tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85387917290137696632024-03-13T10:48:54.244-07:00Dan's Batcavebatgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-17664621100067371322011-09-12T19:49:00.000-07:002011-10-20T16:23:10.364-07:00Alfred Loraine Batson - My Namesake - Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ze55HzrLSs/Tp8OzZUYgZI/AAAAAAAAArE/X0v5siwYdkw/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ze55HzrLSs/Tp8OzZUYgZI/AAAAAAAAArE/X0v5siwYdkw/s200/IMG_0002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665263132387869074" border="0" /></a><br />Not every girl can say she was named after her great, great grandfather. Luckily, my parents only gave me the Loraine as a middle name. I don't look like an Alfred... (he's here with his wife, Laura Jennie Akeman)<br /><br />I did some research several years ago in Muskingum County, Ohio where Alfred was born to John and Sarah Batson. He was their first son and we often wondered why Alfred was given a female middle name. Neither of his names appeared to be family names. The family rumor was that the family was from Alsace Loraine in Europe and that's why he had that middle name. After doing a bit of genealogy it was obvious the Batsons had been in the US a long time and not recent immigrants. So that was more like a guess on a part of the family.<br /><br />So when I went to Ohio to do research, a big part of it was to discover where that name came from. After some poking around in the John McIntire Public Library in Zanesville, Ohio, we found the mother-load! There was a history on the Trinity Church in Zanesville. At the time my Batson family was in the area, the Trinity church - then known as the Seventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church - was completed and dedicated in 1849. The history stated, "The sermon was delivered by Rev. A.M. Lorain of Putnam Station." I did a little more research and found that Alfred M. Lorain was made a Methodist preacher in 1823 and traveled around that part of Ohio preaching at the different Methodist churches.<br /><br />I wasn't even sure my Batsons were religious as my Grandfather never mentioned it. But it is very apparent now - they were Methodists and God-fearing people. Alfred M. Loraine must have given really amazing sermons and maybe even was a friend of the Batson family, because on March 24, 1849, John and Sarah named their first son, Alfred Loraine Batson.<br /><br />As I'm a Christian myself, I'm pretty proud of my family's heritage and that we continue the legacy of a belief in Jesus Christ. This is the best kind of genealogy discovery!batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-55947052802580750522011-06-03T21:34:00.001-07:002011-06-27T20:31:53.268-07:00It's Curtains for me....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8uXORclzM4/TglJJWWJ7KI/AAAAAAAAAq0/tcLtud3NP-o/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8uXORclzM4/TglJJWWJ7KI/AAAAAAAAAq0/tcLtud3NP-o/s200/IMG_0977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623106034714930338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm not known for my sewing skills. I didn't really catch on to it when mom - who is an excellent seamstress - tried to teach me as a teenager. But I tried to change that several years ago when I took a sewing class and sewed my first project all by myself! A magnificent apron!<br /><br />After that I accomplishment, I did a little tailoring on some clothes I always wanted to alter. It was generally successful but then I ran out of projects. So I put my sewing machine away and let me new skills get rusty.<br /><br />Well, I decided to add some curtains to my front room windows over the mantle. I prefer the look of the open window but that darn sun was starting to fade my brown couch. So I took on the task of buying and altering some new curtains.<br /><br />After all was said and done, I only had to buy 5 different curtains (ok, I cut one too short by mistake), and re-hemmed one of them only 3 times. (I just couldn't get it the right length)<br /><br />I didn't like the first version - picture above - so I tried something different. Here is the final version.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2-pdNNEZvU/TglIuXNzvjI/AAAAAAAAAqs/q1TrTr-pOcQ/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2-pdNNEZvU/TglIuXNzvjI/AAAAAAAAAqs/q1TrTr-pOcQ/s200/IMG_0981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623105571091889714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But now all is done and I have some fabulous curtains!!<br /><br />Thanks to Allison for coming up with the great idea of buying the curtain rod that swings out so I can still see the 1921 window pane!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcYxhw-qLvw/TglJn-duTPI/AAAAAAAAAq8/vGcYW-aTcVU/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcYxhw-qLvw/TglJn-duTPI/AAAAAAAAAq8/vGcYW-aTcVU/s200/IMG_1132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623106560880168178" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-70756927072728945332010-09-05T16:18:00.000-07:002010-09-07T13:55:22.735-07:00Give'em 5!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TIU-IqN61DI/AAAAAAAAAng/5bkKaD0jhEk/s1600/GiveEm5_Logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TIU-IqN61DI/AAAAAAAAAng/5bkKaD0jhEk/s400/GiveEm5_Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513881637277586482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lori and Julie, two good friends of mine, got back from Africa in July. They’ve been going for several years now. Not to go on safaris or sightseeing vacations, but to help bring some joy and love to some less fortunate children in Zambia. They are a part of the Mothers Without Borders group and they give up vacation time and pay their own way to go (which isn’t cheap!) to go help out. They’ve shared some of their stories and experiences with me and I’m always touched by them. It puts my life SO much into perspective. There is more to my single, pampered life in Salt Lake City. There are people just trying to survive – trying to get enough food to eat, find safe shelter, deal with some terrible diseases including AIDS, and trying to get an education to help them get out of the extreme poverty they are in. It may seem on paper what they do is like a drop in the bucket to the enormity of problems in Africa, but the truth ism my friends change these children's lives and I know from what they’ve told me, these children change theirs. And that’s one of the biggest reasons for our existence as Christians - to help and love one another.<br /><br />After this particular trip, my friends told me about this latest campaign to help these precious children improve their lives. It’s called, Give’em 5! The concept is that if we can find 15,000 people to give $5 we can build a VERY much needed school for them. That’s all it takes!!<br /><br />Right now, these children are going to school in a converted chicken coop – that’s to save them a 2 hour walk to the government school. At this chicken coop school they can do school for a full day instead of the usual half day in the other school. They are doing the best they can with this temporary solution, but these are not good conditions. When it rains, it soaks the two small rooms because there are only screens that cover the windows. The dust is a daily struggle to keep down from the dirt and rock floor. And the noise from the rain on the tin roof is deafening, making it hard to learn. With this new school, these children can have a real facility and the supplies they need to learn and improve themselves.<br /><br />When Lori first told me about the program, I thought it was a fantastic idea! We all have $5 to spare even during these hard economic times!! So I’m making a plea to you, my friends…if you have $5 to spare PLEASE donate to the Mothers Without Borders website for our <a href="https://www.motherswithoutborders.org/donation_form.php?type=five">Give’em 5! campaign.</a><br /><br />For more <a href="http://www.motherswithoutborders.org/documents/giveem5.pdf">info about the school</a>.<br /><br />The date to reach this goal is Thanksgiving 2010. So there is no time to delay if you decide you can help.<br /><br />And for my friends who are local to Salt Lake City, I am having a party/fundraiser where I hope we can raise a little more money than just the $5 a person.<br /><br />Here’s the deal: On Wednesday, September 29, come to my home at 7pm. Donating $5 to Give’em 5 campaign gets you in my front door. You also get one raffle ticket. AND access to some delicious desserts and other tasty food that you can eat to your heart’s content!<br /><br />If you donate $10, you will get one more raffle ticket AND a Give’em 5 T-shirt.<br /><br />I am collecting some great prizes (from tickets to gift certificates and other fun stuff) that we will raffle off that night starting at 7:45pm. Any additional raffle tickets are only $5!<br /><br />I'll send out an invite through facebook this week with more details. So, please come if you can! Enjoy good food, good company, and help out some kids in Africa!batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-90892217589660499402010-06-09T20:12:00.000-07:002010-06-10T08:45:37.855-07:00My Parents and My Painted Fence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBYoZ1BoLI/AAAAAAAAAmo/uXVGphHFlAA/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBYoZ1BoLI/AAAAAAAAAmo/uXVGphHFlAA/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480978197661196466" border="0" /></a><br />I have the best parents in the whole wide world! Why do you ask? Well, I'll tell you why...<br /><br />When I bought my new house last August, my dad saw the backyard and said, we need to paint your fence! Frankly, I wasn't interested in talking about it. The INSIDE of my house was more on my mind, but I agreed it needed some work. Frankly, I didn't think paint would really improve the look and instead I would have to replace the whole thing to make it look better - and there was no money for that. But you never argue with your dad and win. At least not in my family!<br /><br />Dad insisted that we paint last November. I was a little more inclined to talk about the possibility since the house was more in a livable state by then. We happened to have the mildest fall weather in a very long time in Salt Lake City(SLC) and it looked like it just might work out for an outside project like painting a fence. But the weekend they came, it snowed. So the project was put on ho<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBY-Kt5qhI/AAAAAAAAAmw/_PqOz4m55qs/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBY-Kt5qhI/AAAAAAAAAmw/_PqOz4m55qs/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480978571561904658" border="0" /></a>ld. Luckily they found several other things to do in the house to help me out - which was much appreciated. Thus, my parents didn't think it was a waste of a trip.<br /><br />You see, my parents don't come to play and sight-see when they visit me. They come to work on my house. I think they feel bad that I'm up here in SLC by myself and they can't drop by any weekend they want to help me out. San Diego is a long way from SLC! Luckily I have some great friends that come to my rescue a lot. But I think it bugs my parents that they can't help out on a regular basis too. So, when they get a chance, Dad comes up with a plan (like painting the backyard fence), recruits mom, and they drive the 750 miles up. And I must say, Mom and Dad make a pretty good team when tackling a big job!<br /><br />Now I need you to know that I really don't think my parents should be working on my fence. They should be drinking lemonade and watching the traffic on my street from my fabulous porch. They are retired and have worked plenty of years in the past. But my parents have never been <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZQRlWi4I/AAAAAAAAAm4/aJpZMBFuiuE/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZQRlWi4I/AAAAAAAAAm4/aJpZMBFuiuE/s320/018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480978882642742146" border="0" /></a>good at watching life go by. They love to work! That's probably why I have such a hard time sitting down on the couch and doing nothing. It just seems a waste of time, especially when there is so much to do. Luckily, when I hang out with my friends I'm able to actually rest and relax. Otherwise, I don't think I ever would sit still and do nothing (I'm actually multi-tasking as I type this blog entry). I TOTALLY blame it all on my parents' work ethic. Although in reality they both come from a long, genealogical-line of hard workers. So instead, we'll blame my ancestors. That's more fun anyway.<br /><br />But I digress...<br /><br />After a long prep day on Saturday, 3 additional mornings of getting up at 6:30am to paint before it got too hot by 10am, 5 1/2 gallons of paint, and daily runs to Home Depot, my fence is BEAU<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZZ1lluXI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vCHRehUK_bg/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZZ1lluXI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vCHRehUK_bg/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480979046926236018" border="0" /></a>TIFUL! I kept telling them not to get UP at 6:30am but they insisted. Apparently they don't sleep anyway. (If only I was more like them in that respect.) I tried to help as much as I could in the morning but I usually was yelled at and told to go to work instead.<br /><br />So now I'm bragging about my fabulous, kind parents and my beautiful, newly painted fence and shed. And I must say, it looks 500 times better! Dad was right. As usual.<br /><br />And just so you know my parents didn't kill themselves off from the experience, here is a picture of them in front of their beautiful hard work.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZ5O_5-sI/AAAAAAAAAnI/mHE-TYr4md0/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/TBBZ5O_5-sI/AAAAAAAAAnI/mHE-TYr4md0/s320/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480979586323446466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!! LOVE YOUR GUTS!!!