Not A Cloud In The Sky

I remember lying on the grass when I was little and watching the shapes the clouds made as they went by. Mississippi skies makes for some killer cloud watching. It was a very rare day to not have any clouds. Those days were noticed for sure.
Today as I floated in the pool, looking up at a vast amount of blue, I missed the skies of my childhood. I wanted to see monkeys (don't know why, but I always saw monkeys), whales and bears go floating by me today.
I wanted to think about riding my bike down to the Army Ditches, playing on swinging vines in the woods and not having to be home until the street lights came on. I wanted to smell summer smells like; mowed grass and wild onions, Daddy frying catfish and hush puppies under the car port and the sweet air coming though my window at night.
Blue skies are overhead and the future is wide open these days. I'm a grown up now, but I'm still looking for Monkeys in the sky.

Dr Nicole

Enjoying Karen and family. Playing cards, eating good food.
As far as the new job situation is going, it is looking more and more like San Diego. I guess we'll just have to see.
On another note Nicole called to say she is fairly certain she will end up with a 4.0. So proud of my girl.

I'm A Cool Aunt

More family arrived today. The Lewis Family, which consists of, Phil, Karen, Paige (15)and Ridge (11). Plus, with them came one of my other nieces Haily (12) Scott and Jill's daughter.
Paige and I have been very close her whole life. From the time she was a baby, she and I have always had a special bond. It has long been a tradition that when ever we saw one another we would have a day just the two of us.
In just the last few years Hailey and I have started to do the same thing. So, with both of them here, I was soon cornered and asked if we could have a day together just the three of us. I love that no matter the years that have past my Paigie still loves to hang out with her Aunt Paula. Hailey too, i think looks forward to it.
How fun to still be consider "Fun".

Moving Forward For Love Ones

Arrived at Church not knowing that it was going to be the last Sunday for some of our favorite people. My family has often marveled at how truly small the world of the Church is. How wonderful it is to move any where in the world and be immediately embraced into a family. I always think of it as a going to a family reunion and meeting all these people that you don't know, but you love on site because they are family.
Moving ahead is in my mind, always a good thing. As for this day, moving forward can also be sad (in a happy way). I love this little family (Jon and Stacy Conley) and our families have become very close. They have two sweet baby girls, Hailey (3) and Lauren(9mo) and I feel like they are my practice Grandbabies. After they have been in the ward for 3 years (as long as we have),they are now moving to Arizona.
Today I held my friends Stacy as she cried in my arms and we said goodbye.

Here And Home Again

We have had such an amazing time with all my family. Cassie and Wesley. The Aunt Polly and uncle Jerry. Lastly, Liz, Kaelyn and her friend Jaycie Cantrell. The Grove 3 times, Cheesecake Factory 3 times, the beach once, several malls, Universal Studios, Universal City Walk 3 time, Bubba Gump's. let me see have I forgotten anything? Oh yeah, twice to the wacko road, aka, Hollywood Blvd. Oh yeah, and countless times to Minchies. Nana's new favorite yogurt self serve.
What an incredible blessing to have the blessing of seeing almost all my family, share and make memories and after almost 4 weeks of Neely family, everyone has arrived safely and return safely.

Brisk Beach Day

Decided to go to Malibu today. It always surprises me that clouds and low temperatures does not deter the average beach goer. The cliff edges were full of people climbing and repelling. Looked exciting, but no thanks. Matt and Mark have done it before, again no thanks.
So,83 degrees when we left the 101 freeway. By the time we went through the Malibu canyon we were down to 67. While we were there it continued to drop. Still, the ocean is amazing at any temperature.
What I want to remember about today was seeing a lone sea-lion out in the surf. I have always felt a kindred spirit to them. Peaceful peaceful.

Right Before My Eyes

Today my whole body felt as if it were trying to move through jello. You have to know what I mean. Like your feet like lead and no matter how fast you think your moving, its just not fast enough.
I guess one of the good things about this, is that things around me seemed to be going a little slower too. So time to see things a little clearer and really appreciate the things that are truly miracles.
I was in the kitchen when I heard Matt laughing ( he has a great laugh ). He has had his computer set up in the formal dining area for a while now, sort of his command station. I walked in to see what was cause of the stream of chuckles coming from him. I should have known who it would be. There on his computer screen was my beautiful girl Nicole. Right there, but so far away.
I remember calling Mom when I was in Utah every Saturday and only talking for 10 minutes when I was Nicole age. How amazing to be able to not only pick up a phone and hear her voice whenever I want, but see her as well is something that world has been waiting for for decades. I gloried in the fact that this has taken place while I have been living my normal life.

Cool Mom Moment

Saw Green lantern tonight with my son. How blessed am I that my son is cool with hanging with his Mom.

On a side note, after sing Brian Reynolds in his Lantern suit, GREEN is a new fave color.

Do Over

There is always a way to win at Spider Solitaire. I have won 157 games in a row on my
I-Touch to date. What that really means is I replay until I win. Wouldn't it be nice to do that with some things in a normal life?(sigh)

Tension is running at an all time high in the Krantz home. Matt is recovering from disc surgery and does not like being sedentary. Lots of family visiting and after 15 years of working for Sprint, Mark is now looking for a job. I have no doubt he will find something, it just means that until he does, I have no idea where we will end up. Like I said.....Tension!!!

A couple of times today I would have liked to hit the redo button. Short temper comes with the territory on all fronts. Words coming out of an already in motion mouth before my brain has fully grasped the situation. In some cases words fly that I know even as they are leaving my lips are not exactly what I mean. "Do Over"

Miracle for today: Words were spoken or not spoken and yet still tonight he rolls towards me in bed, searches for my hand and gives it 3 little squeezes. Our silent " I Love You"

Brain Freeze

My life has taken some getting used to lately. It's been a little like drinking one of my favorite Frozen Lemonades from Aunt Annie's. It's so good , a little sweet, a little sour and at some point you know your going to get a killer brain freeze. It will hurt like heck, but it doesn't last and its so worth it.

First, my mom now lives with me. My dad passed away in March and so "Nana" lives here for as long as she would like. Back home ( Columbus, Miss. ) is too full of memories for her right now. She has handled it all with faith and grace.

Second, Matt has been called to the Guatemala City Central Mission. (gulp...sniff....sniff). I knew this day was coming, but did it have to get here so darn fast? He is ready to get out there and do the Lord's work and I know it's what I want for him. It's just that it was only yesterday I was watching him pass the sacrament for the first time ( I was crying of course ) and thinking "I'm going to blink and he will be leaving on his mission." Well I blinked...... and here we are.
He will be amazing.

Lastly ( at least for the time being ), we have had a steady stream of family to come visit. Now don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful thing, but after a while even 4,600 square feet can start to feel a little crowded.

So.... the miracle for today is, " I have family who love me enough to fly or drive hundreds of miles to come and make memories with me and STILL love me even when their bed deflates in the middle of the night. ( Sorry Liz. "Love you." )