24 hours

~ Sea of Girls ~

The same weekend the Mouse was flying down hills on the triathlon,

I was with 40+ AMAZING young women from church, mostly ages 12 to 18,

and the rest of the leaders that love and adore these girls as much as I do.

Our challenge? To read "the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ"

aloud, straight through in 24 hours - all five hundred and something pages of it!

I'll never forget the moment I walked in and saw this endless sea of girls...

all these smiling faces that I love so much, everyone taking turns reading aloud,

the sight of them all and the sweet feeling in the room nearly drove me to tears.  

I have to hand it to our faithful leader Kerrie and these undaunted girls.

The majority of them have sports, after school activities, work, AP classes -

in other words, they do so much and never get enough sleep as it is!

Bless their hearts, they still participated, ALL of them had a great attitude,

they tried sooo hard to stay awake the whole time, and they were SO. MUCH. FUN.

We had special guests come read to us several times, even during the wee hours,

 lots of support from moms with food, and Brenda's amazing house to hold us all. 

I became weary and tired in a physical sense of course,

but never once did I tire of looking around at these young women,

and listening to the sound of their voices, and watching them interact,

and seeing how much effort they were putting into this challenge -

even at times when they whispered or giggled or chatted a bit too loudly :)

And my fellow leaders, I love you all so much - you are wonderful.

Oh, look at WALKER... she thinks she's so spiritual, reading her...

hey WAIT! She's not reading her scriptures! She's TEXTING!

She's breaking the rules RIGHT in front of the girls... that WALKER...

Awww... Tori and Katherine - how cute are you guys!!!

And so early in the morning too - wow! :)

Me and Kat-Dog! Obviously I've had a rough night and need a diet Coke. 

Yeah, I know - weirdest pic ever! It looks like we're superimposed, heh -

I don't even remember who took this! We had been caught texting again :/

I just want to say, the whole activity was an awesome experience.

I felt like the Spirit was very strong with us the entire time, especially

at the beginning when I first walked in, and the end when the Bishop spoke

and Kerrie spoke, and we prayed together. I am so proud of all you girls :)

xoxoxo

nice triathlon

The Mouse turns 15 next week (!!!). For his birthday present,

he asked for a mountain bike so he could still do come cool riding

in between the times he gets to ride his motorcycle.

He did a lot of research and a lot of test riding in a lot of bike shops!

So here is one happy guy with his new Specialized mountain bike :)

I guess you could say he had to try it out for the camera...

(where is your helmet, Matthew James Walker?!?!)

Can you believe bikes come with actual disk brakes now?

I'm still trying to get over the shock that the Mouse is turning 15!

The reason we got Matthew's bike a bit early was so he could participate 

in the triathlon our church was having at Castaic Lake.

This group of boys/men are the participants from our congregation -

I've known all of them, except a few, for nearly their entire lives!

They are a terrific group of guys and leaders -

they did the whole triathlon, while Matthew did the biking segment only.

The biking segment has some gnarly hills that the participants had to 

run their bikes up instead of peddle. OY VEY. Nice job Matthew!

Fortunately though, he had ridden the course once before the race 

(thanks to those dedicated leaders I was talking about)

and he knew the places where he could get some insane speed!

He did really well and got first place in his age category - niiice!

Keep training Mouse - I'm proud of you for participating :)

tgif

Have a great weekend everyone!

Phil: "Not too early for one of these, I hope"

Lenny: "I'm thirsty"

so proud

~ For some things there are just no words ~

When Davy was in 1st or 2ond grade and came to me all dressed for church,

looking so sweet and handsome... and blinking his eyes a little more than usual...

perhaps I should have been concerned when I noticed he had put some mascara on.

Forward to Davy's high school years, when in his first band, he developed

a love of wearing eyeliner and performing in nothing but his spandex boxers.

More recently, in his current band, he has fortunately decided to wear clothes.

Yet one of his happiest moments was when a friend gave him his very own eyeliner.

Forward again to now, taking film classes in his second year at the local college,

while he waits to go back on his 2 year mission to Washington state.

His Cinematography class is shooting a scene from "Rocky Horror Picture Show"

and Davy has been asked to appear as Tim Curry. He jumped at the chance.

Here is our first indication that something is different.

He bought the fishnets and the shoes - 

he could hardly wait to get those shoes.

Janet, Brad, and the whole "Rocky Horror" gang.

