Williams - Cali Trip - Disneyland

Disneyland was so awesome. We all had a great time minus the break downs and screaming kids at 10:30pm while exiting the park. "I am too tired to walk, I don't want to leave, my feet hurt." I am sure you all know the drill. The kids were in heaven. They had no idea what to expect or what Disneyland was all about. I didn't tell them anything. I don't think they really knew how much fun it was going to be and that there were a million fun rides to go on. Every time we went on a ride, they would ask if they could go again and I would have to tell them, "we have at least 20 more rides to go on today and so we can only go once." They did get to go on a few rides twice since Nora couldn't ride all of them and so we would get a child switch pass and then the kids could go with one of us again. We used a system called Ridemax and I highly recommend it. It helped us be able to make the most efficient use of our time since we only had two days to experience the whole park. Ridemax is a computer based software program designed to help you create custom wait-time-reducing plans for Walt Disneyworld and Disneyland. We spent the first day at California Adventure. We went nonstop all day long, ate lunch at Ariel's Grotto, and ended with World of Color. It was an amazing show. We took a break the next day and swam at the hotel. Our friend Melissa drove over and spent the day with us (she and her family lived in Portland once upon a time). That evening Herb had a rehearsel dinner for Jason's wedding (the real reason we even came to Disneyland). The next day, we hit Disneyland again. Started early and went all day again. Sage was tall enough for every single ride and Herbie was only too small for two of them. Sage's favorite ride of all was California Screamin Rollercoaster and she hated Indiana Jones. Herbie loved Star Tours, Autopia, and Jedi Training. He actually got picked to be one of the Jedi's. We learned that the trick to getting picked is to wear something Star Wars or carry a lightsaber. Herbie had his lightsaber in hand. Nora loved the rides as much as the kids and would cry if she didn't get to ride. I think her favorite was Small World. I can't wait to go back again someday.

On Saturday, we swam with the kids and then headed over to Jason's wedding. Herb is one of the groomsman so he had to be early. Unfortunately, the ceremony was a bit late starting and by the time it was underway, Nora was done and I had to walk around the grounds and missed the whole thing. Sage and Herbie sat quietly taking 100 pictures with my camera of every person at the ceremony. Then we had the wedding dinner and dancing which was a bit crazy since my kids were exhausted from a long tiring week. Herb had to sit at the wedding party table while I tried desperately to juggle three tired yet rambunctious kids at my own table. I am sure the three other guests at my table were delighted to sit by us. Herbie spilled his water right off the bat, then he preceeded to use his roll as binoculars, Nora kept wondering back and forth from my table to Herb's table, Sage and Herbie stole the lime light by dancing up a strom on the dance floor, Sage caugth the bouquet, Herbie stole the garder right out of someone's hands, and by 8:30pm I was ready to go home. Herbie kept trying to cut in and dance with the bride, Kim. It was so cute. Jason and Kim looked beautiful and happy and we are happy for them.

I am happy to be home and looking forward to no vacations for awhile.

Williams - Cali Trip

Ranch - Horse Camp
We had the most wonderful time at my Aunt's house in California. She was holding a week long horse camp for her grandkids and she let our kids join in on all the fun. They got to help my Aunt feed the horses, chickens, cows, and rabbits while Herb and I slept in. They rode horses all morning long and then in the afternoon we would swim. The first day, Herbie's horse took off running and Herb chased him down and was able to grab the reins and all was well. The second day Sage's horse Sierra freaked out and took off in a full gallop and Sage hung on for dear life until she was able to emergency dismount by jumping off the side of the horse after it circled the entire arena. She was amazing. How she hung on is a miracle. It is a miracle she wasn't injured. Other than being scared and some mud on her hands and face she is perfectly fine. Hopefully we will get her back on a horse some day. The horse she happened to be riding is very spirited and gets spooked easily. Sage insisted on riding her and we knew she was difficult to ride but Sage did so well on her the first day she wanted to ride her again. Sierra doesn't like to be near other horses and the horse behind her got too close and so Sierra kicked the horse and that horse reared up on Sage and Sierra so Sierra took off in a full gallop. Sage looked so terrified and she was screaming her head off. Herb and I were both on a horse of our own at the time and we couldn't do anything and my Aunt was chasing Sage down. As a parent watching your child go through that is heart wrenching. I was praying the whole time that she would be safe. My Aunt felt terrible and she told us that Sierra has done that same thing before and taken the same route around the arena and nobody has ever held on as long as Sage. We are just glad she is okay. After we calmed her down and Herb held her, I walked over to Herbie and his horse to make sure he was okay and he had tears streaming down his face because he was so afraid for Sage. I love that my children love each other so much. Lets hope it lasts all through teenage years.

Williams - Utah Trip

Our week in Utah was a blast. We went to Cannon's baby blessing (Erin's son) and then Kelli and I and our kids stayed at my Aunt's house in Santa Clara. We ate at Pasta Factory and Pizza Factory, hiked the red hill, walked the Temple grounds so we could show our kids where we got married, swam in Jenny's awesome pool, and just relaxed together. It was my first vacation in five years without homework. At the end of the week, we went to Kelli's house and swam some more. Then we went to Christian's blessing (Bryan's baby, Herb's brother). We also bought a new car while in Utah from my dad's dealership. Black 09 Suburban. It is beautiful.

