95 Years Young!

My Grandpa Bob turned 95 this weekend! I met him when he was a mere 81 years old. I had flown down over spring break and went to meet the new step-family. Grandpa Bob sat in the living room talking about Cessna's, Piper's, and other airplane and flight stuff. I was enthralled.

Joseph, Daddy, Robert DuFresne, 1924

I got to learn a lot about Grandpa Bob's life in just one afternoon. Over the past 14 years, the stories have rolled in (most, lovingly told by Grandma Lee, sometimes more than once!). Some of the best are the tales of camping and water skiing on Lake Trinity, years working for Pacific Telephone, and his flying days.

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lee singing together on Christmas Eve, 2016

After Pearl Harbor, Grandpa Bob (like many others) joined the US Navy. He was given the job of Forward Observer, where he was dropped at an island (sometimes alone), dug a foxhole, and watched the ship movements offshore.

Robert DuFresne, US Navy, 1942

My favorite story comes from Grandpa Bob's childhood days. His family relocated to Los Angeles from Marion, Ohio. They drove across the United States in a Model T Ford. Without a place to do laundry in Yellowstone National Park, Grandpa Bob's britches were cleansed in the power wash known as Old Faithful.

Robert and Joseph DuFresne, 1923

A lifetime full of love, Grandpa Bob shows us how to enjoy each day. Happy 95th!

Grandpa Bob holding the youngest great grandchild, 2016

Cats, Craft brew, Choices

Alas, the end of winter break. I guess I ought to turn my alarm clock back on, put real clothes on each day, and time my bathroom breaks for lunch periods. Say goodbye to the giant coffee I've been lazily consuming each morning, while snuggling with the cats under the softest fleece blanket, and catching up on the news (and social media).

I tried to incorporate some boldness in my life this week. First of all, I started using my Instagram as more than just a way to catch all the pictures of my friends' lives. Instead, I wanted to make it a place I can go and see pictures of all my favorite things (no, it's not all cats).

(Ok, it's 98% cats and 2% craft brews.)

Check #catsofinstagram for all this cuteness.

I also found myself in the midst of a holiday party for one of my favorite places (Barrelhouse 101). It was being held at a local brewery (Ventura Coast Brewing Company) and included a brewery tour for their staff! I should mention that sometimes, I can be a little shy. I can keep my comments to myself and quietly take in the scene...this was not one of those times. I really enjoyed learning about the brewing process!

As I head back to school tomorrow, I'll do my best to keep moving forward, make bold choices, create this future I dream of, not give in.

Golden China Restaurant, 2017
I will go down with this ship
I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

BOLD.

There was a time I used to sit down and write my New Year's Resolutions. 

I resolve to run more and eat out less. I resolve to organize my house. I resolve to drink fewer vodka sodas. 

We all know how this turned out...basically, I run when I want to, my organizational skills have not improved, and I just drink more whiskey. 

Birthday at PC's, 2016

A few years ago, I decided I would try something new. Instead of making specific goals, I would think about a word that would guide me in the new year. 

2015: ADVENTURE

2016: BRAVE

...

2017: BOLD

I'm not exactly sure what it means for me yet, but I know this year is going to be full of some big decisions and I think a little boldness could go a long way. Cheers to a happy, healthy, wonderful New Year. May this year be full of laughter, love, and peace of mind.

Champagne Toast at Chuy's Simi West, 2017

Blazin' Trails

I've been eyeing this hiking group on Meetup for months (ok, years), but I was too chicken to go out and try it. I was worried about (a) not keeping up, (b) not making friends, and (c) not being able to take pictures (because let's face it, taking pictures is still my biggest motivation to get up in elevation).

Today, I decided to be brave and go meet some new people. (Full disclosure, I asked a friend to go with me first, but she was out of town.) I joined The Weekday Trailblazers on a 6-mile hike through the Santa Monica Mountains. 

I loved hearing the stories from my fellow hikers. We talked about work, cocktail recipes, the dating scene, donkeys and snakes (the actual animals). I can't wait to get out and join them again!

Oh, and there was a killer view of Boney Mountain. 

Whoops!

Kanter Fire Road/Whoop-De-Doos, Pacific Palisades

I've had this hike bookmarked in my phone for over a year! It was a relatively short hike, but the views were spectacular! 

Downtown LA - Pacific Ocean - Santa Monica Mountains. 

There were a bunch of towers and this cool triangulation station box.

And at one point, I was even swarmed by a bunch of dogs! Pretty sure that's what heaven is going to feel like!

My favorite part: the benches at the top. I love finding benches on hikes. Something special about someone deciding they liked the view so much that they wanted to sit down and soak it in...

An Open Letter to My Mother

Mom, 

I've never been much of a writer. In fact, as a student, you were always there to take my choppy sentences and make them into fluid paragraphs. We constructed some wonderful essays together. Some of them --remember that report on AIDS??-- even stood the test of time and were recycled year after year. This Mother's Day, I want to thank you for the many ways you've helped me become the *cough* lady I am now.

You taught me that knowledge is strength, laughter cures heartache, love endures all, and every other cliche out there. You also taught me to vent about things in the privacy of my own car, that clear nail polish can fix a lot more than a chipped nail, and how to properly make scrambled eggs (touch of milk and mixed with a fork).

Perhaps, the most valuable lessons you taught me have come in those moments you might not have known I was watching. I learned courage reading the highlighted parts of the scriptures you kept next to the bed (D&C 6:36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not). I learned empathy when I saw the heartbreak in your eyes reflected from my own brokenness. I learned leadership from the umpire tower at a softball field in Eastern Washington. I learned what pride truly feels like as I watched you teaching a room full of parents about loving their children, especially when it's difficult.

Thank you for your patience, guidance, and unwavering, unconditional love.

Love You Forever,

Your Daughter

ego sum fortis

So far, 2016 has tested my strength. I wake up every morning full of hope and determination, but some days try to break me. Today was NOT one of those days. 

I woke up, after a (long overdue) full night's rest, to a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies and a salty ocean breeze. I've done this same thing for the past ten years on Super Bowl Sunday. I laced up my running shoes and headed to the beach. 

I spent the next 13.1 miles forgetting about all my worries. I took step after step (after step) soaking up some sunshine and listening to the calming waves.

I know everyday won't be like this. I know there will be times when I'm sad, times when my hands are full, and times when I feel defeated. But I also know there will be times when I've never felt more alive, times when my heart is full, and times when I realize my own strength. 

 

Ego sum fortis. I am strong.