Two Trips Down, One to Go!

Well, as I mentioned before, I'm quite busy this summer. There will be no rest for the weary until August! So far, I've been to Romania, London, and Spearfish, South Dakota. Woo Hoo!!!! I leave tomorrow for Australia for three weeks Down Under, as well as a big birthday celebration for my grandma who will be 90 in a couple of weeks. I just wanted to post some pics from the last month or so to give you an idea of what I've been up to. . . Hope y'all have been having Fun in the Sun! :)

1st trip: ROMANIA
My first shot from St. Gheorghe, Romania
The chapel start in Valea Mare.

Kids LOVE Bubbles!
Ah, the neighbors. . . chatting it up across the fence. Just like home?
Bringing in the Hay. We saw wagons loaded like this one every day. It really is amazing to see the mix of worlds. . . at one moment the people are working the fields with homemade tools, the next they're on their cell phones. Crazy.

A little work on the chapel.
The all-important OUTHOUSE. . . an essential on any job site.
Acting out the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. . . Kids loved it. . . and me too!
Lots of storks in Romania.
And, the finished Chapel. 5 days of hard work and the finished product--sure gives a sense of accomplishment.

So, on the way home from Romania I stopped in London to see my cousin Tom and his family. They live in a quaint little English village and I had a wonderful time experiencing English life. Tom and I even had the chance to spend a day in Cambridge where the university itself is 800 years old. Pretty cool. Here are a few pictures from my stay.

Summertime!

Well, it's been awhile since I've had time to blog. . . but I had to tell you all about my week of "work." My dad drove to Kansas a little over a week ago and we spent 6 days working tirelessly (okay, so my dad worked a lot harder than I did) on building a deck on my house. There was a small 4x8 porch attached to the house, but it was rotting and not too attractive. So, my pops came in and quickly designed a deck that would give me a little more space, but wouldn't protrude too far out into my yard. Anyway, I won't talk it to death; you can see for yourself the before and after shots.




So, these are the before pics. . . and now, the after. . .




What do you think?

I won't have much time to enjoy it this summer though. . . I'm headed to Romania this week with a brief stop in London on my way home. Then it's South Dakota for FCA basketball camp. And finally, Australia for three weeks in July with my mom and two good friends. I'll try to keep y'all updated with pictures after (or during) each trip. Have a wonderful summer!! Stay cool.

Not Spring Yet. . .

In my last post I believe I mentioned that Spring had arrived. The daffodils were out, the weather was warming, and then. . .well, SNOW!!! This afternoon I went to the movies with some friends. When we walked out of the theatre there was already 3 inches on the ground. I've always loved the snow and it's beautiful, but it's messy. And my biggest gripe. . .couldn't wait 'til a school day?!? :) How do you like the look of my daffodils now?



Last week I went to Arizona to visit my aunt and uncle. It was an awesome few days of golf, spring training baseball, and relaxation. I even got to see the Royals win in a victory over the White Sox. (Which I hope might happen frequently this summer?) Here are just a few pics from my trip.


Here's my aunt, knocking a straight shot right down the middle! SWEET. We both improved with each round during the week and had a fabulous time on the course. I absolutely need to get out and play more often if I'm going to keep up with her.






Go Royals!

Spring!

When I was a little girl my mom used to recite poetry to me from memory. One particular favorite was "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," by William Wordsworth. I loved that poem as a kid and even memorized it myself. So this morning, when I went out for an early morning run and my daffodils had bloomed over night I was transported back in time. I can hear her now. . .


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

I love the reminder the daffodils bring me every time I walk out the front door. Hope y'all have a brilliant spring!

Sporadic Brain Drain

One of my favorite sports columnists is Rick Reilly. I love his insight and his take on, not just the athletes and the games, but the overall culture of sport. Anyway, he has a couple of "gimmicks" that he uses on his website that I might just "borrow" for the Mardy Party; Excellent Intramural Team Names and Things I Yell at the TV are two that I particularly enjoy.

Just this evening I was watching one of those Rosetta Stone (Language Learning) commercials. You know, the ones. And I found myself actually paying attention to what the spokesman was blabbing on about and was slightly amazed/amused. Did you know that the NASA astronauts use Rosetta Stone? I didn't either, so I asked the TV, "Who are the astronauts carrying on a conversation with? Aliens? And if so, exactly what language do aliens speak?" Obviously I didn't get an answer, but don't you wonder things like that? I do.

One Word

A little while ago, I received an email with this "One Word" activity and then I saw it again on another blog not long ago. So, I thought I'd share it with you. Pythagoras said, "Do not say a little in many words, but a great deal in a few." I think this activity says a great deal about a person . . .maybe more than an entire essay. What does it say about me? Well, that's anyone's guess. :)

One Word:
1. Where is your cell phone? .....................pocket
2. Your significant other? .....................waiting?
3. Your hair? ......................................curly
4. Your mother? ..................................genius
5. Your father? .................................rock-solid
6. Your favorite? ..................................basketball
7. Your dream last night? .......................odd
8. Your favorite drink? .........................Mt. Dew
9. Your dream/goal? ............................marriage
10. What room are you in? .....................living
11. Your hobby? ......................................sports
12. Your fear? .....................................loneliness
13. Where are you in 6 years? ................motherhood?
14. Where were you last night? .................couch
15. Something that you are not? ...............frivolous
16. Muffins? .........................................calories
17. Wish list item? ...............................championship
18. Where you grew up? ........................Wyoming
19. Last thing you did? ..............................church
20. What are you wearing? ......................sweats
21. Your TV? ..........................................nifty
22. Your pets? ..........................................none
23. Friends? .......................................stellar
24. Your life? ......................................improving
25. Your mood? ...................................peaceful
26. Missing someone? ..........................sister
27. Car? ..........................................Subaru
28. Not wearing? ...............................jewelry
29. Your favorite store? .......................Borders
30. Your favorite color? ...........................forest
31. Place you go over and over? ..............school
32. Favorite place to eat? ..........................see #14 :)
33. Favorite food? ...............................Mexican

Where to Begin?

Well, after diligently following the blogs of friends and family for a few years, I thought to myself. . . perhaps I should give it a try. I don't really have a "hook" or an "angle," but maybe the name says it all. Whenever I have people over or organize an outing, my friends call it a Mardy Party. And why not? I guess if y'all are reading my blog you're experiencing a Mardy Party by hanging with me! I hope you enjoy your time here and I'll do my best to be hospitable. 

For my first post I chose a picture from my Christmas trip to Peru to visit my sister. My mom took this pic on Christmas Eve after we had returned from hiking Machu Picchu. It was pretty spectacular!