Five for Friday

1. Many of my evenings and much of my spare time for the last two weeks has gone to fighting my HOA on their proposed Street Tree Project. They want to plant London Plane trees approximately every 35 feet in the parkstrip behind my house. The idea is that the tree will spread to cover the boulevard and create a canopied drive. The problem is- in order to canopy over the street, it will also canopy over my yard! Other problems include the leaves on this tree are heavy- they take 1-2 YEARS to break down so they will have to be raked and removed; the fruit is messy and designed to break apart and become airborn; the tree is covered in spring and winter with stiff hairs that blow off and cause breathing irritation; and the tree will totally block my view of the mountain! I have been researching trees, talking to experts, petitioning neighbors and having nightmares in the hope that I can change the minds of at least 3 members of my HOA Board on Tuesday night- wish me luck!


2. We ran four 5K's in a row this summer. The last was Lavender Days in Mona, UT. It was not the fastest time for any of my immediate family- we are used to road races and this race was along rocky dirt roads through the beautiful blooming lavender fields. But Angela and Micah ran their first 5K so it was their best time. They did great! And it was so fun for us to spend the morning with them. We hope when they are ready for another race, they will let us run with them again! (Angela- you ARE a runner.)


3. My mom came to Utah for Emily's baptism. That was a month ago. For some reason, I have really, really missed her this week. I don't know if it is because I missed half her time here while I was in San Fransisco OR if it is because I don't know when I will see her next OR if it is because I know she has a lot going on right now, but I MISS her terribly.


4. I am not a game player. I want to be because my favorite people LOVE to play games, but I just don't have the personality for it. To try and include me, Angela and Micah are always on the lookout for cooperative games. This is the layout for Shadows Over Camelot, our new favorite. At least, it was our new favorite until we decided to add the traitor and guess who keeps drawing the traitor card... yep- ME! I have actually won as the traitor but who would have thought it would suck to win! I feel so bad when I make everyone else lose. It is way more fun to share the victory. I think it is laughable how often people call me "competitive" because really, I'm not. I do hate to be last. I hate to be attacked. I hate it if I feel like I'm wasting time. If those three things can be avoided, I can play all night! However- they are hard to avoid. So, we have started another new game- Arkham Horror. The first time we played it took 7 HOURS! I love it (even if it makes me a total geek)! Win or lose- we do it together and that is always more fun for me!


5. I don't know who took this picture- Kelly or the kids. I do know that is just makes me happy. I am so blessed to live in a really beautiful place.