Fifteen!

Lel dans la belle ville de Toulouse

(Translation - Lel in the beautiful city of Toulouse)
Heard from my Lel today! She even looks French somehow, doesn't she?! Here she is with her German friend Hannah, another aupair on holiday before heading home. She and Lel really hit it off, and now she is on her way home. It appears Lel will soon be changing families which is a good thing actually and moving to another home in Paris. More to come... until then, enjoy these photos.

Hanna's family with Leslie


These are of a lovely chapel in Toulouse.

Harry Potter and my Lel

Went to see the final Harry Potter film last evening. (FAB by the way!!) The kids all had plans to see it with friends, so I went on my own. Guess I'd better get used to that after all...and really, there are some advantages to going alone... easy to find great seats for 1, don't have to share your sweeties, nobody whispering at you during the tense moments, and...well, I'll think on that some more...
As I came home and visited with Leslie while she packed the last of her things in her cedar chest, I realized it was Lel who brought home the first Harry Potter book. I remember it clearly years ago, as she excitedly described this book she checked out at the school library about a boy with a lightening bolt scar on his forehead, who was a wizard and an orphan and his bedroom was in a cupboard under the stairs, and he wore his cousins hand-me-downs and never had a birthday present in his life, and... WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I remember thinking oh good grief! This must be some sort of disturbed book series, and that instead of saying NO sweetie! without giving it a chance, thought it best I find out more about it before passing judgement.

Well, I read it and I loved it, simple as that! and waited with the kids in long lines for every subsequent book and film that followed until this final story... and now it's finished. Harry is grown and my Lel is on her way. I will miss her terribly, terribly!!

When I was 5

I am filling my 53rd year in just a few days, and am pensively reviewing the past.

About 1400 miles... give or take...

Some of my favorite shots of our "holiday" (actually a trip of necessity for Lel to appear in person at the French Consulate for her visa, but hey, why not have a lovely time along the way, right?!) I felt homesick for the first time in many a year.

Spitting soon turned to pouring rain, and so gorgeous!



Busy city, but no worries thanks to GPS!

Tina, Tom and Tana, our hosts, and 3 of the sweetest people in the world.


Tom's front walkway... only in California!

"Bird of Paradise" just like my dad's.

Sweet Eucalyptus trees lining the highways.

A fab antique shop along the way. Bit over priced however!!

For only $3700. this beautiful alter piece could be yours! Was beautifully painted, so soft and serene.

Sea grass and footprints leading to the shore.

Foggy at first, the sky soon cleared and it was absolutely gorgeous!

Ah well... it was lovely.. now home, and Lel's ready to go. I'll post more on her later.

Come on Sweden! Are you serious?!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700147394/No-him-or-her-Stockholm-preschool-fights-gender-bias.html