The Turtle and The Hippo

Have you ever been touched by a story that you love so much, you have to write it down and keep it in a safe place so you don't forget it?  For me, The Turtle and The Hippo is that story. I saw this on The Today Show in 2005 and have been in love with it ever since. I was just thinking about it today. I had to do some digging, but I found it! (No, it didn't occur to me to look it up online until a minute ago when I was wishing I could post these tender pictures here on my blog... Long day anyone?)

This story is an amazing example of the most unconventional, tenderhearted relationship I have ever seen. I know it's old news, but I never get tired of seeing these pictures. I hope you find them as sweet and  heartwarming as I do.

NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise, in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa.

The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean, then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him. “It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a ‘mother’,” ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park, told AFP.

“After he was swept and lost his mother, the hippo was traumatized. He had to look for someone to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, he landed on the tortoise and established a very strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together,” the ecologist added. “The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way he follows his mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother.”

“The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years.”

 

 

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 Happy 9th Birthday Nadia!!! 

There is no one in this world that is more loving, creative and beautiful than Nadia. She brings me more happiness than I could ever imagine. She is the light in our family and laughter in our hearts.

We love you so much princess!

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I Don't Love Valentines Day. 

But this cake still looks really yummy.

Learn how to bake your own masterpiece here

 

Dear Wooden Floor,

If  Tom and I could marry you, we would.

And we'd take your beautiful walls too.

First Pet (kinda)

I saw this picture and it reminded me of a turning point in my young life.

One day Brody and I found a lost puppy. Or at least, we think he was lost...  We weren't really interested in the details, we just anxiously assumed he was lost and hungry and scared. We couldn't just  leave him there, could we? We quickly snatched him up and brought him back to our home and hid him nice and safe where no one would notice him. When my parents arrived home later that night, it didn't take much for them to realize we were stashing an animal of some sort. We begged and begged them to let our new found bff live with us forever. Of course, my parents weren't having any of it. We had to post signs and advertise for a lost dog. We did an awful job making signs, we may have even put the wrong phone number down on a few fliers... We didn't know how long we were going to have him, we just knew we were going to enjoy that puppy for every minute and ever day we possibly could. We took him to the park, we camped outside with him, we fed him the best treats we could get our hands on, and we loved him more than anyone could ever love a puppy.

Sadly, we only got to keep him for about a week. To our dismay, his owner eventually saw our sorry excuse for a poster and called us. When Amy came to claim him, we cried. She could see how much we loved her dog and was grateful he was being taken care of by children who loved him so much.  She told us all about him. Starting with the fact that he was a she. Her name was Kirby and she was not a puppy, she was a full grown five year old. She was just a small dog (pictured above). We heard some stories of Kirby's puppyhood and we all laughed.  Amy told us how she couldn't sleep at night not knowing where Kirby  was. As Amy talked about her, I was glad she found her. Clearly, she loved her dog as much as we did and  that brought me some comfort. We were promised we could visit Kirby whenever we wanted and then she loaded her up and they were gone. My heart felt crushed. I knew I would never see her again. 

 I cried that night. I know Brody did too. That was the first time my little heart got broken. It was the first time I felt the loss for something I loved so much. That was a hard time for us. Having found something we could love, that we knew loved us just as much. Then having to let her go. My dad convinced us it was for the best. We were not equipped to raise a dog and even though Kirby loved us, she had a history with her owner and she loved her too. She would be happy. And we would be okay  knowing that.

We never did see Kirby again.

Church Tomorrow

  I'm thinking of wearing this:

Trying to find a happy place 

 

 

In Love with the Tolix Chair

I like my Tolix chairs like I like my Mexican food. 

Colorful and dirty.

...And I never even knew

This year I have been asked to be the governing voice of  costumes for our ward road show. For those that are not "in the know" on what exactly a Mormon road show is, it is a combined effort of about 60 youth between the ages of 12 and 18. They put on parodies or sketches that are always super cheesy and usually quite funny. In one of our skits we are spoofing the Old Spice commercial. I have seen these commercials before and found them somewhat entertaining but never really payed very close attention to them. Since I am now in charge of wardrobe, if you will, I went to look up this clever ad online. I was frustrated because I wasn't sure if I was looking up the right one. I haven't even seen our version of it, so I don't quite know what we are even going for. I was ready to give up! Throw in the towel and never look back! Then I found this on Youtube and it was almost as if...He were speaking to me.

