Christmas in a NUT SHELL, Or I mean a SEA SHELL

Had a Fabulous Christmas EVE!  Rockin my super hero, or super mom boots.  Felt like I could do anything. Instead I did everything!

We really do love each other.  It was a great Christmas.

Went to breakfast at Alice's Biker restaurant You can get anything you want at Alice's restaurant

Including a Suburban full of car sick kids from driving up the beautiful, but winding road.  Real place real song!

To see Arlo Guthrie singing Alice's Restaurant click

Hit the beach with the doggies!

In part of our very organized plan we were to visit  Sister Sarah Goaslind.  A family friend serving in our San Francisco Oakland Spanish speaking mission.  We had information of her being at the visitors center that day.  We had gifts in hand for her and her companion.  It was all planned out!  But no sister Goaslind.  She was not coming in until the evening:( .  I had a lot of why didn't you call comments.  And granted I was disappointed.  We left the gifts and headed to San Francisco for the day.  As you'll see it all worked out pretty good.

Side note:

Sad to say NO La Taqueria, Aaron and Josh were severely distraught to find it closed until January 9th!.  We should have just gone home after that the disappointment was so great

Drove into the city!!, Drove into the city!!, drove into the city.  Yes, it was three times we drove into the city with bustling crowds of thousands of shoppers.  As James skillfully maneuvered the rented Chevy Suburban among those thousands of bustling shoppers!

We shopped, we ate, we people watched which was the absolute best. We tried the Aquarium which was backed up to a good two hour wait in freezing weather! We crossed bridges, crossed bridges love the bridges.

In San Francisco you seriously feel you are in another country.  Rarely hearing your own language spoken around you.

Aaron was great to help James and I ease the shopping tension.  He became our relationship mediator!  He even checked in with us to see how our progress was the next day!  Better after getting out of the craziness.  We found a secret parking place.  Nordstrom's Valet service.

Found our Sister Goaslind. Great evening at the Oakland Temple visitors Center listening to our family friend

play a concert for the Christmas crowds. She is amazing! We loved seeing her as well as hearing her.

Walked the coastal path with the four remaining kids. Cold, drizzling rain, but beautiful!

 

Said Goodbye to the boys. Tortured them with one more picture (or two). And I do mean TORTURE!

Lesson's Learned

 

Lesson's Learned

I experienced several new Christmas events that broadened my understanding of the diversity and goodness around me.

The Crèche

Ever year in Palo Alto there is held a Crèche .This was a totally new word for me. Word Nativity Scene is all I ever knew.

This Crèche exhibit is held at an LDS church. There were 100's and 100's of Nativity scenes on display from people from all religions and ethnic backgrounds.  It was amazing to behold! Each exhibit decorated to match the theme of the Crèche.  I went with my friend Susan Putnam. Unfortunately no pictures allowed. AMAZING

Lesson learned?

I would have to say I have limited myself to such a narrow view of the Savior's impact on the word. And on the individual who is very different than I am in how they worship him. Yet they love him and they do worship him.

The community sing

The program above is from the HMB interfaith Christmas Community sing. This event is rotated to a different church facility every year. Although the event has become so large that there are only three facilities large enough to host this event. Luckily for James, Britt and I this year was at our chapel. The church was decorated, programs printed, cookies made (or Bought) and the show was on. About 10 different denominations participated. This experience was extremely moving. Some congregations were very small and yet they sang with full hearts reaching everyone in the congregation. Each Choir director and Priest was fascinating! There were Women ministers, and dancing, swaying choirs. There were children, adults all doing their part to worship the Savior in their own way. They wore robes, scarfs, wore pants, red and white colors, wore different colors. Played drums, tambourines, trumpets, And guitars. In the end I was sitting becoming 100 times more enlightened, 100 times more thankful for the world I'm coming to know.

Lesson Learned?

So many people are trying to be faithful and good. So many people are seeking for good things. So many people are different than me. And each one is having an impact their way, in their part of the world. And they will never know that their impact effected my world.

Thomas Wright is here. Love that boy!

I had heard Thomas may come out to look into Podiatry school in this area. He had my phone number. No call. Then several day's ago he called and said I didn't want to bother you, but can I come and stay? YES! BIG YES! Thomas is now family since he married my niece Sidney. Although I always considered Thomas as family before then. He not only is Aaron's friend, but all of ours. And we actually have a guest bed that he can sleep on! Yes, a real bed.

We picked Thomas up at the Oakland Airport. It is a good hour's drive from here. It was so fun to see a homegrown boy in my neighborhood. He kept saying I can't believe you live out here!

