TOFW 2022

(November 11-12th, 2022)

Once upon a time, a whole group of friends went to Time Out for Women. It was amazing and they decided to do it again. And then...COVID. 

So fast forward THREE years and we were finally able to go again. It was magical of course. There is something so renewing about being together with faithful, funny women, eating good food, and being inspired by knowledgeable speakers. 

Because of work, I went down a little later than usual. Everyone was already down there and I had to drive by myself. Boo. Actually, I really don't mind a good solo drive. It's a great time to catch up on audio books, but I was a little tired and resorted to trying a lot of things to stay awake. I installed Be Real on my phone while driving. Nothing like trying to figure out an app to keep you awake.

I arrived Friday morning and we still had plenty of time to play before the event started in the evening. First up, we went to lunch at Angelica's. I highly recommend. I've been there a couple times. It isn't too expensive and the food is delish.

Then we went hiking around Pioneer Park. I have come pretty close to that place, but we only made it as far as the Red Hills Desert Garden which is nearby. This was my first exploration and it was so cool. There are so many places to hike around with plenty of interesting sights. 

We ended up over by 'The Crack' which is a very narrow split in the rock that runs for about 40 yards. It is not for everyone. Even as I watched Brooke climb up, I was having reservations, but I followed dutifully. It is right off the lower parking lot. There is a nice little path up and then it whittles down to a very tiny space. Are you sure Brooke??

The tightest spot is towards the beginning, so if you make it past that, you can make it all the way. Check your claustrophobia at the door, since that won't help you while you shimmy up the path.

There's a little grotto part way up that was fun to stop at and take a picture.

Then we reached the top and popped out. Wow, I was so impressed with us. That was an experience.

Back at home, we had a little more time before the evening event, so we played some Pickleball. I didn't bring active wear since I wasn't thinking, but the ladies loaned me attire and we had a great time playing. It was a pretty even match, unless you count the sun in Deanne and Brooke's eyes the whole time. Or my racket which gave up somewhere along the way, but I kept playing with it anyway. (It worked better than my hand.) Such a fun time.

Then we had the evening classes. I feel like the first night is more entertainment than speaking. Calee Reed was there again and I love her music and her insights. She is very real about her life and some of the stories I've heard before, but it was great to hear them again.

After we went back to the condo, Sunny arrived and we played some fun games. Brooke introduced us to a new game, which didn't have a name. We ended up calling it Weasel. I looked it up later and it's called the Vegas Dice Game, but that does not describe it well enough. These ladies are so fun to hang out with.

Lots more classes the next day. There were some amazing speakers and I was able to think long and deeply about my relationship with the Savior. The theme was Christ shall give thee light and many of the speakers used light analogies to tell their stories. It was really great. Everything from blinds that we put up ourselves to disco balls that light the way!

There was a break midday for lunch. Brooke is so good about using Doordash to get our stuff delivered.

We almost forgot to get our group picture. The line was so long when we went over that we grabbed the signs by the info desk and took one there, instead of by the backdrop. I love it. (Top row: Stephanie, Kellie, Maleen, Deanne, Deborah, Brooke, and Sunny. Bottom row: Becca. :)

It was basically the best weekend with the best girlfriends! I adore these ladies. I took a group home Saturday night since Becca had to speak in church on Sunday morning. But we stopped for dinner before we left, at Morty's. Wow, that was delicious and the scone fries were amazing! Let's do it all again next year, barring any other unforeseen pandemics...

November Chatbook 2021

Lettuce wrap up November from LAST YEAR! It feels good to get some closure. 

I got a picture of my library display for October, which drifted into November. You can't see any of it very clearly, but it says on top: Explore new worlds...READ. And there are planets and stars on the windows. 

This is when I got my new phone! Pearl and I were trying out some settings on the camera. That is the main reason I got the phone I did. I really love the camera.

I had forgotten to take a picture of the window in October, but it was cool and creepy. I loved the bloody handprints.

June showed up on the missionary wall at the Stake Center. She hadn't left yet, but they already printed her card. I actually love to walk by there and see June's card. I always stop and say hi and blow her a kiss. (Yep, I'm one of those crazies.)

Ally Warner got married! Her sister Ashleigh got married just a couple months before and now it was her turn. She looked so lovely. It's crazy to think she was maybe 12 when we moved in across the street. Time flies and girls turn into beautiful women.

Here's some Nova love.

I don't know if you have been paying attention to Daisy's epic gap in her teeth. Because of her expander, it just kept getting bigger and bigger. I'm not sure she looks back at these pictures with fondness, but I think they are cute.

Three chicas on their phones.

June was still busy working at Color Me Mine. She was such a hard worker...they loved her. She was great at glazing and sometimes had so much to do. 

She took Isaac on a date there. They doubled with a friend she works with and they made cute plates.

This is Tyler and I watching Robyn's marching band performance. I forgot to include this picture in that post, but we look so cute. It was freezing.

Karen and Mark got married? Wait, maybe they just had a reception since I think they had been married for a year. Yes, that sounds right. Because of Covid they celebrated a little late. Karen looked so lovely and it was fun to see how happy they are.

Tyler took June and Isaac shooting. There were some other people there, but I can't tell who they are from the backs of their heads. So you just get a couple pictures of the two I know.

Tyler spent all last year making lunch bags for Pearl. She usually packed her own lunch, but he always made the bag. Naturally, he did Dad jokes. He has dozens and dozens of pictures, but I just chose a couple to showcase.

We played beat saber in Idaho and I think that was the start of Tyler really considering getting the Oculus, which we have now.

I feel sort of terrible not doing an actual post for Robyn and Daisy's last recital. The video was kind of soft, so I'm just showing this picture. They both decided to stop doing piano lessons after the end of the year. I think they really enjoyed their time with Richard. He was awesome. The actual recital was really cool. Daisy sang and played Cleanse You by Calee Reed and Robyn played the long version of a Nightmare Before Christmas song. They both did great.

Pearl's hair almost looks like a donut from this angle. It looks so 70s.

Robyn did some very interesting art during her senior year. She burned things, she grew things, and she let them mold and wither. I'm not sure what the theme was for her endeavors. Perhaps something to do with the cycle of life.

That's it for right November. (last year)

Strings in the Winter

(November 30th, 2021)

We are headed back to the past again today. This post is short since we can't record more elite concerts. They don't allow that. So when we went to listen to June play at her BYU concert, we knew we were only getting a few pictures.

Looking back, we were still wearing masks. Yuck. But it was fun to go visit my old stomping ground. Welcome to the De Jong Concert Hall. Can you see June up there?

Okay, that's a little far back. You can try again...

If you haven't spotted her, we'll help out. Check out the fluffy hair. It's one of my favorite things about her.

She took a picture backstage. What a cutie.

The concert was really good and I think we all managed to stay awake. No small feat at an orchestra concert. :)

And then a picture after. I think Robyn ran to the bathroom and we missed her. 

Always nice to remember June. And I admit that I really miss listening to her play the violin. That is one thing I'm looking forward to when she gets back.