DMV

 These are random pictures of Grace at school.  She has a really good teacher and it's turned out to be okay.  She gets 100% on everything, which says to me she is not very challenged, but she never complains and likes to go so good enough.   Anyway...

Today was the dreaded DMV day.  I did everything I could to make sure it went well and it did.  I made an appointment.  I read the website very carefully and gathered everything it said I would need.  I got a good nights sleep, ate breakfast and left in plenty of time.  In fact I got there 10 minutes early, with everything in my folder.  I also went with the expectation that it would a) take a long time and b) the websites information would be incomplete.  Also I went alone.  This is key.  If I had been there with a toddler, or baby or teenager it would have been awful.

So I got in the line for people with an appointment. Talked to 2 people about what I had and what I needed to do and got my number.  I then sat down and filled out paper work and waited.  Soon it was my turn.  I waited in another line, met with the license person, gave her my paper work and we had a nice chat while she processed me.  Then I got to get in line for my picture, followed by a line to take the test, followed by a line to give my test results to the worker.  Followed by a line to make another appointment because I needed a smog test, even though the website said cars less than 4 years old didn't need one.  What it didn't say was that out of state cars, no matter the age, do.  (But I was expecting something so there it was)
I drove across the street and waited for the smog test, then drove back across the street and got in line to turn in the paper work.  I was told to move my car to a designated place and then come back and wait in line.  Which I did.  All was paid and all the boxes checked and signatures looked at then I got to go outside and wait with my car for the inspection of the vin number.  Then I came in and waited to turn in the papers, then waited for the plates, then went outside and swapped the plates and came back and waited in the turn your plates in line.
2 and a half hours (not counting the 10 minutes that I was there early because that would be exaggerating) and $350 (ish) later my car and I are both licensed in the state of CA.   And, sadly, I considered that a smooth transaction.  The weather was nice, not too hot, not too cold.  The workers were mostly friendly, there were many interesting people to watch while I was there and the crying baby/eye rolling teen/complaining companion did not belong to me.

Mission accomplished.

dancing and dreaming

 Grace has been getting into dancing lately.  It started with her school offering a ballroom dance class/team.  She joined and stays after school two days a week for an hour and a half to learn dances. She really likes it.
Then there is cats, which is a lot of dancing and singing as it's a musical.  They even offered a separate tap class for a special number and she signed up for that too.
It's been really great for her and she loves it so we signed her up for tap and ballet at a dance studio.  She started this week and came home with a happy report that it went well.  Tap is Wednesday.

our ballerina

Today I got some more Christmas shopping done, and some house keeping done, and I gathered everything needed for my trip to the DMV tomorrow.  I hope it goes well.

work in progress

I've been working on some home made projects.  This blanket is coming along.

Today I had the brilliant idea of renting a vacation home in Alaska and spending a week looking for wild life and hiking and fishing (Rob and Grace at least ...and Greg) They have some beautiful "cabins" that would fit our whole family (even if Clayna has a baby, or Sierra finds her man)

I mentioned it to Rob at lunch and he was all for it.  What??  So I am hoping that summer 2017, after Hannah graduates and before she goes off to college we can all go! I think it might have been the story of the 97lb sockeye that was caught there that I so skillfully told him:)  Or maybe he just wants to see a moose with all our kids and grands.  One of the highlights of our Tahoe trip was seeing that bear and being together..two things that would likely be repeated on such an awesome trip.

I can see it now, days that never end.  Smores on the fire. Hikes in the breathtaking forests.  Dinners of fresh caught fish, cinnamon rolls, phase 10, hide and seek, movies, whale watching, gorgeous fjords, moose sightings, family time and talks and Alaska!

Primary program

Today was the primary program. It was very sweet and the kids did an awesome job. The songs are always my favorite and they sang with gusto. The children are wiggly and silly but they are sweet and feel the spirit and want to testify of Christ.

After church and lunch we went to the nearby desert preserve and took a walk. I didn't have any expectations, we live in the middle of the desert and this is just more of the same with a fence around it, however it was quite nice. It had meandering paths with cute wooden bridges, signs with interesting facts about the wildlife and flora and fauna, and lots of little critters and birds make their homes there. It was a beautiful afternoon. Warmish and sunny.

Forcing the children on an outside, electronics free, meandering march makes them chatty and silly which is also nice (mostly).

Saturday

It was a run run run morning.  We had to be at Applebee's at 7:45 for the ballroom dance team fundraiser. They had a pancake breakfast that was good.  The kids served and wiped tables and they also performed a couple of dances.  Grace did a really good job.  She knew all the steps and enjoys dancing.

ready for breakfast

We went straight from there to either soccer or to tap practice.  Grace is also taking a tap class for an extra dance she is doing in CATS.  I dropped her off and then went to the field to watch a bit of the game.  It was the boys first loss.  Bummer.  The final score was 0-1.  

