Sunday, August 31, 2008
Making Mud Pies
Earlier this evening while my dad and I were inside at our computers and what-not, somebody decided he wanted to make a few mud pies for dinner... let's just say he's a messy cook.
San Diego
This last week I got to spend a glorious few days in beautiful San Diego with some great friends. It was a fantastic end to the summer before the school year, or new jobs, or reality begins. Wednesday morning Dave picked me up, which was so nice of him... the drive to Courtney's was filled with mildly awkward conversation; you know, that "we're kind of friends, but I'm really friends with your girlfriend, and she's really the only thing we have in common" kind of thing. Only a limited number of awkward silences. We arrived at Court's where I discovered her bag was indeed NOT bigger than mine, hence I won the prize for the Largest and Most Unnecessary Packing Job Ever. It was a great drive to San Diego (save for the time when my ears started itching from the ridiculously loud subs in the back of Dave's Scion), no traffic and great conversation. We stopped at the Rainbows store in San Clemente on our way down and took a picture with the ginormous Rainbow sandal out in front of the store. After purchasing our "Limited Edition" Rainbows, we drove the final leg of the trip to Jason's house in SD. We watched The Life Aquatic (an incredible movie... I'd recommend it to anyone) that afternoon before Dave and Court left for their Radiohead concert. Jason and I drove around SD for a little while... Coronado is beautiful, and I decided I want to live there. Or in the Hotel del Coronado. I'd be fine with either. We had some Little Caesar's for dinner (oh, childhood memories) and watched The Darjeeling Limited (another incredible movie) until Dave and Court got home from the concert. Thursday was our check-off list day: the Buffalo Exchange for some fantastic thrift-store finds, ran our toes through the sand at the beach, a stop at Kansas City BBQ (where the 'sleazy bar scene' from Top Gun was filmed) for some photos, and some drinks at the Shakespeare Pub (which just happens to have one of the best views in all of SD). It was a pretty great day. After we got home we got ready for bed and watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. So good. Friday we slept in, lounged around, took some photos with the pirate ship in the backyard, and finally made our way out the door to get some lunch before we dropped Jason off at the airport. On our way back to the freeway we drove through the Gaslamp Quarter District which I discovered was the part of SD I had been looking for the whole time without knowing it: brick buildings, outdoor restaurant seating, and an overall romantic feeling as we drove through the area. I'd love to go back there again. Driving home we stopped at the Ripcurl Outlet so Dave could get a new wetsuit, SONIC for some delicious drinks and snacks, and the Disney Outlet that had some pretty fantastic pirate costumes. As we drove into Simi Valley the sun was setting and it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in awhile... a plethora of clouds and gorgeous colors just taking over the sky. What an incredible end to a wonderful trip.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Operation: Stealth
Court: I think we should have code names.
Bek: Okay. I'll be Lowrider.
Court: (Laughs) Alright.
Bek: I'm always Lowrider.
Court: Okay, I'll be Phoenix.
Bek: Done and done.
Bek: Okay. I'll be Lowrider.
Court: (Laughs) Alright.
Bek: I'm always Lowrider.
Court: Okay, I'll be Phoenix.
Bek: Done and done.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Grandma
After a long day’s drive she arrives at our house
Still looking fresh in her pressed pants and blouse.
Bearing tins of fudge and cookies in her hands,
She tells us there’s still more in the back of the van.
She offers us each one before she stacks them on the shelf,
Even though we know she really wants one herself.
After helping Grandma and Grandpa unpack, the girls sit down to chat
While Grandpa goes into the living room for his typical nap.
We catch up on the latest gossip and news
And then a detailed description of Grandma’s last party ensues.
Whether an outing with the ladies dressed in purple and red;
Or a dinner party with friends and its abundant spread;
It might be her new project with a needle and thread;
Or a fancy new twist on delicious nut bread.
She describes every last detail down to the arrangement of food on the plates
Including, but not limited to, the color of frosting on the cake.
We sit there and wonder how she could recall such detailed decorative style,
While sharing with each other knowing looks and smiles.
Over the course of their stay we share meals and love;
It always seems to be over before it’s begun.
Grandpa will have helped dad with a wood project or two;
Grandma will have gone shopping for more fabric in navy blue.
A game of monopoly or checkers was always in order
With Grandma always mysteriously maintaining the highest score.
Even with a simple game of Go Fish or Gin,
Grandma could never stand to let anyway else win.
Sometimes she’d teach us to knit or crochet,
Laughing hysterically when Emily’s scarf looked like it was trying to get away.
