From this....

As you can see, we had a fabulous time in Cancun--visiting Mayan ruins, swimming in the ocean, snorkeling in natural lagoons, eating plenty of fresh fish, searching for the perfect cup of horchata, and attempting to teach Gabby some Spanish so she could speak with the locals--it was a perfect escape.

To This...

That is my backyard in a blanket of snow!

Photo of Red Rock Canyon near my home today (Courtesy of Las Vegas Sun)

Nothing short of a total 180* shift in climate and change of scenery, but it is good to be Home for the Holidays!

Off to Paradise

I will be off the blog-o-sphere for a week soaking up the sun with the family in Cancun. I am sure we'll have lots to catch up on when I get back.

Happy Holidays!

Self Talk

Today Gabby and I went for a bike ride (part of my post-election 'get off my arse' program!). When the slope of the road turned slightly uphill, Gabby started to struggle. My confident daughter started saying out loud to herself, "Gabby you can do it, Gabby you can do it!" Over and over she repeated the phrase and she made it up the road.



At first I chuckled and thought I have to write that one down because it was just too entertaining listening to her coach herself up the hill, but the more I pondered the experience the more profound her positive self talk became. This might be too "deep thoughts" for a Monday, but I wonder when do we start telling ourselves we can't do something. When do we give up on dreams because we tell ourselves we can't achieve them. Working in the LDS church's Young Women's program and seeing first hand some of the negative images and negative self talk they engage in, I have come to believe that the best gift I can give them as a leader is the example of confidence--the type of confidence that comes from making good choices.

I think I tend to live a lot my life wandering around in my brain and I needed a good Monday morning reminder to tell myself I can do it--whatever the "it" might be.

**In the interest of full disclosure, Gabby had a complete and utter meltdown on that same bike ride about 15 minutes later...leaving the "Gabby you can do it" attitude nowhere to be found. Such is life!

And the Winner Is...

Yes, I went with my gut and the majority of voters and chose the green velvet jacket despite the heavy lobbying from my darling fashion forward daughter. For those wondering, Oprah was very cool and totally undiva-like and NO we were not on "My Favorite Things." Our topic was for mature audiences only--SEX 101. It airs Jan 9th and we ended up being pretty much front and center--3rd row, so we may get our shot at 5 seconds of fame.

The Ya Ya trip to Chicago was wonderful--a total recharge for my spirit. Let me tell you, my gal pals and I packed it in to 3 1/2 days. I had never visited Chicago and I LOVED it and not just because it is Obama mecca. We hit Blues Chicago to listen to some great live music, enjoyed true Chicago deep dish pizza, acted like ladies who lunch as we listened to a lovely harp performance during tea time at the Drake, bought plenty of Garrett's famous MIX popcorn, shopped and shopped and shopped, devoured every last morsel at the Frontera Grill, and talked and talked and talked until we silly. We even got last minute tickets to WICKED. Many thanks to our team of wonderful husbands who let us be spoiled brats for 3 days.

Everyone could tell we were "Oprah girls" from a mile away--from our bellhop to the Starbucks cashier. It became kind of the running joke. Thanks girls, it was the time of my life--until next year.

Holy Oprah!

So the day has arrived. The ya ya's leave for Oprah Land, a.k.a. Chicago, tomorrow. Our taping is Thursday and of course I am fretting about what to wear. The audience always looks like they just stepped out of O Magazine and I don't know if I'm up to the task.

(Photo courtesy of Flicker and Saturday Night Live

**Notice the late great Chris Farley in this circa 1987 Oprah audience.)

I am going to need your help in selecting an outfit that is worthy of HARPO production. We don't know what the topic will be, but the outfit I choose needs to be versatile. I will need look good whether I am jumping up and down in utter joy because we will be getting free stuff or I will need to look somber and empathetic if we have a guest who has experienced tragedy.

Below is a short home video on the possibilities that I filmed with my FLIP. Please vote with your comments by 7am PST Wednesday 11/12.

