Oregon State Fair

It was fun but I won't lie; it doesn't even compare to the L.A. County Fair that we went to every year growing up. 

Looking at Nan

I really like this photo.  I took it last night when my mom and I were sitting outside waiting for dinner. 

Bucket list -- the Portland Aerial Tram

This one kills me

That's a fake boo-boo.  She wanted the band aid.  #emtis2

Elizabeth is 2!!

The night of graduation...

...I was a bridesmaid in my roommate's wedding.  My cousin Ann made my dress for me (the ruffle at the bottom was made from 33 feet of fabric!).  It was a busy, memorable day.

College graduation

A few years ago on August 20th I graduated from college.

The Great Decluttering has begun

I had high hopes of having Adrie help me declutter my entire apartment this summer.  That's no fun when you work full-time and have lots plans and exciting places to go (so we didn't do it).  She did help me clean out my clothes drawers/closet the other night and I filled two big trash bags of things I don't wear anymore.  So I've started the Great Decluttering of #230 in 2014.  My plan is to go through every closet, cupboard, drawer and shelf and get rid of things I don't need or use.  Tonight I emptied out my "fake pantry" (2 shelves) and embarrassingly found some expired food.  Now I can see what I have and what I have is lots of good food that isn't expired!

Backyard play

Adrie asked me a few days ago, "did you and my dad play together."  Obviously we did.  In matching swimsuits.

Adrie's last day

She's on her way and I'm left with 99 days of memories. 

We're counting down the minutes

University Ward buddies

Adrie carpooled with Kyle to the Longfellow Park Chapel this summer.  She really enjoyed attending the University Ward.

Late movie

Adrie and I saw this movie last night; it was so delightful.  And that guy on the right: my new crush.

Why do you need a curling iron...

...when your hair is naturally curly?  Adrie's response: "When your bangs look good it give the illusion that the rest of it does too."  #beautytip#1

Cutie pi

#MITdome

Sad face

Today is Adrie's last day of work at the MIT Summer Camp.  Her 99 days in Boston are quickly winding down.

TBT: Bike ride with Nan and 3 youngest

This was taken in Van Nuys (at the Sepulveda dam recreation area). 

Best Summer weather

The weather in Boston this summer has been amazing!  The best out of all my summers here (27).  #iloveboston #bestbostonsummer

The Wallers are in town!

It was fun to gather at Kimballs tonight to visit with the visiting Wallers.  I was Emma's first babysitter and one night she crawled into the entertainment bottom shelf crying all the way.  Her mom started calling me "The Nice Lady" after that.  It's always great to have old friends visit.

Homeward bound

We rode home on a different bus than we rode down on.  [Did GoBus go out of business over the weekend?!?]  We had a fantastic weekend.  And the bus ($40 round trip) was the way to go.

The High Line

Walking on the High Line has been on my Bucket List (Adrie has already done it).  We didn't have a lot of time (and frankly, I was wiped out--can you tell from the photo?!?) so we only walked from 25th Street to 30th Street.  It was really cool.  I'd like to walk the entire High Line sometime. 

Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks

Just the day before our trip my friend sent me a link to this shop in Greenwich Village.  I wrote my friend back that I was going to New York City this weekend and was going to look for it.  I'm a fan of kitchen gadgets and cookbooks so when I opened the shop door I thought I was in heaven!  I'm definitely going to go back.  It's a really cool place and Bonnie herself was delightful.  I bought a cookbook called Quantity Cookery from 1945.

First stop of the day: Cafe Lalo

There's nothing wrong with eating dessert first.  I always get creme brulee when I go to Cafe Lalo.   There was no sign of Kathleen Kelly but it was really fun to stop there.

"What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you."

We love The Strand because Robes loved The Strand

Best bagels

I had asked a few people and looked on some blogs to find out where the best bagels were in New York City and so we tried Absolute Bagels.  They were SO good.  I ate one Sunday, one Monday, and one Tuesday. 

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

It was hot and sticky but we really wanted to walk across the bridge.  We took the subway to Brooklyn and walked toward Manhattan and the view, of course, is spectacular. 

Our hostess

This was my first time ever staying with a friend that lives in New York City.  R'el (Dr. Rodriguez) has a 34th floor apartment on the Upper East Side.  It was really great to see her and hang out at her really cool apartment: 34M.

Banana pudding - breakfast of champions

Gah!  This stuff was good.

Church at Lincoln Center

On Adrie's Bucket List: attend church at Lincoln Center.  We joined the Morningside Heights Ward at 9:00am and luckily got to see my friend Morgan Moore. 

NYC: Muji, Mood and M&J Trimming

New York (good) Times

Adrie and I took the bus to New York City this morning and we are staying 3 days.  We've got a list of people to see, things to do, and food to eat.  It's going to be a good weekend!

Boston's loss...

...is Phoenix's gain.  Sam got a job in the new Phoenix Temple.  I'm sad I won't be able to watch Savannah grow up.  I'm going to miss the Scotts.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Some of my besties are in town

We met up at Burger Dive (where else?!?).  It was so great to see Jenn and Alicia and meet little Olivia (not pictured). #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

TBT: the Hiltons

Me with the three oldest (of six) Hiltons (I'm holding baby Isabel).  About a year before this I watched Conor and Alistair for a weekend when their parents went to the Toronto Temple with the Arbons.  I woke up Saturday morning to these little boys standing next to my bed holding a big box of cereal asking if they could have breakfast.  They were my little buddies.  Now they are grown ups in college!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Sears - you are killing trees!

Adrie bought 1 pair of shoes and got 7 receipts!  She couldn't stop laughing when they kept coming out of the printer.

Gifts from Gigi

My friend Gigi sent me two beautiful hand quilted table runners.  I mean beautiful!  They were made with hand stitching.  I love them.

Kim leaves today

#mycollegebuddy #favoriteshirtagain #whataboutmygoofysmile

This is what I'm talking about

#kimballfarm #homemadeicecream #worththedrive #igetakiddiecone

My favorite widows

Burger Dive: again

They have the best sauces (and sweet potato fries, and burgers, and shakes…).

The Fugitive

We finally watched this movie.  It's one of my faves.

Her mom is in town!

My sister-in-law Kim flew in for a few days to see Adrie.

#cashforcollege

I paid her five bucks to carry my bags today.

Shelby's post and photos

My friend Shelby texted me a few months ago and asked if she could take some photos of my condo before she moved.  She wanted to remember the style of my home and maybe she would do a post on her blog.  I was thrilled.  My condo is hard to photograph (maybe I need better lenses!) so I was really happy Shelby wanted to do it (FYI--she has mad photography skills).  Well, today she posted the photos on her blog.  I love the photos...and Shelby and her family. 

Note: There's a story behind this book.  I had been wanting a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin and I was in an antique shop and picked up this book, took one look at the pages and of course had to buy it.  I wonder how old that ELLEN was when she wrote her name on the book?!?