Sisters Weekend!

I have two sisters who are also my best friends. A few years ago I was having some challenging times and I conceived the idea of sisters weekend. Of course I would be happy with sisters week, but the weekend that my brother in laws give up is very generous and it is a wonderful tradition. Our brothers make fun of us and point out that sisters weekend is exclusionary, but sometimes you just need to spend some time with your sisters.

Ever since I got to the city, everyone has been telling me that I absolutely had to have brunch at Mama's. Apparently there is always a line out the door and I had been warned not to try to get in on Saturday. Since that is the only day of the week that I can go to brunch, I was thinking that I would never have the Mama's experience. Friday of Sisters weekend turned out to be my opportunity. As you can see, we did not have a long line, but it still took more than an hour to get in and get our food.
As you can see brunch at Mama's was wonderful! I am trying to figure out how to get back for more of that amazing food! While we were waiting in line it occurred to me that maybe this place was cash only. Turns out that my hunch was right and Cathy and Laurie went to find an ATM while I held our place in line. I got inside and was afraid that I would get to the front to order before they got back, so I called and told them to hurry. They had a good jog back to the restaurant just in time to wait another long wait. At least they got some good exercise before our high calorie meal. I don't think I can emphasize enough how yummy this brunch was - I have never had anything like it!
We had a wonderful fall sunny day in the city and visited lots of the good old traditional sites.

We decided to drive across the bridge and across the headlands all the way over to point Bonita. The view was so clear and amazing we could not help ourselves and took picture after picture after picture. Cathy seemed to be a little nervous about how I would swing across the road rather abrubtly to get a parking spot at the view overlooks.
We got all the way to Point Bonita and hiked down to the lighthouse. It was actually closed (darn) but it was a nice little hike and we saw tons of seals and birds. Look at the sun on that water...there are few sights that inspire me like the ocean.

It was a little windy....

We went to see the Secret Life of Bees. Definately a chick flick. Laurie and I had read the book and remembered that it was a little sad, but apparently we did not give Cathy a good enough warning. When the previews started, they seemed a little odd. You know how most previews kind of are in the same genre as the movie you came to see. Well these previews were all terrible and absolutley nothing like The Secret Life of Bees. The moive starts and it was Tropic Thunder....a horrible Ben Stiller movie. They finally stoped the film and after a few minutes someone came in and announced that they were fixing it and giving us all free passes. Laurie said she might need more than a free pass after all of those distrubing images! The movie turned out good - but was a little adventure.

Saturday we decided to go into Chinatown. Do you like the ducks in the window? Notice that they still have their heads attached. We had a few shoping stops, and then we wanted to see the fortune cookie factory. I have been told by several people that it was really fun and I should go. I also run into tourists all the time asking me where it is. Let's just say that it is the most overrated aspect of Chinatown.
Here it is this tiny little shop.

and here is the factory. You walk in and see this lady. You can't go past her and they don't tell you anything. Then you take her picture and pay the fifty cents. Then you feel that it is so anticlimtic that you buy way too many cookies.

There were a few interesting incidents on the streets. When we were waiting for the bus one night a man walked up behind us and leaned up agains the chain link fense and took a leak. Laurie wanted to know if we could not wait for the bus on a different corner. He was really harmless, but really really needed to go. Then the next day we were driving down the road and Cathy started busting up. Apparently she looked over on the sidewalk and saw this guy walking along with his shorts pulled half way down his legs and nothing else on. Those were the only two nudity spotings that we had, but I would say more than enough.

My sister Cathy has a little bit of an organizational obsession. She loves...I mean LOVES containers and organizers. So we took her over to play at the container store. She examined every part of this two story store!

Mom came down on Saturday night and we drive over through the Presido and walked down to the pier by Crissy Fields. We still had clear weather and had a rare fog free night to watch the sunset.

We drove over to Baker beach and watch the waves as the twilight faded. It was a once and a lifetime evening.

The girls got to say for church this morning, and then I had to take them over to the airport. The weekend goes way too fast, but I loved every minute of it.

Tagged by Sam - a fun game

Sam tagged me to post the fourth picture in the fourth folder in my picture files. I knew it would an old one since I have tons of pictures on my computer. I have to be honest, I was sure glad it was not a bad picture of me! I need to go through and clean out the junk pictures. Luckily the fourth picture in the fourth folder in my picture files was really cute.


These are my nieces in what I think was a costume for a Girl Scout float in a holiday parade. These girls are now 15 and 18 - so it was several years ago!