Cocoino-De Chelly Aquifer

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths."
Isaiah 2:2-3

(Utah means "top of the mountain" in the Ute Indian language.)

"...the desert shall blossom... Israel shall be gathered, and Zion shall be built up. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing."
Isaiah 35:1-2


"For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes."
Isaiah 35:6-7




What kind of an earthquake do you think it would take to get me some water-front property? Is it my only chance to raise my property value and get out of my underwater mortgage? And... do you think God finds me useful enough to keep around for the building of Zion societies in the mountain west? Or maybe the New Jerusalem? Perhaps He will just kill me off in the first scourge?

I still think we are living the beginning of the end like I talked about a long time ago here.
(I've since repented for saying 'ass'.) Can you feel the winds of change? It feels like remembering. Remembering forward.

Slash

Look who dropped by for lunch...




I still love and listen to my Guns 'n' Roses. Always and forever. I still love bodysuits, too.

Bodysuits are back and big. Check out Janna's hot striped one...

Yes! That's a bodysuit. Surprised?

And that behind them is the Mexican restaurant I've been eating at since I was in the womb. My Mom and Dad literally started going there once a week over 40 years ago. It was a staple of my childhood and eating there is the first thing we do when we visit home.

Ganja, Guns, and Goats

GANJA

I read this in 2004. (I've mentioned this at some point here.)

And then I met Sheriff Bill Masters himself in 2005. He helped us with a lot of unanswered questions about my Dad's... er... deadness.

My Dad was a registered Libertarian so it's no wonder I ended up reading all the same books as my Dad and going down the same road. I'd like to think I look at everything with new eyes but how much is really bred into us? Off the subject.

Anyway. That pipe in my car reminded me just how ridiculous the drug war is.

Points to ponder:

Does anyone have the right to tell you what you can/cannot put into what used to be called "your body".

The US has more people imprisoned per capita than any other nation. Mostly non-violent offenders.

Decriminalization or better yet, legalization of certain or all drugs would end drug crime/trafficking and bring a new source of tax revenue.

The best part about states is you can see what works and what doesn't. Which states are bankrupt? Which are not? The same can be said of other nations. What works and what doesn't? Drug decriminalization has worked in Portugal!

Can we not even learn from our own history? Prohibition of alcohol?

WE CAN'T EVEN KEEP DRUGS OUT OF OUR PRISONS.

The "War on Drugs" is bleeding our system/nation dry.


Moving on...

GUNS

Same goes for guns as it does for drugs. Criminals don't obey laws. The criminals will still have them. Then it will be a war on guns, trafficking, etc.

GOATS

I really want to find a source of goat milk. But we don't live on the ranch from my fantasies so unless a goat is moving into my bathtub, I'm still on the hunt for a lactating goat.

The real foods place on 700 S sells raw cow milk. I called them. They say the state wont allow them to sell raw goat and raw cow milk at the same venue. WTF? They said someone in town used to sell it but stopped and I might have to go to Colorado City to find some because, quoting, "You know how they are out there... a bunch of scofflaws."

Reminds me of this story.

Raw milk can make you sick. Just like anything else we eat. Like the cucumbers that spread e.coli in Europe recently. Like anything! Everything has risk. It should be my job to watch out for myself. Deregulation wouldn't mean poor products. A free-market self-regulates. (Who is going to buy from a dairy farm with a reputation for salmonella?) Are we going to make cucumbers illegal, too? And eventually everything?

Who is anyone to tell my I can't buy raw goat milk from a willing seller at a mutually agreeable price?

Who is anyone to tell me I can't protect myself, family, and property with a gun?

Who is anyone to tell me I can't smoke weed or drink whiskey if I get the urge?

Friends, I have strong opinions. But the greatest thing about getting older is that I've noticed how often those beliefs/opinions expand or even completely flip flop. I've learned I could be wrong. (Which is something you don't know when you are 18.) I welcome debate. That's the only reason I even post stuff like this.

What is Alana's favorite thing to do? (Besides sneak out to the curb to retrieve my pipe?) That's right... engage in heated debate! I LOVE and LONG for someone to discuss and debate with. It's the greatest gift you could give me.

PLEASE... one and all... honor me with your strong opinions!

I want to hear from YOU.

If you're still not convinced we are on a slippery slope to more and more and more ridiculous laws aiming to babysit us...here.

Welp, time for bed. My Nanny State says if I stay up any later, I will feel groggy tomorrow.

• First: I NEVER would have guessed that the person under that mask would be Herb
• Second: What is up with us finding pipes in weird places? Ciara, you're next.
• Third: I dreamt last night that it was the last day of high school only my grief was so great I could scarcely breathe because this time I knew there really is nothing better than 18 and youth. I haven't been able to shake it off since.
• p.s. Alana- you have the cutest kids. Seriously, so cute I can't handle it... and you know they must be cute when they actually distract you from those totally awesome orange pillows.
  

