Come on, come on, come on, come on . . .

Yesterday I volunteered with Moving Arizona Forward. My task was simple. I called voters, inquired whether or not they received their mail-in ballot and gave them information about mailing in their ballot or dropping them off. I learned that many hurdles exist for the everyday voter, much more than whether we should/can get out and vote. In this case the concern is that many voters did not receive their mail-in ballots and, if they did, they need to know that yesterday was the last day to mail in the ballot. Not to worry, if voters were unable to get to the post office they can fill out their ballots and return them to early polling cites or to their polling location on Election Day. I only spoke with one voter who was not sure if she received her ballot. I gave her the phone number to the county recorders office and information about provisional voting (ask me if you want to know). I also came across a few who were quite ill and I spoke with one man who had just lost his wife 2 weeks ago--a difficult call. Though, he did tell me that he mailed out his ballot a few days ago. One voter also told me that he did indeed receive his ballot and it was completely filled out. However, he will be taking it directly to the polling location and handing to an official next Tuesday. I told him that he can feel free to drop it in the mail-in box at his polling location so he would not have to wait in line. In response, he said "Oh no, I am 72 years old and I will stand in line for 3 hours if I need to. I cannot take any chances with my vote--it has to count."

Can you believe we get to vote?! Really it is such an amazing privilege. Yesterday I sat at my volunteer desk looking at my lists of voters and reminded myself that for a very long time I have believed I should have been a young adult in the 60's! Sister of the revolution(s)! And then it occurred to me that I was doing what I might have done in the 60's--simple but true. Maybe I would have piled into cars or VW buses to go assist with voter registration instead of sitting at a desk with a telephone. Oh, and I would have attended Woodstock! YES! So, I began thinking about the way our privilege to do things like vote and go to school have become justification to divide and conquer, even within our own families and communities. Somehow we have learned that discussing politics is offensive, that we should conceal our beliefs and values out of respect for the other. I ask, what is so offensive about listening to someone else or even a discussion about our differences? And why would a disagreement cause us to deny our friendship and good citizenship to another?

Truthfully, it was not until I began my studies as a graduate student did I begin to realize the absolute need for public discourse. I thought I was in heaven during my classes. My classes have been small classes and we often get into discussions that demonstrate one thing--we all think differently--amazingly different. I did not think that there could be a better place than a classroom to really get my feet wet with this whole open discourse arrangement. Then I started thinking about an even better place--home. IS there a better place to bounce around our ideas than with those that love us no matter what? Yet home is often where we, at least me, learn(ed) what not to say. What is wrong with the occasional heated discussion? With practice (read: PRACTICE-lots of it) I am learning how to appreciate discourse that I may have some difficulties wrapping my mind around. Appreciation cools things down for me. And why would/should we deny ourselves and our families the opportunity to discuss our hopes and dreams and questions about our world?

Go vote!

is it only tuesday?

Just one short post for today . . . perhaps! Such a busy day and yet I really cannot account for my day. It may be that first thing this morning our Brooke fell in the pool. Ross ran out with his toothbrush still in his mouth to rescue her. We also noticed that Emme tried her hardest to let us know that Brooke was in the pool by letting out panic yelps. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Brooke has taken an unforeseen (literally) swim. During the first incident, I happened to look outside the sliding door to see the pool water splashing around and went running out to find Em standing at the other end of the pool starring at Brooke, almost saying "why does she get to go swimming," while Bogart was next to the pool sniffing our Lantana flowers. I expressed my disappointment to both dogs that both did NOTHING! Since that time Em has been very careful to alert us when Brooke is in a difficult situation (Brooke lost her vision quite some time ago). Brooke, as is the case with all of our doggies, is brilliant! She always knows where to swim so she can climb out. And she always does--but we are still very careful and kick ourselves every time something like this happens. She is good though! She received a very nice toweling off, her favorite thing when it rains, and came running in toward the biscuit jar! All is good with the world when we can find our way, no matter what, to the biscuit jar.

For a little excitement I thought I would post another one of my favorite Ross-in-Sedona shots. I was there but Ross has SKILLS! Night night!

ok, received critique and suggestions . . .

