The good news is that I snagged my sister's old cell phone, which boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera (opposed to my old scrawny 1.3), and I remained standing and somewhat active till the end.
The trip was relaxing, with very nice weather and a lot of time spent with my family. We hit up the Sierra Vista Farmers' Market and the annual Home Show. I also managed to visit with the "grandparents" I adopted/appointed after all of my biological grandparents had passed away, as well as enjoying a dinner out with two of my sisters-in-law.
Speaking of which, I visited the grave site of my much loved paternal grandparents, and the marker honoring my maternal grandparents, whose ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean.
I enjoyed the company of my parents' and sister's menagerie of pets. This photo is of my dad's cat, Lucy, who is believed to be an unusual Sokoke. Tree climbing must be a hobby of the breed.
Then there was Murphy, my sister's 9 month old pup, who I wanted to steal. He was such a mellow, gentle sweetheart.
Kate's newest addition is Otis, a Labrador/Shepherd/Great Dane mix, who's been deemed a "piranha" because of his sharp, bitey teeth. He still has a LOT of growing to do, and he could never really muster the energy required to move his heavy little body around quickly.
Before my family brought me to the airport, we visited Tucson's Reid Park Zoo. In tow was my adorable, chatty 4-year old niece, Leah. She must have quoted Spongebob Square Pants for 2 straight hours of drive time. :)
One last note before I retire, once again, to the couch. I got an email from Powells.com while I was in Arizona letting me know I'd won the contest I'd recently entered! The contest on their blog asked that readers submit a 50-word story beginning with "Once upon a time..." I whipped up a Portland-themed story and was the first person to submit an entry. My prize is a funky Alice in Wonderland tote bag featuring artwork by Camille Rose Garcia. Pretty cool to win a
