Fun and Sun in Phoenix!

It is hot, hot summer in Phoenix! Jason and I went down the mountain on Saturday to soak up some Vitamin D by the pool and go out for a fun dinner at Cibo, a little Italian restaurant that makes yummy wood fire pizzas. Jason left for Seoul, South Korea Sunday morning. He is about 16 hours ahead of me so we chat when he's going to sleep and I'm driving to work. He heads to Beijing, China on Thursday and will be back home on Saturday night.
I had Monday off of work in observance of Memorial Day. I took the time to do some serious work on my garden. I planted flowers out front, veggies in the back and potted an assortment of herbs. I am slowly "greening" my thumb. The process is typically two steps forward, one step back, but learning everyday! This year I planted eggplant (going to try that one again), cucumbers, jalapeno, and tomatoes. I potted basil, rosemary and thyme (the last was a total bust) inside and mint, cilantro and chives on the deck. Fresh herbs are a great addition to our cooking. If you are considering growing, here are a few tips I've picked up this year:
1. To find out what grows best talk to someone at a local nursery. Home Depot and Lowe's won't do. In my experience they have no idea what they're talking about. Visit a nursery that specializes in local plants -- they will have great advice on plants and veggies that grow best in your area.
2. Water everyday!
3. 10-10-10. This one is thanks to Dr. Dirt (AKA Phil Brown). Use plant food that is 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, and 10% potash. We got the Miracle Grow shake and feed.
4. Mix garden soil in with your ground dirt.
5. Marigolds stop the neighborhood cat from turning your garden bed into its personal litter box. They hate the smell.

I will post some pictures this weekend of our growing garden.

First day of Orientation today was a great exercise in organized chaos; I love the energy created by hundreds of anxious freshman roaming the building. Can't wait for session two on Friday!

On a random note, I'm reading this book right now -- a must read for any educator or anyone who plans to educate children in this country.


Looking forward to a beautiful weekend in Flagstaff. 80's and sun are in the forecast.
XOXO

SURPRISE!!

Last Thursday I flew into Greenville, SC and surprised my mom for Mother's Day weekend. Amazingly, she had no idea and was totally shocked! Kudos to Richard, Tim and Dad for keeping the secret under raps. Jason flew in Friday morning and we drove up to Clemson to surprise our friend Stacy, who walked with her Ph.D.



We also got to spend sometime with our friends Jeff and Aaron Willey, and meet their 8-week old daughter, Salem. For the record, she is GORGEOUS and I'm totally in love with her!




I was also fortunate enough to see a few former students walk and catch up with them. I do love my job at NAU, but miss the relationships I developed and the drama and joy those students brought to my life EVERYDAY.

Saturday and Sunday we had a traditional Bailey lamb chop cook-out and stayed up entirely too late talking. On Sunday we took my mom for brunch and left on a 2:20 flight from GSP. I cried like a baby saying bye to my mom (it doesn't matter how old you are, that is never easy) and miss those daily moments with family. We were glad to sleep in our own bed on Sunday night, and are looking forward to their trip to Flagstaff in mid-July.

An image of how Jason made it through Friday morning. He was seated next to a severely over-weight passenger on his red-eye flight and didn't sleep a wink! He was given 2500 frequent flyer miles in compensation though, so he feels it was worth it.


Playing with the camera on Saturday afternoon.


Happy Mother's Day, Mum!

The Crafts, the Draft, and some Sunshine

It seems that many of my favorite Flagstaff people leave too soon. First Heather, and now my friend Kristen Craft. Kristen has been working at NAU with me for a few months now and it won't be the same without her around. We attended a picnic at the park in our neighborhood on Sunday afternoon. Here's a picture with Kristen. I'll miss you!


End of last week and through Saturday we were busy watching the draft, at least we were once I remembered the 3 hr. time difference:) Missed CJ's selection the first time around, but caught it on nfl.com Saturday morning. I'm very happy for all the Clemson players who find themselves NFL bound; a dream in motion for many wonderful young men.

The weather is finally starting to turn around; we spent a lot of time outside on Sunday raking and bagging pine straw and watering flowers that are just starting to poke their heads through the dirt. It's still freezing at night and we always have the potential for more snow so we're holding off until mid-May to plant our vegetable garden.

Happy Birthday to our niece, Emelie, who turns 2 today, and her dad, Jason's older brother Erik, who turns much older than 2 today:) Have a great Birthday!

