Tour time - blink and you might miss it:)

Last year was hard, for many people, including me. I am grateful for the fresh start that January brings. I should look at everyday as a fresh start but for some reason I seem to be in the attitude of holding off – in a few months I will start working out, in a few months I will read the scriptures more, next week I'll stop watching mindless TV . . . If I'm not careful I will look back at my life and realize I've missed too many moments. In the end, isn't that all that matters – letting moments happen and enjoying them without wishing for the future or bemoaning the past.

So – for my first post of the grand 2012, I am showing you my pad – my home – the first place that is really all mine; no roommates, no family – I am facing life in Salt Lake by conquering the myth that being alone makes one lonely. That is not to say that I might not experience loneliness but to be honest, some of the loneliest times in my life have happened being surrounded by people. So, ready or not, I am embracing the change and the challenge!

Now, keep in mind, it's nothing monumental . . . but it is mine . . .

Somewhere in the Avenues, on N street, is my number 2:)

Studio glory - one side is my living room, the other is the bedroom

As my Mason said recently, "the walls are too white!" I am still in the process of decorating, don't judge me:)

Now is where it gets out of control - - - I give you three views of the kitchen

2

3

There you have it folks! Cozy, nice, and, dare I say, perfect for me! (At least for the moment!)

Tomorrow I'll let you glimpse how I kicked off this great year - visiting San Fran and my favorite California family!!!

November 8th - Happy Birthday Pops!

Elden Grant Chard and Elden Douglas Chard -

Dad and his newest grandson Xander this august -

As I drove home tonight the sky was a brilliant red. In my mind I repeated, "Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky at morn', sailors take warn." I say that to myself every time there is a red sky - a subconscious phrase that comes without a thought. You see, my dad was a sailor. He joined the Navy young and sailed around the world. I can remember being young and sitting with him on the porch and watching the brilliant red colors appear above us and him telling me what that would mean to me if I was a sailor. I remember being in awe of him as he talked of far away lands and adventures that I, as a child, could only imagine. He was the one that taught me a rhyme to remember the thirteen colonies as we laid in the hammock and watched the stars come out. He knew where the big dipper was and pointed out Orion's belt.
There are innumerable memories that I could share about his love and guidance to me as his daughter. His is funny and talented and has a desire for learning that guides me to never stop wondering about things. A month ago I came home to him sitting at the kitchen table reading a Calculus textbook . . . just because.
Because of him I have a testimony of the gospel. He was always honest with us as his children about his life, good or bad. He talked of the years he never went to church and then what brought him back. He testified that life is better with the gospel but also helped us to know that it is never to late to change. He is still the teacher that all would want to have, the one who shows through example.
Tomorrow is his birthday and in this month of Thanksgiving I can think of nothing better to be grateful for than having him as my father. I love you dad, have the best of days tomorrow!

Conference time -

"We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary."

Robert D. Hales

I love Fall, I love General Conference. Those two came together over the last few weeks and it has been great. Our tradition has always been to go to Salt Lake on Conference Saturday but this year it fell through - there is always next year though:) However, we did end up having a great conference weekend full of apple pickin' and apple sauce makin' - - -

First was women's conference - we made it down to the conference center and had a great night!

This was outside Blue Lemon - an amazing restaurant - good end to a great night!

Then came the time in between conference sessions - - - -

Samu loves to pose lately - such a cool kid

Doesn't that look awesome!!

Sunday night we made a little fire and just enjoyed the evening -

The fire pic is for Gabby - his words after the shot, "Did you seriously just take a picture of the fire?" - - You better believe I did Gabby, you better believe . . .

Could little Jacob get any cuter - - I think not.

Mason and Dad enjoying a moment - -

The boys love "the tractor"

and I love them . . .

The end of summer.

It snowed today. Love it.

Because of that . . . it might be best to show you the last of my great summer -

My brothers turned into carpenters - who knew:)

these boys did - i think they found heros.


I mean - seriously

It also included a lot of swinging -

and the best faces there could possibly be -

We had to get in a visit to the duck pond -

(the cool Californians - - -)

My mom loved it more than the boys -

It might be because she brought enough bread to feed thousands of ducks - it went on forever.

until she could take the teasing no longer - - - -

We also got the chance to see Kenny Loggins -

He was AMAZING

then it came time to say goodbye to Chard's#2 - - -seriously miss this boy, who wouldn't?!

Best moment of the night . . . when Super Lela came out to play - so great!