Sam's post was really cute - http://browninstallments.blogspot.com/ and I loved Carisa's too http://tylerandcarisa.blogspot.com/2008/10/tagged.html.

I think I am supposed to tag people now....so I tag JJ, Ashlee, and Kim. Have fun.

Monterey - A Conference and the Folks

The Internet Librarian Conference is held in Monterey every fall. The meetings were great last year, so I put in a proposal to attend again this October. Mom and Dad drove down to join me for the 5 days. I learned how to screencast and all about Twitter. I think I found some new high tech stuff that I can implement in my training at the office, so it was well worth the time away.

Monterey is beautiful in the fall. It is much like San Francisco - bright sunny days with cool crisp air. Dad and I had a fun pub lunch together with traditional English food - roastbeef sandwich and cottage pie.

Fisherman's wharf in Monterey is pretty small, but the clam chowder is fantastic. We went down on Saturday night and had a great seafood dinner. We visited several more times for clam chowder in gigantic bread bowls. (Hummm it sounds like all we did was eat!)





Mom and I went out every morning for a beautiful walk down the coast. We were greeted by these seals and sea lions barking and sunbathing. The cruise ship in the background came in one morning and Mom met some people off the cruise. The walking path is wonderful and follows right along the water and goes from the hotel to the aquarium. A good 2 1/2 miles.



If you look carefully you will notice that Mom is making a salad in the hotel ice bucket. It was a great Sunday lunch. Those Canadians can sure make do. We went to the Monterey Ward before my meetings. They have a really big ward and were so nice and friendly. While I was at my afternoon workshop, Mom and Dad went to the Sunset Idea house. Mom had always wanted to go, and I guess it was spectacular.

Mom took a morning whale watching trip on Monday. These are real pictures from her trip! They saw humpbacks, orcas, and lots and lots of seals.

We drove down to Carmel to walk on the beach at sunset Monday night. I love the picture of Mom watching the sun. For someone who grew up miles from the sea, she is so in her element at the ocean. There were tons of people out with their dogs. I swear to you that one of the dogs was body surfing in the waves!

This is Pebble Beach which overlooks the Carmel bay. It is part of the 17 mile drive, but we did not do that this year.

We drove down and hiked all over Point Lobos on Tuesday before my meetings. The water crashing on the rocks is one of my favorite things to watch. That combined with the old cypress tress is just breathtaking. Mom and I took about 5 different hikes through the park.

One of Mom's favorite dinners is ribs. We all shared a rack of baby back St. Louis ribs....absolutely amazing.

We walked down through Cannery Row several times. It is a charming little area. The best part is the the after dinner free chocolate sample of Ghiradelli chocolate and peanut butter. Mom and I have sworn that we are going to read Steinbeck's Cannery Row now.

Mom hate it when I take these pictures of the two of us - just holding out my arm. She claims that they are not good pictures. It makes me take more and more of them. I had several this trip, but I only posted this one. I should make a collage.

It was a great trip. Attending the conference, working at night, and seeing all of Monterey was a lot to fit in, but I had fun with Mom and Dad and always love to see the Ocean. (of course I do live next to the ocean...) There was also a great farmers market on Tuesday night. It is so beautiful to see all of those vegetables! Mom and Dad went to several of the historic houses throughout town and the Maritime museum. I think we did as much as we possible could!

Big news!

While I was in Oregon last weekend, I was asked a very important question.............will you be the Stake Camp director? (Bro. Holbrook found me on my cell phone).

Yeah for girls camp!!

I hardly know anyone in my stake - so I have tons of work to do just to figure out who can come up to camp and help. I was up at camp last summer, so I have at least met some of the girls. Come what may - we will have a wonderful time!

Send me lots of ideas. I need all the help I can get.

I did get a commitment from a great nurse today. Mommies are so helpful.

A Wonderful Weekend in Oregon

I flew up to Oregon to spend the weekend with Mark, and we had a great time. Hiking, football, food, family and friends. Perfect! Mark picked me up at the airport and we drove out to Multnomah falls. I have driven that road along the Columbia River Gorge numerous times, but I had never stopped at the falls. They are beautiful and it was a great hike.

This is at the bottom - there is a nice restaurant at the bottom of the falls (just behind me) and Mark took me to a yummy dinner after our hike. There was a wedding going on - and we tried to get some wedding cake - but it was too small of a group to sneak in.

We made it to the top! It is pretty up there - but it is a funny view - you can't really see the falls. I kept leaning over to get a better view, but you can just see the very top where the water falls off the edge.

