Did anyone else see that they figured out why the bees are dissappering? It really made me happy to read. The bees pollinate a large percentage of the fruit that we like to eat and it looked rather bleak with them dissappearing all around the world. So hip hip hooray for the Spanish scientist who figured it out and Boo hiss to parasites!

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL1826459120070719

Relief from the Heat

These were taken in Rocklin at the park. It was just a public park where they had installed water devices for kids to run in. All the "water park" a three year old needs!

Thanks Amy

Lord, help me watch the words I say
And keep them few and sweet,
For I don’t know from day to day
Which ones I’ll have to eat.
Author Unknown

This was passed on to me and it comes appropiately when I said I would post daily and then the very next day I didn't even do it!

Does anyone care for an excuse? I rode my back that next day. Granted, it was no Tour de France, it was a Tour De Goleta (our local beach town) and it was like a 7 mile tour, but that night I fell asleep on the couch while Paul was reading Brian Mc Laren to me, and I NEVER fall asleep during our nightly reads (refer back to previous poem)...

I'm going to try to blog daily for one week and see what happens.
So, today I just wanted to say how happy I am to have my Sirius Radio back. I really didn't know how hooked I was on it until I went without for a month or so. I only listen to one station- The Coffee House. I love it. They play lots of Jack Johnson, and today I heard one of my favorites from James Taylor, "Something in the way she moves," Norah Jones, Madelein Peyroux...and lots of Acoustic stuff by people whose names I can't remember-very nice. It's weird how I used to listen to loud angry music and then the girls were born and, well, I've changed. Life isn't always calm, but I feel more peaceful inside and I guess my music preference shows it.

It's Late

I wish I wasn't always in a hurry here at the computer. It's late and it's a little scary in this church building late at night. The worst part is leaving out the side door and wandering out in the dark. I follow the path back around to the front and always here the lizards scurrying. I just wonder which night I will encounter more than a lizard, like a gofer or a coyote. At least I'm armed with my flashlight. So, I'm going to post a few pictures of the girls and run home.
Is anybody out there watching "Shaq's Big Challenge?" We're addicted. It's "light" entertainment, but obviously has a serious side as well and is really inspiring to see kids wanting to change their lives.
Happy all went well in Potter Mania days. I'll be calling a friend to see if I can borrow his book next week. I don't need the bill, or the book, but I do need to know how it all ends!

Home

We're back. We had a relaxing trip home. We did a few fun things like shop in Nevada City, ran though sprinklers at a public park in Rocklin,and went to a classic old car show in Auburn. I realized that I grew up in a town full of..."interesting" people.
The ride up and back was fun with our friends. Whenever the girls got bored they would just start squealing knowing that Anya and Elizabeth would respond back with an equally loud or louder yell. Really, the girls did great and I'm reminded often of how blessed we are by GREAT kids! Not far into the trip I was picking up old Slovak from years past...words like Kricit (yell) and pisat (pee) were used quite often.
I better go make lunch. Hope everyone is good. I just checked tickets to Mexico. Of course after telling all that we wanted to come visit the prices are double what they were two months ago. Ugh! We'll have to wait and see.
P.S. Gearharts- we're thinking about coming down for the retreat, but that's when tickets were $208 from LA to Guad. Let's hope they go back down!

Us in Solvang (See "Alive" Post)

Carpool Trip

I'll be gone for a few days. I was planning on going home next week, but then found out a family is headed the same general direction and asked if the girls and I could ride along (It seems like this is becoming a summer tradition for me) so we're leaving tomorrow for Livermore, where my mom will pick us up and take us to greener pastures.
The girls and I have been spending some time with Olga, Anya (5) and Elizabeth (3); and so when they mentioned going on their trip I asked about the possibility of riding with them since I was nervous about the 7 hour trip with the kids by myself. I'm glad they agreed.
I started wondering about where the audacity to ask them came from and I think it comes from 1)being married a long time (no empasis on LONG) 2)having really kind and generous friends 3)living overseas. I even wonder now if they were American if I would've been a little more timid to ask because we are generally very concerned with our personal time, and space and privacy; whereas since they are Ukranian it wasn't as big of a deal. I say that marriage gave me more drive to ask them for a ride not because I had to get away from Paul, but because marriage, like friendship has taught me that people really do like to help others and genuinely want to have community and closeness with others.
Anyhow I feel very blessed to be forming new friendships and that they are welcoming the girls and I into their "personal space." I think we're going to have lots of fun!

Alive

• Well we are still here. I'm sure you were wondering if our vegetarian diet swept us off the planet. I hate the word diet, so I'll stay "lifestyle." Amy, I went and got a vitamin B12; so, hopefully we're on the right track. We are serving the girls meat every other day or so. When it is there they really go wild, so I'm not sure if that's a sign of something. We haven't told a soul here what we're doing (I don't want to put anyone out) and so we are eating meat when we're with other people. It has averaged like twice a week-which is a big drop from our two servings daily! I feel like it is healthier, but will have to keep checking and learning.
  
• My Sister was here with her family last weekend. It was really fun. Tony and the girls had a great time and I feel like we're on our way to knowing eachother again. We spent better time with my brother-in-law than ever before and had a great time. We spent a day at the beach with them and finally got out the suits. Of course I was the only one who really got in. The water is a little chilly but bearable. We also went to the Danish town of Solvang which means "Sun Valley." It is about 45 minutes from here and is a tourist spot with lots of shops and Danish bakeries. Overall we had a great time and still want MORE visits!
  
• We also had 20 or so people over for the 4th of July. Our yard is large and shady in the afternoon. We wish the Hendersons could stop by for some Arrachera on the grill...I mean veggie Arrachera...Anyway, It was a nice time. The girls helped me decorate cupcakes with sprinkles and they love to have people over.
  Better Go-
  
• Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July. It was bitter sweet as my heart hurts for those in battle right now. God bring your peace...