It Come Allll Da Way From Seattle!

O.J.'s Random Acts continued ...

I've always found it amusing when I'm, say, in D.C., to remark, "My, my, I haven't brushed my teeth since I've been in Chicago!" or in Baltimore to say "Golllly! I haven't eaten since I've been all the way across the continent in San Francisco--I'm starved!" I guess this is because I'd never experienced such speedy means of travel until I was 16 and loving my first, and long-awaited, plane flight. Before that I'd only ever been outside California twice--to cross a little over the boarder of Nevada just to say I did. :) So, when my sister called me while on a recent lay over in Seattle and asked me if I wanted her to buy me anything I answered, "Ohhh, just a post card, I suppose." Then, thinking for a moment, I changed my mind, "No! How about buying me something to eat... Then, I can say, I ate fare that was in Seattle this very day when I'm allll the way down here in San Francisco!" Life is full of simple pleasures ... ;) Love it.

PurityGirls.com and Update on Girls

For any girls out there who are still single, this site (which I've been pretty affiliated with since its inception and write a column for) is a great resource and INSPIRATION. It was formerly named BarlowGirl.net, but now had a new name and has had yet another face lift (think this one is my fave!). :) Go check it out!

And, speaking of girls, the two gals from the accident who had to remain in the hospital are doing better. They have both moved to hospitals closer to home. One still remains in a coma (but I'm praying she will!), but I think is at least a tad bit better) and prayers for her life are still needed, and the other one is still paralyzed, but is showing some positive physical signs. It is not expected that she will ever recover for paralyzation completely, but she can at least move part of her arm and shrug her shoulders and move her head. She has had feeling in other spots when they have tested her with a needle, so that is very exciting! Mentally she is one of the most resiliant persons I have ever know or heard of in my life ... She, from the beginning, has accepted what has happened and most of the times has remained in great spirits, even asking for other people's prayer requests! She's smily and bubbley and one of the highlights of this time for her has been when Joni (sp?) Erickson Tada called her and chatted for awhile! My whole family is in awe of God's huge miracle not only in her physical being, but also in her mental state--this type of mental recovery would not be possible with out HIM!! His love is unfathomable and good things are springing from this situation. I'd ask for your continued prayers. THANK YOU...and THANK GOD!! :D

To the Castle!

Crawling up the hill at a snail's pace, the castle rose into fuller view. Gazing not only over the mighty Pacific Ocean, this castle also stood in a strange medeval majesty over it's only entrance, a hill reaching more narrowly and steeper toward the clouds than any traversed even in nearby San Francisco. Finally cresting over the top on my galliant mustang, or, uh, rather in the Ford Mustang my dad was driving, my brother and I piled out and made good stride toward the fortress walls. Peering in through the strong iron gate our eyes met with cold stone statues, earthy stained glass windows and tiered courtyards. Having always wondered about this strange abode in the midst of seeming normalcy, I found out from a television program that the owner collected pieces from silver screen movie sets--in fact, one gigantic bedroom was essentially the recreation (using the real high four-poster bed) of King Henry's (or was it George?) stony chambers chambers from a old classic movie. Though slightly eery, finally seeing the bastion up close transported me in time to the 1500s. From the castle walls we could see what it must have been like to watch the majestic armada return from a valliant voyage, or to wonder what loomed just over the horizon. Thanks, dad for this interesting and amazingly unique experience!

(This same day we had a delightful time vacationing at our family beach in Half Moon Bay with good friends, food and a frisbee :). After noticing I like to close these type of days with a bang, my dad surprised me with a visit to the castle I had always passed, curiously wondered about and was itching to see all growing up. Thanks, dad! :D)

The Invisible Single?

I nearly decided to sneak out, but reconsidered when I decided it might be a bit rude. So, instead, I sat almost as far back with as many blank seats around me as I could. An hour before I was beeming with the prospect of attending this "singles sunday school class" to make new friends (most of mine have all moved). Who knew? Maybe even Mr. Right would be there ... I had heard this group was teeming with 20-somethings. Right, who knew? I sure didn't. Upon opening the door to the class, many divorced 50-year-old faces glanced over my way. Quickly scanning the room I discovered I was the youngest one there--and I'm 26! Nearly everyone there was either old enough to be my parent, and, quite a few, even my grandparents. I immediately wished I had Miss Incredible's invisibility powers ...

