Flower

by Robert Frost

Lovers, forget your love,

And list to the love of these,

She a window flower,

And he a winter breeze.

When the frosty window veil

Was melted down at noon,

And the caged yellow bird

Hung over her in tune,

He marked her though the pane,

He could not help but mark,

And only passed her by

To come again at dark.

He was a winter wind,

Concerned with ice and snow,

Dead weeds and unmated birds,

And little of love could know.

But he signed upon the sill,

He gave the sash a shake,

As witness all within

Who lay that night awake.

Perchange he half prevailed

To win her for the flight

From the firelight looking-glass

And warm stove-window light.

But the flower leaned aside

And thought of naught to say,

And morning found the breeze

A hundred miles away.

Have a Laugh with Aesop's Fables

I love what I do for work. One of the tasks I am doing right now includes reading through fantastic Aesop's Fables to pick a good one. I found this fable and thought it was so funny - funny enough to share at least.

 The Bald Man and the Fly

  
A FLY bit the bare head of a Bald Man who, endeavoring to destroy it, gave himself a heavy slap. Escaping, the Fly said mockingly, "You who have wished to revenge, even with death, the Prick of a tiny insect, see what you have done to yourself to add insult to injury?' The Bald Man replied, "I can easily make peace with myself, because I know there was no intention to hurt.  But you, an ill-favored and contemptible insect who delights in sucking human blood, I wish that I could have killed you even if I had incurred a heavier penalty."    
  
Moral: Revenge will hurt the avenger

Perhaps I love the baldness of the man, or the cruel mocking of the fly. Perhaps it is my agreement with the man - offing one fly (who has bitten you!) is worth a heavier penalty don't you think?

Ummm... You Want That Double Spaced?

I am working on a project in word right now. Well, not really right now, I just stopped because I remembered a funny story about word. So, work - wait! - I'll be right back.

When I was about 13, I had already learned to type, but was still not that literate about the typing lingo. Truth be told, I didn't have a clue! I was also attending a Bible Study, which was lead by my youth pastor and his wife.

The study was good -required homework - I liked it. For one of the books we read, The Cross and The Switchblade, we were required to write a four page paper response about how it had impacted us. There was a brief discussion about not worrying much about the length, because he (the youth pastor) wanted it double spaced. This struck me as extremely odd. WHY? Didn't make much sense to me. It seemed like it'd be a waste of space, which translates to a waste of paper. (Totally grew up in Santa Cruz!) But oh well, I'd do whatever he said.

I worked on that paper for what seemed like ages. Four pages is a lot to write about, particularly when the topic is all about how the book changed your perspective/life/thoughts/desires...

After I'd finished a dear friend came over and I asked her to read the paper. She was in the study as well, and reminded me that I needed to double space the work. I told her I had double spaced it, and she respond that I had not. After I explained and showed her that I indeed HAD double spaced the paper, she showed me what double spacing meant. You all know already right? I had been double spacing each time I needed to hit the space bar.

The paper ended up being eight pages double spaced, and even though the youth pastor commented that I had really written a lot, I was embarrassed enough to never tell him why.

Gnowfglins

I need to let the world (okay, okay, three people in the world.) know that I love http://gnowfglins.com/. Seriously, I've loved every single thing I've made from that site. I think you'd love it too. (You being my sister and sister-in-law, and Krista if she's still following me.) On your mark, get set, go. You'll be glad you did.

Memory Lane

This afternoon I went for a bike ride. A long ride, without a dog in tow, which means I was able to admire everything around me. I expected to observe the world around me. The people. cars, beach, and birds. What I wasn't expecting was the flooding of so many memories.

First, I rode by my old church building - and I recalled the weeks and weeks I taught Sunday School. A very happy memory. I was about 17. I felt deeply safe and connected. That was before I knew that even Christians could be back-bitting, hard-hearted people. Clearly, I wasn't reading my Bible with enough care.

And then I recalled the lovely little boy I had most weekends during that time. He was a sweet fellow. I loved play parenting on the weekends. I would sometimes buy him clothes. Which was such fun. I even bought a carrying front pack for him. That was before I knew about the Eden Mei-Tai wrap. Or that most front pack carriers place a lot of pressure on the pelvis, and that the Moby, Eden, or the African carrier is better.

I little farther along, I rode through my great-grandmother's mobile home park. And I had this clear memory of using my great-grandmother's wheelchair to race around the park with my older brother. He was always like that - making boring things, like visiting a stuffy home after a sad end - fun. This morning I had a long, delightful talk with his wife. A good friend and better sister. I miss them both.

