Table for Eight

A memory of a not-so-really-really-good day: Brandon's exit. Survivor Caramoan. (c) CBS, Monty Brinton, 2012. One of the greatest "take-aways" from Survivor--for me--has been recognizing how truly fortunate we are I am to have my basic needs (shelter, water, food, freedom to choose, etc.) met on a daily (even hourly) basis. I mean, I think I was always a grateful person. Well, at least I hope I was. But since Survivor, I'm the kind of person who literally thinks, "How awesome is this toliet?" every time I walk into a bathroom now. Or the kind of person who wants to say out loud, "This water is crystal clear ... no diarrhea-fest today!" And I'm not being sarcastic. I literally mean it, "We are so blessed to have clean water and toliets." Anyway, my point! When your basic needs are met, life is so good. And then ... on days when you have your basic needs met AND  EXTRA amazing things happen, life is REALLY REALLY ...

Jr., Papaya, and Jay First things first: Papaya has a lapbelt on. We're all about the seatbelts. Second thing: I am so grateful for new days, for fresh starts, and for reasons to smile. Because every day begins brand new. Past hurts, mistakes, anger, injustices ... they are all wiped away each new day. That's right. Each day, begins anew. Brand new ... if you have the faith to just believe. And we do. Boy, do we ever. **** PS: Thanks to Susan in Florida for sharing her Pistachio Pie recipe with me. We made it Sunday and loved it: Pineapple Pistachio Heath Bar Cool Whip Pie * Graham cracker pie crust * 1 pkg pistachio jello mix (large) * 1 container Cool Whip (large) * 1 can crushed pinapple (large, undrained) * Heath candybar bits (handfull?) 1. Mix all ingredients, save 3-4 tbs of the Heath. 2. Fill pieshell. 3. Chill. 4. Serve with sprinkles of the remaining Heath. From our daughter, Bam--for Dre Dre.

Thanks Nae and Whitt. I love my new shirt. I am so thankful it's the weekend: this has been one helen of a week. BUT, the sun is shining--both literally and metaphorically. And it looks like our family is going to come out of this challenge stronger than we were before. So I'm taking a deep breathe and just being sincerely grateful the major stress seems to be behind us. (Until the next major stress. Hahahahaha.) Happy June 1. PS: I'm thinking I will post my Survivor Finale pix. under the "Survivor" tab on the blog come Monday. I heart Survivor and am always happy to answer questions about it OR to talk about it (if you run into me in Target--ha ha), but I'm feeling like it's a good time to start the next chapter of our lives ... post-Survivor. Hugs to you and yours. --Dawn PPS: Thank you to all of our friends/family for loving us during this super-stressful week. We were showered with dinners, treats, presents, and help with our kids....

Our dog, Harriet, asleep Survivor Finale' weekend--IN MY PARENT'S BED! We had no idea. Apparently our kids set this up--and Harriet didn't object. Sorry, mom and dad! I hope you all had a great weekend.  We di d! It was our first weekend without Survivor-related things in t hree+ years. (For reals : I was originally cast fo r season 21 /22, so w e've had Survivor in our lives for a looooonnnngg time ! ) I heart Survivor and the blessing it's been in our lives so very much , but it just feels so good to come back t o life as we know it . I have never loved doing laundry or dishes more. And I really mean that . So, until Tuesday, have a G REAT DAY . Much love to you and your s .   *****   PS: For all my friends and family who've been "worried " about us/me, please know , for every criticism someone has shared related to Survivor, I ' ve received at least two supports/love in kind. (Take that, internet c yber-bulli...

Camilla flower. As I sit and type this morning, the snow is falling here in Utah. It's h ard to believe that just yesterday we were in sunny California. We'd gone to celebrate my dad's 61st birthday (yes, I have young parents) and "do" Survivor stuff. It was a great trip. I hadn't been "on the road" since summer and the game, and I had forgotten how good it feels to have a change of scenery. I think it's good for your marbles. No? Here are some of the pictures we took on our trip. We were able to hike, visit, eat a lot of good food, see family, and of course, talk Survivor. Did you see Episode 2? Woo! That was a rough night.   What we saw on television was only the introduction to the outburst Cochran, Brandon, and I experienced. (Brandon has since apologized, PS.) Survivor is such a stressful game. I think as I watch from home even I forget that. I mean, we are hungry, HOT, tired, thirsty, dirty ... and playing a game with a...

(c) LaughingSquid.com It's hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since the 9/11 attacks. Like so many of you, I remember the details of that day so vividly. It was such an unbelievably horrible day.  Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day. Three thousand people.  That's 3,000 fathers, mothers, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, civil servants. And 3,000 families left with sorrow and loss and grief. It's just so hard to imagine HOW something like 9/11--or any major war/conflict/genocide-- happens. HOW and WHY do people, groups, nations ... go from being frustrated and angry to actually causing physical harm to those they are frustrated and angry with? (Yes, I'm ending the sentence with "with.") It seems impossible.  It's something I don't relate to at all: that kind of anger and intolerance. And yet, if I'm honest, the more I look at my own life, the more I realize that I don't always respond to situati...