I had to leave a bit early to go get Hannah and take her to CATS to meet Grace for some more practice.  They put in a lot of time practicing.

meringue

After all the practicing and games we met at home and turned on the Christmas carols and did some cleaning.  Hannah's room is the messiest and she is not done yet.

first loss of the season

Rob had time for a desert bike ride.  He ran into someone he knows on the trail and had a good ride.

trail ride

Tonight there's a dance at church and Rob and I are going on a date. 

The weather is warm and sunny and nice. It's a good Saturday.

The help

Today I worked at my new very part time job. I am working in catering at the fairgrounds. Today's event was a designer showcase luncheon and fashion show. It was fancy.

All the servers had to wear all black and we had black bow ties with sparkly rinestone bows on them. Everything was beautifully Christmas with Carolers dressed in Dickens era costumes, sparkly lights and trees decked out. There were things to look at and buy and a lovely lunch. The women were all decked out too. I have never seen so much bling! The heels were high, furs were real, and glitz was everywhere. Who knew? 

My favorite booth was a hat booth. I have never seen anything like it. When I got home I searched the web for something similar but was disappointed in my efforts. This hat sort of has the same feel but it's much to small and tame to do justice to the hats there.  There were a good number of hat wearing women at the soirée.  It was quite dapper.

Serving wasn't hard, we were busy and the time went quickly. Tonight I'm a little sore. I guess I used some muscles that are normally dormant. 

This evening we went to the mall. Grace needed some winter clothes. Normally she's a terrible shopper but tonight went pretty well. She tried stuff on and we bought two pair of jeans and a cute coat and a couple of shirts. Hannah also got a cute coat. 

The puppy princess likes rhino.

a first

Ethan asked to go shopping for new clothes. Mind blown.  He didn't actually want to go but was willing to enter the store, zero in on the item he wanted, grab it off the rack and run to the register.  Quickest shopping trip ever ;) This morning he put on his new pants and they looked very handsome. He's getting tall and manly.

Yesterday Nellie and I went to Panera for lunch.  I love their squash soup! So tasty.  Love Nellie too.

Sawyer came over after school to watch a movie.  I made cookies and we watched Batman.

Grace needed some tap shoes, she's in an extra number for CATS.  We tried a couple of places and finally found a pair for $5 at Payless! Score!

Sadly she has been sick for a couple of days.  It's mostly just a bad sore throat but those can be icky.

Tonight the missionaries are coming over for dinner.  What to feed them??

Ziva post spa

Also the weather is cool now.  Yay for fall!

so true

I love Pres. Uchtdorf.  He gives such wonderful talks and is so positive and encouraging.  I saw this quote this morning and thought how true it is.  

This has been a struggle for me the last few months.  I have always considered myself a happy, cheerful person.  We have lived in CA for three months now and if anything I like it even less than when we got here.  I didn't know how much I wouldn't want to be back.  I spend a lot of time thinking about our old life and home and the beauty of Maryland, the friends we miss, and the job I loved, our beautiful home and the seasons and history.  I loved it there. 

I am doing the things that I know will help us adjust.  We are active in church and with our callings.  We home and visit teach.  We invite friends over and are involved in the community with kids sports and activities, subbing and what not.  I continue with my personal religious habits of praying and reading the scriptures and pondering.  If anything I may be doing it more than before.  We attend the temple and get out and about.  I try to consciously think of the good things: I have a few friends from before that I am happy to see and spend time with again and we are making new friends.  I am very, very glad to live closer to our family (although farther from others).  Our new home is completely adequate with a lovely backyard and handsome new furniture. Our health is good and Rob loves his job (mostly).

I don't like the weather, I like seasons.  The people are unfriendly and rude as a collective.  When we moved to Texas I was so surprised by the kind and friendly manner of the general public.  Same with MD. Then we came back here and felt the lack and remembered "oh yeah, this is why it felt like such a surprising and happy welcome to live amongst the friendly".  It's so expensive.  We were supposed to really downsize and cut costs so that our cash flow would be comfortably flowy.  We did downsize in sq footage but everything else went up.  What?? Why?

The worst part is I am my worst self here.  I am complainy and judgy and don't like people and the place (mostly in my head but still).  

On my list there is one thing I can control.  Sadly that's me.  I have to find a way to chose to be happy and cheerful and kind and content, supportive and humble, energized in good causes and actively bringing joy to my family and others. 

This weekend was stake conference.  I found many of the talks inspired and uplifting.  We sat behind this really rude man who was quite mean to R.  R didn't let it ruffle him, which was good.  I was annoyed by him though and wanted to say something to him after, but held my tongue. 

After conference on Sunday the Roberts came over for dinner. We had a great visit and played games and ate.  It was a lot of fun.

Yesterday our couchs arrived! yay! I love them!

new furniture