Of course if I choose your outfit and happen to get on "Oprah's Favorite Things" episode, I will share some of the booty with you.

Victory Is Sweet

I was going to attempt to write something eloquent about the election results, but Gabby captures my feelings perfectly.

By the way, I am giving a shout out to my good friend Marc for giving me the Flip. It is the most user friendly (a.k.a. idiot proof for folks like me) gadgets around.

All Hallows' Eve

Gabby debuted her superpowers as Super Girl for Halloween 2008 and my talented husband showed he's got skillz with his rockin' Barack-O-Lantern. Props to my brother-in-law for upping the ante with his entry into the "Yes We Carve" contest!

MIA

For those of you wondering when I will be updating my blog...never fear. 10 days to go until my "So Called Normal Life" returns. In the meantime:

Walden Pond

(Walden Pond Photo courtesy of Brian Riccio)


When Justin and I graduated from the BYU, we decided to make a move to the East Coast. Being a bit of a homebody, it was the furthest I had ever lived from my family and friends, but we knew it would be an adventure. We lived in the Washington, D.C. area for about 5 years. Justin was attending law school and I was working for Senator Reid on Capitol Hill. We didn't have much money but we somehow we managed to take full advantage of the living history around us.

We had a wonderfully spontaneous group of friends who were all in similar situations--no family living close by, no money, no kids, etc. Many weekends, we would pick a spot on the map and just go. We took countless road trips to West Virginia, New York City, Amish Country, and the North Carolina beaches.

I was reminded this weekend of one of those trips as L. Tom Perry, an apostle in the LDS Church, gave a thoughtful sermon this weekend about living simply. He talked about a place that I have a wistful fondness for--Walden Pond. It was about 7 years ago that we were on our way to Cape Cod for Thanksgiving and we stopped in Concord, Massachusetts. We stood on the bridge where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, took in some other revolutionary war sites and then went to a place where time stood still. When you see Walden Pond, you understand immediately why Thoreau retreated to such a place. As Elder Perry explained, Thoreau came to the conclusion that you really only need 4 things to survive--food, shelter, clothing, and fuel.

We all can do better at stripping away the things we don't need, of focusing more on the things that matter. My goal is to re-evaluate my 'to do' list and make a 'to be' list that focuses more on the stuff that makes life matter. We certainly were not without its stresses and bad days in DC, but we lived simply. We lived life in the moment. We forged friendships that will last always.

The next 29 days will probably be far from simple for me but I am re-focused as Thoreau states, to "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."

My First Tag

So my former YW advisor (I am sure that announcement makes both of us feel old!) and great family friend, Jan, tagged me. It happens to be my first tag and I will not disappoint. Here goes:






8 TV Shows I Like to watch:
Anything on Bravo TV--Top Chef, Top Design, Project Runway, Rachel Zoe Project, etc.
Desperate Housewives
Amazing Race (Bryce and I want to apply)
Rachel Maddow on MSNBC
The Office
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

The Colbert Report

Those addictive HGTV makeover shows!


8 Restaurants I like to eat at:
Sushi Fever
Archi's Thai
Origin India
Cafe Rio
Sensi
Nora's
Verandah Cafe
The Egg and I (I am a sucker for Breakfast anytime)

8 Things I Did Today:
Unpack from a lovely weekend trip to Newport Beach
Wish my wonderful, smart, talented Mom Happy Birthday!
Work,work, work--only 30 days until the 08 election is over with!
Attend a fundraiser for Dina Titus
Read Fancy Nancy's Fancy Words to Gabby
Blog read, blog talk, blog stalk
Put out some Halloween decorations, including a fun new tablecloth
Write some thank you notes


8 Things I am looking forward to:
Sleep
Justin coming home from L.A. tomorrow
Yoga class Tuesday night at my house (8pm for those of you who want to join us)
Our Young Women's Mother/Daughter activity on Wednesday
November 5th, 2008
Girl's trip to Chicago in November
Our trip to Cancun in December
January 20th, 2009



8 Things on my wish list:
Lose some of the junk in my trunk
Become certified to teach yoga
Join the Peace Corp and live in Africa
Buy this for my bedroom
Buy a beach house
A little baby brother or sister for Gabby
A little daughter or son for Justin
A little son or daughter for me



8 People to tag:
I don't know 8 people that read my blog :), so...

Posh Party

As we learn from the fabulous Fancy Nancy series, posh is a fancy word for fancy! Gabby and her little girlfriends had an stupendous, a fancy word for great, time at her birthday tea party.

