Grandma Edie

Radiation is beginning to take a bit of a toll.  The area treated constantly feels warm and has what the doctor described as something like a sun rash.  Just a little red and bumpy... nothing too major.  And the area is also very sore when stretched or touched at all.  But I'm tough, so you won't hear me complain... no sirree!  On the plus side, I think this gives me a reason to ditch the bra for a while ;)  The girls are coming out, folks!!!  Hahaha.

Wedensday, I got to go to lunch with an extra special friend, Miss Lori McDougal.  Lori lives across the street from me and was the very first friend I made in this neighborhood.  Lori and her family have been much more than just friends... more like an extension of family.  My girls, in particular, love Lori.  No, utter and complete ADORATION would be a better description.  They also call her 'Grandma Edie', 'Best Grown Up Friend', or 'Other Mother'.  She, in return, is extremely good to them.  She will do homework or read with them, take them to lunch, dinner or for treats, enlist their help in whatever project she has going on or just be there to support them in their many activities.  Ya know, like a super fun grandma.  We are all lucky to have her.

She always looks cute and put together!

My girls gave this necklace to Lori for her 50th.

(One of my girls began the name Gma Edie and she's stickin' with it!) 

I have so appreciated Lori's love, support and friendship over the years.  We've celebrated numerous birthdays, one mission call (her son, Jaron, is serving in the Phillipines), a wedding (her oldest daughter Holli), gone on many a walk to Einsteins (while one of us listens to the other vent), been visiting teaching partners for more years than not, been on trips as families, had many Sunday family dinners together and so on and so forth.  Thank you, Lori, for all that you have meant to our entire family.  We all love you dearly!  Here's a few more pics...

Holli and her "flower girls" - July 2011

Lori and Aubrey - Halloween 2005?

Lori held Macy just hours after she was born 

Oct. 15, 2004

Macy thinks Lori is her best friend.  She often goes

over there to see if Lori can "play".  (2007?)

Always there to support - 2009?

Bailey is like the big brother that Parker never had - 2011

We went to one of our favorite local restaurants, Porcupine Grill.  We love this place (and not only because the owners live in our neighborhood).  If you haven't been here, you MUST go and soon! Located at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Porcupine is a full service restaurant that offers everything from burgers to Mexican fare to seafood (their seared Ahi Tuna salad is to die for!), to wood-fired pizzas.  Their prices are moderate, ranging from about $8-15.  Lori and I split a ginormous plate of chicken nachos.  Nachos, a Diet Coke and a 3-hour convo with one of my besties made for a perfect afternoon!  

Awesome mountainous location

Their nachos look kinda like this... only bigger!

I've got some other projects up my sleeve... namely a little something I like to call "OPERATION DE-CLUTTER".  Stay tuned.  (Betcha can't wait, huh?)

Aly