Beauty and the Beast

On August 14, 2009 I went to see Beauty and the Beast with my two good friends, Brandon and Kara. I also took along one of my favorite girls, Erin.

I probably wouldn't have even known about this play if it hadn't been for my old friend Liz. We went to high school together and she was always in the choir and in the school plays and she has continued to appear in plays at Juan Diego High School. I am so glad she told me about it! It was really cute. She was not a main character but she did have two parts. She was a napkin and one of the girls who are absolutely in love with Gaston. She did a great job!

5K Dash for Donation

As most of you know, my Mom and I work for the University of Utah with transplant patients. Today we participated in a 5K at Sugarhouse Park. It was a pretty good turn out and the perfect day for a run/walk. The clouds covered the sun and there was a slight cool breeze. It was perfect. We met up with quite a few co-workers and I even brought along Lucky.

It was very official. We even got to wear numbers and everything.

Here is my mom with Kellee

Here is cute little Ava with her fingers in her mouth as usual

Here is Jackson itching to get out and run

We all got t-shirts and Lucky even got his own Team Transplant bandanna

We accidentally lined up at the front of the starting point and it wasn't long until we were far behind everyone. This picture is about 3 minutes after we started. That's a whole lot of people to pass us. Lucky thought everyone was supposed to run so he was practically pulling me down the road in all the excitement. That excitement slowed quickly as he became more tired thank goodness.

We all reached the finish line finally. My mom and I were last in our group and got there in just over an hour. Pretty good considering I had to stop to let Lucky go potty a million times and pick up his poop and clean out his paw because he stepped on something sharp. So its totally his fault I didn't finish in 15.9 minutes.

Once we made it to the finish line we all were rewarded with Bananas, Apples, and Ice cream

Even Lucky got some

After we had our ice cream we all just sat in the grass while awards were given out for the best times.

Lucky was pretty tired but not enough to not beg for every ones ice cream

After the awards were given we were served salad, corn on the cob, coleslaw, pork, chicken, cheesy potatoes and for dessert...Peach and Apple cobbler. Delicious!

I look forward to participating again next year!

P.S.

Lucky also received tastes of pork..corn..cheese...Lets just say he doesnt smell the best right now! Yuck!

Jessica's Graduation

My parents were in Pennsylvania to see family and also to attend Jessica's Graduation. I am pretty sure she cant be possibly old enough to graduate..or even be older than 10 but apparently while I was out here in Utah she grew up.

Here is Jessica with her mom

Here are some of the planners

My two aunts, Mary and Louann and my mom Dorothy

Here is my Grandma giving kisses

Here is Jessica with her boyfriend

Here is Carissa with her new little guy, Coleton

Here is Lee A. and his family..Robin, Ian, Tailor

Here is Easton being a little ham

True Love...

Here is Jenny with my parents. She is the one who took all of these lovely pictures.

Thanks Jenny!

Here is Jenny being goofy with Easton

Here is Taylor loving the camera

Easton is not so sure

My Aunt Mary and Uncle Lee

With Jenny

Just a dog

“Just a Dog”

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, its just a dog” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog”

They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog” but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think its “just a dog” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend” “just a sunrise” or “just a promise”.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folds like me, its not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and reams of the future, and fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its not “just a dog” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a woman”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog” just smile…

Because they “just don’t understand”