On the way back down we got this view of the bridge. I like how the waterfall is now coming out of Mark's head - kind of like it is pouring out of his ear.We left just at sunset, isn't it a good one? We got back down to Corvallis and meet up with Karyn for some dessert and a movie. I can't recommend the movie - but we still had fun hanging out.

Mark got tickets for the OSU game on Saturday. I had not been in a stadium for a football game in years. I love a live game - there is nothing like it. We had great seats - 35 yard line and 17 rows up.

I took these pictures before the game started, so you can't see how many people were there. It was a sold out crowd. We won the game - I should say it was a total blowout. But football is always fun to watch. We actually got to see two games because as we attended this game, Mark's brother texted him a play by play of the BYU game. (Which we also won yeah!!)

After the game we went over to my sister's house and I made dinner. My niece Camille and Mark's girls - Karyn and Kaitlyn all came over. Now, there is a jello story.
Many of you will know that I do not have a love for jello. It is not that it does not taste good, it is more of the fact that it is not food and seems so superfluous to me. I also can't make jello. I know it is hot water and cold water and stir. Nonetheless, I can't make it. For some really unfathomable reason I decided that I needed to make jello for dinner. I decided this when I was at the store and had no recipes. I figure what do you put in those jello dishes? Fruit, jello, cream cheese, whip cream. What could go wrong? How could I fail. Let's just say that no one should have to get a bite of jello with a glob of cream cheese. I promise to never made jello again!

Here are pictures of the adorable girls who joined us for dinner. Thanks for giving up your Saturday night - it was so fun.

Kaitlyn
Karyn
and Camille

After dinner we watched a Brian Reagan video. Hilarious comedian. If you have not heard him, look him up on YouTube. Fantastic.

On Sunday both Camille and Kaitlyn had talks in church, so I went to two wards. Does that mean I get next week off? Both girls gave great talks! After church we went over to the Smiths (friends of Mark's) for dinner. Thanks so much for including me in a great family tradition. It was a delicious big o' Sunday dinner. They have three llamas which we could watch out the bay window in the dinning room as we ate dinner. I can't believe that I did not go out and take a picture - but this is one that Mark sent me a few weeks ago. I had never eaten dinner and watched a llama at the same time - very pastoral.

Back to work now. I guess the work days make you more grateful for the fun days.

I am such a copy cat

One of the things that I enjoy about this blog is that it makes me feel productive. Sometimes I get home from work and I just need to relax and rest, but inexplicably it makes be feel too lazy. The blog is very low energy and effort, but still makes me feel productive. I know....therapy couldn't hurt me.

So, I was just thinking that I wanted to write on my blog, but could not think of anything to post. Then I saw my friend's post on a 100 things and was sold on the idea. Is it plagiarism? Or just plain old copy catting?

I realize that I have done a lot of reminiscing lately, but you will just have to put up with me or stop reading. So, here are 100 things about me.