I can't believe you live out here! REALLY Thomas I feel the same way every day!

He walked into our house and said wow this is really nice! I thought you lived like in a tiny two room apartment or something. Well that must have come from all my complaining! Shame on me. I'm working on the being grateful part of being here. Anyway, We shipped Thomas off to bed.

In the morning I had to make a last minute run to take Seminary kids to school. Barely made it back to take Thomas into San Francisco. I did offer him the little Beamer, but he seemed to be more comfortable with me taking him. Like I know the way around or something! Very humorous. I bravely took him on the coastal Highway then into San Francisco. Dropped him off at St Mary's hospital off Fulton. Then enjoyed a pleasant ride back the fast way on 280. I must say I felt quite brave and accomplished for the morning.

James was gracious to

come home early so we could go back to the city and pickup Thomas and play. Thomas had en

joyed his day, and was considering choosing this school of Podiatry. Well, we can't really say we didn't get super supportive of that idea!!! Having them around here would be fabulously fabulous.

We drove to

Union Square. The Christmas tree on the square was brightly lit. Macy's Department story was decorated to the hilt across from the square. The weather was pleasant enough for San

Francisco. And the busy streets filled with people was energizing. I loved it! Dinner at Lori's Diner was as Thomas said "medium". But the rest of the evening was down right festive. We finished off our evening by finding a gift to take home to Sidney. That took a little leg work, well leg work for the men to keep up with me!

They were letting me do the shopping while they did the walking.

Off Thomas flew this morning. Thomas is a great example to me of a righteous young man. And it is a powerful example. He is always complimentary and gracious. A great guest.

Haphazard Holidays

Alana, Chris, Joshua, Aaron and Brittany Brundage

Aaron and Chris

Brittany Brundage, Annie, Joshua, Channing, Chelsea, Britt and Aaron

The place I call home! This is where loved ones surround me at every turn. This is where I cook for my kids and they say WOW it's been so long since I had a home cooked meal. This is where my sister and I hang and my brother's are happy to see me. This is where I can serve my mother, and show my dad how much I love him. All of these things happened on a little 10 day visit to Utah.

First I had a road trip with my sister Diana and her Husband Dan. We had two weddings. One in St George for Ashley and Jason's wedding. Lovely drive, great day. Nothing better than to meet in the temple with family to celebrate good things.

Next day off to Manti to Selina's and Boddie's Wedding. Two totally different experiences, two totally different couples. Yet ea

ch was a great event. I felt like I was temple hopping, which was actually a delightful thing. Then a drive back to Payson where I stayed with my mom so my dad could attend Selina's reception. My mom was in a very deep sleep. Seemed to boarder on unconscious. My dad had the nurse come by for the second time that day to check on her. Dad said to the nurse "just keep her alive!" I then had to gently say in reply "dad you know one of these times they just won't be able to do that." He quietly said "I know".

As my mom came to something of a conscience state dad came back to a somewhat conscious state himself. He seemed happy. He then hauled her off to watch jeopardy in the little TV room next to their bedroom. They need each other more than they ever did before. They are both great examples of my hope of eternity.

Saturday was a funeral of my dear Draper ward friend Jolene Roden. Her death was more sudden than I expected. I was very thankful I was there for the funeral. My emotions were over flowing as I entered the church. And

then my heart couldn't take the overwhelming emotion of the death and of the reunion with so many loved ones. I actually felt deep pain from the reuniting of these treasured friends. So overwhelmed in fact that I chose not to attend church in Draper for that very reason. I had to remove myself from them in order to survive.

Although through the following days that came I ran into many friends, hugged them, laughed with them, and then left them.

First order of business decorate the Lehi house. Actually first order of business WHERE DID I PUT THE CHRISTMAS STUFFFF? No tree insight. I guess I really did a good clean out when I moved. No one around to go get a tree with me. Poor poor pitiful me. Oh wait, let's try Chris and Alana! Yes, lets check down the street at my son's house. I drive up to their house. There is Chris on the roof in the snow hanging Christmas lights. Alana in the house decorating for their own Christmas. Well, OK so I cried when I saw Alana. ( Mother- in- law's really!) As my dear Alana kindly said sure we'll go with you to get a Christmas Tree. Chris finished the lights and Chris, Alana, Milo and (me) drive to out in the snow to find me a

Christmas tree. If that wasn't enough they also came and helped me decorate that new Christmas tree. Aaron and his girlfriend Brittany came in the mist of all that dumping snow. They added to the fesitvities. Not to stop there, Josh came in as well. AHHH now I'm feeling good. My kids fill that empty cup of mine every time.