<br /><br />And next time you come to SLC, we really will go to 'This is the Place' Monument. I promise!batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-24683059834379814452010-05-26T10:10:00.001-07:002010-05-26T10:10:46.325-07:00Mini Arch<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50366498@N08/4640621525/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/4640621525_14ac450f35_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50366498@N08/4640621525/">752</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50366498@N08/">danbatgirl</a></span></div>This puts the Mini Arch in persepective...that's my foot underneath it. Oh, and Dona and Lynn's feet too...<br clear="all" />batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-37793602613816823372010-05-26T10:08:00.001-07:002010-05-26T10:08:19.696-07:00World's Smallest Arch<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50366498@N08/4641229414/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4641229414_9988564349_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50366498@N08/4641229414/">750</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/50366498@N08/">danbatgirl</a></span></div>I went to Moab this last weekend and visited the world's smallest arch! I actually discovered it myself...I think I'll call it - Mini Arch.<br clear="all" />batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-9166993059669743552009-12-18T10:31:00.000-08:002010-01-28T20:48:19.223-08:00My New Wood Banister!I did a radical thing after I got my wood floors redone. I decided, I didn't like the railing around the stairs that go down to my basement and to replace it. It was metal and the house inspector when I bought the house told me that it was not in compliance with safety laws. Apparently a small child could slip through to it's death. Oops!<br /><br />So when the beautiful floor was finished, it seemed wrong to put it back in it's place - so the floor guys just left the railing in the back. I was talking to Dona - one of my many house consultants - and she told me that her brother said making some railing was really easy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2Jl5cclSdI/AAAAAAAAAlY/s2Q8v3oEUos/s1600-h/616.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2Jl5cclSdI/AAAAAAAAAlY/s2Q8v3oEUos/s200/616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432016138125265362" border="0" /></a><br />I knew darn well that having one made by a professional would cost a fortune - especially if I wanted it out of wood - so I thought, what the hay! Let's try it. So Dona and I investigated. Unfortunately, what we found was a lack of supplies at home depot and the reality that it wouldn't be so easy. Especially for two women who had never done a wood project before - bathroom fans we've conquered, but not wood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmF8Lx32I/AAAAAAAAAlg/GQ3glEBCrPw/s1600-h/617.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmF8Lx32I/AAAAAAAAAlg/GQ3glEBCrPw/s200/617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432016352803151714" border="0" /></a><br />After several weeks of living with a "death trap" (aka the hole that remained from the removed railing), I realized it would take more time and money than was worth it. I was getting up the courage to get a quote from the guys that did my floor, when a serendipitous thing happened! Sarah Robinson (still weird to call her that...) invited me over to dinner at her house on a Sunday afternoon a couple of months ago. Also over was her friend Chris Beck. During the conversation of dinner, Chris brought up something about his own renovations at his house and Sarah said, "Hey Chris! You are a wood craftsman...can you make a banister for Danielle?" I immediately piped up, "I'd pay you!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmNf0NO1I/AAAAAAAAAlo/rfeY-CosSb0/s1600-h/618.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmNf0NO1I/AAAAAAAAAlo/rfeY-CosSb0/s200/618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432016482627042130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kind Chris responded that he would love to try the project as it would be his first. And that if I paid for the wood, he would eat the labor - if I fed him throughout the ordeal. I couldn't believe my good fortune!<br /><br />I'm not sure if Chris lived to regret the decision or not. It was a big project! And after $400 worth of beautiful wood and numerous hours in his workshop as well as at my house, I now have a GORGEOUS banister to protect all from falling into my "death trap."<br /><br />Now that I finally have this piece of art varnished (thanks to Dad and Stefani, my sister~ THANK YOU!), it looks fantastic!<br /><br />See for yourself the beautiful workmanship of the amazing Chris Beck! THANK YOU CHRIS!! YOU ARE THE MAN!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmVnryzzI/AAAAAAAAAlw/RtUp81RvJns/s1600-h/619.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/S2JmVnryzzI/AAAAAAAAAlw/RtUp81RvJns/s200/619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432016622178193202" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-59653244319576098432009-09-17T21:30:00.000-07:002009-09-17T22:21:17.424-07:00Fixing up the New Old House - Phase ISo, I've done some painting and some other minor repairs on my new place. Here are some pictures of my good friends as they've helped me fix the place.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMNfIESYLI/AAAAAAAAAjI/0QdiR-cx8qQ/s1600-h/IMG_3617.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMNfIESYLI/AAAAAAAAAjI/0QdiR-cx8qQ/s200/IMG_3617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382660808030445746" border="0" /></a> Dona sanding...<br />.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMNvkArZrI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/57fJkd4YKn0/s1600-h/IMG_3618.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMNvkArZrI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/57fJkd4YKn0/s200/IMG_3618.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382661090409408178" border="0" /></a> A crack that kinda turned into a small hole...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMOnPHLx4I/AAAAAAAAAjg/rZIG5Og3n0c/s1600-h/IMG_3623.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMOnPHLx4I/AAAAAAAAAjg/rZIG5Og3n0c/s200/IMG_3623.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382662046872225666" border="0" /></a> Dona, fixing another crack we found.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRhS9SiuI/AAAAAAAAAkg/zHWPr6OzH7I/s1600-h/IMG_3635.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRhS9SiuI/AAAAAAAAAkg/zHWPr6OzH7I/s200/IMG_3635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382665243360135906" border="0" /></a> Lynn working on peeling off the 6 layers of paint from the mantle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMW9PY6SAI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oxUgeahVinI/s1600-h/IMG_3645.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMW9PY6SAI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oxUgeahVinI/s200/IMG_3645.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382671220996720642" border="0" /></a> Bret and Sarah working on the fireplace.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRadDByTI/AAAAAAAAAkY/sCGeqoVSXFw/s1600-h/IMG_3632.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRadDByTI/AAAAAAAAAkY/sCGeqoVSXFw/s200/IMG_3632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382665125809473842" border="0" /></a> Alexis working on my room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMTvM-14zI/AAAAAAAAAlI/LiQfyx8E-A0/s1600-h/IMG_3659.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMTvM-14zI/AAAAAAAAAlI/LiQfyx8E-A0/s200/IMG_3659.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382667681297457970" border="0" /></a> You can only see the wall paint in this shot - it's Newport Blue. When I finally get curtains up, you'll be able to see the trim: Bermuda Sand...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMO27smmgI/AAAAAAAAAjo/2CwBc1xo06A/s1600-h/IMG_3624.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMO27smmgI/AAAAAAAAAjo/2CwBc1xo06A/s200/IMG_3624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382662316538370562" border="0" /></a> The house came with a lovely big mirror, but I felt it distracted too much from the original fireplace. So this is the "before" picture. (No, it's not really that bright in the house. Robert's sunglasses were used as impromptu protective eyeware for the mirror removal procedure. Clever, huh?)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMPQF-Oh2I/AAAAAAAAAjw/VYEW0ml4KWk/s1600-h/IMG_3627.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMPQF-Oh2I/AAAAAAAAAjw/VYEW0ml4KWk/s200/IMG_3627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382662748793374562" border="0" /></a> "After" picture. This is what was underneath the mirror. Just a little water damage and fungus....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMPshRM7sI/AAAAAAAAAj4/Lh7pYDE01c0/s1600-h/IMG_3629.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMPshRM7sI/AAAAAAAAAj4/Lh7pYDE01c0/s200/IMG_3629.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382663237157056194" border="0" /></a> That's me in one of the corners of the fireplace. There were mirrors in each corner that we removed too. Ok, when I say "we," I mean Robert....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMR02y9ROI/AAAAAAAAAkw/MOf_doHsky4/s1600-h/IMG_3662.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMR02y9ROI/AAAAAAAAAkw/MOf_doHsky4/s200/IMG_3662.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382665579397989602" border="0" /></a> The fireplace isn't quite done yet...but it's getting close!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMQIlo9pPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/0fRw_O5MtIc/s1600-h/IMG_3640.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMQIlo9pPI/AAAAAAAAAkA/0fRw_O5MtIc/s200/IMG_3640.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382663719366796530" border="0" /></a> My pretty new doors! Thanks to Sarah, Kim, Bret, Robert, Lynn and Mark. (they needed several coats...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRKMp9UDI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/R9_59k2JURE/s1600-h/IMG_3631.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMRKMp9UDI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/R9_59k2JURE/s200/IMG_3631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382664846531448882" border="0" /></a> Callie painting the extra bedroom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMQoIY2ZzI/AAAAAAAAAkI/IfMa6VsbQ8I/s1600-h/IMG_3642.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMQoIY2ZzI/AAAAAAAAAkI/IfMa6VsbQ8I/s200/IMG_3642.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382664261270398770" border="0" /></a> The extra room...the wall is Slate Green and the trim is Barely Jade...I know. It looks blue, but it really does have a green tint. I love it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMODPjGa-I/AAAAAAAAAjY/FSxaM2acUKQ/s1600-h/IMG_3620.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMODPjGa-I/AAAAAAAAAjY/FSxaM2acUKQ/s200/IMG_3620.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382661428514024418" border="0" /></a> The "flipper" spray painted the house and didn't cover the original wood floor. He found it cheaper to just carpet the room. I really wanted wood floors and pulled up the carpet and this is what I found.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMSI9J7B7I/AAAAAAAAAlA/sN39kipbAu0/s1600-h/IMG_3720.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMSI9J7B7I/AAAAAAAAAlA/sN39kipbAu0/s200/IMG_3720.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382665924702308274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMSCroXH1I/AAAAAAAAAk4/zDcboZOueNg/s1600-h/IMG_3719.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SrMSCroXH1I/AAAAAAAAAk4/zDcboZOueNg/s200/IMG_3719.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382665816918925138" border="0" /></a> So I had the floors professionally redone. Here is the finished floor. They did a really great job!<br /><br />Several other kind friends helped out - although I didn't get pictures of them: Marianne, Kim, Mark, Diana, Matt, Sacha, Plewe, Allison, and Samuel. I couldn't have done it without them!! THANK YOU!!!<br /><br />As soon as I finish the fireplace, I'll be sure to post a new picture!<br /><br />Stay tuned...batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-34410356284869739042009-09-14T20:26:00.000-07:002009-09-17T21:30:17.021-07:00My New Old Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Xld-6c7I/AAAAAAAAAho/ZMtRbCD2lBY/s1600-h/House.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Xld-6c7I/AAAAAAAAAho/ZMtRbCD2lBY/s200/House.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381546012202136498" border="0" /></a><br />I bought a house in July of this year. It was built in 1921 but has had quite of work done (by a "flipper" aka a guy who flips houses). The kitchen was brand spankin' new and the bathroom was all re-tiled. I got a GREAT deal on the place and I feel very lucky. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Xu6jcoSI/AAAAAAAAAhw/VVN7q0NCZpc/s1600-h/Fireplace+room+view+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Xu6jcoSI/AAAAAAAAAhw/VVN7q0NCZpc/s200/Fireplace+room+view+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381546174490386722" border="0" /></a>It's a nice quiet neighborhood and the good news is that my great friend, Sarah Ward is right around the corner!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8YQvNjkTI/AAAAAAAAAh4/mQXrpEAOUlc/s1600-h/Fireplace+room+view+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8YQvNjkTI/AAAAAAAAAh4/mQXrpEAOUlc/s200/Fireplace+room+view+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381546755561328946" border="0" /></a>I decided to do a little work on the place - some painting and removing of some mirrors. I ran into a little damage on some of the walls, which will delay me getting everything completed as soon as I wanted. People say that a work in progress is fun - unfortunately, I'm not always good at enjoying the journey - but I'm learning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8YjzqDZBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/EJwJwMIEjPU/s1600-h/Kitchen+view+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8YjzqDZBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/EJwJwMIEjPU/s200/Kitchen+view+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381547083172111378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Yx4Y8jwI/AAAAAAAAAiI/kT7TyUTAH7Q/s1600-h/Kitchen+view+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Yx4Y8jwI/AAAAAAAAAiI/kT7TyUTAH7Q/s200/Kitchen+view+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381547324960706306" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some pictures of my new place and the work I've done so far - with the help of MANY kind friends. There is much more to do, but it will take a little while. The housewarming is planned for Fall of 2010. No, I'm not kidding....