I want, I want, I want

Some days I just kind of want to stomp my feet and beg for things.....

I mean, it is silly, considering I have lots of cool things already....BUT

I lust.

I keep telling my family that Santa better have one thing for sure on that sled for me

I am ready to move up from my point and shoot, but not ready to go full force photographer. The Rebel proves to be a good entry level DSLR.

I have tried to be very good all year, haven't I?

And because of the long distance business trips my secret stash is low.... I believe a visit to See's is in order.

We are starting to talk about the REMODEL. When the Ramsey effect has taken place, and we are fully debt free, including the mortgage!!!! ( sometime in the spring), we have decided we will do some renovating, and I can't stop pining over the idea of a new kitchen

(photo from Cottage Living). So hey, we will have a loan again at that point, but we know how to make mince meet of those silly debts, so we are not afraid. Long Live Capitalism!

Bring on the spring renovation!

I also have been thinking I need a cool pair of boots (these are from Elle)

I am anything BUT a cowgirl, but I just keep envisioning cute skirts, slouchy socks, worn jeans and tromping right over the muddy leaves all fall..... These just may be a necessity.

Speaking of fall...... let me sigh over the end of summer

I am a little bit mad at myself for wasting so many beautiful days this summer feeling tired and not chasing the sun as much as I should have...

but hey, there is always next year.

Shy Shameless Plug

I have been a massage therapist for over 8 years now. It has had it's fabulous moments, and it's trying moments, but I am overwhelmed often by the gift this work has been in my life.

I am a big believer in the power of natural remedies for a lot of our trials, but not anti-doctor by any means. To me it's all about balance. I have used oils in my practice since the start (I used them before I was a therapist), and I have a lot of clients request referrals for good oils, or ask to buy them from me. I have never sold anything in my therapy...until now. I tried a few samples of these oils and had to have them. I know they will boast they are 'more clean" (blah blah blah") and 'more pure' (yadda yadda yadda) , but I don't care about that. Maybe I should, but doesn't every one say that stuff?

I want oils that smell fresh- every time I open the bottle. I want oils that make my mouth water, or that make my soul sigh. I want oils that my kids beg to have me rub on their head when they feel worn out and need to bond.

That is what I found. So this will be my only shameless plug for Doterra oils. I have a link on my side bar, but honestly, I don't care where you find your choice of good oils. Just let them help you get out of whatever funk you are in, and don't be afraid to be picky.

I have stopped earaches before bed, leg cramps after a soccer game, headaches of a teenage boy, Diet Coke cravings (yes, it's true. It is amazing what a drop of lemon oil in a water bottle can do), and my biggest testimonial- I grabbed my SOLDERING IRON by the HOT end after it had been on for 2 hours- while throwing a craft fit. (Do you ever throw those when a craft goes bad?) I literally heard my finger sizzle. Ouch.

Anyway, I slathered that finger in oil and wrapped it with a band-aid. No ice, no boo0-hooing, well, maybe I boo-hooed for a minute, but it only hurt a few minutes, then the pain stopped. The next day there was no welt, no blister, no burn, no red. My finger looks perfect. That was all it took. I became a walking testimonial.

I have an AWESOME reference guide, too. So if you have oils that you haven't used for a while or if you need a tip on something that is bugging you- from warts to cramps- just e-mail me. I would be happy to look something up for you if you give me time to respond, and we will cross our fingers together that you will have the same results I have had.

I had to brag for a minute......

and now, back to your regular scheduled blog.

Sunscreen Optional

I know that 'sunlight' is practically a dirty word these days.

It is up there somewhere with plastic grocery bags and Sport Utility Vehicles to a lot of super savvy folks who, I am sure, are a lot smarter than a silly girl like me.....BUT.....

I love the sun.

When I travel with my husband you can bet my first questions will be What is the temperature there? and Is there a pool?