1. I am the baby of the family.
2. I get my red hair from my paternal great grandmother.
3. I was named after my Mom's good friend (Louise Matesen in Sparks, Nevada - oh and that is a pretty badly kept secret - I was born in Nevada and am not a true California girl).
4. I really like to cook, but I don't get much of an opportunity these days.
5. I've always wanted to get married in the Cardston Temple where my parents and both sets of Grandparents were sealed. Of course at this point I might not be too fussy about location.
6. I love to teach any lesson at church. My favorite was the 12-13 Sunday school class when we studied the Presidents of the Church. I don't mind speaking in church, but I have not done so for several years.
7. I enjoy British comedy, old shows like M*A*S*H*, and mysteries. Nothing too scary. The Wizard of Oz, too scary. I had to stay in the MGM Grand in Vegas once and it was decorated with the Wizard of Oz, I could hardly sleep all night.
8. I have been a reader from a very young age. I won an award when I was in grade school and got to go to a special lunch presentation with the school librarian and meet an author.
9. I feel like there are many classics that I should have read but have not. Nonetheless, I find myself reading totally relaxing and non-intellectually challenging books.
10. I am a member of the LDS church and I really love it. I don't go just because I always have and because my family goes. I go because I love the gospel and I believe it. Faith is something that I have been blessed with.
11. My family is my number one priority and my most favorite part of my life. They are my best friends, and I have the most fun with I am with them.
12. If I had all the money I could ever dream of, I would spend it all on visiting my family and spoiling my 13 nieces and nephews and taking them on trips.
13. I have traveled in the past (to Israel, Egypt, London and all over England, Scotland, Wales (not Ireland grr), Paris, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Amsterdam, Russia, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, the Eastern States, Florida, most of the Western States, and Prince Edward Island). But I feel like I have not traveled anyway lately. I'd like to go to Africa for a safari. I am actually afraid of most animals, but they fascinate me.
14. I love to talk politics with my Dad.
15. I don't like spicy food. I like just about any other food.
16. I am not very good at making new friends. I am friendly enough, I just don't think I open up to others well. It is hard for me.
17. I have 20 cousins. I am very close to my cousins on my Mother's side of the family. I hardly ever talk to the cousins on the other side of the family and I think that is so sad.
18. I wish I could be a professional photographer.
19. I am very headstrong and an independent woman, but I do want a man to pursue me and all that romantic stuff.
20. I am shy in a large crowd.
21. One of my happiest memories is sitting in a crowded room crammed on the floor with all of my family around me - laughing and laughing.
22. I enjoy camping and backpacking.
23. I have no desire to fish.
24. I don't like extreme sports or activities like bungee jumping or snowmobiling.
25. I don't have a green thumb, but I do like plants and a nice yard. Lucky for me my mother always comes over and takes care of mine. Even when she lived two states away!
26. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. I think everyone should read it.
27. I went to see a Shakespeare play (Taming of the Shrew) when I was in 8th grade and I have been a fan of all Shakespeare works ever since. My favorite is Comedy of Errors and King Lear is a close second.
28. Christmas is my very favorite holiday. And I love Santa - I don't understand the demonizing of Santa. I collect nativities too. I have not been able to display them all the past two years. I have already started to eye a new one at the shop around the corner from Old St. Mary's. My mother dislikes the accumulation of things and thinks that my collection is nutty - but she does amuse me and has added to the collection.
29. I get impatient when I am in a group and no one can make a decision on move us along.
30. I am a very decisive person and it is hard for me to make a decision that requires time and thought. I usually feel like I know what I should do and I want to just get on with it.
31. I don't often look back with regret.
32. I like to crochet. I am pretty crafty and creative, but I can't paint or decorate a cake.
33. I enjoy visiting museums. I like impressionist art best, but I find historical exhibits very interesting too
34. I start spoiling my nieces and nephews very early so that the learn where their bread is buttered. Not surprisingly, I have taught them that I am their favorite aunt. I really do love each of them - and they are very unique and wonderful people.
35. I play the piano, but I have never been able to play when people sing. It makes me too nervous. I have a piano, but it does not fit in my apartment so my friend in Spanish Fork is keeping it for me.
36. I have always been a little (a lot) bossy. I call it organized - but since I tell others what to do it seems to translate into bossy.
37. One of my favorite weekend activities is to go up to Fawnhill and relax with Mom and Dad.
38. I love a good movie in the theater with popcorn.
39. I have had 7 surgeries
40. I often would choose to stay in than to go out. I can be a bit of a home body.
41. I don't like to wake up in the morning and I could not be described as a morning person.
42. I don't mind laundry, but I really don't love the dishes and I hardly ever dust.
43. I have changed jobs every 3-4 years since I left law school, but I really like my current job. (Of course I am just finishing my second year). My favorite summer job was working at a day camp in the park.
44. I like to shop for just about anything.
45. I don't really like cake - it never seems like anything special and I'd rather use up calories on something like a good cookie or brownie.
46. I make a great apple pie.
47. I water ski and snow ski but I am not terribly good at either. I just think it is fun.
48. I have ridden a camel (I was scared to death!)
49. I figure out a way to get along with most people. The annoying ones I just keep at arms length and stay friendly. I am not saying I am a good person, I just don't get worried about everyone loving me.
