Shoe Obsessed

We had a wonderful weekend full of food for our mind, body, and spirits.  Girls had a four day weekend, and it was wonderful to be together!  Our church has been building a temple for several years.  Our temples are sacred houses of worship to us, and the construction was finally completed recently, and this weekend was when it would be dedicated as a house of worship.  We believe these beautiful building are actually the House of our Lord.  So in preparation for the dedication services on sunday, there was a wonderful cultural celebration the evening before. Our youth have worked so hard in sacrifice and preparations.  And it was a truly magnificent night of celebration. Singing, dancing, celebrating the rich history of this beautiful place.  Just before it began, the sun began to set over the stadium and it was a truly magnificent sight to behold.  The full moon would rise on one side,  with the beautiful mountains behind us, and I was stru...

Before catching a flight, I caught up for lunch with L again.  She gave me a tour of my old office building at the SP that has been renovated recently. Got to check out her office And the bathrooms!  Which you can only comprehend if you were to have seen the deplorable before.   These stairs I have carried countless car seats up and down.  And spent many pregnant days ascending them laboriously in heels.   Eventually I would pour myself onto a plane.  Coming home to the babies I miss most of all.  The TSA agent would as "how are you", look at me and just hand me a tissue.  But mostly the tears were joy.  For memories of arriving as a couple, flying "home" alone with teeny tiny Boo to introduce a new baby to loved ones in the west, dropping a husband off to start a new job in the west... and then finally arriving with one very old dog, and seeing her through security, tending to her a just as tenderly as we were to our breaking hearts.  S...

Up early to hit the Scituate Art Festival with Christine Breakfast with friends at the GF I DREAM about this Eggs Benedict on a regular basis.  I have yet to find a suitable replacement meal.   Caught some time with K Matunuck Oyster Bar For a Key Lime Pop Enjoyed most joyously at the BEACH

Met L for a rainy day breakfast in South County.  Hurricane Matthew didn't give us a direct hit, but provided an amazing show of coastal rain all day.  My FAVORITE~! Had pizza from the MOST AMAZING little pizza oven made from beach stones.   Stopped to admire the rock art at Narragansett And the Coast Guard House, scene of my goodbye party five years ago.  A bittersweet memory for sure.  More sweet than bitter.  A love filled night with friends and love that I will remember forever. Headed to the BRADY IS BACK party with my dear friends in Boston. Where the company and Beth's (Ina) mac & cheese were the main draws.  Pats won! And again on the way back to my hotel to snuggle my favorite littles in their cozy house before bed.  There may have been more ice cream.

Got up early to head to Newport. I've driven over this bridge countless times.  Alone, with carseats and strollers, with my parents, in the Safe Kids van.  And never.  NOT ONCE did I ever stop being amazed and delighted with the good fortune that this was MY ACTUAL LIFE!  Newport. My 40th Birthday was here at The Mooring surrounded by love and friendship.  It was and still is, one of the loveliest day of my entire life.  A life I had build from the ground up here.  I would learn just days later I would be leaving it.  Which makes the memory even sweeter as it was not yet tinged with the agony and heartbreak of leaving it all behind.  Little did I know that I wouldn't leave it all for ever.  I'm back a lot.  And those friendships have changed and strengthened in ways I could never have seen.  I feel so truly blessed. "Brunch on the balcony overlooking the bay"... Just as those invitations read five years ago.  So special to...