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" I would rather be good.

But glad I'm not bad."

Does getting old ever scare you? It never did me. In fact... I always wanted to be forty. I know, I know, forty is not old... but when you are eighteen, it is pretty ancient. Now that I am thirty two and leaning more toward the thirty three mark, I am realizing getting old may not be all it's cracked up to be. (Oh, it never was cracked up to be anything?) 

Precious Grandma Elaine used to say that she would forget she was old... Her mind would beg her to go out everyday and work in the garden or go for a long bike ride. Grandma Rode her bike at least a few miles every  morning until the day she died. And if you ever saw her legs, you would believe it... She would say it was  almost startling for her to look in the mirror sometimes because she would forget she was not a young woman anymore. She was still so young at heart. I loved hearing stories about what a spit fire she was... (Her and I were the only red heads in the entire family.) My beautiful and oh so stylish Grandma was married to a very humble farmer and bishop. One day while out shopping, she fell in love with a sultry red dress and hat to match. My very sweet grandpa forbid her from buying it. He said it was too flashy and not appropriate for a farmer's wife or the wife of a bishop. She bought it anyway and wore it out with him. While I am sure she looked stunning, (her skinny but very curvy body matched her legs) Grandpa refused to walk next to her. She was sassy like that. I never met my Grandpa, he died before I was born. My grandma remained single the rest of her life. I would ask her why she never remarried and her answer was always the same, " Because I am already married dear, why would I want to take on someone I wouldn't love as much?" She really was an amazing woman. The best seamstress, baker, farmer (she took on the farm after Grandpa died) and comforter around.

I love and miss you so much Grandma.

  Today was an "I don't want to get out of bed" type of day.

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Revision

Of best movies of 2010 post

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't take two minutes and add two movies to my list. They are...

The Kings Speech and Blue Valentine

Both very, very fantastic movies. I highly recommend them both. Blue Valentine is a bit Racy and you will have to venture to Salt lake for that one. But, totally worth it. (But then, I will drive one hour just to get a good sandwich, so maybe I shouldn't be the person to judge what things are worth.) The Kings Speech is a movie for everyone. Colin Firth (Mista Darcy) is phenomenal.You will not be disappointed. 

Go see both of these movies... Or rather, ALL of my recommended movies. You can thank me later.

"The Adjustment Bureau"

I am not in love with the whole bureau part of this movie, but the chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt is so great. I love the love story between the two. I also just really love Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Since Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon has always been a top favorite, and as of the last five years, Emily Blunt has made her way to one of  my top spots for a female actress. (Cate Blanchett being my top pick.)

(For the record, I think the title to this movie is way lame)

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 For Sale

This  distinguished classic is for sale in Atlanta GA. If I were in the market for a 4.5 million dollar home and I wanted to live in Georgia, I would buy this beauty. The only adjustment I would need to make on the exterior is a single chimney right in the center of the roof. I don't know what the inside looks like, that part is totally irrelevant. I would only ask that it would be time worn so that i might be able to justify gutting it and making it my own. 

Banksy. Genius.

Time to toot the horn for my eldest son

 Brought to you by a "Proud Mom Moment"

You may remember me talking once or twice about how awesome my son Garrett is. I know I have mentioned a time or two about his desire to attend MIT, his plan since he was about seven years old. Well, I am so proud to report he is definitely on the right track. He just got his second 4.0. That would make him two for two. Now that he is in 9th grade, his grades are counting... And he couldn't be doing any more awesome.

Way to be super cool Garrett!!! We are so proud of you!

Planning Ahead

I think I am going to invest in these little banks for my children,
so they can invest in their future.

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 "It's because we care"

Grace Before Meat

Or in this case, Grace before eggs.

Meet Wendy. Last night I received a text from her that went something like this:

"Did you get your damn deviled eggs yet?"  My response, a sad and hungry "No".