50. I can't wear bracelets - my wrists are too big and ugly. (what is a good looking wrist? Cousin JJ has nice hands and wrists).
51. I always wanted curly hair - just like my cousins.
52. I always eat breakfast.
53. I tend to be sarcastic.
54. In high school, the party was always at my house.
55. I studied Political Science at BYU. I loved BYU and Provo.
56. I like a room with lit candles, but I can never seem to figure them out. Do you turn off the lights? I feel foolish sitting in a dark room by myself.
57. I like candy corn but I don't like jelly beans. Easter Candy should be all chocolate, but Halloween candy can be mixed.
58. Decorating for holidays is so much fun. I especially like coloring Easter eggs and carving pumpkins. So reminiscent of childhood - and fun things that families do.
59. I can't stand pretending to be something I am not.
60. I miss writing letters. e-mail is not the same. I love real stationary and real note cards. I still write Thank You notes - because my Grandmother taught me that they must be written.
61. My grandmother also taught me to have good posture and keep my hair out of my eyes. She was rather insistent. I am sure I did not appreciate it when I was young, but good posture is good habit that I am now grateful for. I know it sounds funny, but honestly I have had strangers tell me that I carry myself well - what an odd compliment - and even odder that I am proud of it.
62. I have always been confident it most things. I have a hard time understanding self confidence issues.
63. I was on the yearbook in High School.
64. I sunburn at the drop of a hat. And speaking of hats, I have a huge head and so I can't wear a hat.
65. I drink way too much Diet Coke.
66. I really do try not to swear, but sometimes it is funny and I can't resist. I hardly ever swear just because I am mad.
67. Pedicures are one of the best ways to pamper me
68. I am basically an optimistic person.
69. I hope that I am as giving and hard working as my mother. I feel like I was better at helping friends and neighbors when I was living in Spanish Fork. I have not taken a meal into anyone in two years. I help Mom when I am at home to try to make up for it.
70. I read the First Presidency message and the VT message in the Ensign, but honestly I don't like the rest of it. That cheesy stuff is too much for me.
71. I am not quite as bad as my cousins with the burping and farting, but I can hold my own in a disgusting family competition.
72. I like old pictures, family movies, old family stories, and the great family history stories.
73. I was Grandpa's favorite.
74. But my other Grandpa died the same day I was born.
75. The Mandarin festival is coming up and the Mandarins of Northern California have no equal.
76. I have never been good at sports, but I like to watch many sports. Attending games is lots of fun - BYU football is probably my favorite, but I have also been to a few Mariners games and some Olympic events that were fantastic.
77. I think being nice is the most important thing you can do during the day, and I keep working on it.
78. I think the best thing you can do for someone you are worried about is to love them. It is probably the best thing you can do for someone that bugs you too.
79. I hold grudges. I am not near as bad as I used to be, but I am afraid that it is still a fault.
80. I can't take a 15 min nap. A good 2-3 hours is great.
81. I've only been to a few music concerts and I did not like them.
82. I like old 70's rock like Queen and Earth Wind and Fire, and mellow stuff like James Taylor and John Mayer.
83. I hardly ever floss my teeth. I know it is gross and I feel guilty about it. But I do use mouthwash.
84. I don't especially like special bath salts or scrubs or smelly lotions. I like a shower with a bar of soap a razor and some shampoo and conditioner. I seem to get all that stuff and I can't through it away but I never remember to use it.
85. I do like air freshener.
86. I find it hard to go to ward activities where everyone is showing up as a family.
87. My favorite dinner is pot roast with onions, potatoes and carrots.
88. I am not good at number or strategy games, but I like word games like taboo and scategories. I am not competitive, I just like to have fun.
89. I can't spell at all. My grade school teachers were hippies and did not think spelling was a skill one should master.
90. I love the satisfaction of popping a good zit.
91. I was thrown off a horse when I was little and got a concussion.
92. I love to walk down a beach and get my feet wet.
93. I'd rather be cold than hot.
94. Laughing is one of my favorite things to do - and hear. Children's laughter is the very best. And laughing until your sides hurt is fantastic.
95. I cry easily - mostly over sentimental stuff - not because I am sad or had my feelings hurt.
96. I talk to my one sister every day and my mother a few times a week and my other sister at least once a week. I would talk to her more if I could find her more often. I call my brothers too - but it is not the same as talking to sisters.
97. I eat cold corn straight out of the can.
98. I one day want to have a library full of books - like those old English libraries.
99. I love pictures, but I don't scrapbook.
100. I believe in being happy with your life and looking for the good in things.

The next few weeks I have all kinds of trips and events happening - so my posts will be less reflective and more reporting!

Breakfast with the Brethren

Well, it is Conference weekend - one of the best weekends of the year. I was telling Mark last night that Saturday morning is always the best session. It has the best talks and/or the big announcements. This year it had both. Five new temples! YEAH! Of course, I cried when President Monson announced those. Although he did put a little pressure on those folks to also put on an extravaganza! Then - weren't the talks great? I really loved Bro Anderson who said faith is not just a feeling but it is a decision. And then Elder Uchtdorf (yes the best looking apostle we have) home run with the talk on Hope.

I even had time to run to the store to get a treat for breakfast - so my breakfast with the brethren was complete. Now lets see how much I can get cleaned up around here before the next session.