Memories of sewing an apron and cross-stitch come to mind,
Watching Grandma’s steady hands as the thread would unwind.
She also always loved to help us prepare
For graduations or parties, social affairs.
Though once I remember I began to despair,
For she had gotten her comb-curling iron caught in my hair.
But she loved to help as only a Grandma could;
Or, dare I say, as a Grandma should.
Now at holidays and gatherings it will be up to you and me
To provide the scrumptious pies and snowball cookies.
She will be missed at future graduations and weddings,
Even during scarf crochetings and needle threadings.
We’ll be waiting for her perfectly-timed Hallmark card and $5 on laundry day
Or when we just need someone with whom to pray.
I’m abundantly thankful Grandma’s faith was so strong
As she called out with her last few breaths, “To Him I belong.”
It’s a little easier knowing she’s in a perfect place,
Filled with such pure, tangible grace.
I’m content believing she’s looking down from above,
Playing checkers with Jesus and dining on fudge.
Still looking fresh in her pressed pants and blouse.
Bearing tins of fudge and cookies in her hands,
She tells us there’s still more in the back of the van.
She offers us each one before she stacks them on the shelf,
Even though we know she really wants one herself.
After helping Grandma and Grandpa unpack, the girls sit down to chat
While Grandpa goes into the living room for his typical nap.
We catch up on the latest gossip and news
And then a detailed description of Grandma’s last party ensues.
Whether an outing with the ladies dressed in purple and red;
Or a dinner party with friends and its abundant spread;
It might be her new project with a needle and thread;
Or a fancy new twist on delicious nut bread.
She describes every last detail down to the arrangement of food on the plates
Including, but not limited to, the color of frosting on the cake.
We sit there and wonder how she could recall such detailed decorative style,
While sharing with each other knowing looks and smiles.
Over the course of their stay we share meals and love;
It always seems to be over before it’s begun.
Grandpa will have helped dad with a wood project or two;
Grandma will have gone shopping for more fabric in navy blue.
A game of monopoly or checkers was always in order
With Grandma always mysteriously maintaining the highest score.
Even with a simple game of Go Fish or Gin,
Grandma could never stand to let anyway else win.
Sometimes she’d teach us to knit or crochet,
Laughing hysterically when Emily’s scarf looked like it was trying to get away.
Memories of sewing an apron and cross-stitch come to mind,
Watching Grandma’s steady hands as the thread would unwind.
She also always loved to help us prepare
For graduations or parties, social affairs.
Though once I remember I began to despair,
For she had gotten her comb-curling iron caught in my hair.
But she loved to help as only a Grandma could;
Or, dare I say, as a Grandma should.
Now at holidays and gatherings it will be up to you and me
To provide the scrumptious pies and snowball cookies.
She will be missed at future graduations and weddings,
Even during scarf crochetings and needle threadings.
We’ll be waiting for her perfectly-timed Hallmark card and $5 on laundry day
Or when we just need someone with whom to pray.
I’m abundantly thankful Grandma’s faith was so strong
As she called out with her last few breaths, “To Him I belong.”
It’s a little easier knowing she’s in a perfect place,
Filled with such pure, tangible grace.
I’m content believing she’s looking down from above,
Playing checkers with Jesus and dining on fudge.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Would You Rather...
Great night tonight:
- Olympic games, signs, and Alissa at Jr. High youth group
- Rock Band
- More REAL Olympics
- Amazing family pictures
- Would You Rather questions, provided by the Queen of the Game
Hm. Seemed more fun than it looks in a list.
Should be updating soon... just don't want to have to face what my next update will include.
- Olympic games, signs, and Alissa at Jr. High youth group
- Rock Band
- More REAL Olympics
- Amazing family pictures
- Would You Rather questions, provided by the Queen of the Game
Hm. Seemed more fun than it looks in a list.
Should be updating soon... just don't want to have to face what my next update will include.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Life In Technicolor
So, I decided to join this phenomenon of blogging. I remembered I had created a blog awhile back when my brother Jesse was studying abroad in Spain... I think I had to create a profile in order to read his blogs, or something like that... but when I tried to go back to it tonight it had definitely been deleted. And that's okay with me. No idea what I had even written about. Anyway, I thought that since I generally enjoy reading about other people's lives, I might as well give them the privileged option of reading about mine... sometimes interesting, mostly ridiculous, and definitely sarcastic. So, by all means, please indulge. Who knows... maybe I'll actually stick with it this time.
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