I just received comments back from my professor. As usual, she offers amazing critiques and suggestions because she rocks. All in all, I suck! OK, miss dramatic, non-self-esteemer--not the case. But I must get myself together and do more thinking and writing out loud about a certain thesees . . . do you want to hear my story about the best pronunciation for thesis? OK, very quick! Up until a few weeks ago we would go to Starbucks every morning for our little fill of Americano’s. We did this for the past several years but, thanks to our gas hikes and my finding a wonderful Starbuck's coffeemaker (at a yard sale in historic Mesa--YES!)--we have stopped the madness. Seriously, retirement and redecorating have become so much more appealing than spending dollars at Starbucks. ANYWAY, over the years we became great friends with the Starbucks baristas and the regulars in line. OK, stop right there for a story within a story, a few years ago one of the baristas began calling us "the favorite couple" anytime we walked in (I really think he loved us--we loved him!!). Then many of the regulars would call us the same thing. Even across the parking lot "hey, favorite couple!" And even recently, Ross ran into someone at the grocery store and she came up behind him and said "hey favorite couple!" We had not seen her in such a long time. In a funny way, I don't think any of us concentrated on knowing each other's names, we just loved mingling, even for a few moments, with other humans as we all started our day. I really think mingling in each other's humanness was the most appealing part of Starbucks . . . maybe we should figure out how to brew that! BACK to where I was going . . . one of our 'favorite' baristas asked me one morning, "so how is your thesees going," and before I could answer, my darlin' Ross corrected her pronunciation, "it's theSIS." And with that I said, "Actually, I like Anna's pronunciation because it rhymes with feces--and that sounds about right."

Back to theces.

farewell to summer!

We wrapped up our summer, winterized our little house on wheels and said farewell to weekends in Pine until next spring . . . and it will be here sooner than we want!

my new kitchen find!

While I am not a chef, I do love to find great kitchen wares and linens. So I will admit right here, right now, that I love linens and kitchen stuff! One of my favorite finds is a brand new set of Calvin Klein dishes from their Cargo collection. To explain, I love to find good deals -- yard sales, thrift stores, going out of business sales -- you know! Anyway, during one of our weekend jaunts we stopped in at the best Goodwill store ever -- we found it in Fountain Hills. So I walked up to their dish section and there it was, a brand new set of eight Cargo dishes (cream color salad plates with sage bowls and sage dinner plates). Let me repeat--brand new! Guess how much I paid (I know giving away pricing is not so couth) $16!! They are the perfect color and I LOVE the look of stoneware . . . what a great day that was!

So back to my newest find. I have wanted a wonderful little teaspoon/tablespoon measuring set. I have several plastic sets, all of which are not inspiring--especially the little kitchenaid set that has a semi-melted tablespoon. I thought I wanted the same spoons Giada uses on Everyday Italian, the perfect little set of porcelain measuring spoons. I looked and looked and could not find a set even in Cali when I was on vacation (this is sounding so obsessive--it really is not!). When I finally found what seemed to be very similar little porcelain spoons, I decided they would not be right for me. Just not right--darn! So I have kept my eyes and mind open. To sidetrack again, just thinking and writing out loud --Linens n' Things just began their going out of business sales. SO SAD to see such a great store go. BUT, I did find the most amazing quilt and shams on Friday :) I recommend checking it out. Anway, BACK to spoons (I am stealing their thunder!). I was in the cutest store, Moose Mountain, in Pine on Saturday. This is a wonderful little store. I have spent hours in there over the past summer--only buying a few things here and there, even though things are beautiful and beautifully priced as well. So I was in on Saturday and found a darling little ornament, some very cute Christmas cards and . . . the perfect spoons! THEY ARE PERFECT! I have snapped about 100 shots and I still cannot seem to capture their essence--I need photo classes :)

The inside of the spoons have hearts in the center and hearts and stars round the inside rim. The stem shows their measure and the very top is an angel with a heart! Then on the back is a big star with a heart in the center and little hearts with the angel and a star. Really a beautiful set with so many thoughtful details. I wonder which food network star will go shopping to find the EXACT same set?!! I think I bought the only one they had at the store . . . too bad!

love this movie!

We rented "run fatboy run" last night and I love it. David Schwimmer, of Friends fame, directed it . . . awesome to see that he has such talent! If you get a chance do check it out!

note: It is PG-13 but may not be child friendly for those below 13.

For today . . .

but let's start with friday! I DID hand in my thesis piece on Fri. morning. Yes, an extension was involved so I did not make any postings until I could say that I am sort-of on schedule. Hey, everyday is a new day (at least every minute is). So I have a piece-part for today. right?

I also took a very, very cute photo of Emme looking out the window. She loves to put her little chin on the window ledge and look outside . . . darling! So I went to upload the picture today and found that the memory card was not in the camera--what?! So, I will attempt to capture a cute moment again soon. I also spent Friday with my childhood bff Malaine (check out her Bargo blog) and her little girl Becca. Of course we ran around like we had never been shopping before! The best part is that Malaine finally trusted someone new with her hair and it looks FABULOUS! M is from a very small town in AZ and has refused to let anyone touch her hair . . . until we (me and Sam) hosted a hair intervention in the middle of Home Goods (a TJ Maxx store). She took our very good intentions and considered them enough to find a new stylist--the same stylist involved in the intervention!! And it looks SO good . . . the color and cut rock.

