and again

Back to Utah for another week. And what a busy week it was.

There were hairdresser appointments, nurses visits, dog medicines, dinners, movie, shopping, zoo, lunch. I got to grocery shop, chauffeur the dog, run errands, clean carpets, pack boxes up and down the stairs, bake some pie. I might have even worked out on purpose once or twice.

Girl's night was dinner with mom, Aunt Marilyn, Ann the Fabulous Neighbor, and Grandma Farrell. Lori had us all over for dinner one evening. Jamus got to tell us about catching his first fish. I also got to play volleyball and soccer with him, see the Five Greatest Fight Moves (that's not quite what he called it, but I can't remember), and read many books. Caleb wasn't feeling his normal happy self, but Peter was crazy busy. And Jamus ate almost the entire giant piece of lemon meringue pie that mom had cut for Jeremiah. That's my boy!

We all went to the bird show at the zoo one morning. And went to see the new Twilight movie. After Uncle Rulon's funeral on Weds in Groveland, Cousin Lee joined us for dinner and a raucous game of Mexican Train - I'm quite sure grandma and mom were totally cheating. Breakfast one morning at Eggs in the City with cousins Marne and Lee. It is Em, Sophia and Gwynie's favorite restaurant because, as Marne said, "How often do you get to eat a place that has part of your name?" Especially when it is Eggleston.

Linda came up on Friday and took us all out to lunch at Ruth's Diner. Good to spend some time with her as well.

Saturday I drove to Willard to see my old high school friend, Edela Murray Irvin. Alas, I forgot to take any photos. But we caught each other up on life, had breakfast, swapped photo albums, and laughed a lot. Our next visit will not be after another 27 years. Geez.

Papa came home from Ghana on Saturday, and we celebrated by going up to Park City to the Windy Ridge Cafe. Brad was on call nearby and joined us for dinner, and Susan was able to carve out a few minutes for dessert. It was beautiful and unseasonably green in the mountains for July. We drove back through East Canyon via Jeremy Ranch to avoid a massive traffic jam going back into the city, a nice drive despite the porcupines and deer on the road.

Flew home Sunday and slept a full 12 hours that night. Nothing like a Utah visit to stir up a whirlwind. I was saddened at the death of Uncle Rulon. Mom continues to recover from her surgeries. Grandma told me some amazing stories. Grateful to have been able to visit so many dear family and friends. Grateful to be home in the end.

As it should be.

The Momgoose

world cup

We're cheering for Ghana in the World Cup. Cheering. Cheering.

End of regulation. Tied.

End of extra time, and it's still tied. Oh, and it's breaking our hearts, every second that ticks off the clock, the failed strikes, so close.

Final shootout. Ghana misses the third.

Uruguay misses the fourth.

Ghana misses.

In Ghana, they've shut down all business. Closed the shops and markets. Diverted electricity to accommodate every single television in the country. They're all watching.

I almost look away during Uruguay's fifth penalty, invested in the outcome for the state of an entire people, the hope of a continent, collective held breath, hearts laid open on the line.

Both teams are in agony, hands to their faces or held out in an entreaty of prayer.

Ah.

Ah.

Papa is in Ghana on this day. We are here, so far away. Bound for a few short hours to the hope of an entire nation.

The Momgoose - fan of World Cup

world's biggest pizza

To celebrate my birthday, mom ordered a bit of pizza from The Pie, my favorite pizza place back in the day when I was a starving student. It was the biggest pizza ever. The 3' square pizza box took up the entire kitchen counter.

Amy Hale made birthday cake. I think darling Suzanna helped with the frosting, or at least the tasting of the frosting.

I flew home that night to have Missy pick me up at the airport and be home with Becca and Miss for the last of another great birthday.

Sherri