Thursday, August 13, 2009

Vacay Surrogacy

The other night I had a dream that my mom was a surrogate parent for me and almost full term. A few weeks before her due date, she calls me on the phone and tells me that she is in labor and the baby is going to be born within the hour. I rack my brain thinking how I can get there in time so I don't miss the birth of my own child and then sink as I realize there is no possible way I can be there on time--not by plane, train or automobile.

Do you think I am feeling anxious about missing out on my girls lives while my mom is watching them when I am in Switzerland and France in two weeks?

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Taking a Stab

The other day my boss calls me and asks me if I could "take a stab" at a project for her. Of course, I said "yes" because I don't think I have ever said "no" to my boss, ever--or in fact, to any boss, ever. I am just not wired that way. She then tells me as part of our contract renewal for our foster care and preventive services programs they would like to apply to start a Special Medical and Developmental Preventive Program and she wants me to write the proposal, this week. Yikes.

Initially, I was overwhelmed and in fact about five minutes after I sat down to start to write decided that I needed a nap first. Which I took yesterday, but I have been going strong all day today and am having the best time writing a program from the ground up. We are proposing to serve 100 kids in the Bronx and East Harlem with a staff of about 20 workers and I can be as creative as I want. Its basically a program that is intended to serve families who are at risk of their children going into foster care. To be eligible for the program either the parent of the child has to have a chronic or terminal illness, mental retardation or developmental disability or other special medical need.

If you have ideas for a program pass them on and better yet, if you have an idea for a program name pass that on too.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Everyday

Everyday life is creeping up on me and of late I am just loving it. Lovin' each detail just wash over me. I've always loved summers because it doesn't even matter if your routine has changed at all but life slows down. The longer days allow for more time to just be and do. My girls are filling up my hours and I can't seem to get enough of their company. It doesn't last forever and there are those moments, hours and sometimes even full days where it is all too much, too trying, but then on a dime,
you walk in to check on a sleeping baby and see this face
you stop for a roadside potty break and witness this wistful look in a windy field,
you return to the car to see this gummy grip through a dusty window,
you experience in tandem laughing,
your neice dresses your baby like this,
you hold a wiggly one on a warm beach for what feels like forever,
you experience a "frist" and then suddenly, suddenly, suddenly motherhood
becomes joyful again.

Friday, July 10, 2009

SYTYCD Kayla and Kupono

One more reason that I looooove SYTYCD. This dance is so intense and really portrays addiction intimately. I thought Kupono was being a little dramatic until I actually watched the dance, now I am cutting him some slack. Incredible.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

MJ 1958-2009

I was just checking blogs and feeling put out that no one seems to update their blogs anymore. Since I don't have that nifty app that tells me when everyone has updated their blog I have to laboriously check them one by one, one by one--disappointment upon disappointment. I was feeling pretty put out when I realized some of you may be put out too when clicking on my blog and finding the same old posts time after time. To appease the blog stalkers out there, this ones for you.

Part of the problem with blogging is finding things to blog about. Several blog ideas have popped into my head lately ranging from the prototypical posts--tribute to Dave on Father's Day (sorry babe, just didn't feel like it although you are a really good dad) and nostalgia from six, count 'em, six years of marriage--to reflective posts--memories of my youngest brother's cancer as a child (prompted by reading My Sister's Keeper) and my month with Jenna (my cute 11-year-old niece) who has reminded me of how amazing and carefree the time between childhood and teenage years can be. 

But today, I just can't get my mind off of Michael Jackson's death. I have always liked MJ (not the dangling baby, my best friend is a monkey or questionable sleep overs MJ, but the amazing music, dance and unbeatable performance MJ) and to date he gave the best concert I have ever been to. 

In honor of the MJ we know and love here are my Top Five MJ Moments:

1. Sixth grade--I purchase my first poster. MJ dressed in a yellow cardigan to match my yellow room. MJ technically becomes my first kiss as my friends and I would kiss him good night before going to sleep. Good times.

2. Freshman year, BYU-Hawaii--I have my first really good laugh at a Relief Society Lesson gone Bad (no pun intended) when the instructor plays Man in the Mirror when trying to drive home the principle of repentance.

