Quiet But Productive Weekend, and Thoughts on Motherhood

I usually go to the Bay Area almost every weekend. Either to go see McKenzie or to see my friends in Pleasanton and Livermore. Every few weekends I stay home to get caught up on things-Like clean house, buy groceries (something I'm not very good at!), work in my patio, maybe go to the movies. Last weekend I was with McKenzie , the week before that I was in San Diego, and the weekend before that I was with McKenzie.  This weekend I stayed home. I wanted to go to the movies but that never happened. It's been pouring rain here forever- I am so done with winter!  I couldn't work in my patio so I ended up going into the office on Saturday for 6 hours. I am working on this huge project and needed to get it done... I took my IPOD, didn't have to answer any phones so it was actually really nice! When I got home I needed to work on the lesson I was to teach in Relief Society (as a substitute) today. Then today I went to church and taught the RS lesson. It turned out great- thanks to a lot of participation from everyone in the room. 

 I love Sundays after church when I have no meetings to go to so I can come home and do whatever....... today I read! What a treat for me.  My friend, Debbie, gave me her book to read, I Am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson. I bought that book for Brooke but didn't read it myself until now.  It is such a great feeling to validate that even though I haven't done huge things in my life with my career I played a more important role as a mother. I know that my kids, and others, find fault that my kids' lives have always been my highest priority- that I still don't have much of my own life separate from the lives of my children. That is something I continue to work at!  But reading this book reminds me that my heart has been in the right place.  Now I see Brooke and Anayansi working so hard at raising my grandchildren. They are the best mothers and seem to know so much more than I did at their age. I love watching all of my nieces and friends' daughters too enjoying young motherhood and raising such beautiful children. I can only remind you young mothers- it isn't meant to be easy- if it was - it wouldn't be worthwhile! So hang in there!

The BEST Business Trip Ever!!!!

Every year AT&T has a kick-off for the new year to come for all of the sales and sales support people in California. In the past it has always been in San Francisco or L.A. This year it was in San Diego!!!!!! Since the company paid for the flight- I went down a few days early. So I will talk about the Kick-Off more in a moment, but first I want to share about the couple of days that I spent there before that. 

When I got into San Diego- the first thing I did was take the train up to San Juan Capistrano. What a fabulous experience!!!! I got on the train, put my Ipod on--- and enjoyed the ride along the ocean!!! It was like watching a movie with the perfect scenery and music! It was a gorgeous day- 75 degrees. I can't begin to tell you how fun it was to just travel along the ocean- looking out at the surfers and life at the beach! Life long friends, Joanie and Susie and Joanie's daughter,  Kristen,  met me at the train station in San Juan Capistrano. We had lunch out on the patio at Sarducci's!  After great girl talk time we went on up to Laguna Beach to Joanie's. I had a wonderful visit with Joanie, Allen, Kristen and their 6, yes SIX, cats and one dog!!!! They have a beautiful home overlooking the ocean. I never tire of being there. Joanie is like family and we had a lot of catching up to do. Sunday morning I got back on the train back to San Diego. 

Once in San Diego, Barbara and Harland picked me up. We went over to Coronado for lunch (a favorite place called Tartine's) and a leisurely stroll along the beach. After 3 weeks of rain and cold in Sacramento I was so happy to have sun and the ocean!!! It was so great to see Barb and Har too!!!  After a great day in Coronado we went back up to their place in San Marcos.  A wonderful dinner of barbecued salmon topped off a perfect day. Monday morning we took off for the San Diego Wild Animal Park!!! I haven't been there in years..... And it was a day that hardly anyone else went to the park. We felt like we had it all to ourselves. Another day of beautiful weather and great friends!!! How lucky I felt! I had a blast seeing all the animals at the park. I came face to face (with a piece of glass between us) with the King of the Jungle. UNBELIEVABLE!!! I have been to the zoo a million times but have never been that close to a lion to see his eyelashes and whiskers!!!! And humongous paws and nose! I know I sound like a little kid but it was pretty profound for me. We had another great dinner that night. Now I am getting really spoiled here!!!! Tuesday morning was time to head to San Diego for the Kick-Off, but before I did- Barb and I had breakfast at Seaport Village, out on the patio looking out at the bay and across to Coronado. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with such great friends. 

                      Lunch at Tartine's in Coronado.

                   Barb and Har at South Beach in Coronado.

                                    Check this guy out!!!!

                                    He weighs 460 lbs.!!

SO with my soul filled up with sunshine and ocean and friends, I headed over to the San Diego Convention Center for 2 days of propaganda Rah-Rah for AT&T!!! Imagine a room filled with about 3,000  people. I was up close to the front. In addition to great music and lighting they got everyone pumped by bringing out a guy named David Garibaldi. He was amazing- he is an artist. But not a normal type of artist. He jumps all over the stage to music and paints this canvas of about 4ft X 5 ft. He painted a picture of Robin McGilvrey- our VP of BCS (Business Communications Services). Only for the first half of his performance we couldn't tell what it was. Then it finally became apparent. He was so awesome. Later in the show he came back out and did another picture. The 2nd picture he did was Mick Jagger! If you want to take a few extra minutes you can check him out online. He is a Sacramento guy, by the way.  