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Z5WDeqEI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/__5AqTD0lBI/s1600-h/Bigger+bedroom+view+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8Z5WDeqEI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/__5AqTD0lBI/s200/Bigger+bedroom+view+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381548552694442050" border="0" /></a><br />I hope you like the pictures!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aBeT0p7I/AAAAAAAAAiY/xET2j_mJ5Kw/s1600-h/Bathroom+view+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aBeT0p7I/AAAAAAAAAiY/xET2j_mJ5Kw/s200/Bathroom+view+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381548692349429682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aNqPjahI/AAAAAAAAAig/hD9ryw_r7Sc/s1600-h/Down+to+basement.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aNqPjahI/AAAAAAAAAig/hD9ryw_r7Sc/s200/Down+to+basement.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381548901711178258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aZbn3W-I/AAAAAAAAAio/t2WSj4AghLU/s1600-h/Shelf+basement+view+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8aZbn3W-I/AAAAAAAAAio/t2WSj4AghLU/s200/Shelf+basement+view+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381549103945047010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8a2u1D92I/AAAAAAAAAi4/TI_t4yp7CVw/s1600-h/Deck+view+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8a2u1D92I/AAAAAAAAAi4/TI_t4yp7CVw/s200/Deck+view+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381549607316879202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8ajH11C-I/AAAAAAAAAiw/wpa5aGliWzo/s1600-h/Shed+view+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sq8ajH11C-I/AAAAAAAAAiw/wpa5aGliWzo/s200/Shed+view+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381549270433598434" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-61092056578089973082009-03-22T20:51:00.000-07:002009-05-30T10:43:54.428-07:00Canal Street and the "Illegal" Wallet: NYC Part 2NYC Trip: December 2008 continues...<br /><br />Mark desperately wanted to go to an honest-to-goodness "back room." You know, rooms that contain stolen goods or illegal knock-offs made with poor materials and even poorer spelling on the imitation labels. (can you say, Praba??)<br /><br />Mark had heard of someone going to one of these back rooms and really wanted to have the experience. I saw it as a chance to get arrested! And at first was adamant that it was a BAD idea and I would take no part in it. I have found that any time I do something close to illegal, I get "found out" and I wasn't up for that in NYC.<br /><br />After walking up and down Canal Street and being accosted by several individuals trying to persuade us to go to these "back rooms," I'll admit, I became curious. And I figured if 10 people in 10 minutes are trying to convince you to visit their special "back room," the police certainly can't be everywhere...yes, the logic is silly but it seemed not-so-illegal-and-dangerous with all of individuals hounding us. Because really, would criminals b<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccHqf_JusI/AAAAAAAAAd4/eZAtsRwUeLg/s1600-h/IMG_2590.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccHqf_JusI/AAAAAAAAAd4/eZAtsRwUeLg/s200/IMG_2590.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316226311856437954" border="0" /></a>e lining the streets trying to get innocent bystanders in trouble with the law all in the name of a good deal? Ok, well, yeah...they would...<br /><br />And so our real adventure would begin...but first you have to look at a lovely nativity scene found when we first arrived to Canal Street. (Remember it was Christmastime.) I especially liked the fake AstroTurf on the ramp leading up to the nativity scene - very practical for the Wisemen trudging up the ramp to see the baby Jesus. I know how good AstroTurf grass is! My childhood home had a porch covered in the stuff! We never slipped on that porch - ever! But the best part was that it made for excellent ground cover for playing when we took Barbie out on the road in her Barbie Camper.<br /><br />But I digress....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccH2sn9fNI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Z8q8D4FMYNk/s1600-h/IMG_2592.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccH2sn9fNI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Z8q8D4FMYNk/s200/IMG_2592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316226521407257810" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the gang - looking innocent and ready for seeing the sights and deals of Canal Street. You wouldn't think that these four souls would soon break the law, would you??? (notice how I left myself out of that part??)<br /><br />As you can guess, several more individuals approached us as we walked up and down Canal Street looking for bargains. They had additional options for perusal in the "back rooms." I continued to reject them as Mark and I discussed the possibility of us actually going in to a "back room." The more I was accosted the more I thought, "what the hay! When in Rome..." Valerie, Lynn and Dona seemed up for anything, so it was really only me being the paranoid one.<br /><br />So I allowed one individual who was 4 inches shorter and at least 30 pounds lighter than me to get my attention (I figured, I could take him on if I got into a precarious situation, i.e. escape the room at great speed by running him over). He showed me his paper of great deals on purses and wallets. I wanted to get my sister a wallet for Christmas, so I felt like I had a reason to purchase. You don't want to go down to these "back rooms" just to browse. These people are risking their necks and they may not like it if you don't buy something. And I didn't want to figure out what those consequences were.<br /><br />As you can see, these "back rooms" look innocent enough (as seen here). They look like private entrances off the street where you load merchandise into the basement for the stores that are <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccII5edjAI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ZXwguT5BM4w/s1600-h/IMG_2599.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccII5edjAI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ZXwguT5BM4w/s200/IMG_2599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316226834094722050" border="0" /></a>located above them. But don't let that fool you!! Not so! This is the entrance to the shady underground world of NYC.<br /><br />I make light of this, but in actuality it can be pretty serious. One story shared on the trip, told how their friends went to a "back room" on a visit to NYC. But they had to first get into a white van that was backed up to one of these gates. They sat in the van until someone walkie-talkied to them that the coast was clear and to jump from the back of the van down the stairs - and to make it fast! They heeded the directions. I can't remember if they were arrested or not but they at least lived to tell the tale...anyway, our guide didn't require us using such sneaky devices, thank goodness. I would have backed out for sure! I have a knack for looking terribly guilty when doing something I shouldn't and we would have been spotted right away!<br /><br />We were quickly directed to an opening and sent downstairs, then passed off to another guide. That guide took us to a small room that had lots of purses lining the walls from the ceiling to the floor. Luckily, there were some wallets. I found one that matched what I was looking for - except for the skewed emblem that was clearly done hastily. I asked if she had another. She looked at me as though I asked the dumbest tourist question ever. Ok, so it was. This was my only choice and I took it for $20.<br /><br />The scariest part was when Valerie asked if there was a restroom she could use. Believe it or not, they had one! And she traipsed off into the dark halls looking for it. Valerie used to live in NYC so she wasn't scared of anything. I thought she was nuts because surely people don't come back from bathroom trips that are in "back rooms." I think I saw that once on <span style="font-style: italic;">Without a Trace.</span>..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sh9d52lSu2I/AAAAAAAAAhY/k2DoXCknOEc/s1600-h/Daily_121208_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Sh9d52lSu2I/AAAAAAAAAhY/k2DoXCknOEc/s200/Daily_121208_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341090931570555746" border="0" /></a><br />(Here's a photo taken from Mark's phone while in the "back room." At this point we were waiting for Valerie to return after my big purchase. We tried to make ourselves look busy while we waited. In this picture, it's almost like Lynn is instructing me on the positive attributes of the bag. He wasn't.)<br /><br />Thankfully, Valerie did survive and returned not too long after we had made the big $20 purchase for the wallet.<br /><br />We then scurried up the steps back to the outside world - looking a little guilty but yet a little invigorated that we didn't get caught. I'm not sure how much trouble we would have been in: would we have been arrested over a $20 wallet? Not sure...haven't seen that on <span style="font-style: italic;">Law & Order</span> so I have no good background information or point of reference. But I was sure I didn't want to do that again. You just don't want <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccJLLxWZCI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/D_MWRAa-XUQ/s1600-h/IMG_2606.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccJLLxWZCI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/D_MWRAa-XUQ/s200/IMG_2606.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316227972877149218" border="0" /></a>to push your luck!!<br /><br />By then we had worked up an appetite, so we forged on to a fantastic Chinese restaurant that had some good authentic Chinese food. Mark even ordered a strange concoction of "squid and something" soup. It looked gross. But he liked it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SiFvObw1XTI/AAAAAAAAAhg/NOwQFECRWlU/s1600-h/IMG_2608.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SiFvObw1XTI/AAAAAAAAAhg/NOwQFECRWlU/s200/IMG_2608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341672926799551794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here you can see my illegal wallet. At least I think its illegal. I'm not sure anymore. I really should contact the NYC Chamber of Commerce and see what exactly my rights are <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SgJv-QX6qnI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VSPkr73Noig/s1600-h/IMG_2619.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SgJv-QX6qnI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VSPkr73Noig/s200/IMG_2619.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332948024097942130" border="0" /></a>as a consumer...anyway, the point is we got a good deal. Valerie saw almost the same exact wallet for almost $150 at some fancy purse store - sans skewed emblem, of course. That's a $130 savings!<br /><br />And my sister loved the wallet! At least she SAID she loved it. I hope she appreciated the sacrifice we made by visiting the "dark side" of NYC...batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-38249225764033053172009-03-22T20:02:00.000-07:002009-03-23T21:56:34.526-07:00NYC December 2008: Part 1Back in December, I did a wild and crazy thing and I went to New York City in the middle of winter accompanied by some good friends of mine - Dona, Valerie, Lynn, and Mark. I realize that it's been months now, but I thought I'd share some of the pictures from our big adventures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Scb-iAJzAwI/AAAAAAAAAdo/o2_0khpbhiU/s1600-h/IMG_2858.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Scb-iAJzAwI/AAAAAAAAAdo/o2_0khpbhiU/s200/IMG_2858.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316216270267548418" border="0" /></a><br />So here we go! (oh, just a warning...I was serious about the whole "blog when I feel like it" speech in the last blog, so it may take me months to blog this whole trip. But I can at least promise that each post will be as exciting as possible and well worth a read...)<br /><br />Dona, Valerie and I arrived to NYC at about 11pm on Thursday night. Mark and Lynn decided to be cheap and took a red eye so they could avoid one night of paying for a hotel. Personally, I think that was insane, but I don't have the ability to fall asleep on command like they do. I would NEVER fall asleep on plane without some major help from a whole bottle of NyQuil and absolute quiet. Yeah, not going to happen on an airplane - at least the quiet part.<br /><br />Valerie had friends in town since she lived in NYC for awhile, so she stayed with them. The rest of us - otherwise known as those with NO friends in NYC - got a fantastic deal at Hotel 17 which was on 3rd Avenue and 17th Street in Manhattan. It was under construction on the outside, but it was a charming historic hotel that had a fabulous old elevator that required you to manually open the door to let yourself out. Some might think that that it's one lazy elevator, but it was just like stepping back in time! I have no idea what time it was, but its back there.<br /><br />I only wish I had a picture of that cute little elevator. It would have made for a better story...