I get giddy over packing up to head to the pool for a day. Ipod, magazine, new book and tanning lotion in hand. There is something about the smell of water, wet cement, and coconut tanning oil that makes me feel like a kid again, without a care in the world to trouble me. I have reached the super intelligent conclusion that it is because I worshiped the sun as a little girl.

Warm days were spent at Grandma's pool in West Covina with the palm trees barely fluttering in the breeze. I would lay with my head in my arms and watch my skin get darker, like a badge of honor in relaxation.

I would let my hair dry crazy and curly, fascinated over it's lighter streaks that peeked out. In the pool I was a mermaid or weightless ballerina, and my short curly hair was magically longer and silky. The pool meant playing, thinking, imagining, and escaping.

That's me, in the middle. Oh, how I loved that patchwork swimsuit.

It's funny, because I know as adults we can pine over the 'not so perfect' bits of our childhood, but seeing the smiles in this picture and thinking about days by the pool with my family, usually singing and dancing as well as swimming, just remind me of how wonderful the sunshine filled everyday moments really are...

........which is why I am on the eternal quest for sunshine and a pool.

Sunscreen optional.

RamSam's Favorite things ~ 2009 Edition

Here it is, wait no more. The official list of my favorite completely random things, for your pondering and envy. There is still time to add at least one of these things to your list.



The Clavinova. From "Heart and Soul" with the kids to holiday songs with the family, we have only owned this baby a few months and it has brought me intense amounts of joy. Weird, because it wakes me up early and bothers my husband while he watches TV, but that is what the VOLUME CONTROL is for. If you love piano music and don't have a piano put it off no longer. Sheer, utter musical joy awaits you. Save your dollars and become a musical home.






Disclaimer- that is not me.
But I LOVE my ROXY flap pocket jeans. I have avoided ever putting any extra baggage on my toosh, as it has plenty of it's own, but these jeans sit in just the right place (wear a LONG shirt with them) and the pockets are like magic for my behind. I got a darker wash, and I love the way they look. Great for tucking in your winter boots or with a pair of converse and a t-shirt. Trust me on these!







Don't you love it when your hair smells delicious and clean all day long? (Or 2 days) This AVON shampoo has never failed me. After running out of my expensive stuff I bought this again, remembering I once loved it. One washing reminded me why. It is the BEST. I love the way my hair styles and love the way it smells. I hide it in the cupboard when I am done so my kids can't use it all up. It's the greatest stuff you will get for the price. Call your AVON rep today.







My Kenmore Progressive vacuum of 10 years finally died. My husband insisted on getting a GOOD one to replace it, and this is what we ended up with, A Dyson Animal. Although I don't believe in housecleaning items as gifts, this is like a Christmas treat for me. This thing gets it ALL up, and having just vacuumed before getting this and bringing it home I was kind of grossed out by what it still picked up. The clear tank is fascinating to watch fill, raising competitions over whose room has the most dust bunnies. Pricey, but already amazing and entertaining my family way more than a vacuum should.





Here is my nod to 7 Gypsies scrapbook supplies. (This photo from the letteredcottage.blogspot.com). I used to spend hours scrapping, eager to record my life. That has slowed down a lot, but now is more enjoyable. The creation phase is just as important as the production phase, and I love working on scrapbooks again. The cool ephemera and books and stickers...there is too much to mention. Plus, if you find a store cool enough to carry 7 Gypsies chances are they will have a lot of other cool stuff, too.





Lastly is the longest book I have ever read. (Wait, how many pages are in Anna Karenina?)
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Now, I read 25 books this year (kept a list and checked it twice) but convinced my book club to tackle this book as a group, and loved it more than the first time I read it. A great story with lots of political statements that will leave you thinking, discussing, and asking all sorts of questions. I was politically dead before the first time I read this. Now there is no turning back. I recommend it to everyone, and yes...I know it's long. Quit whining. Read 100 pages a month and you will be done by next year at this time.

There you go- pick an expensive thing or a cheap thing from my list and get going. It took me all year to find these excellent finds for you!

Can't wait to see what we discover next year!

City Cutbacks in Hard Times

I know we have it rough in some cities. I get it.

But really, does that explain the need to cause panic and slam on your brakes when you see this
only to find it was for nothing?

I know you don't want a ticket, and I don't either. So take a closer look.....

Yes, that is right, that is NOT a real cop, but a beautiful mannequin.
What city needs mannequins to be their cops? (I won't tell you, but we passed 3 of them, in separate cities, on our last little road trip) And further more, why would you choose a CHICK mannequin fully made up?

And lest you think this gives you free reign to drive like an Andretti boy, think again.
Speckled throughout Arizona state are photo opportunities just waiting for you to speed, which we did. (Or, my husband did) and we were caught.....

I am so sad they blurred out my face, I bet I looked hot that day.

My husband always thinks he can safely drive over the speed limit just a bit and be safe, but this camera proved us wrong. $180 later I think our fees are paid, but my advice to you is SLOW DOWN (because I also got a ticket this year, but mine was from a good old fashioned REAL man-cop, apparently a rare find nowadays.)

The nice thing about the mannequins is that they never once gave us a ticket.

However I can say this: whatever form it comes in, paying for speeding just kind of bites.

Halloween Haul

Back when I was a kid we actually had to work for our candy. You walked past the empty fields of our small town to the 2 houses on the next block, and then repeated this action, not missing a single porch or opportunity. The one old couple in the neighborhood that gave a full size candy bar was high on the list, and you worked your way out from there, often coming home with frozen hands and a runny nose well after lights were out. That was how you got the good stuff.
Those days are gone. From a warm walk around the church parking lot for trunk or treat, then off to NaNa's house for a full sized grab bag ( every year she starts them off right) they just have the treats rolling in.

Then it was on the quest (driven by mom and dad, might I add) to find the donut house.
Yes....those are Krispy Kremes. A dozen. Each child.

After that stop at the rich generous dude's place (the line to his porch was impressive), it was off to the 'Beanie Baby' house for the yearly find: which was my trick or treating stomping grounds as a child as well.

At this point we hook up with cousins and hit the 'scary houses' where it is more spook alley then treats for the attraction, and I always wish my house were more like that. Then (after much coaxing) the kids hang out and get their candy the old fashioned way..... door to door, piece by piece.

Over all between my 3 kids they had well over 16 pounds of goods to trade and barter with. It is always fun for me to see them on the floor sorting and spying each others goods like I remember doing.

I am shaking my head this morning realizing Christmas is 53 days away and Santa has not even thought about what he is putting in that sleigh yet. For some reason Halloween, primary, and other matters have seem to have gotten in the way.......oh well.

Happy Holidays!

Emotional eating ROCKS!!!

Some days, it does. Take this little calorie laden emotional satisfaction, for instance......
THE ALLIGATOR JAW
If you are lucky, the filling will even be piped in buttercream frosting, instead of whip cream, but that is a rare occurrence.

I believe my devotion to the alligator jaw craving started in my tween years. Crumpled dollars and carefully saved quarters added up to enough for the purchase of this never failing bakery miracle. The 'cool' kids left the middle school and walked to Roe's Bakery for this, or perhaps a Maple Bar, and a milk to share. What a lunch. It was rare I had the cash to go along, but I did once in a while.

I have been known to drive to the next town when my local bakery at the market is out of these. Sometimes, this baby doesn't even make it home because I have finished it the car. Some nights, like tonight, I am disciplined enough to save a bit for later, maybe after one more show or a few more chapters.

Call me crazy, call me a binger, call me whatever...I am not sure what this qualifies me as emotionally, but I know there are just some of those days when nothing else will do. Today was one of them.

I salute you, Alligator Jaw. You are a true friend.

Back to School.

Do you hear that?

It is my clock. I can hear it ticking.
The windows are open, there is that fall breeze blowing through the curtains, and I am sitting at my computer without a son in line to check his facebook messages.

