worth the minute it takes to read

well here i am up in Seattle and i should have something interesting to post! i suppose i will when i return home on on thursday... instead i got this email (a forward type thing) which i do not do from my sis Renee today. it is blog worthy. so instead of forwarding, i am posting it.

it's good and true, take the time to read it. after all it is my second Peanuts post! i know there is another in the archive somewhere.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of Miss America .

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia '(Charles Schultz)

Aren't Friends and Family Great!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank You Renee!
(o:

just because...

so yeah a second post in a day...

just for personal reasons, stuff going on.... i don't know, i found these three pictures and wanted to post them...

my dear mama and my wonderful aunt blessing my baby sis...


and my mama, isn't she so cute. she is 70 believe it or not! so yeah my young genes do come from her (o: i just love these women. yep, the hanky in the corner in my baby sis, bawling like she does... a baby... (o:


yeah so here they all are... my sisters, my mom and my aunt, my family, a bunch of women. i sure love them all. i guess i am just saying being related is a very special thing.

the best of friends

we went to the lamoreaux cabin for the weekend, it was quite fun.

it sits on a tranquil river that is always crystal clear.


scott gave us a fly tying demonstration.


he made bugs. apparently they are useful in catching fish.


we had several invigorating rounds of badminton. it was very challenging and exciting.


i realize these score keepers appear to be bored in this photo, they are not. this was a very coveted position. the job was part scorekeeper, part line judge and mostly heckler.


clara was quite good at it.


i humbly admit, scott and i are the reigning champs. undefeated... i also humbly admit, it was mostly scott's doing.


we had a wonderful italian dinner al fresco, it began with a wine tasting of italian wines out on the dock. we each received our own italian tattoo in our italian name (don't worry they were stick on). i hesitate to show where they were stuck... (o:


the salad was yummy and light. it was all paired wonderfully with the many sips of the italian wines we had along with it. we spoke (or at least scott & bill attempted to more than most) with the accent of italians.


it was an evening filled with merrymaking and abundant laughter and a bit of Italy. (we are obsessed, we admit it.)




we played a fun game asking probing questions and got to know one another even better (if that is even possible for this group). played tripoly until the cows came in. (i did really well, it was exiting!)

we missed our compagei in denver very much (they couldn't make it this year) )o: maybe next! (o:

it was a glorious weekend. thanks for hosting us Lams.
we love you all.

x

i

I am: adaptable
I think: i need to pray more
I know: i spoil my kids
I want: to escape on vacation much to often
I have: a cute and sweet dog, everyone wants her
I wish: i could fix my daughter's health issues
I hate: evil
I miss: a home filled with family
I fear: ugghh, i don't want to say because i am afraid it will happen then, i am weird that way
I feel: a little overwhelmed
I hear: the music at work along with computer clicks and typing
I smell: the soap i just washed my hands with
I crave: wonderfully cooked meals
I search: for places to experience that i know i will enjoy
I wonder: if someday they will all know Him
I regret: being so shy in a crowd and feeling so self centered
I love: my Lord, my man, my kids, my family, my friends, my dog, joyous events, a lot...
I ache: in my heart for a sense of purpose and meaning
I care: about being friendly to people and trying to make them feel good about themselves
I always: wish i could just cook a simple easy meal
I am not: good a talking on the phone
I believe: the Bible
I sing: quite poorly and to loud
I dance: with my husband
I cry: when i hurt for others or am touched by love
I don’t always: spend money wisely
I fight: when i am SURE i am right
I write: too many words on my blog
I never: go to bed without washing my face
I listen: to correction
I need: to be more self confident and outgoing (in a polite humble way)
I am happy: when i am riding my bike in the wonderful weather, enjoying a piazza in Italy and (o: lots of other times too!

i stole this from kris, it was fun, thanks!

xo
me

what happens...

you've most likely been wondering, "gee didn't leila go to vegas?", "does what happens in vegas REALLY stay there?". honestly, life has just been super overwhelming since i returned and i haven't had the time or energy to share about my very fun trip!

i met my mother (who turned 70 in May!) my aunt barbara who is as blond as me & mom... maybe a bit blonder (o: and my wonderful sis's, shari & renee in vegas for the weekend. it was a sort of a celebration to honor our very wonderful and beautiful mom and sister.

it was all new to me, i am not a regular visitor to vegas (i was there once before at the ripe age of 13). WOW what a place! it is so alive! i found the hotels almost overwhelming, in all my travels i have never experienced anything quite so large, and so many of them. unfortunately hardly any of my pics turned out... probably imbibed a tiny bit to much...

regardless it was an amazing place and i would like to go back again someday and take in some of the great shows that are offered, eat at the restaurant of a famous chef and maybe try just one last time to win a few thousand bucks!

shari, renee and i ventured out to explore some other hotels and fun shopping. this is the gardens at the bellagio, very impressive. although i think caesar's palace was my favorite, i am sure i heard elton john calling out inviting me to his show (o:


my wonderful mother & aunt had a fun surprise for us our second night. they invited us to their room and met us with crazy fun girl stuff, champagne, a ton of cash to gamble with and had prepared an amazing tribute to renee.


here they are inviting big sis shari into the room.


