There are a couple of blogs I stalk written by people I do not know. I ran across them randomly and have continued to look because of the beautiful photos. A little blogger voyeurism. http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/ and http://karenrussell.typepad.com/ are two of my regular favorites. Maybe one thing that attracts me is that both these women have created a space where they can enjoy creating and sharing what they do and make money at the same time to support their bad habits. Reading their blogs gives me a sense that I am missing out on my new version of "La Dolce Vita." I am loathe to admit this but I don't find as much joy as I used to in the career girl life. I want to nest and make pretty things.

I am devolving. I find as I get older that I no longer ache for a million dollar sale but get a huge sense of satisfaction from finished a crocheted baby quilt or making hand sewn booties.

Years ago as I was experiencing the thrill of being Top Rep, I was once given a fashion citation by our proposal department. I made some insensitive remark about how the members of the team joining me at a bidders conference would need to dress appropriately (power suits, no Laura Ashley). My intensity at wanting to control all--and I do mean ALL-- of the aspects of the sale was comprehensive.

Today, I want the freedom to wear tent dresses, volunteer at the school, garden and do crafts. Heaven forbid but the day I start craving geneology will be a day of total surrender.

Never make fun of others choices, soon enough you will find yourself enjoying that which you previously mocked hoping-relying on your friends dwindling memories.

Sidebar: Watched the Mrs. World Pagaent the other night at 1 am. One of the country contestants was 23 years old with no children. To me, that is not a Mrs. Anything. Some friends and I decided that you should not be eligible to compete unless you could prove that at some point in your life you need an elastic waistband.

I do by the way have many choices and am afforded a very comfortable blessed life but if reincarnation is real, expect to see me wearing comfortable shoes at some craft fair, my hair in a scrunchy looking down at the women who squeeze into suits--enduring the pain and discomfort of serious lycra foundations.

Enough for now...love to all.

This post is dedicated to April Brunsvik. April has joined us from Salt Lake for a month or so to...play with my children...organize my home...teach good moral values to our family...clean the car.. and generally meet all the previously unmet needs in the Tate home. I told a colleague in my office that I finally have a wife. She is soooo helpful. And since I know her mama is missing her I wanted to post a few pics.

We love having April with us. She even got Spencer outside to play a bit of basketball. Thanks, Brunsviks for loaning us your lovely child.

Enough for now...love to all.

We are so lucky to have April Brunsvik staying with us. I took some pictures of her and the kids at a nature trail. I will post soon.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that we need to see more of CA while we live here. So a week or so ago, Doug and I loaded up the kids and went to check out Chinatown.

Chinatown consists mostly of small shops with cheap stuff and a couple of arches and monuments thrown in for flavor.

This gentleman snoozing at the Bra stand could easily have been Doug.

I bought two Sunday smocks for $12.

Michaela purchased this entire Kabuki ensemble for under $10. She had of course, been more interested in the swords available.

We then walk to a local Buddhist temple. It was on our tourist map. Upon entering we looking for the equivalent of the Mormon missionaries to share with us why there were large piles of fruit everywhere and how the incense and candles play into Buddhism. No one spoke English and we ended up feeling a little intrusive. Finally, a very nice man from Laos walked us around and explained a few things. We always think we have the market cornered on Temple ritual.

So interesting the process of getting an answer to prayer.

You bring an offering, ask your question and get an answer from a number carved into wooden sticks in a shaker. You then go to the wall and find the appropriate corresponding numbered message that contains your answer.

Call me lazy but I will take the still, small voice any day.

Overall, an interesting day.

Enough for now...love to all.