<br /><br />Instead, here is a picture of Dona hanging out in our room. The hotel guy didn't have the appropriate room for us - which was just one double bed that Dona and I were going to share. But the luck of New York was with us and they had to upgrade us. It was great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Scb9SjEW9BI/AAAAAAAAAdg/_OQc5OGTm6E/s1600-h/IMG_2587.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/Scb9SjEW9BI/AAAAAAAAAdg/_OQc5OGTm6E/s200/IMG_2587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316214905250444306" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately, Mark and Lynn were not as lucky in the room they got. They got what they paid for...they didn't end up sharing that double bed, though. Mark took the floor with his sleeping bag and mattress pad. (Boys are funny!)<br /><br />This kind of hotel required you share four bathrooms with the rest of the guests staying on that floor. (That's why it was a great deal!) We did get our own little sink in our room which was very helpful and made it all worth while. The only problem we ran into was the inability of the water pipes to beat the odds against that ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccCz-XncRI/AAAAAAAAAdw/u0sLeQevd6E/s1600-h/IMG_2586.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SccCz-XncRI/AAAAAAAAAdw/u0sLeQevd6E/s200/IMG_2586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316220977072795922" border="0" /></a> powerful force of gravity. (Or was it lack of water? We aren't sure.) We were on the 8th floor and at 8am in the morning, we found that while taking a shower sometimes the water would just stop. If you were lucky, it would at least drip or even better give you a trickle to help you finish up. But sometimes, it just stopped all together (I would have thought we were in Egypt but when the water did come it was clear and not brown. So that was good!)<br /><br />That was the only drawback! The hotel was just a few blocks away from Union Square subway station, so it made for running around the city very easy!<br /><br />So with our great location, the next morning - after a full night's sleep and a semi-shower, we started on our adventure in the Big Apple....<br /><br />Oh wait! We couldn't start out until Mark and Lynn arrived from the airport. They showed up at about 9am - refreshed and ready for a full day of activities - at least that's what they said. Once they found us and settled into their 4' by 10' room, THEN we started out on our adventure in the Big Apple...batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-44899790298737463492009-03-10T19:52:00.001-07:002009-03-10T20:31:16.352-07:00Inconsistent - is that a bad thing?Ok, so my last blog post was last year. Yep! 2008! But please don't judge me! I've been a busy woman! No really! I can't quite account for everything I've done, but I assure you it's been important, "unaccountable" stuff!<br /><br />Sorry...I used 6 exclamation points in that last paragraph. Guilt. It's all because of the guilt. Guilt induces exclamation points from me. And the truth is, when I started this blog last year, I worried that this would be one more "guilt" thing if I didn't get a chance to write (or if ran out of important things to say - perish the thought!). Well, I'm a new woman nowadays - as many will attest - and I say, no more guilt!!<br /><br />So I've changed the purpose of this blog. Its like no other blog...those other blogs are expected to be updated at least every week if you are a committed blogger. But this blog is a "when I get a chance and I have something important to say" blog that will be updated whenever I feel like it. That may be weekly, monthly, biannually. That's the beauty of it! I'm changing the rules of blogging!!<br /><br />I realize that remembering to visit my blog will be much harder if I intermittently post. But I won't be offended if you forget me! I expect only family to remember to visit. Ok, maybe just my mom. (HI MOM!!) But that's ok...I don't mind.<br /><br />So stay tuned! When? Beats me!! Never can tell nowadays...<br /><br />Your favorite inconsistent blogger,<br />danbatgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-8360309214306229812008-11-15T21:51:00.000-08:002008-11-18T21:07:23.406-08:00San Diego Trip part 2So, the San Diego trip continues...<br /><br />After several hours at the zoo, we felt like we had seen enough animals and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-1FtIEAAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/6ZSFiENmojI/s1600-h/IMG_2417.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-1FtIEAAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/6ZSFiENmojI/s200/IMG_2417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269129198664155138" border="0" /></a>headed back to the homestead located in the "gated community" where my parents live. But first I posed with an elephant. I'm the shorter one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We also decided to start a side business of taking pictures for people posing in front of the San Diego Zoo sign. We got really good at it and had people referring our services to th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-2lR2SdMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WkmeoLHBsXo/s1600-h/IMG_2418.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-2lR2SdMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WkmeoLHBsXo/s200/IMG_2418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269130840609289410" border="0" /></a>e people standing in line waiting for a chance at the sign. We eventually got our own taken. It was well worth the wait. And the tips.<br /><br />That evening, Mom and Dad insisted that we go to In N Out Burger for dinner. We said, "Ok, but just this once."<br /><br />It's something about those fries and the shakes. And with the burger - on top of it all...it just is beautiful. It makes you want to cry it's so beautiful!. Sniff. Yeah, I can't explain it.<br /><br />Afterwards, it was an evening with the "Batsons" - well, with the Doug and Ann Batson family...we crashed their place to hang with the boys, Jake and Kyle and take silly pictures. They LOVE that when I come into town!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-3Kou4J4I/AAAAAAAAAcI/PV5pnbHscbY/s1600-h/IMG_2425.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-3Kou4J4I/AAAAAAAAAcI/PV5pnbHscbY/s200/IMG_2425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269131482407380866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kyle, our football player, was cleaning his helmet. Not missing a great opportunity, Kyle and I took another picture together. Please excuse the "zoo bangs."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then for some crazy reason, Doug, Kyle's dad and my big brother, decided to put the helmet on. This was the result:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-4z0BabZI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/hZfeGgRAfVk/s1600-h/IMG_2428.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-4z0BabZI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/hZfeGgRAfVk/s200/IMG_2428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269133289324178834" border="0" /></a><br />Silly big brother...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sunday was Dad's 68th birthday so we had a little celebration. Sarah made her family's famous chocolate cake (without eggs) and we decorated it just beautifully...ok, mom didn't have a big "8" so we make-shifted <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR--dTnR1-I/AAAAAAAAAcg/HnZPnx1TxG8/s1600-h/IMG_2445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR--dTnR1-I/AAAAAAAAAcg/HnZPnx1TxG8/s200/IMG_2445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269139499737274338" border="0" /></a>with 8 regular candles. But I thought the lovely balloons we got from a "bought" cake - probably back in 2001 - really pulled the cake decoration all together. Dad did a great job at blowing out the upside down 9 and the 8 single candles. Good job dad!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-9wQJLTCI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ZIrgO7Rve8o/s1600-h/IMG_2436.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-9wQJLTCI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ZIrgO7Rve8o/s200/IMG_2436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269138725711596578" border="0" /></a>Here is Sarah and my other big brother, Mike goofing off at the birthday party...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's Stefani, and Mom watching Dad open some gifts. Entrancing...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-_YN4FikI/AAAAAAAAAco/_8f9EeI8SfQ/s1600-h/IMG_2432.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-_YN4FikI/AAAAAAAAAco/_8f9EeI8SfQ/s200/IMG_2432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269140511809440322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, my present for dad was a new hat (at mom's suggestion). He lost the last one...As you can see, he looks quite dapper!! Yeah, I think he liked my gift best...but don't tell the siblings....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_AndtSxmI/AAAAAAAAAcw/hxgBb916Rqc/s1600-h/IMG_2441.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_AndtSxmI/AAAAAAAAAcw/hxgBb916Rqc/s200/IMG_2441.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269141873268803170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My sister, Stefani is a master seemstress and every Halloween she comes up with the B<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_BnmuLA5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/X157Qj4ykb0/s1600-h/IMG_2446.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_BnmuLA5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/X157Qj4ykb0/s200/IMG_2446.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269142975200035730" border="0" /></a>EST costumes!! I've been Princess Leia ("Help me Obe Wan Kenobe, you're my only hope!!") and Batgirl. Last year she was Supergirl, so this year for Halloween I got to be Supergirl! Here I am trying it out and posing with Mike.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The next morning Sarah and I had to go back to reality...yep, we returned to Salt Lake City. Because we booked separately, we didn't have the same flight back. Sarah was the unlucky one and had to return first. But before we went to the airport we took another look at the waterfront of Downtown San Diego to get a nice, b<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_EFRshNWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/HsOl3ygeAgA/s1600-h/IMG_2447.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_EFRshNWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/HsOl3ygeAgA/s200/IMG_2447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269145683975288162" border="0" /></a>risk walk in as well as check out some of the artwork along the boardwalk. This particular artpiece was also a huge kaleidoscope. Here is Sarah checking it out....<br /><br /><br />My turn to return to SLC came a few hours later, but before we left, Mom and Dad took me to lunch at Seaport Village. We had some good fish and chips and a double chocolate chocolate chip cookie for dessert. Fantastic combination!!!<br /><br />Then we did a little shopping...Mom did a HORRIBLE thing and left her earrings at home that day. She was practically naked!! I was rather embarrassed that mom would forget such a thing!!! She only wears clip earrings so finding earrings is a little tough these days. But in one of the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_GTzSc1lI/AAAAAAAAAdI/iY7xUH_VWqc/s1600-h/IMG_2448.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR_GTzSc1lI/AAAAAAAAAdI/iY7xUH_VWqc/s200/IMG_2448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269148132534179410" border="0" /></a>great silver shops, we found the PERFECT earrings to match her necklace and to cover her nakedness. Here she is showing them off:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After that, Mom and Dad dropped me off at the airport and sent me on my merry way back to the land of cold. It's always sad but the good news is that I return for Thanksgiving in just a few weeks. And that is ALWAYS a happy thought!<br /><br />Until next time...batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-59809433909065555512008-11-09T17:44:00.000-08:002008-11-18T20:50:33.966-08:00San Diego Trip part 1The purpose of the trip was to see one of my short guys, Kyle play JV football. Also, it was Dad's birthday. So it was a great excuse to run away from Utah and soak in the humidity and warm weather of Sunny San Diego!<br /><br />My good buddy, Sarah Ward, decided she had to escape Utah <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReTGvt-xmI/AAAAAAAAAZg/nap4Fo33FaA/s1600-h/IMG_2335.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReTGvt-xmI/AAAAAAAAAZg/nap4Fo33FaA/s200/IMG_2335.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266840033330906722" border="0" /></a>for the UEA weekend, so she came along for the ride.<br /><br />We got off the plane Friday morning and my mom and dad came to pick us up. The weather was delightfully at 72 degrees. Dad did the tour of the waterfront for Sarah before getting back to mom & dad's house. Did you know that San Diego had a Bob Hope Memorial? Yeah, me neither!! I got a picture or two with Bob. He said some really funny jokes for me, Sarah and the folks, too. I've always loved that Bob!!<br /><br />After we saw some of the sights, Dad & Mom took us to IHOP. There we had some crepe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReipGHCRWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/uN7NbGWappg/s1600-h/IMG_2343.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReipGHCRWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/uN7NbGWappg/s200/IMG_2343.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266857116131542370" border="0" /></a>s. I forgot to take a picture of it before I ate it. Sorry. Just try to imagine some bacon, eggs over easy, hashbrowns with ketchup and some FABULOUS apple crepes. I had to remove the nuts off the top but I survived.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That afternoon we went to Kyle's football game. He and his team made a great e<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRemmhXR53I/AAAAAAAAAZw/PpQPLUL7Ifk/s1600-h/IMG_2348.