Ava!

Introducing Trish & Jeremy's daughter, Ava. There's no one quite like her. We think she was a fairy in her past life-- her blue eyes glow and that hair of hers is impossibly white. Oh, and she has a pointed ear. She is especially precious because her parents worked so hard to bring her into this world.

Cassia!

This little one is small but mighty!! Just 10 pounds, but determined to stand on her own two feet as much as possible. She's four months old and rolling over already. She may also be plotting to take over the world.

Addie Part II

It's tough to keep those blonde tresses under control!

Addie!

This is my oldest niece, Addie. She entertained me for 3 days in Utah last week. Her mom was kind enough to let me hog her up and even babysit, despite the fact that I couldn't remember simple instructions about nap/feeding time. Luckily, she survived the ordeal.

Soup in the Second Degree (Burn)

Today's soup offering: Beef vegetable barley soup.

My e-mail to the cafeteria manager:

"While delicious, today's beef barley soup was a bit too hot. While pouring it into a bowl today, it splattered and spilled onto my hand. The skin is scalded and red in two places and it really hurt! The temperature of the soup seems excessively hot and I worry about this happening to others. I can't be the only klutzy one out there! Just something you might want to check on."

My second e-mail to the cafeteria manager:

"In follow up to my previous e-mail, I wanted to let you know a small blister has formed on my skin where I was burned. It stands to reason that the cafeteria should check out any foods or beverages that cause second-degree burns. I am feeling better now, but I just wanted to let you know since safety is very important to your operations. Thanks!"

His response:

"Thank you for your feedback about our soup, though I am sorry to hear about your incident this afternoon. I will speak with the chef about making sure that the food is at a safe temperature to be served, especially when it's a self-serve station like the soup area. The safety of our customers and staff is a high priority and we will try to ensure that something like this doesn't happen again.
Thanks again for your feedback and please contact me with any further questions or concerns. "

Makin' Out! (Sort of)

Photo shoot last weekend- here are some of the proofs. I hope there are more. The photographer posted some additional ones on her blog (http://www.martalocklear.com/blog/?p=368). Not sure how expensive they are yet!

I'm sitting here, but my mind isn't

I have a stong affinity for maps.

A map represents soil where I haven't stood, air I haven't breathed, and throughts I haven't had.

A map represents everyone I haven't laid eyes on.

They are doing some of the same things I'm doing- bending to pick up a quarter, stepping on a Lego, drinking water, scratching my knee, folding a piece of paper.

But they're doing things I'm NOT doing- herding sheep, watching a lava flow, brushing desert sand from their eyes, burning incense, comforting a child with AIDS, riding a crowded bullet train.

They are out there just the same as I am. Do they feel it?