Enjoy the rest of your week! XOXO

Lance Armstrong Bailey

Richard came second in the Cat 3 cycling race in Charleston this past weekend. Way to Go!

A Reunion for All

Some friendships know no distance or time, but continue to enrich and sustain our lives through many years. Caroline Hartley and I have been friends since our summers together at Camp Gravatt, and although we have never lived in the same city and only continue to move farther from one another, it is like coming home whenever we have the opportunity to be together. I was there the day Caroline met her husband, Jimmy, and thankfully he and Jason share the same sense of humor, so our time together is fun for all. We've experienced laughs and tears, graduations, beach trips, weddings, and now Caroline and Jimmy are 2 months from the birth of their first child, William.

Here is a picture of me, Caroline, and William (in the belly:)) in Sedona.


We took them to our favorite restaurant, Tinderbox, for dinner and got drinks outside the famous Weatherford hotel, overlooking downtown Flagstaff.


I am so thankful they took an extra day of their trip (Caroline was attending a conference in Phoenix until Saturday afternoon) to visit us. Madeline, who lived with Jimmy until 4 years ago, had a nice reunion too. I think many of our laughs this weekend were focused around tales of Madeline through the years, some real and others the product of our collective imaginations.

A picture of Jason and I at the restaurant.


We can't wait to welcome William into the world and watch their family grow. I look forward to visiting Caroline, Jimmy and William soon!

"Pretty nice little Saturday...

...we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time."

[10 points if you can name that movie]



It appears Jason and I have reluctantly entered suburban bliss. Replace Will Ferrell's Bed, Bath, & Beyond with World Market's wine section and you have our Saturday.

I must admit, through clenched teeth, it is surprisingly comforting to spend a weekend shopping for rakes and wood files, catching matinee movies, and sleeping by 9:30pm on a Saturday night. I don't think I am yet settled enough (nor may I ever be)to enjoy that every weekend, but it was refreshing. Also, Jason was pleasantly surprised upon our realization that wood planter boxes are far cheaper to purchase than make; he got himself out of hours in the garage surrounded by cedar planks and wood glue.

We saw "Date Night" with Tina Fey and Steve Carell. I am so glad they finally did a movie together; Tina Fey is absolutely my favorite female actress (with Helen Mirrren in close second) and the movie had plenty of "belly-laugh" moments. The plot line gets a bit "predictable", but with those two actors there isn't a dull moment. Absolutely recommend!

Sunday Jason went biking in Sedona with his friend David and I enjoyed my afternoon in an OCD induced cleaning frenzy. Our house is now spic and span and laundry free in preparation for a short visit from our friends Caroline and Jimmy Hartley. Caroline is 6 months pregnant and I am DYING to see her! I will post pictures of their trip next week.

I am off for a short lunch hour walk to Target (located too conveniently close to my office) to find some plastic cups with lids. It appears Madeline's newest trick is to stick her snout into water glasses on our bedside tables at about 3:30 in the morning, only for the glass to come crashing down from the table, spilling water and usually breaking the glass. Hoping to find some plastic cups with lids to save us from these mid-sleep surprises.

XOXO

Petrified Forest

I was reminded today while looking out over the Petrified Forest that many of the most amazing things come completely from nature. Unplanned, undeveloped by anyone, just there for us to enjoy, to simultaneously awaken us and calm us. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the many little things we do everyday, but taking the time to get away together, even just for a day, reminds me of how simple life truly is. Enjoy these pictures of our day trip to Winslow, AZ, the famous La Posada restaurant and hotel, and the Petrified Forest National Park.

Outside La Posada in Winslow, AZ. La Posada Hotel was built in the 1930's as a luxury stop along the Santa Fe railroad. Unlike much of the rest of Winslow, the hotel is beautifully restored, reminiscent of a grander time.


Many of you have heard of the man "standing on the corner" in Winslow, AZ from The Eagles song "Take it Easy" (playing) -- this is a good depiction of Winslow today



Tepees in the Painted Desert, located inside the Petrified Forest Nat. Park



At a look out point in the Petrified Forest. The area was inhabited by Native Americans centuries ago, and dinosaurs years before them (or at the same time depending on who you ask...kidding). There are many fossils and petroglyphs in the park that tell their story.


Hanging out with the petrified logs. They look like brilliant stones of many colors; read about the process that petrified the once expansive forest


Jason, looking out on the walking trail.


All in all, a great day


We wish everyone a very happy and relaxing Easter weekend.
XOXO