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRemmhXR53I/AAAAAAAAAZw/PpQPLUL7Ifk/s200/IMG_2348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266861469954336626" border="0" /></a>ffort against a bigger and tougher team. I was really proud of my short guy! Of course, he's well over 6 feet tall. So he's not really that short anymore...He's number 52...<br /><br />The family had a good time sitting in the stands with some ants while cheering Kyle on! It was fun to see him playing football!<br /><br /><br /><br />Sarah <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReoKyjfg3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/VFsNT9izIRI/s1600-h/IMG_2361.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SReoKyjfg3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/VFsNT9izIRI/s200/IMG_2361.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266863192555881330" border="0" /></a>took the time to catch up on some reading - she's not much of a football watcher. We also got to check out her foot. Some of you may have known that she had bunion surgery over the summer. Things are healing well. And she now has one sexy scar!!<br /><br />Here is Jake- the younger shorter guy who is just millimeters from becoming taller than me - and me enjoying ourselves at t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRenThrn6_I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/kCpXMEVPyGg/s1600-h/IMG_2354.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRenThrn6_I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/kCpXMEVPyGg/s200/IMG_2354.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266862243133778930" border="0" /></a>he football game. Isn't he handsome??? Well, he's ALSO athletic, really smart - and HILARIOUS!! Yeah, he totally takes after me...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That night, the parents continued to show me and Sarah a good time. They took me and Sarah to Old Town where they have some great Mexican restaurants. We went to the El Fandango - it's like we were south of the border - without all the dead bodies laying around. (you can read more about the "problems" of Tijuana <a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20081028-1702-bn28tjdead.html">here</a>.) I had some great tacos! They also had a Mariachi band playing for the customers. Dad asked them to play the most romantic song from Mexico and they sang, Perfidia which actually was a song that Sarah's dad used to sing to her family all the time. It was really cool, because she was just talking about that song before they played it. It's like we were all on the same wavelength! We were "one" with the Mariachi band! Not an easy thing to do with the language barriers... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRexvWDLfoI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/vzCcnaSVgSw/s1600-h/IMG_2375.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRexvWDLfoI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/vzCcnaSVgSw/s200/IMG_2375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266873716163968642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRep_KMfLiI/AAAAAAAAAaI/RdkL-GZyzos/s1600-h/IMG_2373.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRep_KMfLiI/AAAAAAAAAaI/RdkL-GZyzos/s200/IMG_2373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266865191766666786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The next morning, Sarah and I headed to the San Diego temple for an endowment session. The San Diego Temple is the best temple in the whole wide world! But I might be a little biased. People have called it a cross between Cinderella's castle and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRe5qhfjl1I/AAAAAAAAAaY/vDshooOyPtw/s1600-h/IMG_2381.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRe5qhfjl1I/AAAAAAAAAaY/vDshooOyPtw/s200/IMG_2381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266882429429454674" border="0" /></a>Dracula's castle. It's kinda cool. We thought we were going to the Spanish session but we missed it and had to do a English session so we didn't get to play with the headphones. Bummer....<br /><br />After a great session at the temple, we went the San Diego Zoo. Mom and dad belong to the Zoological Society so they had some free tickets. How cool is that?<br /><br />So we visited the Zoo....<br /><br />I made Sarah take a picture in front of the flamingos because...well, it's tradition at the San Diego Zoo! Every time you go, you HAVE to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRe6sSfmBnI/AAAAAAAAAag/qWVsgDEQ2l0/s1600-h/IMG_2385.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRe6sSfmBnI/AAAAAAAAAag/qWVsgDEQ2l0/s200/IMG_2385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266883559274448498" border="0" /></a>take a picture in front of the flamingos...because it's the first animal enclosure in the park. And you can't mess with tradition!! Doesn't Sarah look natural with those flamingos? No really! They are back there...they are the pink things with sticks for legs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfAAG1LEJI/AAAAAAAAAao/Bs5sehN8Ny0/s1600-h/IMG_2383.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfAAG1LEJI/AAAAAAAAAao/Bs5sehN8Ny0/s200/IMG_2383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266889397299253394" border="0" /></a>Sarah insisted that I take a picture as well but this time with the giraffes. It's a new tradition.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfAj8AFLsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ECdty35-Zh4/s1600-h/IMG_2387.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfAj8AFLsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ECdty35-Zh4/s200/IMG_2387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266890012867505858" border="0" /></a><br />We also saw our first solar powered trash compactor there at the San Diego Zoo. What will the world think of next!! Solar powered cars??? Oh wait...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfCbwwXjvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bOrk4OJQiL0/s1600-h/IMG_2397.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfCbwwXjvI/AAAAAAAAAbA/bOrk4OJQiL0/s200/IMG_2397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266892071433113330" border="0" /></a><br />The San Diego Zoo is famous for the Koalas -not Koala bears, they are marsupials, don't make that fatal error. We were lucky enough to see some of them eating. Apparently they sleep 20 to 22 hours a day because all they eat is eucalyptus leaves. They are picky eaters...MUCH picker than me!! I only require 8 hours of sleep...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfEPQ_QfYI/AAAAAAAAAbI/koo9epIDgGg/s1600-h/IMG_2401.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfEPQ_QfYI/AAAAAAAAAbI/koo9epIDgGg/s200/IMG_2401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266894055770455426" border="0" /></a>Then we saw the half zebra better known as the half zebra. Ok, you got me! I don't remember what the heck this thing is called. I remember being very impressed by this animal though, so I thought I'd throw it onto the blog...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then we ran across a Stroller enclosure. They are NOT an endangered species. They in f<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfBkjoS51I/AAAAAAAAAa4/NnqIgqETKAA/s1600-h/IMG_2390.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfBkjoS51I/AAAAAAAAAa4/NnqIgqETKAA/s200/IMG_2390.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266891123016787794" border="0" /></a>act thrive greatly in the wild as well as in captivity. Strollers. One amazing animal...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfFB8IAWWI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/9-yar5rZRvI/s1600-h/IMG_2393.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfFB8IAWWI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/9-yar5rZRvI/s200/IMG_2393.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266894926343330146" border="0" /></a><br />So each of the animal enclosures include a sign saying whether the animal was endangered or not. That way you would know how much trouble you were in if you actually ran one over with your car...or something like that. We both laughed at the "vulnerable" status. Why? I guess we both feel vulnerable lately. Wouldn't it be cool if we could carry around signs that give our status? Like "officially endangered" - that would be we are teetering over the edge and we'd <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfGlbpYwpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/7ZnsAy5BbLA/s1600-h/IMG_2410.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfGlbpYwpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/7ZnsAy5BbLA/s200/IMG_2410.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266896635611890322" border="0" /></a>need extra understanding by those around us. Those "not endangered" would be totally confident and riding high on life...or something like that.<br /><br />Now, the polar bears were hard to find. Why? Because they hide them in the back of the park!! On our way there we even did an evil thing and walked down the "bus road" by accident. So the Zoo police came after us and escorted us to the "proper path." All in the search of polar bears! Here's the evidence that we did indeed find the polar bears. (polars really are bears and ARE NOT marsupials, just in case you wondered.)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfHSLB-d6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/RighinR_hGA/s1600-h/IMG_2412.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SRfHSLB-d6I/AAAAAAAAAbg/RighinR_hGA/s200/IMG_2412.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266897404245735330" border="0" /></a>After we found the polar bears at the end of the park, we found that we were pooped. So we paid the $3 a piece and flew across in the skyfari and back to the other side of the zoo. It was well with it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is a shot of Balboa park from the skyfari with a plane going by...yeah, you can't plan this sort of shot...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-ujyADHdI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7SG2Y4kwYHw/s1600-h/IMG_2416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SR-ujyADHdI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7SG2Y4kwYHw/s200/IMG_2416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269122018787401170" border="0" /></a>serendipity, baby!!batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-53808650516398332082008-10-20T21:10:00.000-07:002008-10-20T21:32:20.862-07:00GC Puzzle Project - COMPLETE!So, my parents worked on a puzzle while they were visiting me here in Salt Lake City a couple of weeks ago. It helped them pass the time with General Conference weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SP1XW6iKwDI/AAAAAAAAAVo/GLrN61rR4Hc/s1600-h/IMG_2330.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SP1XW6iKwDI/AAAAAAAAAVo/GLrN61rR4Hc/s320/IMG_2330.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259455991019913266" border="0" /></a><br />But alas! My parents didn't finish it before they left one week later (it was 500 piece puzzle). I guess they needed just ONE more GC session!<br /><br />It's one of my puzzles that I bought while visiting Zion National Park a couple of years ago. (NOT ZIONS - like some people like to say) It's a great picture of a canyon in the park. It makes for a great souvenir! It's got a purpose (hours of entertainment in puzzle piece assembly) AND it reminds you of the trip. Really, a genius idea! I give props to whomever thought of that first. Well done you, puzzle-souvenir creator person!<br /><br />Anyway, this is how much they got done.<br /><br />I didn't have the heart to take it apart without it being "complete," so I took it on myself to finish it up! I'm blogging it now so my parents can have some sort of "completion" from the experience. It's all about the "completion" endorphins...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SP1YI9kZp8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/dKnfTcIDRTw/s1600-h/IMG_2331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SP1YI9kZp8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/dKnfTcIDRTw/s320/IMG_2331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259456850828044226" border="0" /></a><br />So live it up, Mom and Dad!!!<br /><br />And come visit again! I've got a puzzle from Arches National Park we need to do....batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-69187801775869315652008-10-03T14:09:00.000-07:002008-10-03T21:28:44.066-07:00GC WeekendIt's General Conference(GC) time!!<br /><br />I have loved General Conference - REALLY LOVED - starting back in 2005. When you are Relief Society Pres any time you have a Sunday off you embrace it with joy and rapture! And since I was released May 4th, 2008 (yes, I remember the date), I still appreciate that extreme happiness GC brings! Who doesn't love hanging out at home listening to GC in your pjs? Because MAN, Sundays have the possibility of being really stressful and not so Sabbath feeling in that calling. Oh, and the talks by the apostles are so inspiring and amazing that it's well worth every minute of it. So I guess it's two fold...pjs and really good talks.<br /><br />Anyway, this GC weekend, mom an dad have come to visit!! They are here to see Alexis' play (they've never gotten that chance) and to see some friends they met while on their mission (at the San Diego Mission Home Office). So, here they are!!<br /><br />Last night, we took - ok dad - took Alexis to dinner to celebrate her play, Dracula vs. the Hunchback (see www.theobt.org). We would do it Monday when we see it, but it would get out too late to be having dinner (plus mom and dad shut down at about 10pm). So off to Sizzler for some steak and chicken strips! It was a great time! Although mom's brownie was as hard as a rock...<br /><br />Today (Friday) we decided to start with breakfast at our favorite breakfast dive and former (I hope former) drug headquarters, The Coachman on 13th and State Street. I got french toast, dad got a Denver Omelet (although he doesn't really like green peppers or onions) and mom go the waffles!