Making it through the entire service with only a couple of older folk introducing themselves to me, I began to quietly, yet swiftly, make my way to the door, when a voice over the loud speaker filled the room, the brunt of it seeming to move with me. "Oh! I forgot...do we have any visitors?" Only five feet from the door I wasn't sure whether or not I really had to raise my hand, but then every eye turned on me. Crumination! I slowly slipped my hand slighly above my head with a hesitant stinting my face. I was quickly handed a piece of paper so that they could collect all of my information and folks from all around bidded their welcome. "Sneak in more often," one said. "We have a lot of fun here!" Now, I LOVE older folks, but don't want to consistently hang out with a group of them just with the intention to hang loose. As mentors, second moms, neighbors, one-on-one friends or wise church women, that's great. That's wonderful and valuable! I'm sure these singles are great people, but personally I'd rather volunteer with the church's high school group to have fun that way. Immediately following the piece of paper incident, the voice on the loud speaker informed me that they were going to take me out to Chevy's for lunch since it was my first time there. Since this time I at least wasn't wearing loud clomping clod hoppers like I was the last time I tried sneaking through a church service, I decided to politely make my exit ...

We Need a Roller Coaster!

I decided that our family needs a roller coaster in our back yard--one that flips people upside down. Cedar Point amusement park, from just one year alone, collected nearly $10,000 in coins underneath rides--I could pay off my college debt in just a couple years that way! That or make our front yard a rest stop with about 20 couches. Hmmm...

Farmer's Market "San Francisco Style"

Stepping onto the BART train this morning I felt all smily because I was headed to the San Francisco farmer's market that busts with business along the Embarcadero at the Ferry Building. A few weeks back my brother and I were watching the Food Network's "Food Finds" and discovered that every Saturday S.F. has a vibrant and bustling farmer's market at the Ferry Building near Pier 2. I love stolling down farmer's markets, basking in the atmosphere of luciously bright hydrangeas, fresh cherry samples and gaily wrapped juniper soaps. There are also terribly fascinating people to watch. From the program I learned that S.F. does this on an even grander scale, one that includes exotic venders inside the hisotric Ferry Building. Put all this together and add S.F.'s vibrantly beautiful and energizing atmosphere and you've got yourself quite an experience--I couldn't wait to go.

I don't have many friends here in the Bay Area, so I boarded the car by myself, but nevertheless, I had quite a fun and unique experience. I don't like to be by myself, especially when I go out on excursions, so I called my mom and told her all about the unique stands (my favorites were the ones dedicated to French yogart and goat cheese), yummy food and wonderful "Old World" feel. Seriously, the two-some playing the accordian and violin looked as though they had just stepped off a ship at Ellis Island in 1905.

I strolled along with my Europeanish chocolate cake muffin, large cluster of bright pink hydrangeas, sweet pluots and water bottle. As sailboats glided by and the sun shone bright, I decided to bring someone back there with me soon!

CrAzY World I'm Lliving In!

*I am NOT a camper (anymore), but for some reason I decided to spend the summer sleeping in a tent. Long story.

*My sis is cutting her first CD today. :) After the accident, she decided to finally take some of the songs she's written and record them to cheer up one of her best friends who remains in the hospital. The recording studio wants to do it for free. God is great! She'll head to Idaho next week to present the CD to her friend.

*We're continuing to get many calls and emails asking for updates on the girls who are still in the hospital. It's just been a weird atmosphere. One of the girls, while having a rough time of it and is still paralyzed from the neck down, is showing positive signs and is at least improving. The other girl is still in very deep coma and not doing too great. Prayers are SO appreciated! Christians from around the country have been amazing in all of this--giving of their time, hearts, resources and prayers. The Christians who live in the hospital's city are AMAZING--strangers, but brothers and sisters in Christ, who sit with the family, house and drive visitors, encourage and pray.

*I became an official Wendy Peffercorn when I PASSED lifeguard training last week!! Being very stressed right after the accident, I wasn't sure I could pull it off, but God was right there getting me through. We had to go through a complete rescue drama (even had to figure out who was drowing). Not only did I have to help save someone, but I had to be someone's drowning victim who went into cardiac arrest. More about that drama later! Now, I need to answer my many calls requesting my newly aquired skills ... Three so far...and I haven't even advertised. ;)

*Can't wait 'til my brother gets his driver's license--I think I've become his chauffer. Oh well, at least I get to drive the convertible ...

*Think I'll go to the Jelly Belly factory this week ... Better return my late DVD, also!

--Stay tuned for more of my life as a "screaming skydiver" (what I sometimes feel like). :)