Slay Me On This Lawn I'm On

And since I'm still up screwin' around on the internets.
I needed this tonight.

WHILE I'M AT IT

Since I'm sitting here at the computer, having just blogged those photos, why not share a funny story that happened to me last Friday?

I took the minivan to Jiffy Lube for an oil change and safety inspection. I'm sitting with the kids in the waiting room when the dude comes in and starts inquiring... "Are you the owner of your car?" "When did you purchase it?" aaaaaaand.... "Is that your pipe hidden inside the air filter compartment?"

"What?" I say, puzzled.

"A pipe." says the dude.

"Like a pipe pipe?" I ask.

"Uh huh." says dude.

Of course, I had to see it. Sure enough, a pipe pipe was inside a green plastic container inside my air filter compartment.

My eyes got big, I started laughing. I assured them it wasn't mine and one of them could take it home if they wanted.

"Oh, no no no, Mam. We have to throw that away." (Wink and nod)

I'm still not sure they believed it was not mine. Especially because I couldn't quit cracking jokes about it. I'd given them my old car's registration. Oops. Airhead moment. I said it must be the bong water. And on and on with the jokes I went, laughing and laughing with the crew. They were harder to quit than damn dam jokes.


I got a carfax before I bought my car and it was previously owned by a car rental company.

Makes you wonder.

Here's more things to wonder about:

What if I had broken down on the side of the road, popped the hood, and a highway patrolman stopped to assist me? Paraphernalia and residue only but still.

And what about the several times since purchasing the van that I have had the oil changed? They always take the filter out and show it to me... "See lady, it dirty. You buy new one." Surely they saw it and didn't say anything? Laughing to themselves about the Mom in the minivan hiding her treasures under the hood?

Ben and Anika

When Anika was four months old I took a bunch of pictures of her on my bed. I did the same with Ben so I could see what they looked like at the same age. Let us compare my smooshy babies:

Williams - Starlight Run

Herb, Sage, Grandma Williams, & Aunt Ashley ran in a 5k race called the Starlight Run in downtown Portland a couple weeks ago. It is my favorite race to watch. It happens every year and the runners run the course of the Starlight Parade which happens right after the run. It is fun to watch because the runners have the option of dressing in costume or not. Then if you would like to enter the costume contest you can. Herb and Sage dressed as Animal and Janice from the Muppets. Keren dressed as Minnie Mouse. Herb entered the contest and one second place. He won a trip for two to Victoria Island BC and $50. I love to watch and cheer all the runners on. There are always some hilarious costumes. Sage did awesome, she ran over half the race and when she saw me on the sidelines, she decided to stop because she was tired. I am so proud of her. This was her first time running in a race.

One week later, Herb was signed up to run in the Helvetia Half Marathon but ended up cancelling two hours before the run because he ended up working from 9am to 5am the day of the race and had no energy to run. I was so bummed because I love watching this run.

So What's The Plan?

I have to refinish a hutch and table and pack up my apartment Monday and Tuesday so I'm wondering if there is a tentitive Ciara plan so I can schedule babysitters.... Ciara, are you here Tuesday night or leaving Tuesday night? I'm getting plumbing on Monday and carpet in my house by Tuesday night so we could potentially hang out there or at least have a safe tour... Anyway, let me know if you already have a plan or if we need to come up with one. OH I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE YA'LL! It's been ages.

PS: I'm still fat so don't expect anything less than a huge gut.

Attention Nicole and Jenny

I knew Ciara would be here sometime soon because she texted me a while back. I had assumed this was her Disneyland trip and we would be seeing her only briefly for lunch or something. But I talked to her yesterday and she will be here for two days! She will be coming this Sunday night, the 26th, (her birthday) and staying at her Aunt's house. Then staying in town for the entirety of Monday and Tuesday. So clear your schedules... it's time for some fun! I'm so happy, totally looking forward to this.

And Jenny, I know I missed your birthday recently.

And Nicole, I completely missed yours. By miles.

Sorry y'all. I will make it up to you.

Williams - High School Graduate

Okay, so maybe he isn't a High School Graduate, but he seems to think so because he went to preschool at the High School. He told people all year long that he went to High School. Technically he still has one more year of preschool even though he tells me he is ready to go to Kindergarten right now. They grow up too fast.

My friend Em-Sizzle

Go here for the elusive witty posts we've all been missing.

http://emsizzle.blogspot.com/

I'd like to think I used to be as clever as her before I turned generic and dull.

Williams - Who is Tired of Only Me Posting

We went camping in Hood River with Herb's family over Memorial Weekend. We didn't get to the campsite until 9:30pm and so we just picked the first available campsite. Little did we know that we were practically camped on top of a railroad track. It was a nightmare. Needless to say, I barely slept a wink that night. Everytime you would just about fall asleep another train would come by and blow its whistle. I counted about 7 trains all throughout the night. Midnight, 3am, 4am, it didn't matter that the train was passing a campground in the middle of the night, they just blasted their horn and the sound was deafening. There just happens to be a crossing near the spot we set up our tent and so lucky us. We moved to a spot in the same campground the next day but not next door to the track. I slept much better the next night.