Jody got Corynn and Camdyn cameras for their birthday. Even though they are kids cameras, they are also the real McCoy! They have been snapping away and Cam already has his up to about 200 pics (do we see a little Gma Bev influence here?) Anyway, Jody is going around getting ready for work this morn in her normal scanty early morning attire, when in come the kids with their cameras! Whoa, whoa, whoa she screams as she starts throwing clothes on! Stayed tuned to the internet - who knows what could appear!

I've done all but what I had planned. My goal was to finish the doll I have been crocheting for Corynn for ages. Yesterday was spent doing the things that don't get done during the week, Costco, market, Lowes, etc. etc. We had the threat of rain with the dark clouds, but it never happened. We got wind instead. But the day started with breakfast out with my hubby and ended with a nice walk. All and all a good day!

So, this morning I get up with my same intention of finishing the doll. But after fixing breakfast, looking at the paper, and finally getting dressed, I decide I better get to Toys R Us. We have birthdays this week! I succeed in getting the kitchen for the twins and run into Petco for a new beta (we had a death this week). Then I'm home and decide to work in the yard. It is a beautiful day out!! After that, the hammock calls to me and I delve into my book. A few chapters later, my conscience sets in and I file bills (boring!) Dinner and then the hammock calls again. I see the reflection of the moon in the window and get my camera. I take some cool shots of the moon and then start watching the hummingbirds play tag. There must be at least five of them. I got some pretty good pics and a few cool videos.

The doll still awaits!!

Back in June I bought a certificate for an Aveda salon here in the desert. It was a marketing ploy to get business into the salon and has been well worth it. It was worth 4 visits to try different aspects of the salon. Last week was a facial, which was great, but today - a body scrub! I was scrubbed, buffed and oiled. I think seaweed was in there somewhere. My neck and shoulders were well massaged (and I was informed I have a lot of tension, it was like trying to smooth rocks!) Anyway, it was a great way to end a work week. Now...on to the weekend!

So, I'm at work and my cell phone rings. I know it is Mark, because the UCLA fight song is sounding off. I answer and he immediately puts someone else on the phone. A man's voice says "This is Edmund Grey of Tempo. There are 3 guys on the golf course here that are planning to go to a strip joint. If one of these guys happens to be your husband, would you mind?" I replied "Whatever makes him happy." To which he said (as he is telling the guys in the back what I am saying) "Can I quote you on that?" "Sure" I reply laughing.

Mark gets back on the line and I ask "Who was that?" "It is your "All My Children" guy", he says. "I'll tell you the story later."

As it turns out, he and 2 friends are playing golf over at Desert Willow. It is busy and they have to keep waiting. As they wait at the 18th hole, these 2 guys come up. Mark looks at one and says "You look familiar. Are you an actor?" To which the guy says "No." Mark pursues. "Are you a jock?" He replies that he had played baseball. "Pro?" Mark asks. "No." By this time, his friends were giving him a hard time, to which he told them that his wife (me) had been in Albertson's one day and saw a guy that she thought was from "All My Children". She came home and kept wondering if it had been him. The next time she saw him, she went up and talked to him and sure enough it was John Callahan, Edmund Grey of "All My Children." After he related this story, the guy put his hand out and said "Hi - I'm John." He then told Mark to put his wife on the phone - and I've already related the story from there.

I've seen him in the market several times. The next time I see him, I will have to go up and reintroduce myself as the very understanding wife that he spoke to on the phone one day!

Well the first weekend of football has ended. Duckie Boys (Doug) won easily by Sunday! T-Birds (Mark), however, had to sweat it out last night as his opponent had 2 players still going and the T-Birds were done. T-Birds managed to hold their lead and won their game. Hooray to the White Boys!

Oh...who cares about the other teams.

I just finished reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. I read his book "The Kite Runner" last year. Both books are really good and give you a lot to think about. They are fictional, set in Afghanistan, in fairly current times. They make you realize how fortunate we are to be living in this great country of ours. Agree or disagree with how it is being handled, we are still very lucky to have the freedom that we have. And we as women are lucky to have the freedom to be what we want to be! These are not books that I would have picked up to read on my own. They were recommended and I wanted to pass that on. They are worth the time!

These books gave me a real appreciation for the following true story I want to share.

When I worked at Eisenhower, I had some help from a woman named Saraya. She shared with me her story of Afghanistan. She and her family were quite well off. They had a nice house, good vacations, etc. But Saraya was a teacher and after the Taliban came in, girls were no longer allowed to go to school. Saraya continued to teach them secretly. One day (I think around 2000), someone came to her husband to warn him that they were coming to take his wife away that night because of her secret teachings. They gathered all of their money and her jewelry together and escaped on foot. Their journey was treacherous as they had to hide out and travel at night (over mountains) until they were out of the country. They made it to the United States, dropped at a mall in Moreno Valley, with just the clothes on their back. With the help of some kind citizens, they are now making a living (safely)here in our country!

is one of my favorite times of the day! Before the craziness of the day begins. To sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the peace of the morning. Happy weekend to you all!

Nick started 7th grade today at his new school. He just called to say that "Middle School is the Bomb!" Teachers are cool (hopefully that lasts), PE has lockers and showers, and he can buy pizza at lunch. What more could you ask for. Of course, he has no homework tonight, so all could change by tomorrow. Hope not. Hope he stays happy with it all.

We had a great weekend visiting with Louise and Bob in San Clemente starting on Thursday evening. It was nice to get away...from the heat, work, the regular everyday stuff. We spent the days taking walks, sitting on the balcony taking in the views, reading, watching sports, etc. (Speaking of views, see if you can tell in the slide show which view Mark chose! Trust me - that's not me layin' on the beach!) Next on to Del Mar to spend time with our friends Mike and Barb and the Dodgers. Monday came too soon and it was back to home sweet home!