although we were celebrating mom's 70th we had to keep in mind (even if she hates admitting it) that renee the little baby, the perfectly wonderful golden child (sad thing she actually is...) turns 40 in september!!!!!!!!!!!!! my mother shared (allowing us to CONSTANTLY interrupt her along the way) 40 things about renee. it was pretty darned special. my mom is pretty cool, she actually saves everything.. like really saves it (not like me stuffing things in a drawer, i think she actually files this stuff!!). regardless it was a really wonderful time of sharing, laughter and tears. renee is one special girl spoiled or not she is simply the best.


my aunt barbara is so wonderful, beautiful, fun yet at the same time a serious special woman. i LOVED getting to know her, she is a new added blessing to my life! i do wish i had a not zany pic of her to post, she is so pretty... she was being hit on quite heavily in vegas by a guy of 50 and she is 66!!! again i just don't have the best pics at the same time she has an insane side that is so fun and such a blast!


my momma (i love you) and her girls. thanks for tolerating us and loving us FULLY! i believe that you are amazing and incredible! xoxo


here is the five of us, not a great picture but the only one i have. i just did not take many pictures )o:
we loved, we laughed, we sang, we danced, we cried, we remembered, we looked forward, we swam, we became friends, we bitched and we gambled (oh my gosh, good grief we are women in vegas what do you expect?!?!)


thank you mama and barbara, i love you both immensely.
x
leila

her hair so so perfect.. if i din't love her so much i would hate her for that!
love you sweet umms.... happy almost 40th....

life after...

yes, although not quite as stunning as our 10 day trip to Tuscany, life still goes on here in Sisters! i can't stop blogging about that because... well it's reality!

Bill is late home tonight so I have some time to do a quick post (o:

our wonderful friends Randy & Steph stopped by friday afternoon with a article about a building that we would LOVE to buy in Bend. i had a hard time convincing them we don't have the 2 mil that the building is going to sell for... let alone the 100k cash deposit they are requiring. i was able to convince them to come in a share a glass of wine with me!

well that one glass of wine turned into to so many i am to ashamed to count! but Bill came home and we decided to spend the evening together feasting on the patio and enjoying our GREAT friendship! it was a blast. we love these two so much and their company is simply the best!

yep... please don't take the time to count the empty wine bottles.... geesh and poor randy he had a run at 6:30 a.m. i hope he made it!



i just love good times with great friends. it's heaven on earth in my opinion.


Bill has been CONVINCED ever since we have returned from Florence that our (really my) new mission in life is to open a pizzaria that serves only pizzettas. he has also decided that Stephanie should be my partner in this because she is not only super smart she has the ability to just go for something and make it happen.

i don't know.... neither Steph or myself share Bill's vision and we know he just wants a REALLY COOL thing to brand that is authentic Italian. it seems like a lot of work for us just so he can do a cool Italian logo...

anyway, because of Bill's obsession with pizzetta. i make it all the time trying to perfect it. (if you do not know this about me yet, i will confess it now) i am obsessed with being a really good cook. i LOVE to cook. i have actually dreamed (in my sleep) that i have been in an Iron Chef competition. so i am a confessed wanna be chef.

so here are the two i made tonight. have not tasted them yet, waiting for the hubby...

the first has a very light pesto, then ricotta, grape tomatoes soak in balsamic, fresh basil then s a bit of mozzarella on top!



on this one you can tell i just don't have the round thing down yet at all. i remembered after i cooked it i had wanted to add some sliced pear also.... it has some caramelized red onion, then roasted orange peppers, a chicken sausage sliced thin topped with goat cheese.



maybe if i get the PERFECT PIZZETTA someday Steph and I will open our shop in that amazing building we can not afford in downtown Bend!

ultimo

well this will be my last Italy post. for this trip anyway... Lord willing maybe we will get to go back again someday.

i just wanted to thank all of you that have taken the time to read my very long posts and relive our adventure with me. it was such a fantastic trip and there was so much i wanted to share. i wish each and every one of you would've been our house mates at the Villa. i don't think there is anyone who would not have loved this experience!

i just have some favorites i want to post and maybe on a few a thought of why they are favorites (o:

ceilings that are so beautifully decorated...


the walls around cities and villages. it's sad they there is so much conflict in Italian history but the walls do cause you to ponder the mystery and intrigue.




they are just everywhere. Bill really wants one, he thinks they look quite fun!


the massive doors made us wish Brad could see them.


the narrow streets....


details of art in oh so many places.


oh to be able to dine in a piazza just one more time...... it really is bliss.


art, art and more art...










gilli, our very favorite!


you would've eaten to much too!


buildings so very old. i just loved the laundry hanging all around.




one man trucks... i love on this shot. if you click on any of these you can view them full size. the detail of this is quite cool in my opinion, the man in the background is dressed so Italian, i just think it's swanky cool. Bill took it.




oh the beautiful land. it is the most beautiful place i have ever laid my eyes on. oh the gracefulness of the Tuscan countryside.






and that florentine logo, in places it seems to fit and then in places where you think, "wow they really like their logo"
it's a very well branded city!












juri & kinley did such a wonderful job putting this wonderful adventure together. it was so cool to experience Italy with the Italians who live there and love the land so much. FANTASTICO!


so there you have it. thanks again for reading.

la bella vita!

now off to my next adventure! i am going to Vega baby! (*v*)