Nostalgia

For some reason I am feeling very nostalgic for things left behind in California. I have been asking people here "What do you DO around here?" I am starting to really miss all the fantastic things the Bay Area offered. All the MANY things to do there, whether it be a day trip, a weekend or just a couple of hours. There were just so many options. Sadly, I took them for granted. So for the new few days, I will blog about a few of my favorites.

I am going to start with TILDEN PARK
I absolutely LOVE this place! It is up in the Oakland Hills. I was first introduced to this beautiful park when I was a nanny. A bunch of us, nannies, would get together with all of our kids and go somewhere every week. We were from all over the East Bay, and a couple of the girls lived in the Oakland Hills (a place I ended up living during the fire of '91). The park is nestled in tons of Eucalyptus trees and there is a lake you can swim in, a train you can ride on, a petting zoo, lots of picnic areas, camping spots, a carousel, pony rides and hiking trails. The thing is, the park is so big, you have to drive to each of these places individually. It is so georgous, and I loved going. I knew we were moving soon, so while David and Michael were at Scout Camp, I took the rest of the kids and ran for the hills! We had such a great time. There are spots on the drive up to the park that you stop, look out, and could see all the way across the Bay into San Francisco and beyond. On a really clear day you could see the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the day we went was a little overcast so you can kindof see the Bay behind the kids on one or two of the pictures. I truly miss Tilden Park and I know we will go again someday.

Halloween Costumes

So, I finally figured out how to transfer my pictures onto my computer (it's a new camera). Now I will attemp to add a picture to the blog. It should be a picture of all of us in our Halloween costumes (crossing fingers...)

It's over... deep sigh of relief...

Phew, I made it through Sunday. Last week was a little crazy, not nearly as bad as the life I left behind, but still it was crazy! Our ward trunk or treat was Saturday and we decided to go as the Flintstones. Now, this decision was made weeks ago. I thought I had plenty of time to make the costumes before the party. Well, in true Brenda fashion, I started 2 days before the party! I got the fabric and most of the accessories 5 days before the party, but just didn't feel the pressure to start making them until the last minute. I just didn't want my sewing machine out on the kitchen table inconveniencing my family... So, Friday and Saturday were all about getting these costumes made! Well, it wouldn't have been so bad except I also had to write a talk for church the next day! To some this may seem like an easy task. But for me, it was more stressful than an entire year running the stores and trying to be a mom and wife!! I have never spoken in church my entire adult life. And even as a youth I think I managed to NOT get out of it only once or twice. So this is very hard for me. Now, put me in front of 100 scrapbookers and tell me to teach something on the fly with no prep... NO PROBLEM! But put me UP at a pulpit in front of the most wonderful people I have the pleasure of knowing here in AZ, and I freeze!!! It absolutely terrifies me. So, not only did I have the costumes to make but a talk to write as well. I finally -almost- finished the costumes at 3:30pm, then it was in front of the computer to write the talk -for the 3rd time! David had to take the kids AWAY so I could think and try to finish this daunting task. I finished and then jumped in the shower for a quick rinse 10 minutes before the party starts. Run off to the party - 35 min late, of course, did you expect anything else from me??? - and we actually won the costume contest for 18 and over/families! (never mind we were the only ones standing there!!) Don't have a picture yet, will post it soon! It was fun, but I was still a basket case with the impending talk the next day...
We got to church 10 minutes early - that in itself is a huge accomplishment! As I made the long, dreaded, terrifying walk to the front of the chapel, I felt my legs go numb and my hands shook. I thought I was going to pass out! The bishopric shook my hand and I asked them to catch me if I fainted during my talk. I don't remember much about any of the announcements, sustainings or anything else that went on. Luckily the guy speaking after me had a program on his knee so I knew when it was my turn to go. My mom told me to just picture everyone as fuzzy bunnies, oh everyone was fuzzy alright, but they didn't look like bunnies! I remember, from my youth, that I would shift a lot during the time I was up there. I think this time I froze. I don't think I moved at all. I looked out and felt dizzy. Like I said, everything and everyone was fuzzy! I started my talk and as I went through it, it did get a little easier. I was so happy to see the last page and even more happy to sit down. I had done it! I made it through the most stressful and terrifying experience thus far in my life. Everyone was so wonderful, of course - cuz we are in the best ward ever!!! - they gave me hugs and made me feel so good about what I had said and done. Even people I hadn't met yet were giving me hugs and again I felt the love of our new ward so strongly. Have I mentioned that we are in the BEST WARD EVER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
So, I made it. It's over. Hopefully that gives me a pass for the next 20 years!!

Did I move to the COUNTRY???

Ok, so I knew moving here was going to be a HUGE life change. Now, don't get me wrong, we absolutely LOVE it here. Yes, it is hot, but not too hot... Only 90(ish)! At night it cools to a nice cool 80 degrees. :) But seriously, it is not that bad!! So I knew it would be a huge life change. But seriously... I can't quite seem to get use to the smell of COWS every time I walk out of the house. Every now and then I will be outside and I start to wonder "what is that smell???" oh yeah, that would be COW MANURE!!! But there is that small part of me that kinda likes it. Not the smell, mind you, but the idea that we are so close to Phoenix - the 5th largest city in the US - and yet, here in Gilbert, we still have cows and farms and it's kinda like living out in the country. That is what I like.

I can't tell you how much we love it here. The people are sooo nice and they are sooo happy!! They are friendly and just really wonderful people. I am still on the hunt for a job, and I was complaining about feeling useless, then a friend set me straight. She told me to enjoy the time God has given me to be home and not have the huge stress in my life that I have the last 11+ years. So, that is what I am doing. I am enjoying the time that David and I are able to be home all day with the kids and each other. We haven't had that our entire married life and I think I do need to enjoy it. Once we both get jobs, and most likely will be working opposite shifts from each other, we won't have time to see each other and just hang out and talk. So thank you, Joella, for your wisdom and advice. I truly appreciate it.

Hello World!

So, I have decided to do this blogging thing. I kindof tried it with the old business, but never seemed to have the time to write. Now that I am starting over - so to speak - I figured I would try again, on a personal level. Just a little background... Approximately 2 months ago, David and I uprooted our family and moved - on a whim - two states away from our home in California and landed in Arizona. We had a few 'bumps' along the way, but we are so happy to be here and start this adventure together. We absolutely LOVE the area we moved to. The people here are so wonderful. We are in awe of the genuine love that has been extended to us and we appreciate all the loving arms that have helped us through the little rough patch we encountered on our journey here. Our kids have made friends fast, and love being here. They love their schools and have adjusted very well. David and I have enjoyed getting to know so many new people and feel so blessed to have landed in the neighborhood we did and to be surrounded by such fabulous people. Thank you for everything!!
I am sure I will find many things to write about in the coming days. Right now, I am awaiting the arrival of my sister, my mother, two neices and a nephew. My children are out of school for fall break and my sister's kids are out of school for UEA weekend. So they are coming here to visit us. My children have no idea they will be here when they wake up in the morning. It will be a big surprise! I can't wait to see their faces. Should be a fun weekend. We plan to do a little wakeboarding. It is still pretty warm here. The kids were swimming in the pool today and we were on the lake yesterday. I LOVE the warmer weather. I get cold way too easily! So Arizona is a great place for me to be!
Gotta go finish laundry! Until next time...