San Francisco – Day 1

I took Austin to San Francisco for the UEA weekend. We stayed in a little hotel right off Market Street near the Tenderloin and Financial District. Market Street is a little “shady” but it was a great hotel.

Our first evening there we walked to China Town from our hotel.

I loved all the fresh food markets, little bakeries, and all the “ma – pa grocery stores”. I was actually really grossed out by all the turtles in the fish markets though… gross!

After China Town we rode the Trolley to Lombard St “Crookedest Street”.

I absolutely LOVE all the tropical flowers of California!

I wish I could grow hydrangeas' like these, with no effort!

We then walked to Fisherman’s Wharf and ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant.

We caught the Trolley at the turn-around by Fisherman’s Wharf to go back to our hotel. The line was long, but it was a beautiful night and I loved spending the day with Austin. We were both exhausted and ready for sleep. Austin didn’t realize how much I liked to walk and see everything possible in the cities I visit. Day 1 was just the warm up.

Baby elephant, giraffe, and tigers – September 27, 2009

The zoo has babies!

…. And my favorite…. the male tiger! Oh my!! I’ve never seen him so active. He was roaring at the baby tigers. He is huge and incredibly beautiful!

Unexplainable

I was cleaning the house and wiping down the furniture and mirrors when I was a little startled by the face that was looking at me in the mirror, and it wasn’t my own.

Red Bud Tree

I’m always looking for new plants, shrubs, trees, and whatever else I can find to make our yard beautiful. I’ve wanted a Red Bud tree for a long time and I finally got one! For our fifth anniversary (which was in December 2008) Isik promised me my tree, he got it and planted it for me today.

Under our new tree is the final resting place of my very beloved friend, Laja.

I look forward to the beautiful magenta blooms in the spring and the red-green leaves in the summer.

Baby Elizabeth

Our friends, Billy and Shannen, lost their baby at 22 weeks gestation. Unfortunately the doctors were unable to stop Shannen from going into labor, and the doctors say Elizabeth’s heart beat twice after coming into this world.

Today was Elizabeth’s funeral. Her father painted her little casket, so she would have somewhere beautiful to rest. What a heartbreaking experience for their family and friends. But I cannot imagine the pain Billy and Shannen experienced.

Our hearts are breaking for Billy and Shannen and we grieve with them.