3. Study Abroad--September 20, 1993, Tel Aviv, Israel. I see MJ in concert, stage center first row, me and 7000 of my closest friends jam are packed under the stars to see the King on his Dangerous tour. For any of you who have not been to an MJ concert, MJ appears out of nowhere and holds some iconic pose, perfectly still for what seems like five solid minutes, amidst fog and pyrotechnics while the crowd goes wild--WILD. Finally, with unbelievable speed, he breaks the pose and starts to dance. You can't get better than that.

4. Mission, Lyon, France--One of our investigators, Tina, throws a party for the missionaries and invites all her friends. At the party, the friends want to know how Americans dance. All the missionaries are a bit sheepish, except for one 110-pound Elder Barrett Morgan, who volunteers to dance, but first requests a hat as a prop. Tina can only locate a funeral pill box hat complete with a veil. Bay gives a perfect imitation of some classic MJ moves and then as his piece de resistance tips his head, pulls the hat over his face and expertly flings it to the side. The hat flies from his hand out Tina's 16th story apartment building window. 

5. Junior Year, BYU-Provo--my roommate Lianne comes home from a heart wrenching breakup in tears and asks solemnly, "Do you think God can speak to someone through Michael Jackson?". She then explains that post breakup she is driving home and feeling absolutely alone and starts to pray that God will be with her. A few moments later she turns on the radio and hears You're Not Alone.

And there are so many more stories and memories. Dave and Barrett, don't think I forgot about Central Park, NYC 2003 the best phone conversation ever. I'll miss you MJ you are part of the soundtrack of my life. 

Friday, June 19, 2009

Summer Beach Rental

I dreamed a dream that someday I would have a summer beach house and for the last three weekends it has gloriously come true. Let me just say that it is better than I could have imagined, so I want to share my summer secret with you. My husband's coworkers rented a condo in San Diego steps from the beach for the summer/early fall. They are not going to be able to use it all of the time so they want to rent it out on Craig's List. It is a great, I mean, fantastic deal so I thought I would post it here for you all to check out first. They are renting it for more on Craig's List so you all would be getting the insider deal. It is a sunny three bedroom, three full bathroom, fully furnished two story townhouse. There is a pool and hot tub in the complex and it is literally less than a private walk block (see path pic below) to the Del Mar beach, which is arguably one of the best beaches in San Diego. There is an outdoor patio and deck and BBQ. The back of the house borders an outlet to the ocean that is fantastic for the kids to play in (virtually no current). Also, the San Diego Fairgrounds are next door. The San Diego Fair runs for the rest of June and July and is not your basic mom-n-pop fair. They have tons of rides, animals, nightly weekend concerts, etc. Plus, this place is within walking distance of quaint, perfect, Del Mar--think Carmel-by-the-Sea style boutiques and amazing restaurants. There is also a world class golf course (Torrey Pines), horse racing, biking and running trails, farmer's market and nice surfing beaches nearby. I must put in a plug for the house watchers too, the Del Mar Beach has some incredible homes with fine architecture lining it. When we were strolling the beach I didn't know which direction to look. Did I say this place was incredible yet?

They are renting it for $150 a night, or $250 a night during the 4th of July week. There is a cleaning fee of $25 a night or $150 for a week, but if you promise to clean it well I could probably get that waived for you. Call me or email at johnstontara at hotmail dot com if you are interested. If a couple of you want to get together and rent the place they are fine with that too. We had three families in it the weekend before last and had a great time. If you need someone to accompany you, you just might be able to convince some 110 plus degree Desert dwellers to come along. Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.








Thursday, June 4, 2009

Book Club

I started a book club in April. This was a big step for me and part of my effort to make The Desert my home. I needed to be connected to not only people here, but to the future here so making a calendar of events one year out was a big deal. We met twice so far and both turned out great. I picked the first book and hosted the first one and then a different member of the book club picked a book for each month and will host for their respective month. Here are our picks for the year, in case you need some ideas for summer reading:

April Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See











May These is My Words by Nancy Turner











June My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult











July The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan











August The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer











September The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls











October The Red Tent by Anita Diamant











November The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins











January The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway











February Kane and Abel by Jeffery Archer











March The Life of Pi by Yann Martel











April Halsey's Typhoon by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin