Just the Vacation We Both Needed!

Well, it has been a few weeks since I added anything to my blog. the Reason? We were on a great vacation!

We flew to NYC, had Jamie join us and traipsed through the Financial District for a visit during, as the newspapers blared, "The Worst Week In History on Wall Street!"

After this we made our way (slowly! There was tons of traffic!) to Rhode Island to spend the weekend with Mike and Stevie.

We took the ferry to Block Island and rode mopeds all over the island. It was great! The next day we went to Newport to see The Mansions. Oh my heavens! They were beyond opulent.

Our next leg of the trip was to Boston to see some great historical places, i.e., Paul Revere's home, The North Church, etc. (Jamie took the bus home to NYC and it was just quiet, couple time for Cordell and I.)

But, of course, we had to go to the place where everyone knows our name...the Cheers Bar!

For some very needed R & R, we made our way to Cape Cod and stayed at the Bursley Manor. It is a historical home, built in 1670, beautifully restored and absolutely wonderful.














We stayed in the Wicker room - decorated with Waverly Fabrics, wicker furniture, a jacuzzi tub and a wood burning fireplace. Ahhhh!!!!

The walks on the beach were relaxing and healing. We wandered all the way to Provincetown (P-Town in Cape Cod lingo) and "shor-a" had a great time. We had no problem pahking the cahr, but a bit of a struggle understanding what some of the locals were saying. Oh, well!

Then off to NYC again, this time to meet up with Jamie and take the Culinary and Cultural Tour of Greenwich Village. In other words, we ate our way through part of the Village! Murray's Cheese shop, John's Pizza, Bleecker Street Pizza (our winner for best in the Village), O & Co., Amy's Bread, Faiccos, Milk and Cookies, Rocco's Pastries, and several more. This sampling can be tough work, but, hey, someone has to do it!

Then we sent Cordell off to JFK to fly home and Janette and Jamie spent the next 8 days playing.

It must be said on this blog, so that everyone understands, that to get to the subway from Jamie's apartment, we must climb (3 miles uphill, barefoot in the snow, wind whirling all around us, the elements beating us down kind of climb) a maliciously evil hill that tried it's hardest to get me toned and shaped, but just helped me lose a few pounds and caused a rather pronounced sense of discomfort in the backside area. Ow!

We went back to the Village a couple of times, had a great time at Will Varner's place in Brooklyn for a chicken enchilada dinner with a bunch of his friends, walked through the city for hours at a time, went to 3 shows ("Body of Water," "South Pacific," and "A Man for All Seasons"), shopped, ate at several different places, walked through Central Park, watched movies, talked, and basically, just had a wonderful time.

I can say that:

• I got a much better sense of the subway and how it works.
• I think that subway rats are despicable, dirty creatures that give me the creeps.
• I love walking against the red lights. and I LOVE Magnolia Bakery cupcakes!
• And I think that the people that Jamie has for roommates, church members, friends and coworkers are really the best.

I had a great time, but it was nice to leave the rain, cold, windy weather in the east and come back to the 90 degree heat of So. CA.

I already miss you, Jamie!

Popsicles Are The Best!

Not too long ago Cordell and I had the fun opportunity to babysit Landon while Jake, Leilani and Kira went to Disneyland. He is such a fun spirited and happy little guy! He just brings smiles and a sweetness to our lives.

But, he is definitely a BOY! He charges through life, gets banged up and bruised, loves to throw everything everywhere, thinks belching is funny and is laughing and smiling at, almost, all times.

I love this little boy - he is a ray of sunshine to everyone!

A Funny Thing Happened OnThe Way Home From the Dodge Dealer....

The funniest thing happened today on the way home from Glendora Dodge today.

I had to leave the truck there overnight -the rear view mirror fell off the window - again . So the serviceman asked the courtesy van driver to take me home.

Well...little did I know that I would be entertained the whole way home! Apparently the driver moonlights as an Elvis impersonator. The hair-do should have tipped me off. He told me all about how he became obsessed (he used the word "interested") with Elvis when he was 13 years old.

He then asked me if I remembered Elvis in, oh, "Blue Hawaii," and when I said yes, he told me the character's name and sang a song from the movie, in Elvis voice no less. Then he asked me about "Harem Scarum," and then "Fun in Alcapulco" or whatever that one was named. With each movie, I heard about the character and then was given a personal concert of Elvis impersonator songs from the various movies.

Cracked me up! I tried really, really hard to be supportive and not to fall over dying of laughter. You can all be proud of me - I waited till I got in the door, and Elvis had left the building, I mean the driveway, and then totally lost it.

Why does this always happen to me????