Davy is rockin' his heels and loving it.

And then there was the corset fitting, which apparently was very important.

You just can't be too careful when assembling an outfit like this.

It's a good thing he's watched his girlish figure.

Plus there's the added bonus that the corset matches his chest hair.

Get ready for the entire outfit (drum roll please).......

YEOW! Davy, I just gotta say, you've got one GREAT pair of legs.

He does love the shoes ❤

114

Just look at this wonderful face. 

You all know I love human interest stories, and I ran across a great one yesterday. This is Walter Bruening, the oldest man in the world. That's right, in the world. Yesterday was his birthday. He turned 114 years old. 

Here he is celebrating his special day at the Rainbow Senior Living Home where he resides. Walter is somewhat of a celebrity. There are so many people wanting to come meet him and talk with him, the staff has to schedule appointments for him, or he would never have time to rest.

Walter showing a photograph of his elementary schoolhouse in Minnesota. 

Can you imagine all the things he has seen in his long life?

~

There were many articles written about Walter yesterday, but I found 2 I liked that seemed to be more personal:  

MONTANA HEADLINES

Walter Breuning celebrated on 114th birthday

Posted: Sep 21, 2010 2:22 PM by Fred Pfeiffer, Tim McGonigal - KRTV (Great Falls)
Updated: Sep 21, 2010 7:57 PM

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GREAT FALLS - A birthday party for the ages on Tuesday afternoon in Great Falls, as Walter Breuning celebrated his 114th birthday.

Among his accomplishments are being the oldest living man in the world and the fourth-oldest person on the earth.

Governor Brian Schweitzer, a fact-checker for the Guinness Book of World Records, and fellow Masons were among the honored guests who helped Walter celebrate another milestone.

Breuning made a speech to the assembled guests, and among his pearls of wisdom: "Teach me still to be thankful for life...if you can remember me only with tears, then don't remember me at all...to get the most out of life, we should enjoy what we have accomplished."

Walter was born in Melrose, Minnesota in 1896, and took a job with the Great Northern Railway in 1913, moving to Great Falls five years later.

He was active in the Masons until the age of 99 and was a manager at the Rainbow Senior Living Facility - which he still calls home - until well past the age of 90.

Breuning is officially listed in the 2011 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest living man; he inherited the title after the passing of Henry Allingham of England in July 2009.

Walter is only the sixth man ever documented to reach the age of 114; about 70 women have reached the milestone.

He's among the top 100 oldest people of all time, coming in at number 78.

And Robert Young, an expert on gerontology and a fact-checking consultant for the Guinness Book of Word Records, says Walter is in elite company when it comes to living a long life.

Young noted, "He's a man. Nine out of ten people that are aged 110 are females, and by age 112 it's 92% female. By age 115, 95% (are) female. So for him to be getting up there in the 114 range is getting to a range where very few males have ever reached that age."

---

GREAT FALLS - Walter Breuning of Great Falls is celebrating his 114th birthday, and the whole world is celebrating.

A birthday party for the world's oldest living man got underway on Tuesday afternoon at the Rainbow Senior Living Center in downtown Great Falls.

Among the attendees are Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records.

Breuning was born in 1896, the same year that Utah became a state. He has been honored throughout the years for his civic involvement and profiled on many TV shows and magazines, including CBS News last year when he celebrated his 113th birthday.

Walter inherited the title of Oldest Living Man after the passing of Henry Allingham in England in July 2009.

Breuning is the oldest undisputed American-born man ever, and is currently the 7th oldest man ever. He is one of only five men in history to undisputedly reach 114 years or more of age.

Montana Senator Jon Tester released the following statement to commemorate Walter's milestone: "Sharla and I join many proud Montanans in sending our congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Breuning. Born when our state was still a fledgling rough-and-tumble frontier, Mr. Bruening has seen most of the Treasure State's fascinating history unfold firsthand. Through 22 Montana governors, 21 U.S. presidents, two world wars, and the dawn of automobiles and airplanes-Walter has experienced it all. His long life has shaped Montana tremendously. Mr. Breuning is a living treasure himself, and today we all celebrate another notch in his remarkable life."

Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus introduced a resolution on the Senate floor today honoring Walter. Below is the text of Baucus' resolution is attached. The Senator's complete floor statement follows below:

"Mr. President, today I am introducing a resolution honoring Walter Breuning, the oldest living man in the world. Walter is celebrating his 114th birthday today. He was born in Melrose, Minnesota on September 21, 1896 and moved to Great Falls, Montana in 1918 while working for the Great Northern Railway. Walter is still a proud resident of Great Falls and delights fellow residents, staff, and visitors at The Rainbow Senior Living home."

"Despite all the honor and attention bestowed upon him for being the oldest living man in the world Walter is very humble. He has worked hard all his life and advises others to do the same. Walter began working for the Great Northern Railway at the age of 16 and gave 50 years of service to the railway. When he retired in 1963 Walter didn't stop working; he began a second career, one that would last until he was 99, as the manager and secretary of the Great Falls Shriner's Club. Community service has been a big part of Walter's life and when he visits with young people he encourages them to give back to their communities. Walter is a 33rd Degree Mason, the most advanced level for that fraternal organization."

"Walter has practiced healthy habits all his life, and those have contributed greatly to his longevity. He has eaten only two meals a day for the past 30 years and says he is most grateful for his good health over the years. These healthy habits have helped Walter live life to the fullest. He enjoys visiting with the many folks that come from all over to hear the insights of the oldest living man in the world."

"I am proud to join today with folks from around Montana and across the world in wishing Walter a very happy birthday. He is a great ambassador for our state and I thank him for all his community involvement and service over the years. He truly represents the best of Big Sky Country."

Walter being presented with one of the Freemason's highest honors, the Freemason's Gavel

Walter talking about his life and today's day and age. The world needs more Walters. Happy 114th Walter :) 

*all photos credit Associated Press and/or Getty Images

in the pink

Okay, seriously? We all know how much I like pink. But even I was stunned after realizing how many pink flower photos I've been working on for my Zagg skins! Some pics I've used for note cards before but I'm redoing them. Some pics I've had but have never used. Some pics are new and I'm finally getting around to spiffing them up! And the funny thing is, I already have some pinky things on Zagg, and I actually have some more pink coming!

So yeah, I'm definitely in the pink :) 

here's a pink rose for Cindy ❀

gold

Lauren & I have been friends since we were 12. We met in the 7th grade in junior high. We were instant friends. We lived at each others' houses on weekends. Sleepovers, music, boys, dances, swimming, friends... so fun.

But our friendship lived on over the years. I moved, she moved. I married, she married. I had kids, she had kids. 

I moved again, she moved across the country!!! It was much harder to stay in touch and we drifted a bit.

We saw each other precious few times, and a lot of years went by. A LOT. But through it all, we stayed in touch.

Our love was always there. Our kids grew up - how did that happen? A lot has changed. Sometimes I look at our old photos or I go through all our silly notes we wrote to each other way back in junior high. They make me laugh. 

So many of us from way back then are still in touch, and it means a great deal to me - to both Lauren and I.

The saying goes "make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, and the other is gold". How very true.

 

❤ So at the beginning of this week my golden friend came to see me ❤

To say it was one of the best days of my life would be an understatement - and of course it went by way too fast.

We just hung out together like old times. We listened to music. We caught up face to face this time. 

We ate In-N-Out. We drank a little too much diet Coke with vanilla (sorry Laur). We couldn't talk fast enough.

Some of what we said was much the same as it was all those years ago, and there was a lot of laughing involved.

Some of what we said reflected the things that occur during so many years of living life, and what you do with it.

All of what we said somehow had a lot of gratitude involved in it, that we were watched over and blessed.

And then there was our love still, which was as strong - stronger - than all our years and miles apart.

❤

*For more on Lauren and her amazing talent, click -----> HERE!!! 

out of character

Out of character for me anyway. To post a movie trailer on my blog. Not that I don't like movies. Oh, I do. And not that I don't like Johnny Depp. Ohhhhhhhhh, I dooooooooooo. But I typically don't like suspense. Me trying to watch "Disturbia" was like a spectator event for the people I was watching it with. I typically don't like people being murdered all over the place. I typically don't like adventure either. And it's not a complicated plot that puts me off - look at what a *genius* film "Inception" was, for example. Speaking of which, I appreciate a film even more if it has a terrific cast, thoughtful character development, and perfect timing of comic relief (best example: the "Ocean's 11/12/13" series). 