My brother served as the Mad Hatter maître d' at the soiree. Both maître d' and soiree are French and everything French is oh so fancy.

The girls played dress up, made fancy jewelry and dined on tea sized pb&j and other hors de oeuvres with frilly toothpicks. Nancy would have been pleased as punch.

All About Gabby

Day 3 of our week of "All about Gabby." I know you (as in grandma lue, mimi, and kelly) have been waiting patiently for the embargoed release of Gabby's first blog interview, so here you go.

Mom: Favorite color?

Gabby: Pink and blue and fuchsia and red and sparkles.

M: Favorite animal?

G: Tortoises

M: Favorite letter?

G: A

M: Favorite thing to do?

G: Open presents

M: Favorite food?

G: Cereal and tomatoes and avocados and oatmeal

M: Describe your momma

G: She likes to play and do yoga and give kisses.

M: Describe your daddy

G: He always plays with me everyday and we play nicely together

M: Favorite book?

G: Fancy Nancy and Alice the Fairy

M: What do you want to do in your 4th year?

G: Play with my friends and paint my mom's nails.

M: What kind of work does momma do?

G: She does typing and conference calls.

M: What kind of work does daddy do?

G: He does Obama's work.

M: Really, daddy is a lawyer, who is Obama?

G: He's dad's friend and he's president.

(Yes we've succeeded at brainwashing our Young Democrat)

M: Favorite song?

G: I love to see the temple

M: Name some of your favorite friends?

G: Caleb and Benjamin and their mom Lindsey, Makayla and Kayla, and Charlotte and Amelia

M: What do you want to be when you grow up?

G: A firefighter and then a flower.

M: Do you want a baby brother or sister?

G: A big sister and baby brother. Their names should be Fayne and Johnny.

M: Any last thoughts you want to share with people reading this?

G: Write to my father, he's nice and he helps me clean up my messes.

In Day 4's installment of "All About Gabby," we will attempt to capture Gabby's posh, that's a fancy word for fancy, Fancy Nancy Birthday party.

48 Months Old

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIELLA

(pink is her signature color)

Gabby, 12 Days Old

Gabby, 48 months old

I prefer the sound of 48 months to 4 years old--48 months sounds younger somehow and it seems we hit this milestone faster than one of Michael Phelps's Olympic swims.

Gabby agreed to go "On the Record" in an interview that will catalog her 48 months and what she hopes to accomplish in the next 12 months. The transcript will be available tomorrow.

You're Never to Young to be Pampered!

With Gabby's 4th birthday coming up soon, I decided it was time for her first professional pedi/mani combo. We arrived at Fantastic Nails on Saturday morning and Gabby was told to pick a color. She was very intent on getting just the right shade of pink, finally settling on a bubblegum pink. I am not sure if Gabby was taking it all in or a little shy, because I've never seen her so quiet and focused--very unGabby-like.

After our nails were done, we went and got lunch at her favorite place--she likes the chicken and wild rice soup. Then we made a stop at the dollar store so she could pick out a treat. When we got in the car to go home, Gabby said, "Mom, we had a great day!" Couldn't have said it better myself!

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

The summer months are officially over, although in Las Vegas, the temperature still hovers in those summer 100s. I'm in a reflective mood and thought I would jot down some of the lessons I've learned this summer in the hopes that I carry them with me throughout the rest of my year.