Heaven.

It is 10:30 a.m. and I am in my sweats, my cold Diet Dr Pepper is nearby, and I have not even thought about getting ready for the day.

I could be doing laundry. I could finally load the dishwasher ( I avoided it last night after rehearsal). I should go run a couple of miles. I need to vacuum, the kids ate popcorn last night. I have a few phone calls to make.

But no. I am going to sit here and enjoy my soda and read blogs.

So there.

Were you one of them....

One who turned off the news because it was too stressful? One who stayed home on election day because you felt your vote didn't count? One who thought that it was useless- there is more of "them" then us, they make the laws, and we just follow them?

Well, suddenly 'those' people are getting up off the couch and researching out bills. They are watching the economy and worried about their children and grandchildren. They are watching freedoms and rights become more threatened as laws scream out with needs to squash our rights in the name of safety and emergency. They are making posters with whatever they can find and taking days off work to show up and ask questions, debate ideals, and cry out in honor of the founding fathers who gave them this right.

It doesn't matter who you voted for or what letter sits after your name on the register. It matters that people are fighting for freedoms, as fundamental as speech and bearing arms, and as power continues to grow- on BOTH sides of the aisle- those in power would shut out these voices if they could.

If you are one of those people out there speaking up, you inspire me. I watch smart questions being asked and patriots of all ages applaud them. I am given the strength to ask questions of my own, and say what I need to say when asked.

Consider this quote by Elder Charles Didier:
"A democracy requires men and women to be agents unto themselves to defend their freedom. When a democracy collapses, it is because the individuals and families are dropping their arms."

Let us not drop our arms when the battle is in this momentous stage. Let us be like Moroni in the Book of Mormon who dared proclaim by scrawling his desperate message on a torn coat...."In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children..."

Study out one freedom you value. Make a poster. Send an e-mail. Call a politician, and mostly, teach your children. And as you do these things know that somewhere, there is someone like me, inspired and in awe of your efforts and joining on right beside you.
(yes, this means the verdict is in, and I am marching in DC in September. You can learn more about this at 9-12 DC MARCH)

If you haven't joined us yet, what are you waiting for? Even a torn coat will do.

Pet peeves from a reader

I love to read. I love the feel of a new book in my hands, the stacks of books around me that I may never get to but still insist on adding to, and the swirl of my download icon on my Kindle when I put something new on there. I don't always get as much time to read as I would like, but that doesn't stop my from plowing through as many books as I can sneak time in to do. (if you are a reader and you would like to peek at my opinions on books I have read go to Shelfari to do so).

Over the years however, I have developed a few strange pet peeves over books.

First-the DREAM sequence. You know the one, when you are reading along and suddenly there is a freaky scene happening with all these 'symbolic' meanings and events, and the character awakes with a new found understanding, or not. I hate these.

Why can't the author just write that angst/knowledge/fear etc. into the story? I always feel dreams are a cop out, with very few exceptions. I hate them. A book always drops down a notch or two in my eyes if there are dream sequences in them.


Second- I hate repetitive phrases. When I read The Work and The Glory (don't judge me people) I thought I would scream if I read one more woman "looking up at him through tear-filled eyes" or one more man "turning on his heel to leave". Remember the book The Memory Keeper's Daughter ? Loved the book- except for the 3 or 4 times she described the baby as having a 'starfish hand'. How creepy is that? Starfish are so weird when they slime across an aquarium tank....and she used that one several times. I don't know why these stick out for me, but they do. And I roll my every time I read a certain phrase of words repeated in a book.


Last, but most important of all, I hate stickers of any kind on a book. From the Oprah O ( which is now mostly printed on the book), to the sale sticker, even the price tag. When I buy a book the first thing I do is sit (usually in the car in the book store parking lot) and peel off any and all stickers. If they are super sticky I get a tad bit anxious until all the gummy goo and remnants are gone. Just me......I need a cover unmarked by any annoying stickers of any kind. Is that too much ask?

