Our Joy

Tempest June
August 7, 2010

Summer Storms

Haven't they been magnificent? Don't get many like these around here. I remember being a nervous 8 year old girl and my own father taking me out on the front porch of our home in Florence, Alabama- placing me on his lap and teaching me the art of thunder and lighting watching. Fear turned into fascination- thanks Pops. Speaking of fascinating, check out these incredible images from the "Bound for Glory: America in Color" collection. Wowza, right? Maybe I'm a 1940's dustbowl girl at heart...


What era fascinates you most?

I Can't Stand Kid's Music

But this might actually work out well. If Lucinda and John contributed, it must be worthy! Look for the entire musician lineup, song snippets, and a background story here.

"If You Can't Beat 'Em...

you might as well join them." (I guess.)

So, you know you're in Provo/Orem when A, you're shopping at Costco and B, six other obviously pregnant women are shopping there too!
I about crapped my pants! But hey, at least I wasn't wearing Old Navy flip-flops, right?

The Baby...

has taken over!

• My belly popped- yes indeedy, I look like a pregnant gal.

• People wished me a "Happy Mother's Day." Serious? We can debate that one.
  

• On a daily basis, one of four things happen- people ask how the baby's doing, they call me "Mommy," they look at my protruding stomach instead of my eyes when we talk, or they touch my belly! Ahhh!

• Now I really can't sleep on my stomach. Crap.

• My hormones have gone off the charts- I guess that's what you get when it's smooth sailing the first two trimesters. Crap again.
  

Now, I ain't complaining. So don't go on and tell me how it's all worth it, blah, blah. We chose to make this child and I'm beyond thrilled.

• She kicks and wiggles out a rhythm so sweet, it tops my first contra dancing experience.

• I look damn cute pregnant. Buy me lunch and you can see for yourself!
  

• The crib, changing table/dresser, and rocker have been purchased and that makes my heart melt just thinking about putting together a nursery. Question is... am I obligated to do a "theme?" I hope not!

• Those white Gerber onesies totally get me. That's all she's going to wear, I swear!

I'm Looking For a Tree

Helping people pick out trees and other plants for their yards on a daily basis has proved to be a challenging job.

Does it flower? How long will the blooms last? How wide will it get? Is the root system deep or shallow? Will it tolerate the canyon breeze? Does it need a pollinator? What's the difference between the Autumn Blaze and the October Glory maple trees?

Newsflash! Introduced to me by USU Extension Horticulturist Adrian Hinton, this website is easy to use and was created by the good folks at Utah State University.

The Tree Browser allows you to plug in the characteristics you're looking for in a tree, i.e. Family type, growth rate, drought tolerance, etc. and in turn gives you a list of trees that fit your description along with several different photographs of that tree in different settings. This is an INCREDIBLE resource! Please use it and tell your family and friends about it!

A few current favorites...

Platanus occidentalis- American Sycamore

Fagus sylvatica- Tricolor Beech

Cupressus sempervirens- Italian Cypress

Cercis canadensis- Eastern Redbud

21 Weeks & 3 Days

I can't believe it...

The Craftsman and I made a GIRL!

When You're Bored

Yesterday I counted 89 cigarette butts.

Eighty-nine!

In a used car lot.

In West Valley, UT.

Discuss...

Run Fast!

Boy do I love a good deal! Can't wait to find the perfect spot for both...

Sundance

$245

Overstock

$99.95/pair

Williams-Sonoma Home
$395

Downeast Home (exact same mirror)
$199

Spring Is Coming

I can feel it in my bones!

Today I did some spring cleaning- scrubbing the stovetop, cleaning the refrigerator (inside and out), oiling the cabinets- you know the type, once or twice a year get down and dirty cleaning. All of this is being done with upbeat tunes and a window or two cracked open.

Thing is, it felt really, really good.

How do you know spring is on its way?

A Little Favor

A little treat for whoever might be reading today. These are gems- remind you of someone you know?

"He's the last of a dying breed. The prehistoric emo only emerges from the depths of his studio apartment when his favorite bands reunite for one last show- and even then, he shows no sign of enthusiasm whatsoever.

Once an avid fan of the underground emo scene, he now cringes at the sight of today's batch of kids. He avoids mainstream media altogether, would rather listen to npr than podcasts and has no idea why anyone would panic at a disco. His favorite thrift stores are now raided by trend-hopping teens, making him resort to wearing the same vintage tees he has had for years.

