Embracing Life

  So a few months ago, I was all  And I was happy, blogging at my new home Under A Gypsy Moon . But then this happened... The twins started kindergarten. And, well,  Life has just gotten funnier. I know, I know!  I said goodbye, but I hope you will forgive me. And join me again... as I chronicle: The school years...

This blog started in 2008 when life was crazy. I had just had twins, as well as a newly turned 2 year old at home. I went back to working full-time 2.5 months after the babies came. This is the link to my first post, aptly titled, The First Post .  And this right here... This is the last post for Embracing Chaos. I have been thinking about this for awhile now. I love writing and knew I needed an outlet to chronicle those first crazy few years of the kids' lives. I made the title of the blog, Embracing Chaos, because that it what life felt like at the time. It was so crazy and effed up, that I had to just embrace the crazies or lose my mind trying. But things changes. Life has calmed down... sort of. There is a different kind of crazy that runs my life. The twins start kindergarten in the fall. Connor will be in second grade. Keith and I have taken a more natural, holistic approach to life. The chaos that once was is no longer. (Don't get me wrong, life still throws me...

On our last day, we got up super early  to ride the trolley down to Haight-Ashbury: Took a walk through Golden Gate park: The day was filled with other conference-related things,  but after my last session at 5,  we hopped on the cable car and  headed back to Fisherman's Wharf: Sangria...yum... Fresh crab... yum... Sunset on the beach...ahhhh... Ghiradelli chocolate AND peanut butter sundae... OMG YUM...

One year ago today, Gigi passed away.  In memory of her,  I wanted to share of my favorite posts of last year: Love, Grandma, and Rhubarb

First off, let me add that my husband remarked last night that none of these vacation posts talked about him. I reminded him that it was my blog. ;) Besides, he didn't do his big ride until Monday (day 3). He rented a bike and rode across the Golden Gate bridge to the parks on the other side.  Pictures below. My new phone has a panoramic picture taker. I love it. I sat on a bench here during my lunch break. I just love the blue skies and green grass (things which had been missing from the Midwest until rather recently.) We decided to see a movie, since we doubted we'd find a babysitter once we were back in IL. G.I. Joe: Retaliation Or better yet, The Rock in 3D. ;) Our walk back to the hotel This leaf fell from a tree. A side note, I haven't smelled this much mary jame smoke since college. Keith rode to the top of the mountain. Or, Sarah freaked out when she received this picture and wondered where the hell her husband was. ...

We headed to Alcatraz Island on day 2. We took the trolley down to the pier, had some breakfast with the giant seagulls standing at attention nearby, and waited to board the boat. The island was beautiful. The prison was creepy. Of course, I loved it. We had lunch at the Wipeout Grill - I had an amazing cheeseburger with guacamole on it. We did a little browsing of the shops and saw the sea lions (which we had forgotten to see the night before). We ended up walking back to the hotel so I could change clothes before the conference began. A trip to the hot tub was also in order. The opening speaker was actress Marlee Matlin. She gave a very moving speech about diversity. Afterwards we followed the Chinese Lion Dancers down to the reception. Keith met me and we headed back to the hotel for a delicious (and HOT!) room service meal.

Hello, my name is Sarah, and it's been two weeks since my last blog post. I've been busy being on vacation! Well technically it was a work trip, but Keith and I managed to sneak in some alone time for the first time in 6.5 years! I love San Francisco! It was a beautiful city. And I loved loved loved the blue skies and green grass, which was a big change from this never-ending winter in the Midwest. I mean, seriously, what's with snow in April? The gate to Chinatown Lunch in Chinatown Keith made me walk all the way here from our downtown hotel. In two days alone, we walked about 10 miles. Up hill like the entire time. ;) Breathtaking views of the ocean We visited a museum filled with antique games. That purple star is made out of fairy dust! I almost didn't post this picture because I hate my nose, but oh well, I'm learning to accept myself, flaws and all. Crab cakes and chardonnay for dinner - yes please! ...