Random stuff from the past week

So, after a long day of working (yes, today is Saturday and I had to catch up) I figured I should do something personal and so I'm writing a blogpost.

The only problem is this - I cannot remember what in the world I did this entire week except work. So, I'm resorting to whatever pictures I took off my camera a few days ago.

Highlights from the week include, because I suddenly remembered as I was loading photos:

• HEAT - Really hot, muggy and soul sucking ....but, you didn't know it until after it happened. We were over 100 many days and apparently it had the impact of 120 degree weather on some of them. I love humidity, but must have locked my knees talking/videotaping a neighbor and almost collapsed on the steps. Yikes!
• Pentagon Visit - Had a meeting at the Pentagon for the first time in a couple of years. Wow, the new renovations aren't that amazing, but did you know that they have a Best Buy now? Inside the Pentagon? They do have fast food places and other shops, but for some reason the Best Buy threw me off. As well as the broken escalator going UP on one of the days of blasting heat. I felt like I was supposed to become part of special forces or something. If they need some good walkers and endurance swimmers...I would probably apply. Oh wait, I'm not of age. (-:
• Mobile - I've been immersed in all things mobile lately for work. So, if you have any great ideas feel free to send them my way. I'm leading up our mobile initiative with a special focus on mobile learning. iPads, Galaxy pads, etc. are changing the learning game. Pretty cool.
• Captain America - apparently it was pretty good. I sent my husband off to it by himself so that I could do the all things mobile (see above) work I needed to get done. Sometimes I get so bored knowing how the movie ends through the previews.
• Oatmeal Cookies - the cure for using food storage that is out of date is to make multiple batches of cookies. Ok, but don't cook them all. Just freeze the dough after one tray goes in the oven. This is how to handle cookie addiction, right? Too high of a level of effort to cook the next batch to make it worth the regular sneaking.

Contrary to the look of this picture - I am not 9 feet tall. This picture proves that I did go to the pool to swim laps and the piles behind me indicate that I did some de-junking and have to run to the Goodwill. Yea!

My personal/work friend got married and had a second reception down at the chapel grounds near Mt. Vernon. Congrat to Andrea!

Loved Andrea's dress. Had a unique flair to it.

New Jersey - in 24 hours

I drove up to New Jersey on Friday afternoon and was able to attend the reception of a friend that made a huge impact on my life back in 1989. It was my first week of my first year of college. I was very quiet, just like in high school. This loud crazy girl came out of the dorm apartment next to mine and started talking to me. I must admit - I was kind of scared of her. She was so bold and daring and loud. But, she be-friended me and helped me get out of my shell. She was always full of laughter, fun and friendship. She loved people from all walks of life. She also did the "Darcie dance" which I promptly shared with my sisters after I got home from college. I'm so happy that things have fallen into place for her. She looked beautiful and happy. I had lost track of her, but a few years ago I visited my sister's church in New Jersey. I was sitting in the back and part way through the meeting Darcie looked toward the back of the room for some reason and saw me. She didn't care that it was sacrament meeting. She jumped right up and exhibited the same loud happiness that she would have in the college cafeteria. It was great to see her again.

Since my sister new Darcie as well, we got to go to the reception together.

We took along little Tirsa and she actually slept and behaved amongst the Peruvian band, the loud music and flashing lights. Perhaps she was just glad that we weren't pulling on her or anything. It was great to spend a little time with Renaye alone because it seems like I rarely get to talk with her over the phone let alone one on one.

As usual it was great to see the Wimmer bunch - all eight of the them! It can be a little loud and a little messy with a large family, but it's always a more meaningful experience compared to some of us that come home to quiet, clean, and uneventful abodes.

I caught a few other shots that I'm proud of. I'm very slowly learning how to use the camera.

New Jersey - Darcie Reception and Wimmers

Ann's wedding

I had the opportunity to fly out to Utah/Idaho this weekend to see a good friend, Ann Collier, get married.

It was especially meaningful because they are both in their 30s and have waited a long time for this occasion. Well, at least waited a long time separately since they met at the end of last year.

Not anything against young brides, but there was a certain deepness to the experience knowing that this was more than a pretty dress, a ring, and a fairy tale experience. Some of the other brides at the temple on the same day looked like they were 16 years old! Hopefully, they were at least 18 years old. It was a little odd that a lot of them were wearing white flip flops under their formal gowns. I guess that added to the feeling that some thought this was a fun activity for a Saturday and not an eternal relationship kind of thing. Oh, am I being rude? Perhaps. Shame on me. I need to be less judgemental.

(P.S. Patti made a comment on this blog and it reminded me that I hadn't put all my feelings in the post. If my friend Ann had been wearing flip flops under her dress I think I would have felt differently, but when everything about the young ones seemed flakey...the flip flops just seemed to add to that occasion. So, here I go adding more and probably digging myself into an unintended pit when my feelings aren't really that strong on this topic. Ha. I guess it give me insight though - some people are reading this blog) (-:

Really, I didn't feel like I was judging them at this point in life. It's more of a feeling of "wow, I'm so glad that I didn't get married at that age." Now, it's taken me a little too long to get to the marriage point, but I'm not sure how well it would have worked out for me if I had made that commitment so young. I just barely figured myself out in my 30s. Plus, I was a really late bloomer in the social relationship skills department.

It all comes down to this - to each his own.

And on that note, here are Ann and Mike on their special occasion. I think the pictures tell all - beautiful bride, handsome groom, wonderful temple and grounds, and couple in love.