I just wanted to slip in an update and also change my blog picture to a beautiful shot Ross took in Sedona. I am thinking of everyone and thinking positive and beautiful thoughts for Mandy and her family . . . love you guys :)

A little sleep over . . .

Brooke (on her own pillow), Emme, Bogart and Maggie (next to the wall)

Ok, so I am having some thesis tension . . . lack of sleep is involved. Not to worry, I have a piece due tomorrow and it WILL be turned in tomorrow--unless I ask for an extension! NO, NO, NO to the extension.
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SO, we have a little neighbor dog named Maggie and she happens to be our little Em's mum! They look almost identical and they act so much alike it is almost eerie. Because I can take a few extra minutes to write about anything but my thesis, I will give a little background on Mag's. So I have established that we have three dogs. Brooke is our ShLab, the very best of both worlds--we adore her. Then there is Bogart, our tri-colored beagle. He literally came to our doorstep and has invited us to stay for the past 8 or so years. We posted signs and did the whole internet posting--nobody called! His previous family must have been crazy (and they have to miss him). He is just the dearest little guy.

Anyway, one day Ross was walking Bogart when the 'new to the hood' neighbors stopped them and immediately fell in love with Bogart! It seems they are beagle people and wanted to know if we would be interested in breeding. Let's not get started on my views on that! But the answer was NO. Even so, we became friends with the family and their three charming little boys. Then one life changing day, Landon, the youngest, came to our house and announced that Maggie had puppies and we had to come see them! We did, and that is when we found little Emme. I can still see Landon holding three puppies all at once and Emme hanging on with all her might (and she is mighty)! Long story, I know, but Em came home with us!

Since that time, seven or so years ago, Maggie will come over for the occasional visit. I laugh every time I think of her sneaking out from her house and trucking it all the way down the block to our house. She has some sort of little code that only our dogs will hear and, at that time, our dogs have their own little howl to let us know that Em's mum is here . . . sometimes this happens at awkward hours, like 2 am. We just open the door, follow Mag to the doggie treat jar, and then we all go back to bed. A little sleep over of sorts!

And so we have the ongoing sleepover. As you can see, not one dog is nudging me off the internet . . .

a thesis devotional . . .

As many of you know, I have been trying to pound out a thoughtful thesis. I stop and start and stop and now I am starting (I have lost count in this dance). So here I am, a student, a writer with a cause, posting it out there for all to see, I AM WRITING!

To boot, here is my nightmare desk--oh, but I love it! The stories it will tell. I might spiff it up and, at that point, I will post a picture of a temporarily clean desk. With that said, I give the dogs a great deal of credit. They have been very generous to share their space with me and they continually strive to inspire me by napping at my side . . . they are going to keep close tabs on my internet usage, they will!

Oh, I have also added a playlist of thesis songs so I can listen while I work. Some have lyrics, and they may get tossed but, I have a lot of George Winston (thanks to my brother). If anyone has any ideas about great music to add, I would love to hear about it. I love Nora Jones and Evanescence but wonder if they will get nixed if they prove to be too distracting. U2 is hugely inspiring but Bono and the beloved gang can be a bit distracting. So, no U2 unless I have a brain freeze that only they can solve.

So here we are! Fingers crossed, positive thoughts, deep breathes and cursing when necessary. Now to write . . .

Pine . . . the sanest place in our world!

Here are the most recent pictures in Pine, Az. We have been told by our very seasoned neighbors, and they are great people, that we have to close up for winter soon. We are doing our research to find out exactly what this means--or do they want to get rid of us for winter?! As you can see, Emme went with us and left her sibs at home (everyone needs a break). She LOVES the fresh air, running with the wildlife, eating their grass, driving along her favorite roads . . . and the list continues!


This is the view from our front door. Ross has been busy landscaping our little spring/nook area. He began adding stone stair steps -- I love them! Even though he will not admit it, the neighbors adore him! I think it is a matter of time before he is amazifying everyone's natural landscape.

MJK3 make their home in NC!

Megan the adventurer . . . the whole family starting a new tradition at the beach!!! woo-hoo!

Family Christmas . . . 2005

So this was awhile back . . . but here we are!

ross (contemplating this holiday event), connie, maddie, michael & mandy, mom, jonah, mitchell & jessica!

Instant classic!!
Families are Forever . . . long story :)

I wonder what we are thinking here?
We grew up together - us with the Roundy's

Connie & Ross

Maddie and young Taylor's Michael and Mandy

Haley (Michael and Mandy's lab) and the boys loved the pool!