Begin the Preparations for Thanksgiving. Guests 19 then 17, then 14! The storm scared of my sister Lisa from St George. And my mother just isn't well enough to leave the house.

But determined to have

a good party I cooked the biggest feast ever! Really what was I thinking?

But man I did it right. I just can't be humble here, it was good. All my kids helped out before hand. James and Britt flew in Wednesday and joined the party.

Diana, Dan, Chelsea and Channing came to add color to our day. I would have kept them forever, locking the doors and post a no exit sign. But dear Channing was licked one to many times by Alana's new puppy Milo and broke out into a terrible rash. After Channing looked at Grandma Diana with a red swollen face and said "I hurt" I knew the party was over.

Never ending party weekend. We celebrated James birthday again. For Brittany it was the third time to celebrate. We used pies for the cake, and James went out and

bought his own candles! Terrible I know, but really a girl can only do so much.

Time to leave this comfy cozy place. Time to put on a brave face and a determined heart. Take off again in so many ways. I feel ripped apart in so many ways. And yet choice in these circumstances isn't really a choice

PS

The morning after I arrived back in HBM the sun was shinning, the beauty breathtaking, the ward members warming, the outlook positive.

HMB Young Women hosting a 70+Women's Dinner

Worked my tail off planning the menu, preparing the menu, decorating, cleaning. And every bit was worth it! These women in the Half Moon Bay Ward who are 70 and older are adorable! Each has a very interesting story. And each one is unique and beautiful. They have been so welcoming and dear to me. They're one reason I just may stay round for awhile.

The Young Women and the Leader's I work with teach me how wonderful individual worth really is!

So now that I'm 50 I should be getting life down to a science right? I guess I'm a slow learner on how do navigate the ropes. I have been wanting to have a home of my own. This renting thing is the pittts! I have owned a home for 25 years. Making a house a home is an enjoyable experience. Renting is a restrictive, non-rewarding experience. You have to deal with whatever you get. And in my case it's an older house which walks and talks like an older house. And the rent actually is as high as we would be paying in the area for a mortgage. Having your own home enables you to rip down a wall, or paint this or that, or redo anything! Renting makes me feel trapped, tied down, nuts.

The houses here are double the price for half the house I had in Draper. And assuming a mortgage at this point in our lives is STRESSFUL! It's a leap of faith to invest here in an unstable California economy.

The houses in most areas are older homes. Most with a unique style. I often feel I am in a mountain resort area than in California. Except for Ocean Colony where I presently live. It's a lovely gated community. I really would like to stay in the area. But for now we haven't found anything that we really want. Most of what we have looked at would have to be remodeled. Then there is El Granada. A strangely designed area set across from Surfer's beach Off of Highway 1. Mismatched houses with varying styles of mostly older homes set on an array of winding hills and wooded area's. In this mix we find a house that is 5 years old 3500 square feet and beautiful. It is off the market, but the people so want to sell and sale around the world with their cats and their boat. So the Realtors said they would be willing to look at an offer. So what is my problem? Can't seem to feel like going forward.

Life a FRIGHTENING Happening, OOOOOAHAHAH

Life is not always festivals and birthdays, and trips to Chicago! Too bad for that. Rather, life is day to day ups and downs, sideways and backwards. Well that is my version of life happenen anyway.

Last Tuesday the bishop gave me a bag of juicy oranges from his mother's orange tree in San Diego. He said they were a bribe. Hmm I replied? He continued to smile and said could you please speak this Sunday instead of in two weeks? What! You take these oranges back! That was my response. But like always I do what I am told, (or asked), And said ok. To my disapointment James will be in India and never hear me speak. That is a big deal to me. Partly because I haven't spoken in church or years!! No complaint mind you. It was also the Sunday I was hosting the Youth Fireside at my home. So as so often I was on my own to experience these things.

The talk seemed to go well, the fireside was cancelled, I had BYC and a Seminary meeting after church. Ok time for popcorn and Beauty and the Beast Sunday evening. I was exhausted! Britt couldn't break herself away from facebook to join me for the movie. So it was just me, Bent and the popcorn.

Today I'm looking at a couple of possible homes to buy. Now these aren't anything to write home about. Because the homes that are WAY out of our league. But the first one is off a wooded lined street, up a steep, steep hill that overlooks the ocean bay. Most houses are triple decor, narrow homes and this one is to that mold. But the view is cool. The square footage does hit the 4000 mark. And that is hard to find in this area for under 2,000,000. I will post pics just for fun when I'm finished looking.