Am I the only person these things bother?

Random pieces of my past

I have always been obsessed with TV and pop culture, but only by my own choice. here are a few of the heartaches that propelled me through my youthful years and kept me striving for the high life.

I owned this lunchbox and loved the show just as much....
I remember pretending I was the Bionic Woman as I cleaned, jumped down the porch steps, and babysat. I would swish my hair behind one ear (even if it wasn't long enough) in a mannerism just like Lindsey Wagner's.
I even taped my top lip in a fold for a few nights hoping to get a little flaw like her scar. It didn't work.









Marie Osmond was also a dear obsession of mine. I remember her lips always being glossy shiny, and I just loved the way she laughed at Donny. So carefree and beautiful, her face always glowing and her smile so big. I tried to stretch my mouth and practice smiling, which of course never looked like Marie's. To this day I have issues with my small teeth and little mouth. I blame it on my young obsession with Marie. The fact that she was a Mormon just made me that much more like her. When we moved to Utah I prayed someone from the show would 'discover' me on the streets of Provo and ask me to be an ice skater (it didn't matter that I don't know how to ice skate) I just knew it COULD happen.....




I can never say enough about Ricky. Oh Ricky...sigh...heart beat...sigh. I loved him more than any tween has ever loved an idol of any sort. I dreamed about him. I sang to him, I wrote shows which included me as his love interest/guest star. I sketched his cute little face and freckles secretly. When he called himself "The Rickster" I melted. I loved him so. I will go as far as admitting my first dream about making out involved Ricky Shroeder. He unlocked the passions of my sad little pre-teen life..... when I heard he married a Mormon girl I was shocked to think "But the WRONG girl!!" My heart still skips a beat when I see him on TV, although I have never followed his acting career as an adult.

Somethings are better left as memories.

Ahhhhh. These memories make me smile.

I need to get out of bed

How do I know when I am really, truly, pitifully sick? When I don't even have the energy, or focus, to hold a book and read. When I actually feel better when I am crying. When nothing sounds good to eat (except for the blessed enchilada my sister brought me for lunch today, bless her soul!) and when even TV takes effort to manipulate.

I have laid in bed for 3 whole days now, and simply can not do it for one more. Ibuprofen and caffeine finally got me up late today, enough to get the kids dinner (first time all week) and start the dishwasher. I hate being sick.

Now tell me- which of the following is a valid reason to buy a great outfit for Easter Sunday?

A- I have been deathly ill all week
B- I have to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Easter
C- I have to do Sharing Time for the Primary on Easter
D- Every outfit I have is strangely Black or Brown (not very springy or festive)
E- Who needs a reason? Just go buy something...aka All of the above!

Thank you for all of your moral support. Now let's just hope I can find a minute to sneak away and miraculously find something cute within my budget. Shoes....a bonus!
Oh yeah....I also need to put together my talk.
And Sharing Time.
And kids Easter baskets.
And eggs for the family hunts.

Hmmmm. Maybe this wasn't the best week to get sick.

All because one person left a post

It started the day I sent my photo in to Glenn Beck. The "We Surround Them" energy took over...

I left a post on Facebook on his page, which went unanswered for a few days...and then...messages, and friendships, and notes, and posts made me realize this was something big.

What was going to be a gathering of 10 families or so, is now a sponsered event at Noah's tonight, with 1000 (yes....a THOUSAND) people expected to come, including a congressman and radio DJ to take over announcements.

I can not even post right now. My emotions are high, it has been a long week, and I will have to get back to you all later.

let it be known, however.....I do believe that just a few people can make a difference. I know it.

The word of the day is......

FASCISM- any movement, tendency, or idealogy that favors dictatorial government, centralized control of private enterprise, repression of opposition, and extreme nationalism.

I don't know about you, but I when I looked this up to read what exactly the word meant, I was afraid.