He cries when he listens to pinkerton and spends days at a time organizing his vinyl collection. he refuses to join the kids on the current social networking sites as he finds them repulsive, yet seems to forget about the long since abandoned makeoutclub account he made years ago.

His casual-yet-somewhat dorky look has become the mainstream, and he is no longer identified as the emo king he once was. Tear."

"Looking something like a mix of Pocahontas and a tornado at a thrift store, the Apple Store Indie is your typical #fauxhemian. Masking her love for Steve Jobs products with whatever your blind grandma wore 40 years ago, she blends in seamlessly with the rest of her contemporaries at All Points West Festival.

Tweeting endlessly about nothing other than questions to a fake Ezra Koenig account, her main source of news is whatever happens to be a trending topic on twitter. Her iphone isn’t just a means to tell people what type of sandwich she is eating, she also uses it to cover Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead” using only app store instruments with her hipster friends.

Getting musical recommendations from last.fm or whatever Jenny Eliscu and Jake Fogelnest play on satellite radio, her entire “scene” seems to only exist in digital format. The only physical music she owns are vinyl hand me downs that serve as decorative filler for her Ikea Billy bookshelf. She rarely if ever supports her local indie music scene unless it is someone spinning records (see: itunes playlist) at a scenester bar.

Unable to make sales of her diy junk through her etsy store, she has set up shop at a number of craft fairs across the tri state area. Unfortunately everyone else was selling the same trite octopus necklaces, owl earrings and onesies she slapped together. Upset with the lack of enthusiasm towards her creations, she will later blog about it to an audience of spambots."

You can thank me later. First, check out more like these hilarious, but totally accurate posers here.

I Like You

Happy Valentines babe.

Not only do I lurv you, but I liiike you too!

So glad we're both here to share it.

Little Letters

Dear Sprout,

You have been growing now for 12 weeks and 1 day. Announcement of your coming made many, many people smile. I found out about you the morning of December 24th- a plus sign confirmed what I hoped and prayed for, unsure of my or your Papa's fertility. I savored our secret for a whole 24 hours, and surprised your Dad on Christmas Day with news of your arrival- a wrapped binki, tender kisses, and celebratory hugs.

You have treated me exceptionally well. People like to ask how I'm doing, and besides my very sore breasts, fish burps, and overwhelming fatigue (two hour naps along with regular bedtime have worked out great!), I haven't been sick. Everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am... "No morning sickness? No heartburn?" Nope- we treat each other right kiddo.

Your Papa is pretty sure you're a girl, and calls you by your name. It's such a good one too! You'll love it. I, on the other hand, only wish for your health and am happy if you're a boy or girl. We've seen you once, you did a little somersault and a black and white photo of you is displayed on the fridge. I think I'm starting to feel you flutter inside my belly, but it could be my imagination. I keep thinking that the weeks are going by slowly, and I'm ready to feel you kick and make my abdomen protrude. I'm excited to waddle with you inside me during the spring and summer months. We'll be helping people plant and grow their gardens, which is oddly ironic, don't you think?

I'm falling for you- in a motherly sort of way of course. You've been great company so far, keep up the good work! Much love from your Mama,

Mom

Sprout Beginnings

It's true! The Craftsman and I are having a baby! We can't stop smiling.

Excuse Me

Apparently I love YouTube.

But that's not important because the other day I saw this commercial and tracked it down on the internet. It's that important. Watch this video (please?) and then would someone explain to me...



what happened to freakin' Idaho?! Not only am I pretty offended, but my great Grandpa Vernal is rolling in his grave as I type. Watch out Lays, seriously. No one messes with the Idahoans.

Ever Noticed How?

Buying a book from Costco...


is almost as bad as reading a book 'cause Oprah said to.

I'm guilty and I feel dirty.

Lookin' Good

Of all of Anne Taintor's unmistakable pieces, this one is my favorite. And yours?

Going Home Again

Bible Belt

I just got back from an adventure-seeking trip with the Folklorist to eastern Tennessee. Man, I love these people. And just in case you don't already know... here's why this shirt is so awesome.

Afternoon Delight

Today while on Main Street in Springville, I saw this gal- mega marathon runner Lorie Hutchinson- running strong and steady with a crew of three other male runners and a modest camper following close behind with lights flashing. I beeped my horn with delight and then found out this is her cause. 18 marathons in 18 days... what a woman!