Next thing I know, She is delivering an entire plate full of them. They looked more
delicious than my picture,  (refer to craving post below) And the taste was ambrosial.  

I don't believe I deserve a friend like her.

New Segment

Tonight I sat down to order some material for a client. Somehow (I know exactly how) I ended up looking at French homes and architecture. Which has absolutely nothing to do with my client's not even close to French style house. (I have warned you several times...I am a bit of a procrastinator) I started dreaming of a beautiful French home and I realized I will never be able to pin down my preferred style. If I were to build a French style (more specifically Parisian) I would long for contemporary. If I had contemporary, I would dream of  federal style. If I had a federal style I would fantasize about Gothic revival...Wait... Nope, I wouldn't ever dream of that style. I don't even like that style. You get the point, moving on. Some of these pictures were just to beautiful to pass over and never look back on, so I have decided to feature them all in a segment I like to call:

Today, I want to live here

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I will have my own little motor court. My shutters will be

this exact color. This exterior is absolutely perfect.

This will be my entry. I am so in love with the white walls.

Don't foget to notice the black walls... Oh and the

lovely  mirror in the entry? Look familiar?

I can't believe I'm going to have a fireplace in my dining room.

I love everything about this space. I already have the table.

 I'm half way there.

This precast mantle and fireplace will look smashing in

my French living room. Love the accessories.

I will take them all, please.
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I can't decide between the chevron and the herringbone.
This is definitely going to be the hold up.
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 So...
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I started that plan about an hour ago and I'm already thinking of moving into this beauty.

Wait till you see how I decorate the inside ;)

CRAAAVING THESE

My desire for deviled eggs has reached an all time high.

They look...so...heavenly...

This sign is wicked funny.

I love town vernacular. I think it's cool to know where

someone is from according to the way they talk.

Any guesses on where this sign is?

If you said Boston, you would be correct.

 Date Night

We did something different this time.

 It doesn't look like much. Until you look down.

 We finally got to see The Gatsbys live.

That's our friend Grant on the left.

Then we went to a comedy club. It was no SNL, 

but it was still quite entertaining.

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers & fulfil your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray & He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

-Elder Jeffry R. Holland

The Movies of 2010

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Tom and I have seen a handful of really great movies this past year.

These are the ones worth mentioning:

  

• Winter's Bone- Tom's top pick
• The Kids are Alright
• Restrepo- Tom's other top pick
• True Grit
• The Fighter- My top pick
• Inception
• Kick Ass- Tom heard about this on Indy Mogul. They are where Tom gets all his good movie info 
• 127 Hours- If you have a history of passing out, I recommend staying  away from this movie
• Black Swan- Didn't think I would like this one, ended up loving it
• The Social Network
• The Book of Eli
• Shutter Island- My other top pick
• The Town- This along with The Fighter, has a Good Will Huntingesqueness quality about it. (Don't google that word)
• The Expendables- Which was not Oscar worthy by any one's standard... But a quality shot of entertainment.  Dear Jason Statham, If you are reading this, I want you to know that I have a small crush on you... So does my husband  (I think he's reading this)

And for the children

• Tangled- My top pick
• Despicable me
• How to train your Dragon- Tom and the children's top pick
• Toy Story- Which I didn't love at all, but the kids sort of did 

The following movies have all been released. We haven't had the opportunity to see them, as they have of course, not (yet) been shown in our State.

• Animal Kingdom
• Let me in  
• Somewhere
• I Am Love
• Rabbit Hole
• Biutiful
• Blue Valentine 

Keep in mind these are not necessarily the movies I think will win any awards... Just the ones I think should.(And probably will.)

 

maggie and milly and molly and may

maggie and milly and molly and may

went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang

so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles, and

milly befriended a stranded star

whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing

which raced sideways while blowing bubbles; and

may came home with a smooth round stone

as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)

it's always ourselves we find in the sea

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e.e. cummings

Today I am thinking of Jackie. She and I share a love for e.e. cummings.
This is one of our favorites.

Honey, come and meet the neighbors
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Look who made the cover of RollingStone

I don't like to brag, (If you've read anything on this blog, you know that's a bold faced lie) 

But  I have held Jimmy's hand. And it was lovely.