#1 It is always good to make new friends. Gabby is particularly good at doing this. Because of my work schedule, we often go solo to things. But we are never lonely for long. Recently, at a local water park, Gabby met another Gabby and her twin sister. Upon leaving the girls gave each other big hugs as if they had known each other for years. When Jesus talked about becoming as little children, I think this is part of what he had in mind.

#2 Old friends are the best! Time seems to fly faster the older you get. I so appreciate my "old" friends who know me--flaws and all--and still want to hang out with me. Photo: Stephanie, Lindsey and myself enjoying a summer night. We dearly missed Museum Mama at this somewhat spontaneous gathering prompted by Steph's 'drive-by' on her way to Utah.

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

#3 Live for today. Tragedy filled the heavy summer air as we grieved for dear friends who lost loved ones. For a time, my heart was heavy and it seemed that death's fingerprints were everywhere. Even as I searched for solace, President Monson's August message, I thought at first glance, was about death. But the more I pondered his message, the more it became about living. Monson exhorts us to live for today by stating that "If we live only for tomorrow, we’ll eventually have a lot of empty yesterdays." He also challenges us to ask ourselves the question from the hymn "Have I Done any Good in the World Today?"

#4 Slow Down. #3 has forced to re-evaluate, slow down and realize that as Gandhi so perfectly puts, "There is more to life than increasing it's speed." This quote is our new family motto.

#5 Jump in the water's great! Again, being taught by my 3 year old to enjoy the spontaneous moments that make life great. Much of my summer was filled with endless cannonballs and underwater tea parties. I end the summer with a tinge of green hair, a stretched out swimsuit, and few more laugh lines and I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's to summer!

(Pre) School House Rock

Gabby's 4 year old preschool kicked off yesterday with flying colors. Can you tell how excited she was? Her teacher, Miss Heather, is a rock star with street creds in teaching kids how to read by the time they leave her class. We are excited to add a little structure back to our lives after a crazy summer.

Change is a Comin'

I'm on my way to the Barack Obama acceptance speech in Denver tonight (in the interest of full disclosure, this picture was not taken at the convention, but at an event in NV last year).


My boss and Nevada's own Senator Harry Reid fired up the crowd last night with his speech about moving the country towards energy independence.



It has been a whirlwind of a week and I am sure to return to my native land even more opinionated than I already am--I know, I know, some of you may be thinking, "Is that possible?"

But in the words of the great Stephen Colbert, "I'm not a fan of facts. You see, the facts can change, but my opinion will never change, no matter what the facts are."

More to come when I return from the Mile High City!

I Wish They All Could Be California

Whoever said "Happiness is a journey and not a destination," clearly never spent time at the beach. This "destination" always puts a smile on my face!


Zuma Beach, California August 2008

California Dreamin'

It truly has been a whirlwind couple of weeks, after returning home from Girl's Camp on Saturday, I literally had time to take a shower, pack my bags, and grab a good beach read (well maybe my book is a bit heavy for the beach, but I am enjoyed it nonetheless). Then we were off to California.

Let me tell you, going from Las Vegas to Mt. Charleston to sitting in a car for 4 hours to CA does wonders for your circulatory system. My ankles turned into the dreaded cankles and oh the bloating!

Justin, the homeopathic husband that he is, decided that what I needed was some retail therapy and a good detox. When we arrived in CA, my wonderful in-laws watched Gabby as Justin and I took off for Santa Barbara and the spa in Ojai.

Before my spa treatment the resort had a yoga class scheduled. I figured, perfect, I'll get in a good workout and get in a zen state of mind. I walk into the room and they have spin bikes out. Turns out the class is Spin Yoga. What the !#*@? I guess I am more of a purist. I don't like to mix my version of insanity (crazy lady yelling at you to pedal faster) with my Adho Mukha Svanasana.

All in all it was pure, blissful Heaven! Perfect weather, perfect food, perfect company.

And don't we look like the perfect couple! Just kidding, we had such a good time that we forgot to take any pictures--I know BAD Blogger, BAD! (Photo courtesy of Ojai Valley Inn and Spa).