Why I boycotted the Science Fair

I understand that kids want to make volcanoes and see steamy things spew in the gym, but my loathing of the science fair began years ago. My oldest son is somewhat of a perfectionist, so just agreeing on a display and how we would do it was a fight.

We have done bean sprouts, DNA strands, and phases of the moon......but see that is where the hate began. I am not even going to get into the hours and hours of searching, painting, typing, gluing loss of sleep that goes into each one of these.....

Oh no.....what bothers me is that my child can pick a topic, like the above mentioned, and if his board doesn't ask a question a certain way and have a certain type of guess, then show the calculated answer, then all of his work and research just earns him a bad score.

See , it isn't about learning..it is about how you present the scientific method, which is usually the same display year after year done by different kids. My son wanted to learn how a GPS works. He studied it, he used his dad's GPS, he created a Travel Bug and logged all the places it went on the earth, for 2 years, then made an awesome display board with measuring tapes and maps and let kids figure out how coordinates are tallied.... it was a hit, but not with the judges.

(my boys geocaching in Williams Arizona, a few years ago on vacation)

While he had parents and kids alike figuring out map locations and measuring them with 3 separate tapes, the judges did not approve of his display...there was no obvious layout of the scientific method.

SO now when my kids bring home a science fair memo I toss it aside and say, "If you want to do it, go ahead..." but I am done with the searching and preparing just to present something within the confines of the district judges. Maybe I am mean, but to me thinking outside of the box is great for kids.....

Our elementary school science fair is today. Guess whose kids do NOT have a display there. My poor, deprived children.

I hear you

I may not be fighting the foreclosure of my home, but I can relate to the frustration of feeling like nobody hears me. Please don't even get me started about the hidden agenda of the "Stimulus/Spending/In debt our Children Forever Bill".

I am typing the 9 principles of Glenn Becks "We Surround Them" unity group. There are MORE of us then the people pushing the laws and spending the money that they don't have... if you believe these too snap a photo of yourself and send it to ;

wesurroundthem@gmail.com

9 Principles
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and he is the center of my life
3. I must always be a more honest person today than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for ME.....I do not answer to them.....they answer to me.

The first time I read these, I was moved by the simplicity and integrity of each statement, but as I have re-read them over the last couple of days and typed them today I am moved by the profound nature of each principle. I am moved and comforted by these words. I feel strength in knowing hundreds of thousands of other people are standing, even 'raising there arm in a square of promise' - as said by Glenn, and committing to living these principles. I would love to explain more of my passion behind these principles, but for now I just want you-anyone-someone to add these ideals to what you think about in the next few days, and act on them.

That is more in line with the kind of CHANGE I was looking for.

More deep thoughts...

Just when I am done pondering coincidences (read a story in Friend for family home evening and it was on the exact subject....weird, I hadn't read it before I read it to the kids) and thinking deeply about Atlas Shrugged.......I find myself watching this, yes that's right, True Beauty.....and getting completely sucked in!

I vowed that I would pass on this little tidbit of media hype....but last week was flipping through my PEOPLE and turned this on in the background. Seeing Ashley get kicked off felt like healing to my vulnerable teenage self. I can't say why....

Why is it so satisfying to see these people have to watch their mean moments on a TV before they go? They had no idea their threats, cussing, and burps were even being filmed. I am not sure.....but I kind of liked it. Please don't tell anyone.

Next time you see me I will be posting about the deep and wonderful things in life. But True Beauty.....that is just guilty pleasure viewing at it's finest!

Now if we can see BOB have another meltdown on Biggest Loser my day will be complete! Bliss!

If you need to learn how to drive in the snow

Please contact my hunky husband. And I am not kidding on this. It is not snowy today (sad) but when it is, we sit with the lights out and peer out the windows at all the people who do NOT know how to drive in the snow. He can call play-by-play what move they are going to make and where they will slide as they do it, kind of like PSYCH but he never says he's "vibing" (oh how I wish he would say that!)

anyway.......
here is a little clandestine photo taken at night..... (I know it isn;t exciting, but it is history...)

