Ruth's Visit...Old Town San Diego...

Last month Ruth, her hubby Jeff and their PRECIOUS baby Serena visited San Diego from Northern Cal. We met up with them in Old Town and spent the day catching up, eating, and being tourists in our town. It was sooooo great to see them! We just love Jeff....funny, funny man! Serena is quite possibly the cutest baby ever!! Ruth and I have known each other FOREVER (since 5th grade) and now she has a baby and I have a high schooler! Hilarious! Thanks for the pics Ruth! Love you guys! P.S. Jeff how come you aren't in any of the pictures!? Oh wait your reflection is in the last pic!=) Gotcha!

Dahlia Done....

I know I said I had planned to paint all Summer...best laid plans and all....not so much. I didn't paint at all. Not in the mood, too busy, too tired, doing other things, who knows. However art class is back in session as of today and I am totally motivated again. The paint brushes are dusted off and I am ready to roll! Today was filled with lots of hugs and laughter after not seeing everyone for a month. Art class is inspirational! I finally finished the dahlia. I found a frame here at home that is perfect for the painting. The frame itself is too dark so I am going to paint it. Nothing like recycling old frames and using up old paint. =) I can't wait to dig in to our new painting. More to come on that one next week.....lovin' art!

Full Circle.....

No matter who you are voting for in November, today is such a historical day for everyone! On the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech, the first black presidential nominee is giving his speech. That my friends is incredible! As a white woman married to a black man, who during the year Dr. King gave his speech would not have been able to legally marry the person I love, this is an incredible day. As the Mother of a daughter who is half black and half white this day is something she can take with her for the rest of her life. She too could run for President one day and by then it won't even be unusual. So today whether you are a Democrat or a Republican I hope we all realize how special this moment is. Maybe one day it won't even be a conversation, it will just be.

15 Years! Who would have "thunk" it!

The Rose Garden at Balboa Park where we were married 15 years ago. Beautiful!

Yesterday was our 15th anniversary! I can't believe it has been 15 years! It seems like not long ago we were standing in the Rose Garden at Balboa Park getting married. What a wild ride it has been. We have had lots of ups and lots of downs and through the years we just keep getting stronger. That's what marriage is truly about. This year has been the true test of our strength and our marriage. Who knew that when we took our vows 15 years ago and said for better or worse the worse would include finding out that the building our business was in was hooked up to sewer water instead of drinking water. We are now dealing with the loss of our business due to all of the negative publicity, health issues, financial issues, emotional issues, lawsuits, and everything else that goes along with this mess we are in, but as everything else around us is falling apart our marriage just keeps getting stronger. They say that opposites attract and what doesn't kill you will make you stronger...well we have both those bases covered so we are good to go for the long haul. =) If we can make it through this we can make it through anything! Here's to marriage, with more ups than downs, never-ending faith, and true everlasting love.

Seems like just yesterday.......

Wow...it seems like just yesterday Tatiana was starting her first dance class. Now not only is she taking every class offered, she is a student assistant for the very kids that are the age she was when she started. Tatiana said that dance is not only her passion but her "just say no to drugs." She said that she hopes she can give that same passion to the little kids. I love it! My baby is all "growed" up!

Dance, Dance.......Homework, Homework.......

Back in the swing of things! Tatiana is on month two of high school and she is loving it. We went to open house the other night and met all of her teachers and got to experience the bell schedule and her classes. Crazy being on a high school campus! In this pic she is working hard on her Spanish homework. Southern Cali, gotta know Spanish! =)
She also just started her new dance schedule which is going to keep her very busy. She is taking hip hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, two ballet classes, and is student assistant for one of the little kids classes. She has found her passion that is for sure. We always tell her to follow her passion, and live her dreams and so far she is doing it! =) I will get some pictures from the studio when she is not looking, this is just her messing around in the backyard. Miss flexible.

Crochet Away.....

One of the other projects I always enjoy working on is my crocheting. I am crocheting a blanket that I think I have been working on for hmmm, about 4 years now. Okay maybe not that long but it seems like forever. This is going to be a "king size" blanket by the time I am done! The green one in the background is one I finished years ago and we use it all the time. Crocheting is a wonderful thing to do while relaxing and watching tv. I just enjoy having projects to always work on. Maybe it is because I am OCD or ADD or just CRAZeeee =) I always have to keep busy. But what the heck, whether I am learning something new or working on something old...the fun never ends.

Greeting Card Art....

We had our last art class for Summer and now we have a month break until the fall class begins. I will miss our classes not only for the joy and relaxation of painting but for the wonderful conversation and laughter that each week brings. What a great group of women! During our month off we will be finishing up our Dahlia's and working on our new project...greeting cards. Our instructor taught us how to paint beautiful cards in a matter of minutes. Minutes for her that is! The cards will be a fun side project to have during our time off. I am looking forward to painting my heart out during August but looking even more forward to starting class back up again in Sept. Can't wait to see everyone!