thirty days of 30 - day 1

Well, today marks day one of my Thirty Days of 30 celebration.  I decided if I had to graduate from my 20's, I was going to drag it out until everyone was sick of celebrating me (narcissism much?).  Wyatt is already tired of my celebration as he reminded me that he only had one party when he turned thirty.  It's not my fault he didn't milk it!  (He might've been grumpy when he said that because he was thinking about the boards he'll have to take next month.)

To celebrate, I've scheduled one small festivity everyday for the next thirty days.  I still have some holes in my calendar, so if you have any suggestions on what I should do to ring in my new decade - please do share!

Brittany, age baby.  My mom has always said I was the least attractive baby of all her babes.  

I used to think it was a bit harsh but looking at the pics, I cannot disagree.  

Luckily my older brother, Schuyler, is posing with me - since he was a pretty cute toddler.  Just focus on him.

Day 1 Festivities: Shuffleboard at the swim park

Something about me: Summer is my hands-down, all-time, without-a-doubt favorite season of the year. But, if you've read even one post on my blog, you already knew that.

Five Blissful Years

Happy anniversary to my cutie!

Summer Solstice 2012

Welcome back summer!  I missed you terribly!  

So much so that I fried my skin during my first outing at the swim park on Saturday.  You can't honestly expect me to be accountable for my actions.  As I recall, it was you who left me!  Let's not let it happen again...

They Grow Up So Fast

Meet Horse.   

We adopted him for Wyatt’s Cowboy Roller-skating 30th Birthday Party four years ago.  Like all good parents we provided a roof over his head, a comfortable place to sleep, and loved him unconditionally despite those challenging teenage years.  

This past December we decided to cut the apron strings and release Horse into the real world by donating him to the children's unit at OHSU.  We were confident he would live uprightly and make us proud parents.   

Well, in February when we were visiting Wyatt’s aunt and uncle, we happened to catch this video on MTV.  Which is interesting that we even saw the video because we don’t have MTV at home, so it was obviously meant to be.   In case you don’t want to watch the entire video skip to frames 2:23-3:00.   

And in case you can’t quite comprehend what you just witnessed, here is a close-up:

 

Wyatt and I just stood there open-mouthed and horrified!  Flabbergasted that Horse, our Horse, would become victim to such barbaric practices!

And that’s why you never send your kids to college.  Rest in peace Horse.  Rest in peace.

I'm Ready to Study the Pandas

Researchers In Panda Suits Release Cub Into Wild

Aunt Lois

Aunt Lois passed away three weeks ago on May 8th.  She was Uncle Dale's wife, my mom's second oldest sister, my loving aunt.  Her death did take me by surprise, I guess I didn't expect it so soon after Uncle Dale passed away.  Yet, it feels like she passed away several years ago, once the Alzheimer's took possession of her mind and body.  

It's difficult to say exactly how I felt about her death.  I suppose Uncle Dale's funeral served as a sort of farewell for the two of them.  Which dissipated most feelings of sadness I might otherwise have had once the news of her death was relayed to me.  Instead, I felt happy.  Happy that finally, after several years, the stranger that once occupied her body has now left.  I wasn't able to make it to the funeral, but both my mom and brother said that she looked like herself again, lying at peace in her coffin.  I am happy that Aunt Lois is able to reunite with Uncle Dale!

Uncle Dale and Aunt Lois, August 2006

My stop in Wyoming during my move to Oregon.

Aunt Lois took me in as one of her own grandchildren, just as Uncle Dale did.  She was a wonderful woman.  I know that she had a reputation of having a sharp tongue as well as having had a good streak of getting on people's bad sides... as people likewise often got on her bad side.  For some reason, I was fortunate enough to always stay on her good side.  I kind of feel special that way.  I don't have very many memories of her being upset with me.  And the memories I do have of her being upset with me, always resulted in me winning her over.  I suppose you could say I had her wrapped around my finger... Perhaps because I'm her baby sister's baby?  Truthfully, every one of her grandchildren probably say the same thing - they had her wrapped around their finger.

I just know that I was one of the very few that was allowed to use the indoor bathroom at the family cabin.  And I remember on one occasion, I was able to convince her to make apricot syrup for the traditional family pancake breakfast (after she shot down a handful of other requests for the same syrup).  

Aunt Lois was a beautiful seemstress.  I loved receiving packages in the mail from her because it was usually something special that she sewed for me.  I still wear the pair of pajama bottoms she made me nearly 12-years ago! And they're still in tip-top shape!  I LOVE them!

I could go on and on about how much I loved this woman!  And I think it had to do with how much she loved me!  She is someone special.  I can't wait to see her again!

Aunt Lois and me at Uncle Dale's funeral

(photograph courtesy of my cousin, Abbie Rufener)

Pancakes!

Stephen Wildish