After all day meetings they had a dinner then a concert for us that night. What a blast that was. The band was a bunch of old rockers from different bands-They call themselves WCR which stands for World Classic Rockers. They are guys from Steppenwolf, Toto, Journey, Santana, and Lynrd Skynrd.  After playing for 2 hours they closed with "Born To Be Wild"! I ended up on the stage with some of my friends and we got to meet them!  Up close you could tell how old they were (older than ME!) but it was so fun to hear the music I listened to when I was much much younger!!! 

                    Fergie Frediksen, Formerly with Toto

                     My friend Collene  and I with Randall Hall, 

                                formerly with Lynrd Skynrd

On the next day- we had more meetings. Then they closed with the motivational speaker. Guess who it was???? Chris Gardner - The REAL guy from The Pursuit of Happyness! He was such a great speaker. His message of staying focused to overcome obstacles was so inspirational. His goal in life was to break the cycle of fathers abandoning their families. He was homeless with a baby. In the movie his son is 5 but in real life his son was 14 months old. I can't imagine being homeless with a baby.  I waited in line for over an hour to have him sign his book. When I told him I already had his book but bought another one so I could meet him he gave me huge hug!

 

So that was the ending to my fun filled 5 days of business and pleasure. I was so happy to be in Southern California with the sun and my friends and the ocean. I wish I had been able to stay longer to see more people while I was there. But at least I can say I made the most of the short time I had while I was there! Hmmmm..... sounds like a metaphor to me!

Time for another birthday!!!

It's Shannon's birthday!!! I've known Shannon since she was in 3rd grade and lived down the street from us!!! She was the oldest of all the Jackie Ct. gang. She  handled that title well! She and Ian always bantered back and forth for the last word!! She was the ring leader for all the street dance recitals and always had the part of Ms. Hannigan when the girls played "Annie"! When they played Ghost in the Grave Yard she was the one that carried 3 year old Cami around on her hip. I watched her perform in Donlon Talent Shows, dance routines for Harvest Park, and cheerlead for Foothill. But one of the best memories I have of Shannon is how she was there for me to watch the girls one night(when Ian was spending the night out) and  I was working a second job. I came home late at night crying and exhausted-she wouldn't let me pay her. She said it was for family and you don't pay family. That was almost 20 years ago and I still remember how sweet she was.  She grew up to be a beautiful woman. She is my mortgage broker! So if anyone else out there needs a mortgage loan let me know and I will hook you up! Happy Birthday Mrs. Becker ! You're the best!

Happy Birthday Barb!

This blog is actually a few days late!!!!! I wanted to post a tribute to my dear dear friend, Barb, for her birthday.... Well, circumstances were such that I couldn't get to the computer. Then when I did,  I couldn't find a recent picture of Barb. So I finally copied this one from Summer's blog- I hope that's OK  Summer! Barb and I have been friends since I moved to Pleasanton in 1985. I remember being her Visiting Teacher and thinking it would be great to be her friend, not just her VT. Well, eventually that happened. As the years went by we became better friends. I had the opportunity to be an advisor in  Young Women's Organization when she was the YW President. We had such a fabulous group of leaders at that time. It was my favorite calling that I ever had! Then I worked with her as the Secretary of Stake YW when she was the Stake YW President.  Our monthly meetings with Barb, Kathy, Christy and me at Sweet Tomatoes went on for hours!!!! We even managed to get some work done during those meetings! 

Well, callings change and  people move...... so now Barb is in San Diego and I'm in Sacramento. But I still consider her one of my closest friends. I can go for quite awhile without talking to her then when I do it was like I talked to her yesterday! She is so fun! She has a beautiful family and like mine- her kids are all spread out.  She is one of the most non-judgemental people I know. Her attention to detail is phenomenal. She has such a way about her that makes one feel that they are so special.  So, Barb, sorry this is a little late! But I wish you a great year to come. I can't wait to see you soon!!!

It's 2008!!!!

Happy New Year! I can't believe we are 2 days into 2008! I had a great Christmas-New Year's Holiday. I made a very quick trip to Texas to see Ian's family!! I had a blast with Reagan and Jenna. They kept me laughing, even though poor little Jenna was sick the whole time. Turns out she had an ear infection.... considering all that, she was quite the trooper! It was so fun to see Cami too.   Having her there made it even more special.   I realize how much the girls change in between visits- I won't be away for as long this next time. Ian and Anayansi cooked some great meals too! Probably my very favorite moment was when Reagan went outside to leave reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. The magic of Christmas was so special watching my 5 year old granddaughter dancing around in the dark sprinkling the oatmeal, raisins and glitter all over their lawn!

My New Year's was spent at Brooke and Evan's. I didn't make it until midnight!!! Only Evan did. The rest of us were sound asleep! Brooke has a good excuse being pregnant, McKenzie is too young to stay up, and I guess I am too old!!!!  In the morning we had a late Christmas together, went out to breakfast, then took a nap!

As I look back at last year and forward to this year I realize how truly blessed I am! I have the most precious family I could ever hope for. I have the greatest friends in the world.  So many of my friends are in the same category as family.  May you have a fantastic 2008!

                                          Princess Reagan!

                                          Princess Jenna!

                            Cami with her brothers, Spencer and Ian

Anayansi opening her pearls from Ian!