Last night I drove Britt over the hill to Redwood City area. And why did I do that in the evening when I have to drive down the scary dark 92? well it was family night and I do what I can to please. So we drove 40 minutes while Britt slept and I drove. Only to have her choose Wendy's for dinner!! There isn't a Wendy's in HMB, but really. Our night out was going through the drivethru? Yes, not even did we go inside. But I did it happily and then drove the dark, scary 92 home at pretty good speed. That is because the fog was thankfully absent.

Britt is really struggling with school work. It has been a battle to keep her grades up. And as of now we are not fully succeeding. I say we, because it is a serious team task. James and I read her Of Mice and Men. (Britt did read a few pages here and there.) We have gone over the plot and the Characters many times. But her comprehension is scattered, and her testing is weak. Four years of High School. Oh not again! I know she is tired, because I am tired after driving her to Seminary at 6:00 in the morning.

All this is in my life her in HMB. And we can't forget I miss the sun. In fact the doctor said I am vitamin D deficient! I said is that unusual? Oh honey she said where you live without the sun it makes perfect sense. Well, good for me I'm normal:) Mystery solved. So besides missing the sun. I long for my kids. Not just to be with them, but for their happiness, their righteousness, their success!!! And honestly I am selfish enough to not only want it for them, but for me. A little joy in this life isn't so much to ask is it? And since so much of me is part of them our joy is connected.

Must say I have the Ward Halloween Party to look forward to. I can play the witch I sometimes really am. And then I can play the Suzy homemaker I can be and bake festive Halloween cupcakes for the cake walk. The Youth which I am part of get the fun part of doing the spook alley. Which part I'll play there I can't wait to find out!

HMB's pumpkin festival

Half Moon Bay has a huge festival every year. There are signs of festivities everywhere.

But nothing like the two days of parades, booths, everything pumpkin lining

the entire length

of historic Main Street. We also had been warned of the standstill traffic jams that go on and on! But we braved the experience early. And found it not so terrible. But actually quite interesting. The pictures give you an idea of life in HMB. Not everyone is in the Normal category. But everyone is in the enjoyable, unique category! Will it be a yearly family

tradition? probably not. But if I go next year I will be among the costumed unique crowd and fit in with the crowd!

Yes, and this picture captures Britt's mood perfectly!!

CHICAGO BABY!

The real deal! Chicago style PIZZA

Did it! Yes I did! It took guts and courage to go on a trip without family watching my back. I didn't even die! I mean really people I did it! In fact I did it well. I booked my own flights and they all got me to where I needed to go. I spent a four hour layover in the San Francisco airport to start things off. I had to cancel all of my veryimportant doctors appointments. And to make it worse I had to cancel my HAIR appointment. yes, I went to Chicago with dark roots two inches long. I survived that too! Boy I am amazing myself! I enjoyed a few hour stay in Lehi with my kids. Dear Aaron, Josh and Annie made me the cutest birthday present ever! It was the sweetest, most right on target thoughtful gift. Each of them really knew me and gave accordingly. I loved it so much. It's a dear precious.

memory. It's because they cared to take a time to think of me. I have bought my parents presents for their birthday without missing for at least 40 years. Before that I'm sure my parents helped me out. But on my own I loved getting my parents gifts for their birthday. And to have my kids follow through with that on their own made me weepy. Which of course isn't always a hard thing to do when it comes to my kids.

Then on to Chicago with Sandee Smith. Roxann met us at the airport and bravely drove us home to her new place. Roxann's home was fabulous. Roxann was an amazing host. Chicago was far more then my expectations could meet.

Roxann's home was very lovely. A perfect location. The neighborhood was charming. Yet you could walk a few blocks and hop the train (which we did) And head into the City. I loved the musical we saw called Billy Elliot. Sitting up close and personal on the third row! I loved the taste of the Garrett's Chicago mix popcorn that I had a few handfuls of. The beautiful Macy's Department store filled with beautiful architecture and history. I loved the cleanliness of the City with it's mix of old and new. And it's wonderful open spaces filled with parks and fountains. It all was a lovely mix of beauty. Including the beauty of my dear friends!

Pictures

1. Chicago Pizza

2. Fran at the botanical gardens

3. Fran, Roxann and Sandee on the Architecture

boat tour

4. Sandee, Roxann and Fran in front of the Chicago Fine Art Museum