HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARRIN

Darrin's birthday is April 16th-poor thing, it falls between taxes and triathlon. He deserves much more, but here is my Ode to Darrin:

He is everything a girl dreams of...

cute, funny, strong, happy, compassionate, strong, spiritual, loving, patient,

handsome, successful, humble, adventurous, athletic, smart, respectful, helpful, easy-going, enthusiastic, great husband, great dad, great leader, great son, great son-in-law, GREAT catch. It is a good thing he was fishing.

I love you, honey. Marcie

"Mayan Massage"

Those of us who were able to go to the Coba ruins in Cancun had a memorable trip. Our guide, Edgar, was comical. The last ten minutes to the sink hole were horrendous. Of course, we laughed like little kids the whole way. Nona was especially entertaining. Ask her about photos from the front and the back of the van. Ha Ha. Love ya Nona. This video captures just a moment of the ride.

I NEED TO LEARN TO SAY NO!

For those of you who don't know, I am the director of the Varsity Scout Triathlon held in our valley every year (18 and counting). After spending such a relaxing time in Mexico, not worrying about anything, the reality of the event is weighing heavily. It is April 18th and 19th in Pima. We were at EAC for all the previous years, but they had to close their pool, so.....It has been like starting over. I have great staff members that ease the stress, but with over 1,000 participants (latest count) I don't stop stressing until it is over. Last year we had an unexpected storm that brought freezing temps and 40 mph winds. Yikes! The show goes on though. Only serious lightning can stop us. Most of the racers come from the Phx area. It is a huge deal to them. They prepare all year and really get into it. Some of them get into it too much. hehe The race consists of a 200 meter swim, 6 mile bike, and 2 mile run. This year we have added a rock climbing wall and a Life Flight helicopter to entertain the boys during the down time. Should be fun. I will be CRAZY for the next two weeks, so I am not responsible for anything I do or don't do until it is over. This first picture is of my great nephew Dylan, after the swim.

CANCUN SHOOT THE MOON!

We did it. We all went to Mexico and had a great time. Mom was well and so was Jayna. We were so well taken care of. Our package allowed us to eat all we wanted, whenever we wanted, whatever we wanted, and we took advantage! Filet Mignon, Grouper, Rib-eye, Shrimp, Veal Shank, Pork cooked in banana leaves, fruit, Daquari's, Pina Coladas, and Miami Vices(all non alcholic of course) it was amazing. With no responsibilities we all (even Uncle Mark) relaxed at the beach or by the pool in our tourist clothes. We went to the Mayan ruins in Coba, an awe-inspiring place. There we rappeled into a cenote (sink hole) and floated in clear blue water with fish and stalagtites. Next, we experienced a Mayan blessing by a shaman. Interesting. We canoed, hiked, kayaked, sailed, rode a zip-line, and climbed 120 stair steps up a pyramid. We went to church in Cancun Centro at a lovely large building that was a haven in the midst of town. There we met some lovely people. The bishop's counselor and a priest came to the hotel and gave mom the Sacrament with us. That was a truly moving moment. We shoped at the flea market and spent a lot of pesos. We befriended a fantastic young man named Isreal(he is in the back in our family pic). He was the head waiter at the buffet we attended very often. He instructed us in the art of peeling a mango and dazzled us with card tricks. When we returned from church he told us he was a member. WOW! He has two children 7 and 4. His wife died in childbirth with the 4 year old. He was at our beck and call. We were spoiled beyond belief. I can't possibly write enough or share enough pictures to convey the experience, so.......talk to one of us!

Great Grandpa Gordon

Darrin's great grandfather, Charles Buchanan Gordon, is buried in Glenbar Cemetary which is next to the Glenbar Gin in Pima. We have looked for this cemetary before, but it is secluded. He died in 1906 of Miners Consumption at the Solomonville hospital. Many of the graves there said "UNKNOWN" on a little aluminum markers. Very sad. The average death date was early 1900. Darrin's grandfather, Delmer, was only 8 when his father died and became the man of the house. His widow's life story says they lived in Hogtown. No one seems to know where that was. Darrin and I spent a great deal of time looking for Charles's father Alexander Gordon. Father and son had quarreled and lost contact. It was a great experience finding Alexander and submitting his name to the temple. Darrin's family history is colorful and lively. I loved researching them and printing their stories.

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

Check out Emily Lohan!

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Antique photographs - Pedigree

TAG!

It's my turn to be tagged. Boy, 20 years of marriage (March 5, 1988) will make a long tag, eh!

Wedding Announcement

1. My husband's name. Darrin Edward Gordon
2. How long have you been together. Married 20, known each other,22 years.
3. How long did you date. 3 weeks.
4. How old is he. He will be 43 in April. (I am 44)
5. Who eats more. Well...he probably does most of the time, but I can put it away!
6. Who is taller. He is. We will leave it at that. (I love tall shoes though)
7. Who can sing better. Me, but only because no one told me that I stunk at it when I was younger. (sad for him)
8. Who is smarter. He is definately, but don't tell him I said that.
9. Who does the laundry. Whoever needs to. Me, Darrin, Emily, Jess doesn't....yet.
10. Who pays the bills. Me! He has no idea where the money goes. hehe
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed. Me. What a dumb question.
12. Who mows the lawn. What lawn?!
13. Who cooks dinner. Me usually, but he is a better cook.
14. Who drives. He does, unless he is sleepy.
15. Who is more stubborn. Duh! Me.
16. Who kissed who first. He made the move.
17. Who asked out first. He did, but it took him 2 years and my mission call.
18. Who proposed. Funny. He did, but I didn't know that was what he was doing. Then I did, sort of.
19. Who has more friends. Casual friends? He does. Serious-me.
20. Who is more sensitive. That is a toss-up. Both about different things.
21. Who has more siblings. Me, and we are all involved in each others lives,whereas, his family is more private.
22. Who wears the pants. Ha! That is a loaded question, and I refuse to answer, and Darrin better not either.

It has taken 20 years for us to be totally comfortable with each others wants and needs. It is great to be where we are and not just starting out. Although that was fun in its own way too.

Poem #4

Lay, Lie

Now I lie my down to sleep,
Or is it lay?
A thousand times I heard them whispered,
but cannot determine to this day.

Do I lay the scissors and lie me down,
or is it lee the scissors and lue me down?

Lay, lie, lee, lue,
low, loy, law, ley?

Oh, forget it!
I'm just going to set the scissors,
and sit me down.
Or is it sat....?

Poem #3

UFO's
(Unidentified Food Objects)

Beans in a pitcher,
rags in the door,
cool whip containers, and
apples in the drawer.

5 gallons of ice cream,
bags of frozen clothes,
pecans in sugar sacks, and
numerous UFO's.

Top Care for Mom,
marachinos for Dad,
cabbage for Grandma,
(once in a while it's not that bad).

Nothing is wasted,
Nothing is thrown,
It all gets transformed into
The BEST bread you've ever known.

More Great Reading!

Remember "These is My Words" the story of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy Turner. She has two more in the series. They are just as good.