Reflections

I had the opportunity to attend a funeral today for someone I have known for many, many years - Ron Teeples. He and his family have been in Claremont for 30 something years and his children, Ryan and Jill, swam at Industry Hills and the Claremont Club with Jamie and Kyle. Whenever I think of any of the Teeples family, I am filled with thoughts of their kindness, sweetness, patience, fun, and intellectual endeavors.

As I listened to tributes from his family, memories of his colleagues at Claremont McKenna College, and the heartfelt expressions from his LDS friends, it made me wonder about my own life.

Have I accomplished what is really important?

Have I been wise in my stewardship as a mother? As a wife? As a sister and daughter? As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? As a member of society in general?

I know that I have never been perfect in any of the roles that I have played thus far in my life. There have been times that I was too tired to do much more than what I was accomplishing at the time. I feel as though I have failed or been "less than" in so many areas.

BUT, I know that no matter what I did or didn't do, my family will know that I love them.

I have tried to see the fun in many experiences and taken the scenic route whenever I can (that is Janette speak for getting lost or just wandering).

I have tried to be compassionate and interested in the people around me. Except when driving. Enough said.

I have enjoyed the learning from the best books, and some from the "just fun to read" books. I have learned to appreciate and enjoy immersing myself in the scriptures - wow, they are awesome!

I have tried to be obedient - even when I didn't want to be! ( I took out the second pair of earrings when I was told by the prophet! I really liked that bit of rebelliousness, but I did it because it was the right thing to do.)

I have been able to slow down and enjoy nature more, people more, and allow myself to have some quiet study times. It has been lovely.

I can say that I have been able to laugh when it would have been easier to cry. I have been able to smile and laugh with ease. Especially when Cordell does his Mr. Bean imitations.

So have I accomplished all that I can? No. Am I okay with that? Yes. I have much more to do and am reinvigorated by the chance I have to be here on earth for a while longer. So for now, I am ready to go on to "fight the good fight" for another day.

Which means, that I need to get off the computer and go get ready to go to Cruise Night in the Village with mi esposo! (At least I didn't say that I now have to play Solitaire on the computer or Sudoku on my DS Lite!)

I love you, family and friends! You make my life so wonderful and joyful!

Now THIS is a Labor Day Weekend!

For the last week and a half, Jamie has been visiting from NYC. As a surprise to her, Katey and Daniel flew in from SLC on Friday evening for the weekend.

Well, what better way is there to spend a Saturday in Southern California than going to the beach??? We traipsed off to Corona Del Mar (south side- oh yeah!) and totally enjoyed the warm sun, nice breeze and beyond perfect water. So nice, so refreshing! Ahhh, paradise!



Cordell and Daniel really know how to have an exciting time at the beach! Reading and relaxing, sitting out of the sun, lots to eat and drink - now that is a day off! Of course, Jamie and Kira were really into the sand castle routine.




Daniel and Katey getting ready to play in the surf


After playing, and Jamie getting totally fried (she's been gone from the sun waaaay too long!), we went to Wahoo's in Laguna for some yummy fish tacos, burritos, salads and chillin' while watching the waves.


On Sunday everyone came over and we BBQ'ed hamburgers, etc. Brandon, Lucy and Filipe (Janette's nephew and his sweet wife and baby) came to be with us and Abby and Jim Gillespie (Jake's mom and step dad) were able to join in the fun as well. We were only missing Mike and Stevie and the day would have been perfect!


It was an absolutely heavenly day - I am sure that the celestial kingdom will be just like this weekend! At least in my world.....

Being a Grandma is the Bestest!

Of course, one of the first things I need to say to everyone is that being a Grandma is the very, very bestest of everything! Especially payback - hee, hee, hee!

We currently have two of the cutest, most fantastic grandchildren - Kira is the first and the child that gave us the honored title of "Grandparent," and Landon came along to just add to the joy. They are both such lovebugs!

Now for the news - we are going to be grandparents again!! Melissa and Ian have just announced that our third grandbaby should be arriving in late April. We are so excited!

My First Blog Attempt!

Well, I have crossed over - with the encouragement of my daughters and my niece - and have begun THE blog for our family!

In case you are wondering about the name - we combined (12 years ago) the McDonald, Palma and Kalama family into the new and improved McLama's. There have been many great and wonderful experiences, some sorrows, lots of joy and new happenings on a consistent basis.

I will try to keep updated on any pertinent info, happenings, etc - but no promises!

I will also try to figure out how to re size the photos I take so I can post some of those as the days go on.

But for now - gonna go and sit in the sun and read for awhile. Ahh, the scriptures and the sun, with the water waiting to relax in. Life is good!