did you miss me?

Did you know I was gone?

We went to Washington for ten days. That is, the state, not the D.C., and not to Seattle. I mean, we flew to Seattle, but our destination is reached by driving north from Seattle for a few hours, and then turning right, driving for forty or so more minutes, turning right on the dirt road, and ending up in the woods.

It is so nice there.

No cell service. Dial-up. Only sports channels and American Idol (as far as I can tell). In other words, much, much distraction from the hustlebustle at which so many turn up their nose -- rather, that's what they SAY. I tend to like the hustlebustle, to some extent. And I know that others do, too. I hate twitter, though. It's too much.

Moving on.

At G&G E.'s home, there's lots of Nature to enjoy. Lots. You don't have to drive anywhere to get the Nature. It's just there. A car approaching is completely out of the norm. Grocery-getting involves a weekly trip To Town, at least a 45-minute drive. G&G speak of neighbors, bonafide weirdos (G&G don't call them weird -- it's just something I deduced from their descriptions), but I have no idea where they could live because I don't see any other houses. Sitting at the computer and waiting for a connection (I did check my email a few times), I listened to the police scanner. "...60-year old woman, fell and hurt her hip..." "...pack fight involving six individuals . . . no, make that eight individuals in the pack fight, no weapons seen..."

What is a pack fight?

Are there werewolves up there after all?

Moving on.

I tinkered with the idea of going Hippie during the trip, and as a result, didn't wash my hair the entire time we were there. Greasy? Maybe. Shiny? Absolutely.

Atcha took her first step (towards Grandma).

Bubby refused to take off his black Run DMC shirt.

Superstar lost her first tooth (of its own accord; she's had to have two others pulled).

Curly caught a fish.

Li'l ~j. turned ten years old.

Superstar caught a bigger fish.

Superstar lost a second tooth.

I had a lot of time to think, and I thought about my body. Not good thoughts. I'm having issues. I'm working on it.

Also: I have a group of really, really incredible, reliable, trustworthy, beautiful, dependable, loving friends in Utah (and elsewhere, but I confess I was thinking of my UT friends specifically). I am so grateful for them.

And speaking of friends, Geo would L O V E where my inlaws live.

My in-laws are awesome. I can't say enough about them. They are some of the finest people on this planet, and I get to be related to them.

Went to church and before we even entered the building - that's right, IN THE PARKING LOT - two (!) families greeted us and asked if we were visiting, or were new to the ward, or if we needed any help. That was a wonderful feeling. We got to be present for when our 12-yr. old nephew, the oldest grandchild of this bunch, was ordained a deacon. This occurred exactly 28 years, to the day, that my father-in-law was ordained to be a high priest. Special feelings were had.

We rented a Suburban for our trip. It had XM Radio. On both accounts, I am sold.

Spent a day in Olympia with my bff since we're three, Brit. We're 32. We have been friends a very long time. (I know that's inferred from the previous sentence, but it deserves a nod, don't you think?) She has such a wonderful family, and a lovely home. Awesome food. Great laughs. Belly laughs. Reminiscing. Enjoying. I wish we could have spent more time together. I always do.

Didn't go to The Market because our budget for this trip was approximately $40. But I'm glad we didn't go to Seattle. I'm glad we spent time With People instead of Doing Stuff and Going Places.

The flight there was great. The kids were champs. The flight home was, if possible, better. Bubby fell asleep as we taxied away from the gate, and didn't wake up until after we landed.



Oh yeah, and we ate the fish.