I guess this got me in a memory kind of mood, because awhile latter, passing Twin Lakes Beach, I remembered the parties my friends had there. Most weekends I was working, and thus, couldn't make it. Part of me was disappointed then, to be missing all the fun, but not all of me was, even then. Now, looking back, I'm sure working was a better thing to be working.

Then I was riding past a Mexican market. And it made me think of popsicles. I love popsicles! And that reminded me of a time when it was hot, so hot, and I along with my sisters went to visit my very first brother-in-law at work. He was a wonderful man, full of attitude and fun. This particular day, on his break we walked over to the gas station which neighbored his place of work and ate popsicles together. I miss that man.

And finally, as I passed a little shop I remembered dropping off the Great Exchange with my nearly-second-mother, while watching the children in the car. That was a fun time. Driving all around Santa Cruz. Talking. Eating slurpees in the heat.

I as I peddled "home" (I'm still house-sitting after all) I reflected that many of these memories are sweet. Even the deep longing pain to see my first brother-in-law here, now, on earth was gentle eased knowing that I will see him again someday. Even though it will never be here. Perhaps we won't eat popsicles together, but who knows? Maybe we will. I'm looking forward to finding out.

It's the Small Things That Count

Driving home from work I was "flipping" through the channels and arrived at a station in time to hear something about birthdays. This had nothing to do with the song that had just played, or the next one coming up. The speaker must have simply had birthdays on her mind.

Anyway, she was sharing how we may long for a surprise party (not ME, maybe that will be something to write about...) or some sort of wonderful getaway mini-trip, but really it's the little things that count. I thought, though I had never longed for a birthday getaway mini-trip or a surprise party, I've known those who have. Of course those things are not BAD, but if you don't get either one, it is important to be thankful for what you do get.

"Don't forget to be thankful." I thought "Okay, good reminder."

I thus began considering some simple thing I could do to make a birthday special. While this transpired I heard the woman say:

"It could be as small as writing someone a song."

What?! In what world is that small?

I Need a Camera

It doesn't make sense to keep filling up the world with blog posts if I don't have a camera...seriously! (I think I need to get one.)

This morning I went walking/bike riding in the rain. I went extra early so that I could get back in time to take a warm shower before going to work. It's currently 48 degrees, so let's image it was 37 degrees this morning... point? It was cold. My hands were freezing on the bike ride. But it was also invigorating. Four months ago, I wouldn't have dreamed this would be me... I love getting outside and moving. If you can believe this, I've also taken a long hard hike, started jogging, and even went to the beach, in the rain, and walked/jogged. (Wait, all that is true even if you cannot believe it.)

So I added a picture of a random bike. But if I had a camera, I'd have taken a similar picture (only there would be a visible background, there'd be no basket and the bike would be purple.)

Urban Dogs

I'm house-sitting right now in an urban area. It's not downtown, but it very nearly is... I mean, when I walked around the block, I counted more restaurants than I could eat at in a week (read: more than one.) And there are two parks within an easy walk. Shopping? - Yes it's got that too. I never realized how wonderful it would be to walk or ride a bike anywhere I needed to go. Does this make me reconsider my country loving dream... not yet!

There are two dogs here - I've named them, for the sake of privacy, I am writing this on a BLOG after all: The Runt and The Beast (though he isn't beastly. I just like saying Beast, and saying Beastly is even better!) The Runt loves me - seriously loves me. The Beast is so in the love with the Runt that he hardly notices me.

Having Left the Blogging World.... I Now Re-Enter

I googled my name, and found this blog again. Yes, it's been so long I'd forgotten about it. I stopped using facebook a number of months ago - so much information overload! But somehow, I still want to be connected to the online world. So here I am, blogging again.

I haven't posted something since January 2009 - which means it's been two years - TWO YEARS!

So after such a long break, what is there to catch you up on? There have been weddings, births,

travels, work, fun, books, and loads of other events.

Weddings: My oldest sister got married in early 2009. My twin sister got married in late 2010.

Births: My siblings provide me with nieces and (thus far) one known nephew. (I write thus far because there are two babies growing right now, genders currently unknown.)

Travels: Nothing that amazing - Idaho, Washington, Texas, that sort of thing.

Work: Still teaching, LOVE IT.

Fun: Playing music, cooking food, gardening. Life in California is good.

Books: Been reading more than usual! I read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - and LOVED it. And just finished Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor - which was good.

Okay lastly, one "loads of other things": I am keeping bees. This will get it's own entry though. Bees... bees... I have bees!!!