Long before I was born...

I'm a day late, but as of yesterday my parents have been married for thirty years. And keep in mind, that doesn't include the six years they dated. I'm pretty lucky.

I love this photo.

My mom in January of 1976, two and half years before she married my dad. Is she gorgeous or what?

He looks so collegiate.

This was in August of 1976 at a friend's wedding. What were they wearing?!

Note: I think my parents would have my head if they knew I put this on here, so let's keep it our little secret.

Also: I figured out how to use my scanner so there's no stopping me now!

Things I love about staying with my Aunt and Uncle...

unlimited supply of soda pop. yes, i said soda pop--that's what happens to me when i'm surrounded by trees, eat all of my meals outside, and can walk in to town.

i'm currently dating the stairmaster. its very convenient--he has the room next to mine

the stairs down to the basement are lined with baseball caps.

family meals.

there's a foosball table in the basement. ummm...what more does a girl need?

The Lake Meets the Sky

I think the Lake is going to swallow Chautauqua whole. Perhaps this is the apocalypse. But I must say...I love the sound of rain--perhaps more than anything in the world and this morning is no exception.

On The Waterfront...

Inner Tubing is really hard on the knees

It would seem Bobbo is better at the self-photo shoot than I am

If you look closely you can see he's adjusting those teeny swimming trunks

Well, we made it. Around eleven Bobbo picked me up on a dock in front of the casa. It never rained, I have a hunch he was just really tired. In the end time wasn't an issue. We had a blast. Wakeboarding, or rather the attempt, and then tubing have left my body barely able to move. Well, that and the sun, despite my bullfrog sun tan lotion. Now I'm covered in Aloe Vera.

I have to say that when I get in a funk, there's nothing like an active day to pull me out of it. Bobbo, Jeff, and Brian all patiently endured my girlish squeals. You would have thought I'd never seen water before, or been on a boat--and these are boys that live here year round. Archie, as Bobbo calls him, didn't join us because of school work, but we had fun nonetheless. We had barbecue burgers, danced on the front of the boat, and skinned our knees. Ahh, life is good.

Chautauqua II

Babbo says it [the sky] looks kinda ominous. But its 5:30, I'm wide awake and desperate to get on a boat, despite the slight burn I got yesterday (damn my pasty, white skin). So instead I'm up, waiting it out, trusting his informed opinion, and writing this. Boat or sleep. Boat or sleep. But I'm afraid if I go back to sleep I'll miss the boat entirely. I'll sleep through the text that will say its a go and all will be lost for a year.

I love the water. To a point. I get spooked knowing that a whole world thrives beneath me, but I can't see it. However, nature has that undeniable pull that rebirths us into childhood each day we're willing to surrender to its beauty. It was Frank Lloyd Wright who said, "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."