September 2

This year, the pinata grew a personality.

I'm grateful to Bob for his careful and meticulous nose job, successfully hiding the hole we'd stuffed the candy and toys through. Unfortunately, the schnozz was the first part of the pinata that caved as the kids attacked it with big stick (I'm also grateful we had no whacks to pint-sized heads, as we did last year), so perhaps next year it will be a toupee instead.

September 1

I'm grateful we're done with all our work and on our way back home.

I'll miss the wining and dining of the hotel, but I can't wait to see my family again!

August 31

In Utah, they call the 24th of July "Pioneer Day" and the celebration is nearly bigger than Independence Day. Banks are closed, bars are closed, stores are closed, the state-run liquor store is closed... everything except the U.S. Mail is shut down to celebrate the Mormon Pioneers who found The Place.

Growing up Catholic, my sister and I had no Mormon pioneer heritage, but one year, our mom surprised us with handsewn pioneer costumes. Mine was the coolest, though, because I had a matching bonnet and a really neat apron. Jo (the grimacing one in the photo) never got over that her head remained uncovered that Pioneer Day. It probably didn't help that I sort of rubbed it in. And even though she used to beat me up with my own stuffed animals and Mom never believed me, I'm grateful for my little sis.

But that's not the only special woman of the day. I'm also grateful for Hart's mother (unfortunately, I have no baby photos of you, JoAnn!). I wouldn't have him in my life if it weren't for her.

Best birthday wishes to both of my Jo's. You two ladies are pretty special and important to me. I hope this next year brings you many blessings (and just maybe a pioneer bonnet or two...)!

August 30

First thing I noticed as we approached Houston: There are no mountains.
Second thing I noticed: There are a ton of trees in Houston.

I'm grateful our flight made it with no serious complications (even though it started out 45 minutes late because the airline got Houston and Oklahoma City mixed up... could have happened to anybody, right?) and also that I was pleasantly surprised with this part of the country. I really can't get over how green everything is.

I'm also grateful for the chance to eat fresh seafood. We were clued into Tampico Seafood and Restaurant by one of our team. They served us the best red snapper and butterflied shrimp I've ever had. If you're ever in the area, don't miss it!

August 29

It's hard to take a decent picture at night in a basement bathroom when your nose is running and your tears have fogged up your glasses. But I'm grateful for that toilet paper tissue, regardless.

I'm not usually a crier, unless you count sad movies. But it was a hard day and nothing seemed to go right. Although the suddeness of the tears only shocked me, they scared Hart outright. But I'm sure tomorrow will be better.

August 28

This week (Wednesday, specifically), I'll be packing up my computer and camera and leaving for a work trip in Houston. Why it couldn't have been some place less humid (like Portland!), I'll never know. I think our work team is taking hosting turns.

Unfortunately, this means I'll be leaving my poor family to take the brunt of the Chilly Roast 2006 prep work. I'm grateful the pinata is at least fully formed and needs only a few more coats of paper mache work. I'm grateful Bob and Lorie will be here Friday and can take charge of affixing the layer of red crepe paper on the pinata. I'm grateful Hart's friends will be coming into town Thursday and will be able to lend him a hand (while drinking his beer). I'm grateful Hart's been diligent about working through his list of "To Dos" and I don't have to freak out about anything.

But still, I'm worried about coming back into town less than 24 hours before this party starts...

August 27

My kids have really short arms.

I'm grateful for their enthusiasm at tackling the washing of both the car and truck this evening, though I know it was really the prospect of a water fight that got them excited. They gamely went about it, with soaps and rags and plenty of water.

It wasn't until everything dried off that I noticed the clean part of the car only extended about a foot in on each side and that I'd been left with a racing stripe fashioned from the leftover dirt.