10 days

Last night was the first night in over TEN DAYS that I have slept in my very own yummy bed. I am back in town and will post pictures later today of what I was doing during my long blogging absence.

Kumbaya

I will be spending the next few days getting in touch with my inner Kumbaya. That's right--I'm going to Girls' Camp! I know you are all jealous of my upcoming commune with Mother Nature (a.k.a latrine duty). But I do have to say, I actually find myself a little excited about the cooler air and a few days of virtual radio silence.

See you Saturday!

Enchanted

Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

I am enchanted with Enchanted. Gabby and I took a sabbatical from the movie for a couple of months, but we picked it back up for our rainy day special a week or so ago. My eyes well up every time I see the movie. I've told this to a couple of friends and a quizzical look comes over them as to why and what part I get weepy over. No it is not the utter cuteness quotient of Patrick Demspey, although I've loved him since his Can't Buy Me Love days. It is not the brilliant seamless way that the creative folks at Disney have incorporated a nod to almost every animated feature they've created in the past 70 years.

The scene that sums up my waterworks: Patrick Dempsey with his daughter in the cab and he is explaining that Nancy will be coming over the following morning for some "grown up girl bonding time." She looks at her dad and says, "Dad I'm only 6!" His reply, "Yes, but you won't always be."

(Princess Gabby at Disneyland with her cousin and Princess Aurora circa 2007)

Artist in Residence

We are pleased to announce that we have hired an Artist in Residence for the Chateau de Jones. GMJ Studios, has recently taken over the living room for an exclusive showing of her latest collection.

Thanks to the semi-private tutelage of two master artists, Gabriella's work will now be featured world wide (or at least on the world wide web)!

Chateau de Jones will be keeping several pieces for our permanent collection, but grandparents feel free to place your bids for any work that you think would complement your current collection (or refrigerator).

Notice GMJ's wide arrange of genres-from Van Gogh to Mondrian and from pop art to cubism, she does it all!

Will the Real Mother Jones Please Stand Up?

I became a Mother Jones by marriage, so I thought I would take a minute to post the about real mother jones. As many of my dear readers know (all 10 of you), I definitely have an opinion about most things and consider myself a bit of an old school feminist (think Susan B. Anthony type). It should not surprise you that Mother Jones, my blog's namesake, is one of the original feminists.

Mary Harris Jones, aka Mother Jones, will be celebrating her 171st birthday on August 1st, although she was known to lie about her age. She often gave her birth year as a decade older because she felt like an older age would lend more weight to her opinion. Living in a culture obsessed with youth I think...How fabulous is that? Age=Wisdom?

Mother Jones is best known as a labor organizer who worked tirelessly for economic justice. While her opponents called her the “most dangerous woman in America,” fellow organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn called Jones “the greatest woman agitator of our times.” Jones combined dynamic speaking skills and radical organizing methods to mobilize thousands of laborers and working-class families. She said of herself, “I’m not a humanitarian, I’m a hell-raiser.” A woman after my own heart!

The publication that bears her name states that "the nickname 'Mother' Jones was no mere rhetorical device. At the core of her beliefs was the idea that justice for working people depended on strong families, and strong families required decent working conditions." AMEN! (I am thinking about current health care, energy, mortgage crises today)

If you want to learn more about her hell raising efforts go to http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/2001/05/motherjones_gorn.html.

In true post feminist fashion, I am off to do my Monday chore--laundry!

Well Laid Plans

You know what they say about well laid plans! So my plan to do this today...

turned into this...

A real Vegas flood in the backyard! After a good soaking, Gabby and I dried off watching Enchanted. It reminded me of the good old days on Patrick Lane where sometimes after a downpour **, the basement would flood. The family would literally haul buckets of water out, roll back the carpet, and bring in industrial fans to dry everything out. Good times!
**At least one time the flooding was not due to mother nature, but to your very own mother jones because I left the front yard hose on overnight--sorry Mom!