<br /><br />Then off to Lowes to get a replacement bulb for my lamp. Yes, I bought the only reading lamp that requires a "specialty" F4 light...geez! But I was successful and now I can read again when it's dark....<br /><br />We then hit the Salt Lake City Cemetery to see Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's headstones. Mom hasn't seen them since Grandma died in 1992. We went to the office to get the map and official coordinates. Now, you may ask, "Dan? can't you get that info and find that all by your lonesome?? You've been there before back in 1998 and you didn't have a problem then! Why would you need to get help from the office?" Well, that's a good question! But alas, yeah, I tried to find it - with coordinates AND map in hand and didn't achieve the goal....lame, huh? I even had help!! But no relatives could be found. I do admit, I MAY have been a little distracted at the time...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaQGkwt3tI/AAAAAAAAAUA/0TeK7rgY-VI/s1600-h/IMG_2287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaQGkwt3tI/AAAAAAAAAUA/0TeK7rgY-VI/s200/IMG_2287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253044457995886290" border="0" /></a><br />No problem though! The sexton lady at the office had a more detailed map. We were just a row off last time - which makes a difference in a cemetery!<br /><br />We found Grandma & Grandpa Hansen. And they are buried by Grandma Hansen's brother, sisters, and parents. Unfortunately, poor Great Grandpa William Thompson's tombstone is sinking and the grass if growing over it. We asked the lady at the office and she said we'd have to call the monument company to see if they could bring it back up. Poor Great Grandpa!! But don't worry! I'll check into it and make sure he doesn't sink into oblivion...<br /><br />Then it was off to This Is The Place Monument and Heritage Village. Dad hasn't seen the monument since he was at BYU - a million years ago - so this was exciting for him. See, the monument has changed a bit....I'm not sure when the big one was put up. I do vaguely remember being at some dedication of something up there at Thi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaR7fNMUYI/AAAAAAAAAUI/pJpYSiBzSVs/s1600-h/IMG_2325.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaR7fNMUYI/AAAAAAAAAUI/pJpYSiBzSVs/s200/IMG_2325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253046466549404034" border="0" /></a>s Is the Place Monument - I'm thinking it was 199<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObNG4-W2iI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/50zL12BLw7E/s1600-h/IMG_2288.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObNG4-W2iI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/50zL12BLw7E/s200/IMG_2288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253111533631101474" border="0" /></a>9ish and Pres. Hinckley was there...I'm not sure how I heard about it or who I went with, but I remember hanging out there.<br /><br />You should know that the Heritage Village has a "season" and we just missed the end of it. But that means all three of us got in for $11! (it helps when your parent's get the senior discount). None of the buildings were open but we wandered around waiting for our chance to ride the train that goes all over the property. We got to see some real pioneer llamas along with the pigs and cows. I hadn't realized that llamas were in the valley at the time of Brigham. Where they native to the area or did they make the trek across the country? Something to ponder....<br /><br />Unfortunately, the train broke. Something about a caboose being out of alignment. So we ate at the Monument Cafe and had a This is the Turkey Sandwich (on a Kaiser roll) with some chips and lemonade. (I'm not kidding...)<br /><br />While we waited we saw a Magpie. Pretty little bird! I don't think it's hostile - you never know with birds (you've seen the movie, right? The Birds? Never trust a crow!! I've had crows throw walnuts at me to break them open. At least people SAY they were trying to break them open. I think personally they were attacking me!! Maybe they were anti-Mormon. it was while I <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaXgQkx0sI/AAAAAAAAAUo/eLd1rE1O3jI/s1600-h/IMG_2304.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaXgQkx0sI/AAAAAAAAAUo/eLd1rE1O3jI/s200/IMG_2304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253052595835097794" border="0" /></a>was in Canada on my mission. Hmmm. Crows are violent AND anti-Mormon! Interesting...)<br /><br />I also checked out dad's new Rockport shoes! Aren't they snazy?!?! I like them...Dad's one stylin' man.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaXsndtgnI/AAAAAAAAAUw/IMvOIZ2bfuM/s1600-h/IMG_2308.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaXsndtgnI/AAAAAAAAAUw/IMvOIZ2bfuM/s200/IMG_2308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253052808137900658" border="0" /></a><br />We also took a couple of candid shots at the base of the statue of Brigham and Joseph. (did you know Joseph was taller than Brigham?? Yeah, I didn't.)<br /><br />The train finally came and we got to see the lay of the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaWiw1xOVI/AAAAAAAAAUg/zyKNX5YqyFo/s1600-h/IMG_2298.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaWiw1xOVI/AAAAAAAAAUg/zyKNX5YqyFo/s200/IMG_2298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253051539344406866" border="0" /></a>land. If you have never been, its a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaWb7qUvAI/AAAAAAAAAUY/TvNU-qlI3Vk/s1600-h/IMG_2296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaWb7qUvAI/AAAAAAAAAUY/TvNU-qlI3Vk/s200/IMG_2296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253051421990108162" border="0" /></a>fun place! Even more fun when it's open - but still a pleasant ride on the train in some excellent abnormal slc warm weather.<br /><br />We saw the Pony Express Monument. Did you know they only did the Pony Express for 1 1/2 years? Yeah, you remember Young Riders from TV? Did<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaavE9cs-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/XAlhPZiRF8I/s1600-h/IMG_2318.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaavE9cs-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/XAlhPZiRF8I/s200/IMG_2318.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253056148950266850" border="0" /></a>n't that last 3 seasons on TV? Yeah, it's like MASH - not done in real time. (the Korean war lasted 3 years but MASH lasted 11 seasons)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We saw Brigham Young's Forest home. Did you know he had a forest home? App<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObOVXE9KMI/AAAAAAAAAVY/gpV0S4gq3fA/s1600-h/IMG_2319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObOVXE9KMI/AAAAAAAAAVY/gpV0S4gq3fA/s200/IMG_2319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253112881741637826" border="0" /></a>arently he experimented with planting all sorts of trees to see how they would grow in the desert out in Sugar House. I had no idea! And apparently Brigham was ok with pink. Interesting....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We also saw a great view of Hogle Zoo across the way. I've only been there twice. Once as a 10 year old - I'm afraid I wasn't as impressed because I grew up going to the San Diego Zoo, bu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOauniGeR0I/AAAAAAAAAVI/M9zUtzCk91I/s1600-h/hogle+zoo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOauniGeR0I/AAAAAAAAAVI/M9zUtzCk91I/s200/hogle+zoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253078009566349122" border="0" /></a>t it had a really cool display of all the things they found in the cages. They had all sorts things in it. I found an old picture of it that I just had to share.<br /><br />My other experience there was about 3 years ago. I went to a horrible Dee's dance there. I got to dance with a 57 year old. Not cool. But that's the night I met Jubi and he's cool! Look at me see the bright side!!<br /><br />Over all it was a very pleasant afternoon and I think the parental units (as my sister in law, Ann likes to call them) had a good time. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObwsNqHv9I/AAAAAAAAAVg/v3P97N4bLrI/s1600-h/IMG_2328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SObwsNqHv9I/AAAAAAAAAVg/v3P97N4bLrI/s200/IMG_2328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253150657745502162" border="0" /></a>At least they are smiling in the picture!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaYtWJ40mI/AAAAAAAAAU4/AqP5unmK51s/s1600-h/IMG_2311.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SOaYtWJ40mI/AAAAAAAAAU4/AqP5unmK51s/s200/IMG_2311.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253053920182850146" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-39273841751773351392008-09-21T17:48:00.000-07:002008-10-03T14:09:01.210-07:00Lava Hot Springs - the endyeah, so I love to finish my stories...even if they don't have exciting endings. But I need closure in everything I do, so let's finish this sucker, up!<br /><br />So the question was, what would I do with the rest of my afternoon if I wasn't going to go down that dreaded river. I decided to revisit the hot springs. They are therapeutic. They are hot. They calm the soul. Or at least make the soul sweat. Who doesn't love a sweating soul???<br /><br />I enjoyed every minute of it! And faced no uncertain death. NICE!<br /><br />After goofing off in really hot water, it was off to the park to meet up with the ward for Flirting 101. Apparently a ward of 31 to 45 year old single people need help when it comes to flirting. I'm not sure why people assume that. OH wait! We are still single! HA! Actually, what I think we need is Commitment 401. Because really, we can't seem to get to that point. The flirting is a done deal! I can really lay on the flirting when I want/need to. But it's a great excuse to get the sexes to get together and...do whatever is we do.<br /><br />We played games and such. It was a good time...then a delicious dinner! Got to love fajitas!! This activities committee went BEYOND the call of duty on this trip! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNbso-rOtVI/AAAAAAAAATw/6tjWww6z1pE/s1600-h/IMG_2173.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNbso-rOtVI/AAAAAAAAATw/6tjWww6z1pE/s200/IMG_2173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248642604510131538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then it was off to see the Bulls Only Rodeo. I've only ever seen the 24th of July rodeo before so I'm still new at this. It's some crazy people that ride bulls that are really angry. And who can blame those bulls! You all know why they are mad, right???<br /><br />But it makes for some excitement...<br /><br />And did you know that they auction off the bull riders and the bulls at their "half time"? (or maybe it's a "seventh inning stretch") It's all very complicated and was quite confusing at first. But I got some info from a fellow ward member that "knows" this kind of stuff, I now see how it works. Seems like a big risk but apparently people have h<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNbwqUJEImI/AAAAAAAAAT4/hT5ZvV-4JO8/s1600-h/IMG_2174.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNbwqUJEImI/AAAAAAAAAT4/hT5ZvV-4JO8/s200/IMG_2174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248647025498792546" border="0" /></a>undreds of dollars just laying around to buy a bull for a night. Crazy!<br /><br />After watching the rodeo it was time for the trip home. There were no pitstops this time...just some great music from Callie's IPOD and me driving like a banshee to get home before midnight...<br /><br />And honestly, it's been so long ago, I have no idea WHAT time we arrived. <br /><br />I think I'm getting old....batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-35681763514493512008-09-17T19:03:00.001-07:002008-09-18T22:00:29.169-07:00Lava Hot Springs continued....So, that night the whole ward had dinner at the White Wolf Restaurant. I had a fabulous <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMkyG75T-I/AAAAAAAAAS4/Op8ZE64KnvQ/s1600-h/IMG_2150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMkyG75T-I/AAAAAAAAAS4/Op8ZE64KnvQ/s200/IMG_2150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247578434090651618" border="0" /></a>steak with a baked potato and a couple other exciting things to eat! (Yeah, I totally can't remember). The best part was the chocolate cheesecake. Yes, life is always easier to deal with with chocolate cheesecake (there were small chocolate chips on it too!! MMMMMMM!)<br /><br />After dinner, we heard some "local boys" play some country music. I believe Sarah Ward was the only one dancing at one point, but I'm sure she started SOMETHING! Then we had a DJ that played some good stuff! Among some slammin' songs (look at me try to be hip! I got that word from "Save the Last Dance") were some "slow songs" that I'm sure the bishopric made him play. From some of the "action" going on (ok, I didn't really see an<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMi7Ua5djI/AAAAAAAAASw/lWizhCTcI6Y/s1600-h/IMG_2151.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMi7Ua5djI/AAAAAAAAASw/lWizhCTcI6Y/s200/IMG_2151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247576393305912882" border="0" /></a>y of it, but some fellow ward members swears it happened), I think those slow songs worked! Because certain someones in the ward are now dating. I don't know who they are, but they are OUT THERE!! Personally, I'm very supportive of the "hook up" so I say go for it! - in the most respectful and righteous way possible, of course!! (I don't want to get a bad rep or a call from the bishop!)<br /><br />Here are some pictures that verify we did attend the function....<br /><br />Later that night was a little difficult and AWKWARD. Although I was equipped with a cot (you can laugh now, but I know there are MANY people that wished they had thought of it!!!), we had some ward members that love to be up all night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMk3BgUKGI/AAAAAAAAATA/YcrPoEKrG4g/s1600-h/IMG_2153.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMk3BgUKGI/AAAAAAAAATA/YcrPoEKrG4g/s200/IMG_2153.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247578518532139106" border="0" /></a> long! Apparently, they were the younger group...they had to be. When you turn 35, your body says, "NO! go to bed at a decent hour when you camp, because the sun will rise whether you are awake or not." (profound, I know!!)<br /><br />Those young whipper-snappers enjoyed the evening singing - even in harmony at times! Luckily, I had ear plugs (another sign I'm over 35...). It kept most of it out...<br /><br />The morning came quickly, but that was ok - I slept on a cot!! HA!<br /><br />The day was ahead of us with many options! After a great breakfast - that included sausage that some poor kind soul on the activities committee drove to Idaho Falls for - we all split up for different activities. I decided to try the hiking.<br /><br />Now, you remember those water shoes that I left at home??? Yeah, they were right beside the hiking shoes I left at home. HA! Isn't that a funny story?<br /><br />Anyway, I wasn't nervous, because the Lave Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce stated that the planned hike was "easy." So, my new, radical, out of control, cool, $12 water shoes were to be my "hiking shoes." Trust me, it was better than the flip flops I drove up in...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMnuAYNXkI/AAAAAAAAATI/Lsk1eeag9cg/s1600-h/IMG_2155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMnuAYNXkI/AAAAAAAAATI/Lsk1eeag9cg/s200/IMG_2155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247581662145764930" border="0" /></a><br />So, Tanya, Steve, Dona, Kevin, Joe, one really nice girl that I can't remember the name of at this junction, and myself headed out to try this "easy" hike! I was excited! Nice easy hike, then a trip down that river!<br /><br />Sitting in the chairs in front of the Lava Hot Springs Home Hotel, waiting for the others to arrive, I casually asked Steve, "So, where's the hike??" "Up there!" Steve pointed to a small mountain. Yes, the hike was climbing the mountain that contained the glowing L that magically appeared each night. The picture of me is the smile I had on when I realized I was climbing a rather steep incline in $12 water shoes. Yes. I had chosen unwisely. (that's a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMnzKQRu-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/3xlAKGOMUZk/s1600-h/IMG_2156.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMnzKQRu-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/3xlAKGOMUZk/s200/IMG_2156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247581750696197090" border="0" /></a> quote from Indaina Jones and the Last Crusade).<br /><br />But alas, I am not a quitter! So off we went! It was kind of a slippery walk. Rather steep, with straw along the way (who put that there???). The brush on the trail hadn't been cut back for ages and I really wished I had packed a machete (left it by the hiking shoes...) And I kept thinking, do the employees at the Chamber of Commerce for Lava Hot Springs climb Machu Picchu on a normal basis? Because DUDE! This hike was NOT "easy." They were odd people at that Chamber of Commerce with a strange sense of humor.<br /><br />I made it though. I kinda slipped at one point thus slightly injuring my foot that I felt days later and skinning my knee. It kinda scared <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMq2qdsvQI/AAAAAAAAATg/wySq_3bovPY/s1600-h/IMG_2167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMq2qdsvQI/AAAAAAAAATg/wySq_3bovPY/s200/IMG_2167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247585109416918274" border="0" /></a>me - slippery $12 water shoes don't go well with steep hills. I would have taken a picture of the skinned knee but you'd all laugh and tell me to buck up. And that wouldn't evoke the sympathy I'm looking for here...<br /><br />It was hot. It was a steep hike. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep the night before. I had a headache. I was dehydrated. The only thing left to do was to go to the deli for a smoothie!! And so we did.<br /><br />After sustanence and an air conditioner to help dry up my wet shirt from the sweat that dripped <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMqtwbVY-I/AAAAAAAAATY/DDsF1fYmCLE/s1600-h/IMG_2163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMqtwbVY-I/AAAAAAAAATY/DDsF1fYmCLE/s200/IMG_2163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247584956398789602" border="0" /></a>down certain "places," I made a realization. I didn't WANT to go down that river. I was scared to DEATH to go down that river.<br /><br />What?? Danielle was scared to death of something? Yes it's true. I had a huge revelation on this lovely trip. I really don't like tubing down rivers. I don't really like going down water ways that contain 9 foot drops off of rocks or other rapids that look really easy but in actuality may send you to your certain DEATH!!! And yes, I understand that at a certain "rock" all I was supposed to do was to go down to the right, then at the next really big "rock" go down to the left and I would avoid all injuries and live another day. But I wasn't feeling all that confident with the "information" provide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMtDKFzezI/AAAAAAAAATo/sQCldZhbLlQ/s1600-h/IMG_2280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNMtDKFzezI/AAAAAAAAATo/sQCldZhbLlQ/s200/IMG_2280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247587523088317234" border="0" /></a>d by the Lava Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce....<br /><br />Trust issues. Yeah, I got a few.<br /><br />So yes. I chickened out! I didn't even get my feet wet - or my $12 new water shoes (as seen here). And you know, I'm totally ok with that!!<br /><br /><br />Still to be continued...batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-86338007583702136002008-09-17T19:03:00.000-07:002008-09-18T16:59:49.309-07:00Lava Hot SpringsWhat does every "single" person who attends a singles ward love to do each summer??? YES! Go on a ward trip! It just screams FUN! Ok, maybe not non-stop fun. In fact it will be full of some awkward moments BUT with some fun...it's the price you pay for going on these suckers...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG61O8w-GI/AAAAAAAAASA/2d3H04f7Z4M/s1600-h/IMG_2135.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247180464572135522" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG61O8w-GI/AAAAAAAAASA/2d3H04f7Z4M/s200/IMG_2135.jpg" border="0" /></a>Now, when you start out a trip and drive by a moped that carries a blowup doll, YOU KNOW you are going to have some real fun! As Ward says, "It's a good omen!"<br /><br />We - that being me, Callie, and Dona - made the trip to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho after work on Thursday night. We made good time even though mapblast made us make a detour that wasn't necessary ("Mapblast, you're FIRED!").<br /><br />We did find a fabulous rest stop just inside of Idaho. Those Idahoans put ther<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG9svrKc6I/AAAAAAAAASI/84nlmnlPpsY/s1600-h/IMG_2136.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247183617272738722" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG9svrKc6I/AAAAAAAAASI/84nlmnlPpsY/s200/IMG_2136.jpg" border="0" /></a>e money in those rest stops...nice!<br /><br />The trip was to last two nights. I weighed my options and decided that the first night I would spend it in the hotel. Then the next night I would be 'tough' and camp out. But the first night, LUXURY!!<br /><br />And the Lava Hot Springs Home hotel was just that!! The bed was FANTASTIC as Callie would say...it was pillow top and KING SIZED!!<br /><br />The room had just been redone. No seriously, like the day before...it had a brand new bathroom. The water that came out of the sink faucet was beautiful!! It looked crystal clear! The most gorgeous H20 I've seen in SUCH a long time!! Beautim<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG-pc-FxFI/AAAAAAAAASQ/HYmIAyukK_Q/s1600-h/IMG_2137.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247184660223870034" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG-pc-FxFI/AAAAAAAAASQ/HYmIAyukK_Q/s200/IMG_2137.jpg" border="0" /></a>ous!<br /><br />Now, let's talk about that bathtub! It had enough room for a small gathering (which is 4 or 5 and not 15 to 20 which is my normal size for "small gatherings"). The tiles were beautiful! and I must say, I look so well rested in that tub!<br /><br />What was crazy was this place was only $65 a night! Whoa!<br /><br />The only bad part were the drunken pseudo-hells angels rejects. It was so pathetic...but who's judging!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG_x4VVQbI/AAAAAAAAASY/m3MVpe0xp3Y/s1600-h/IMG_2145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247185904519692722" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNG_x4VVQbI/AAAAAAAAASY/m3MVpe0xp3Y/s200/IMG_2145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The only painful part of the evening was a sudden Charlie horse in my 3rd toe from the right on my left foot. I believe that is known as the Little Piggy that had roast beef...<br /><br />Dude. The middle toe is totally giving the bird!!<br /><br />The morning came and the new day was beautiful! Especially because we had breakfast and Sunnyside Restaurant. Oh! I had some lovely eggs a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNLrO38mVgI/AAAAAAAAASo/FvsP4Kg9eVg/s1600-h/IMG_2148.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SNLrO38mVgI/AAAAAAAAASo/FvsP4Kg9eVg/s200/IMG_2148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247515156608865794" border="0" /></a>nd hashbrowns! Oh, delicious!<br /><br />The rest if the day was full of adventures at the local shopping district...ok, the local grocery store and two touristy shops - one that sold water shoes and one sold Indian artifacts and funny reindeer standing with Santa Clause - as seen here - although it was very much disguised.<br /><br />The water shoes were a good idea because - yes, I forgot them!! And if you are going to go down the river, you are going to need water shoes. I got an excellant price - $12 - pretty good for the only water shoes in town!<br /><br />The afternoon was left for some hot springs living!! So we spent $6 and sat in some 104 dgree water. Then there was the 108 degree water with gravel. The 112 degree pool was just not my idea of a good time...but I was able to FINALLY finish Don Quxiote. Yes, I finally finished all 1000 pages!batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-51175438550258724002008-09-13T19:29:00.000-07:002008-09-14T17:13:54.749-07:00Day 2 - Shoe TreeOn the way back to Cedar City, we encountered<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx4FJLtixI/AAAAAAAAARY/ZG271JbpQqI/s1600-h/IMG_2118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx4FJLtixI/AAAAAAAAARY/ZG271JbpQqI/s200/IMG_2118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245699695739505426" border="0" /></a> a "shoe" tree.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx3ufsMdRI/AAAAAAAAARQ/wOTVZOCjXr0/s1600-h/IMG_2115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx3ufsMdRI/AAAAAAAAARQ/wOTVZOCjXr0/s200/IMG_2115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245699306644337938" border="0" /></a> We aren't sure of the significance of it, but it was well worth a photo op!<br /><br />Here's a close up...<br /><br />On our last night in Cedar City, we went to dinner at O'Sullivans where we had a fabulous waiter that made all of our dreams come true! (like <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VPmSa4UI/AAAAAAAAARg/LdSCya3OykY/s1600-h/IMG_2124.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VPmSa4UI/AAAAAAAAARg/LdSCya3OykY/s200/IMG_2124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246013236164878658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VlMqKDwI/AAAAAAAAARw/VF7pAoftizU/s1600-h/IMG_2127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VlMqKDwI/AAAAAAAAARw/VF7pAoftizU/s200/IMG_2127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246013607242239746" border="0" /></a>bacon that shatters for Lex and endless cokes for Lynn) The experience at O'Sullivans was so much fun, we even documented it!<br /><br />We then went for our last shows of the trip. Sarah and Mark decided to go with a tragedy and watched Othello. Me, Lex, and Lynn decided to go with a comedy and saw, Taming of the Shrew set in the 1940s in Italy. It was a very interesting version of it and they pulled it off very well.<br /><br />Just before the play, Lex got to pose with Shakespeare. I personally think he was drunk, but he at least sat for the picture and didn't charge us for it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VtMQdlHI/AAAAAAAAAR4/qZQ53webYIs/s1600-h/IMG_2134.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SM2VtMQdlHI/AAAAAAAAAR4/qZQ53webYIs/s200/IMG_2134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246013744573420658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On Sunday, we ended the trip a little early then we intended. Those mushrooms from Brad's Hut did a number on our driver, Lynn most of Saturday night. (I won't go into detail) So, after hitting a sacrament meeting, we decided to take the leisurely drive back to SLC instead of goofing off some more in Cedar City. <br /><br />Oh, and for those that wondered, we did manage to play in the pool during the weekend so the quest for Mark's new bathing suit was not in vain! (Mark wouldn't let me post a picture of him in that new bathing suit...party pooper!)batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-56064396099644315462008-09-13T18:53:00.000-07:002008-09-14T20:48:03.726-07:00Day 2 - 100 year old Fruit Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxv62TRKRI/AAAAAAAAAQY/-UlJHdR-Et4/s1600-h/IMG_2098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxv62TRKRI/AAAAAAAAAQY/-UlJHdR-Et4/s200/IMG_2098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245690722779212050" border="0" /></a>Hurricane, Utah was our next stop on our big adventures. Why go to Hurricane?? Because that is where they have a 100 year old fruit cake! How cool is that???!!!<br /><br />Yes, we went to the Hurricane Museum and talked with a lovely lady who told us all about the history of Hurricane and showed us the famous patina covered fruit cake. (Patina = "A thin greenish layer that forms on copper or copper alloys, such as bronze, as a result of long exposure to the elements and often valued aesthetically for its color." Apparently, patina can also be found growing on fruit cake! Ask Lynn to say the word "patina," it brings a smile to my face, every time."<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Two top layer c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ake baked in 1907:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Yes, this was once a four layered cake made by Mrs. Dave (Maria) Ballard of Grafton, Utah for Ella Wood and Jow Scow. It is a fruitcake, originally </span><span style="font-family:arial;">with fresh pink blossoms of "dew plant." It also used to have little pink candies o</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n it. Ella and Joe's children, Clinton, Itha and Milden took care to make these candies gradually disappe</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ared. This unusual item has been a much treasured heirloom."</span> [Taken from the card describing the fruit cake. Edited for content. They forgot to proofread it..]<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxzVG_2-eI/AAAAAAAAAQg/LMO_pAz22RI/s1600-h/IMG_2099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxzVG_2-eI/AAAAAAAAAQg/LMO_pAz22RI/s200/IMG_2099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245694472472689122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apparently, at the Hurricane Museum, they specialize in old food, because they also had 50 year old bacon! Found in someone's attic ...it doesn't really look like bacon. But they swear to it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another plaque that gave us a some history of the area was "Mollies Nipple" I'm not kidding here. "It's a Butte." Literally. I really am not making this sign up! They actually p<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx2Yb447cI/AAAAAAAAARI/7v_EscfjItk/s1600-h/IMG_2107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx2Yb447cI/AAAAAAAAARI/7v_EscfjItk/s200/IMG_2107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245697828155092418" border="0" /></a>rinted it as seen here...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx14N5iVrI/AAAAAAAAARA/WPLwWlwoB2E/s1600-h/IMG_2090.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx14N5iVrI/AAAAAAAAARA/WPLwWlwoB2E/s200/IMG_2090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245697274643895986" border="0" /></a><br />The hard part was finding the actual butte in real life. We couldn't find it until after we sat in the back of the museum to recover from the excitement of the old fruit cake and decrepit bacon. But alas, I spotted the "nipple" just due south...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx1UO8gnhI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/sedD36enneE/s1600-h/IMG_2113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMx1UO8gnhI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/sedD36enneE/s200/IMG_2113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245696656449510930" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-6894405117869452862008-09-13T16:18:00.000-07:002008-09-13T17:21:54.018-07:00Quest - Bathing SuitMark forgot to bring his bathing suit on our big adventures and at the Knight's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxNQWoouLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/GtG5otXEYPo/s1600-h/IMG_1984.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxNQWoouLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/GtG5otXEYPo/s200/IMG_1984.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245652609329051826" border="0" /></a> Inn there was a nice swimming pool. So, it was our goal to find the perfect bathing suit for Mark!<br /><br />We found a sporting goods store and started our search. The first possibility was a speedo. Although Mark is smiling in the picture, he was not happy about the first option we gave him.<br /><br />But luckily, we found another pair - on sale no less - that worked great for Mark and all future pool parties...our quest was <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxTC9_gWjI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/g5xiAeb4xqc/s1600-h/IMG_1988.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxTC9_gWjI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/g5xiAeb4xqc/s200/IMG_1988.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245658976445553202" border="0" /></a>complete!<br /><br />The next adventure was dinner at a local diner called, Brad's Food Hut.<br /><br />This is where we got some great shakes and possibly the faulty fish sandwich that caused pain to Lynn the following evening. This is also where Sarah got her tattoo. Mark was the go-to man - as seen here at the tattoo dispenser...<br /><br />The tattoo was a lovely unicorn and after great care in application - including cleaning it off properly so it would be vibrant. Sarah got tons of compliments on the unicorn! Several individuals thought the tattoo was a permanent fixture on Sarah's arm...which made her smile even bigger - if that's possible...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxVs5uuSPI/AAAAAAAAAPY/ng5eZhIPBnI/s1600-h/IMG_1995.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxVs5uuSPI/AAAAAAAAAPY/ng5eZhIPBnI/s200/IMG_1995.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245661895879182578" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-24872408424710273352008-09-03T19:53:00.000-07:002008-09-13T18:43:00.428-07:00Day 2 - Grafton, Ghost TownSo the next day, we headed out to see some cool places around Cedar City. Our first st<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9OuSHEgtI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Ys2W2ohjat4/s1600-h/IMG_2083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9OuSHEgtI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Ys2W2ohjat4/s200/IMG_2083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241995048324989650" border="0" /></a>op was Grafton, Utah a ghost town near Rockville, Utah.<br /><br />Apparently they have had a lot of vandalism because to get to Grafton, you have to go past 3 cameras.<br /><br />Here's a description of the town by <a href="http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/grafton.html">Bob Bezzant</a>:<br />Grafton was first settled in 1859 one mile below its present town site. In January of 1862 the town was completely washed away by a flood. The people rebuilt the town a mile further up stream at its present site. By 1864 about 28 families lived here. There were many log houses, a post office, church, school and community hall. The town was deserted in 1866 due to Indian attacks. The people moved back in 1868. By 1920 only 3 families still lived here. Grafton has had parts of several movies shot here. One movie that was partly shot here was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxr-CM29xI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ZENhZtG5558/s1600-h/IMG_2043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxr-CM29xI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ZENhZtG5558/s200/IMG_2043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245686379466651410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxrxrYxmiI/AAAAAAAAAQI/FgmI_vJrPXc/s1600-h/IMG_2049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxrxrYxmiI/AAAAAAAAAQI/FgmI_vJrPXc/s200/IMG_2049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245686167184185890" border="0" /></a><br />(Sarah and Lynn are seen checking out some dead people).<br /><br />We then went down to the actual town. It was actually the day the SUPs or Sons of the Utah Pioneers were having a field trip down in Grafton. Someone had just written a history about the town, so there were several visitors. We got to talk to some of them a little later and they told us about what it was like to grow up in the remnants of the old town.<br /><br />Here's a group shot of us in front of one of the old homes (Sarah, Alexis, Danielle, Mark & Lynn). And here is a self-portrait in front of the ol<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxo5u2KdJI/AAAAAAAAAPo/LoaODHSP6YQ/s1600-h/IMG_2061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxo5u2KdJI/AAAAAAAAAPo/LoaODHSP6YQ/s200/IMG_2061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245683007016826002" border="0" /></a>d school house. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxpLhg1OiI/AAAAAAAAAPw/QSWQIStix3w/s1600-h/IMG_2071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SMxpLhg1OiI/AAAAAAAAAPw/QSWQIStix3w/s200/IMG_2071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245683312675338786" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-1560731110942334502008-09-03T19:49:00.000-07:002008-09-13T18:49:16.026-07:00Day 1 - CemeteryAcross from Brad's Food Hut was the Cedar City Cemetery. I have a couple of dea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9M4Y4wuZI/AAAAAAAAALw/CVjz1SN5aTU/s1600-h/IMG_2003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9M4Y4wuZI/AAAAAAAAALw/CVjz1SN5aTU/s200/IMG_2003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241993022919457170" border="0" /></a>d people there. We had some time to kill before the play that night, so I made the car go over and check out some of my relatives.<br /><br />They had a nice map available at the cemetery with a corresponding book full of those that were buried there. Although it looks very simple from that map, locating burial plots isn't as easy as it looks. With the detective skills of Alexis and Lynn, I was able to locate my relatives.<br /><br />I found Golden Lang's headstone. Golden died in a plane accident while training d<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9NIA-c1pI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2P_tfMFcgKI/s1600-h/IMG_2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9NIA-c1pI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2P_tfMFcgKI/s200/IMG_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241993291378775698" border="0" /></a>uring World War II. He was a lieutenant in the Flying Forces.<br /><br />We also found the headstone of Margery Stevens. She died while serving a mission in Denver, Colorado after just 6 months of service. I'm not sure what she died of - I still need to look into that. Her headstone was really hard to read, so Alexis kindly transcribed the headstone for me!<br /><br />The last headstone was for my great grandmother, Minnie Deseret <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9NSkpgpFI/AAAAAAAAAMI/0pTB9noBdq4/s1600-h/IMG_2023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9NSkpgpFI/AAAAAAAAAMI/0pTB9noBdq4/s200/IMG_2023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241993472753312850" border="0" /></a>Stevens Lang. She died just after she gave birth to her 5th child, Dee. She was just 41 years old. Sad...but she left a great legacy of children, including my grandma, Olive Emily Lang Batson. And grandma was pretty darn cool!<br /><br />After our tromping in the cemetery, Alexis, Mark, Lynn and I went to see Cyrano De Bergerac at the outdoor theatre. Just so you know - and many of you already do - Cyrano was NOT written by Shakespeare. But it ended about as badly as a tragedy. [UGH! Enough tragedy already!] But it was VERY well acted and was an enjoyable evening...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9Nh1Mrz7I/AAAAAAAAAMY/aIAW4kFz5Sg/s1600-h/IMG_2027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9Nh1Mrz7I/AAAAAAAAAMY/aIAW4kFz5Sg/s200/IMG_2027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241993734893850546" border="0" /></a>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538791729013769663.post-57992708241751264182008-09-01T10:12:00.001-07:002008-09-13T17:23:24.587-07:00Day 1 - Historical Marker 1[This is the continuing saga of the trip to Cedar City in August]<br />Just outside CAL stores (a store for cowboys and farmers), was the first historical marker we encountered. The corner of this street is where the very first brick factory was located. The marker included the original bricks they made at those factories. They even had a picture of some of the first brick makers...did yo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9LJEIBnbI/AAAAAAAAAK4/e5JQ2gkHack/s1600-h/IMG_1969.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9LJEIBnbI/AAAAAAAAAK4/e5JQ2gkHack/s200/IMG_1969.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241991110380854706" border="0" /></a>u know that men could be ripped back in the 1880s? Here is proof: Check out those abs!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9Lc_0davI/AAAAAAAAALA/H6n3Hn-LU-E/s1600-h/IMG_1967.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9Lc_0davI/AAAAAAAAALA/H6n3Hn-LU-E/s200/IMG_1967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241991452822432498" border="0" /></a><div> </div><div>The next big adventure was a land-locked lighthouse. Who builds a lighthouse in the middle of the desert? Yeah, I don't know that answer, but it's probably an advertisment for the shopping stores all around it. But it was cool to look at anyway! Lynn is taking a break at the base of the lighthouse and Sarah, Alexis, Me and Mark are posing at the door...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9MF92qcyI/AAAAAAAAALQ/jhpNBAU6OMg/s1600-h/IMG_1970.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9MF92qcyI/AAAAAAAAALQ/jhpNBAU6OMg/s200/IMG_1970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241992156669440802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9MQ463DjI/AAAAAAAAALY/vzBVakNs1jI/s1600-h/IMG_1981.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9MQ463DjI/AAAAAAAAALY/vzBVakNs1jI/s200/IMG_1981.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241992344323427890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9L8HJF66I/AAAAAAAAALI/1HbE1yhc1a8/s1600-h/IMG_1977.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jq_HeM1RLFU/SL9L8HJF66I/AAAAAAAAALI/1HbE1yhc1a8/s200/IMG_1977.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241991987363965858" border="0" /></a></div>batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09923357177627189904noreply@blogger.com0