You are seeing one car's tail lights as he has flipped completely around and is in the ditch, another car trying to muster the traction to get down the hill (turns out to be car of cheerleaders that had the e-brake on, whom my hubby coached to succesfully take off , and turn the right way to go down th hill), and a few men who jumped out of cars to help the sliding vehicles- one poor man biffed it on the ice. Ouch, I hope he didin't hit his head.

Let me just say this- if you can feel you are NOT gaining traction up the hill, simply back up slowly to a point where you can turn around. I bet there is another road that can get you eventually to the same place without the slippage. DO NOT just keep trying the same slick spot over and over....it magically gets MORE SLIPPERY!

Also, take off your e-brake, and if you are making a turn while going DOWNHILL test your brakes before the corner. If they aren't grabbing, just slowly downshift and turn at a better plowed/salted/sanded intersection. Trust me on this.

Is it evil to say this is so much fun to watch? Oh well.

I am sorry that I find all those incapable drivers kind of entertaining, but I have been known to heat up a mug of cocoa and even pop popcorn during a good storm. Let's just hope YOU are not my next great show!

The Truth about Diet Coke

I know, I know, I just like...BARELY posted, but you see I have to let you in on a little secret.

You know I am on the quest to enjoy the addiciton of my past in moderation only(what does that mean, anyway?).

How I miss that caffeine. I really do. And just so you know.......




this is not as good as the original.

Just so you know.

Surprises in Japan

I know that nobody wants an entire recap of my recent vacation, so I have whittled my 300 photos down to just a few of the best for you to enjoy or hate. After that I may need to blog about Christmas, because I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!!
*phew*
Yes. This is a public toilet. I dreaded these squatters so badly.....I have no idea how those little Japanese women in there high heels and tights and miniskirts even handle these things. If you were lucky, there was a bar to hang on to as you squatted....but that makes wiping...well, nevermind.
Funny thing, though, the regular toilets were DECKED out with heated seat, bidet squirters of nice warm water, and even musical flushing sounds so no one can hear you tinkle. I loved those toilets, man, Just loved them!

Mr. Sammy took this picture at a quiet park just across the street from the Olympic Arena. The colors were so great, I was amazed! We packed heavy coats, but really didn't need them. This was such a nice place, I wanted to share it. The parks are all so serene- a big contrast to the squished buildings and neon signs.
This is the Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Japan, where the hotel is located. Turns out my husband had been working around this area on his mission, but didn't know it because the area had changed so much in the past 20 years. The metal art was in the courtyard outside the mall, which linked to the hotel you see behind it. Yep-it is 70 stories high, and sitting in the window was enough to make you dizzy and your hands sweaty, but it was gorgeous.
Not an uncommon thing, my kid in a picture with complete strangers....but the kids were especially fascinated with his looks and hair. I love this picture because of the kids in uniform and all the peace signs. You better throw a peace sign if your in a photo in Japan!
This little barber shop behind me is very special....above it is the apartment my hubby lived in for 7 months while serving his mission in Hachioji. The town was amazing- with a great street of sidewalk sales and quaint shops (well, some not so quaint, as the vendors yell out strange things to try to get you to come shop)and we toured the small LDS meeting house and visited with missionaries who happened to be there, and met up with a local member who was a friend during the mission. I have never seen my hubby giddy over anything....but he was giddy this day. I also call this my "take a picture it will last longer" day, because I left my hair curly, and I was stared at, double takes, and watched all day. Weird. I felt like Angelina or something.
This was taken at a shrine that had a flame burning (in the metal wing) that has been linked to the flames of Hiroshima. Around it were strings of various origami, and a history board was posted nearby. It was kind of a somber feeling here, but my son was fascinated with the story and ended up really loving this site.

I realized I have barely made a dent in my favorite of favorite photos.......so, oh well, more later to come..... I hope there is something here of interest or beauty.