Simple Pleasures: Napping

I come from a family that values sleep like money. No matter what a good nap and a long night's rest will solve anything and everything. So when I found this Real Simple Article I was content to read and reread every word and then pass it along to all my family. So if you like naps, please read. :)

Grizzly

He spent the evening in the back of Chad's truck. Chad spent all day washing his truck, seriously ALL DAY. Grizzly is loyal and so dang cute. That's the face of an angel.

Travel

I have been traveling since the end of May. I made a long trip home, which was moved up a week due to Chad's father's heart condition, which I am happy to report is doing much better. He is a survivor and we thank God for answering all the prayers that were sent up for Tommy.

Instead of writing about my trip I will just include some of the beautiful scenery and events I attended:

Marion and Dave's Lake Cottage

Clarksville, VA Kerr Lake

5.30.2010

Lindsey and Cody's Wedding

6.19.2010 Athens, Ohio

Thomas Jefferson's Home

Monticello, Charlottesville, VA

6.22.2010

Mount Saint Helens

Washington National Park

6.29.2010

(also Chad and my 4th year anniversary)

Seattle Washington Skyline at Night

(from Alki Beach)

6.28.2010

Powerful Presence

I have seen the true power of prayer and positive thinking and it have been a transforming experience. When I last posted Chad's father was in critical condition. Today, he has been at home for his third day. He has a lot of medicines to take, very low energy, but he is home and on the way to a much healthy life. I cannot express how thankful I am for all the people pulling for Tommy.

Tommy said the other night "I always knew I would take friends over money." Folks, this man is rich, likely the richest man I have ever met.

Power of Prayer and Positive Thought

Chad, my boyfriend, had a family health emergency, (I am much more attached to this situation than this ambiguous sentence would imply but if I get in too deep my emotions will cloud my point) recently and he has since flown home to be at the hospital where his father is recovering.

I, however, have come into the role of sending updates to everyone that Tommy's life (Chad's father) has touched . However, I know about about a 1/3 of the people that Tommy does. The outpouring of support, prayer and thought has been monumental and humbling.

I cannot express the feeling that comes over me when I see how connected human beings come to fight fear, negativity, and hope for the healing powers of God to go into the hands of a medical staff.

I continue to pray for Tommy and know his loved ones (all 300,000 of them) will too and Tommy will continue on the road to recovery.

The love for him is a blessing that he has sowed and reaped himself. Tommy is an example of how to treat people and how people will treat you, if respected and accepted as they are, which Tommy has down to an art, a character himself. :)

Simple Pleasures: Outdoor Showers

This isn't the most private outdoor shower I have used (it's great to rinse of sand and dirt) but since I grew up using them on vacations to get sand and grim off of me from Lake Erie, I was pretty excited to find our new place in Hawaii had an outdoor shower, with hot water no less!

It takes me back to my childhood and the comfort of warm water, family, and vacation. I have to say I am a pretty fortunate to be able to live a vacation everyday that I am in Hawaii. This place is growing on me.

I am also looking forward to my month on the East Coast. My sister will be showing us her family's new lake house and guess what, they installed an outdoor shower. I'm not the only one that adores those memories! :)

My Doggies!

This is Grizzly, Chad and my chocolate lab puppy. He allows us to do anything to him. Clearly! He has learned to surf since being in Hawaii, he gets weekly swims, no, not with the snorkel set.

He has grown up with the Golden, Riley is the top right picture. They are the best of friends. Grizzly routinely take shocks from his invisible fence as not to be separated from his buddy.

Griz is quite hardheaded, stubborn, and strong but he is also intelligent, sensitive, and such a darling with children. A lot of people are terrified of him, I guess it might be the size (he is 80 pounds of pure muscle) and his yellow eyes, which truly are just golden with good intention.

I, of course, feel guilty mentioning anything about Grizzly without mentioning my Australian shepherd/Border Collie mix, Macie, who I got in college and my parents have taken care of since I could not have her full time, ever. It has worked out though, they have formed an unbreakable bond together and I still get to visit her when I travel home. She is my lover pup!