Introducing...

I would like to introduce you to Frankie. Frankie is my new car. She is super cute, and WAY fun to drive. She is an 08 Mazda 3. (yeah, i know, holy cow) I wasn't expecting to get a new car, just one that was more reliable than Antoinette. For those of you who don't know, Antoinette was my old car, an 1990 Toyota Camry with way too many miles on her. Anyhoo, now I have Frankie! Many many thanks to my dad, who is the coolest dad on the planet. He helped me get a great loan for her.

And without further ado, meet Frankie...

Simple gifts

It is amazing to me how the Lord works. He knows how we feel, all the time. He knows exactly what we need to heal (at least a little) our hearts and souls. This amazing rainbow was one of those gifts. The pure beauty brought, at least for the moment, peace into my life.

This was the view directly behind me...

And just a few minutes later...

And just a few minutes later...

Ok Really, This time... On the Edge

I have been trying to find a way to introduce a little bit of spice back into my life, and I finally hit upon a way. I can change my hair...again. A little while ago, I decided to chop my hair.. and go back to being a redhead. In all of my 25 years, I had never dyed my hair at all. But, it was turning into a not happy brown color... not that brown is bad, but when you are a true red head and then you are not, you miss it. SO, anyway, back to dying the hair. Those of you who have done this know the drill, you have to keep dying it, or major roots!!!!

I have an amazing hairdresser!! So amazing, that rather than find one in Portland, I will drive down to Corvallis every 6 weeks to get my hair cut. This weekend was the first "re-dying" after going back to red. I sat down in her chair, and told her I wanted to go a little more daring. I was thinking of thin strips of purple, pink or lime green. Fortunately for me, Barbara had a better idea. "NO!!" She said. "But, what about red?" I know, my hair is going to be dyed red with blonde highlights already... so what color red?

Fun, huh? I know, it doesn't look like my natural color, but that was the point. It isn't a ton, but enough to make me happy. And it is SO much better than a purple or other color. Anyhoo, a little way to add spunk!

On The Edge...

Memory Game!

This is a fun, tag-gy type game! So, play along...Here are the directions:1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

no, I haven't been slacking...

Well, in a way I have. My internet has been fickle lately, and I just haven't gotten around to getting my own service...you know, you use whoevers service you can hack into. Well, that trusty well dried up! SO, now I just need to get off my butt and do it!

Back to reality...

I had a fantastic vacation. So much so, that I did not want to return to the grind of everyday life. But alas, I knew I needed to attend to my duties.

I spent 8 wonderful days in Utah, visiting with friends and relatives, and being lazy. I decided to do some "Temple-hopping" while I was there, so while Tamara was at work, I made my way to the Bountiful Temple,

and to the Mount Timpanogas Temple.

I made plans to attend the Salt Lake temple with some dear friends of mine, but those plans were thwarted, first with double-booking, and then with the temple being closed for cleaning. So, we ended up at the Bountiful temple, again. I attempted to also attend the Provo Temple (did not have enough time) and the Jordan River Temple (it too was closed.) But, that is ok, I loved where I did get to go.

I spent time with my amazing niece and nephew...

and I played with friends...

All in all, it was wonderful. I got to "spend the day in the life of a senior missionary couple," tour downtown Salt Lake at midnight, attend the Arts Festival, see a true hippie dancer in Utah, go to Seven Peaks Water Park, have dinner with friends, drive a nicer car than I currently own, and luv, luv, luv those babies.

And now, back to real life...