Snapdragon

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

This is What Kind Of Flower You Are: Snapdragon

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

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Caught on Camera

Parents In Rocklin Boycott Park Playground Over Potential Dangers

This was a goofy interview that happened a few weeks ago. My mom came to visit me at work with Maggie and we suddenly had the local news in our face as we entered the new playground down the street. What I said to the newscaster was kind of skewed in the story. I barely got a chance to check out the new playground before being asked what I thought of it and I think they capitalized on the fact that I was normal looking and had a 2-year old by my side.

How do I see it? Every parent should try their best to watch their kid at all times, no matter where you are, even if you think you are in a safe atmosphere. This park was built really tall and a local daycare had complained that it was too big/dangerous for little kids. I get it, because it was, and parents want a safe place for their kids to play and have fun, but the bigger kids were having a blast on the play structure. Just goes to show that you can't please everyone. Especially with the bad economy in California and very little funds for cities, towns, and counties to improve areas like this for the public, I think we need to be thankful for what they are able to do. A lot goes into making these things happen, much more than most people think (finding funds for parks, getting bids for a quality playground, permits, etc.) I see it behind the scenes at work - there is a lot involved.

I probably won't take Maggie back to this playground for awhile (not in my neighborhood and yes, it's scary high for a 2-year old). As the story suggests (minus the drama!), if the city is able to, hopefully they can add a few other areas for little ones in the future. Folsom did it and it seems to be working out well.

Good things

The garden is starting to produce. I've been sharing a veggi "bag" at work and it comes from one of my co-worker's very productive garden. I get a bag every two weeks and tomatoes are finally here-woo hoo. I can't wait to make a batch of gazpacho. My tomatoes aren't quite ready yet so I'm thinking the upside to that is I'll probably have tomatoes late into fall.

Last week I helped a friend take care of the animals on her property and I turned it into a couple fun outings for Maggie (and cousin Eden). There were goats next door and Maggie told me she saw a pony with them. I scanned in the sunlight and didn't see a pony. Two days later we're back and I see what she most likely saw...a llama! Maggie harvested eggs from the chicken coop and scattered some food around for them, picked berries, and we took dips in the pool. Maggie graduated from her first swim class as a frog where she learned some good water skills including how to "scoop". She now has a little donut she swims around in. "Mommy, I swimming!" Total happiness on her face.

Our 4th of July holiday was a blast. This holiday might just be my favorite. It felt long and full of good things. I often think about how crazy life can get and how fun that craziness makes our life in the end. I don't like feeling overloaded but a certain amount of on-the-go-ness makes life so fun, especially when we're surrounded by good family and friends. We saw two firework shows, bought new outfits and had family photos taken, ate classic summer food, rode a train along the river with Maggie falling asleep in my arms (that never happens and I loved it), and we swam our hearts out. After an exhausting 2 days, we were going to lay low on the 4th but instead went to a party with friends and it was the perfect end to the weekend. What a beautiful plantation-style/southern home in the middle of Sac! with wrap around porches and outdoor fans, beer on tap, badmitton, and ice cream cones while watching a crazy firework display. I kind of felt like we were add-ins in a movie with soft lighting, like in a Nicholas Sparks film.

It must be the hot weather coming late but I am really liking the heat this year. Usually I wilt, get tired, lazy, etc. but somehow I'm holding up :-) Last week I was told by softball buddies that they thought I was under 30. "25? 26? 27?" Ha! That made me laugh. Good to know I don't look as old as I sometimes feel.

Today is my best bud's 32nd birthday in Hawaii! Happy birthday Patria! Beautiful model-esque pics of Pat Mark!