But what it comes down to time and time again, it seems, is one annoying fact: the majority of adventure/suspense films have so much confounded, infernal, nonstop shooting - at a very LOUD volume - it drives me absolutely insane!!! So you can call me a wimp if you like. Whateves. But I found it necessary to go the way of the romantic comedy years ago, and I've never looked back. This world has too much shooting already. Like real shooting. It's too much for me. Matthew goes to high school with kids who get arrested for carrying knives and hatchets or drugs and liquor - or have robbed kids before they even get to school. I'm fine escaping to my little world of romantic comedy, thank you very much. I'll take Johnny Depp in "Chocolat".

~ rant over ~

Back to Johnny Depp in this trailer. And how it's out of character for me to post a movie trailer on my blog - specifically an action/suspense type thriller like this one. Well...... let me just say. I watched it once, turned up the volume, watched it again, refrained from watching it a third time because everyone was asleep and I knew I was already in danger of waking up sleeping people....... but I thought 'Now THIS, I have GOT to see!!!' - that's how *awesome* it looks to me :) So in other words, you could probably have watched this trailer 4 or 5 times by now instead of hearing me go 'Oh, I'm Megan and I'm such a movie critic - blah, blahhh, blahhhhhhhh'....... but in any case, here is the trailer for "THE TOURIST". I hope you enjoy it, because if you don't you're a FREAK. 

for Paula

Today my heart is with my dear, long-time friend Diana, and her very large extended family, as they say their final farewells to Diana's sister Paula. Paula passed away last Tuesday after a battle with cancer such as I have never seen. In all my days, I have never known anyone to have to endure such misery and suffering as Paula had to endure over the last year and a half. To see Diana and Paula's family go above and beyond countless times to do everything possible to help Paula was touching, and humbling, and inspiring - and at times excruciating. My love and prayers have been with them every step of the way, and will continue to be. I can only imagine how much they will miss Paula - wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma...... but of course I know they look forward to the day when everyone will be reunited again. I am grateful Paula was able to pass away peacefully, surrounded by her family, and I am relieved to my very core that she is finally, finally free from the awful misery she endured.

❤

hair & hipsters

Yes, it is I. I'm just puttin it out there and gettin it over with. 

Those of you who are Facebook friends of mine, will recall that several days ago, in a fit of sheer madness, 

I cut my hair because I wanted more layers. I nearly creased four ways when I not only got the layers I wanted, but what looked suspiciously like a mullet as well. And had no one to blame but myself, 

since I was the genius wielding the very sharp professional cutting shears. 

Luckily (I use that term oh so very loosely), after blow drying my new mullet, to my surprise and relief, I found I had narrowly escaped that decade, and instead looked as if I was on my way to see Heart in concert. 80's rocker chick hair vs. a mullet? Seriously? I will take the 80's rocker chick hair, thank you very much. (Hmmm... where IS my lighter anyway?) Which really wouldn't be that bad - after all, "Dog and Butterfly" is one of my fave songs. 

Actually, I have to come clean: this photo was taken Sunday morning, and it turned out better than I had anticipated. At least I look human, if not a little pissed off. The first time I blow dried my hair, I looked more like I was going to a Van Halen concert. Because I was seriously rocking Edward Van Halen's BIG HAIR. Davy even tried not to laugh, but try as he might, he could not hold it in. At that moment I knew I was pretty much doomed. So yes, the boys have been making jokes all weekend. But I'm bound and determined to make my new Ann Wilson hair work. The thing about hair is that is grows. So see? There's my silver lining (or in my case, white).

~

Onto some fun stuff: HIPSTERS! 

Have you seen the site ----------->   :( UNHAPPY HIPSTERS ???

If not, oh my gosh, you just gotta go there! It's a Do Not Miss! It's a definite "I gotta bookmark this!"

It's one of those funky, GENIUS sites that I've been meaning to show you for some time now.

It's hipsters making fun of their own way of living - you know: modern, clean lines, retro, mid-century modern.....

but they take it so above and beyond making fun of themselves, you start to wonder..... wait, do I even get this?

You have to look for the littlest things, what the photo is "filed under", subtle things inside the photo.....

some are easy to laugh at, some are guffaw funny, some are "what are they talking about?", some are meh...

If you love it, great! If you don't, the world will keep turning, I promise :) Just check it out for fun -

If you want to see the captions that go along with these cool pics, ya gotta go to Unhappy Hipsters! tee hee :)