My Biker Man

David took an oath that when gas reached 4 dollars a gallon, that that was the day he would get a bike. And lo an behold, one day when I sat at home on my sick leave, he just walked in the door with this one. He's been consistantly biking to work everyday pretty much, 12 miles round trip to Hollywood and back. Go DavidMichael, Go! Also featured in this fine photograpy is our hiking backpack, finally getting some use, with it's liitle camel water pouch so he can sip water through a straw while biking. Fancy!!! I am very proud that he is saving money, being kind to the environment, AND getting exercise!

Thanks to the friends who've been calling with love in their hearts extending condolences for Joe & Jaime and the family missing them. I've been looking at this picture on Melissa's blog of Joe a lot, as we're grieving him. This picture reminds me of how big he was, in spirit and laughter and cleverness and kindness and heart and mind. And how big his love is for Rachel. That's something that I think continues on strong - past the life of our fragile bodies. Also, Joe was tall - at least taller than us :) I also like to imagine that Melissa's hand holding the blue cup is really Joe's hand, extending all the way around three tiny girls.

I want to post it here for my family and friends, so they have an image to go with the guy I've been telling them about. When I first saw this picture, I thought, "Joe is a man-mountain."
And that's how I'll hold him in my memory.

Shower Me with Lovlies!

I stole pics from Christine of my party! My sister threw me the nicest bridal shower in the world at her house in Santa Maria over Memorial Day weekend. I have more pics of her & Agata on my camera, but have yet to get them off. We had a really really great time, playing games, drinking homeade sangria, eating tons o cake, and enjoying all the ladies in my family. This bikini present is designed by the one and only Christine! And I am proud and excited to wear it!! P.S. the skirt I'm wearing in these pictures is the one I sewed myself :)

I find myself helpless today, searching for something to fill the empty surreal space that has been created at this time of great, great loss. I feel I haven't the words to honor who we've lost, or to comfort friends as we suffer it. And so, I turn to words of a poet I often reference in times of confusion and pain.

Summer was like your house: you knew
where each thing stood.
Now you must go out into your heart
as onto a vast plain. Now
the immense loneliness begins.

The days go numb, the wind
sucks the world from your senses like withered leaves.

Through the empty branches the sky remains.
It is what you have.
Be earth now, and evensong.
Be the ground lying under that sky.
Be modest now, like a thing
ripened until it is real,
so that he who began it all
can feel you when he reaches for you.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

Bitty Bee

After much searching, I found the perfect wedding jewelry for myself! I bought this necklace & earrings on Dogeared.


They are teeny tiny. The neclace is a bitty bee gold charm on a delicate silk thread. I am glad to find something that is tiny and won't overwhelm since my dress is so showy and big, but still feels special and fancy. I am feeling pretty overwhelmed by wedding expectaions right now. I keep seeing so many fancy blogs full of cute ideas and beautiful set ups, and I've put little energy into the decorating. I know the flowers will be beautiful as my dad is ordering them and he's wonderful, but I feel like I need to come up with some crafty practical & cheap ideas to dress up the tables at the hall.

Recovered

Think I am finally over The Plague. Took a long time, but I am feeling pretty much back at 99% good health. Just in time too, am driving back to Lompoc for my bridal shower my sister is throwing me on Saturday. I was getting worried it would be an awful exhausting drive what with my sickness and all, but now I'm optimistic fun will ensue!

Kitteh Fort

My main accomplishment in my homestay sickness days has been to do some laundry. I figured it might be good to cleanse things of germs. In the midst of my slow moving folding, I glanced down to see this kitty rump amid the baskets.He loves that I've been at home, and hardly leaves my side. Poor lonely kitteh, I will be recovered soon and leaving you at home all alone again. Going to the doctor at 11:30, I hate seeing new doctors for the first time. There's always so much paperwork and waiting and questions bleh.