Going around in circles

I think about circles a lot. I really seem to connect with squares, and I love diamond engagement/wedding rings that are princess cut, but I believe circles are what hold everything together.

This may sound really strange, but I'm not drunk or stoned, and I haven't gone over the edge. I want to get these thoughts out though, so I'm just going to put it out there.
The earth is a sphere. It is round, and there is no beginning or end to it. Same with the other planets out there. I'm not an astronomer, so this is a very simple observation, I know. I have never seen an oval planet or a rectangular planet.

Our sense of time is circular. The seasons come around again, and I see this as more of a spiral, like a spring. Time began when time began, and we are now at some point on that spiral.

If we live to old age, our beginning and our end circles back around to meet in some way. Elderly people, and even those who are terminally ill, have some characteristics of infants, or children at least. And I don't mean that in a negative way. Along the way we are introduced to experiences and situations and people, and later in our lives we revisit these. Sometimes we revisit them multiple times and build upon them.

I'm not a biblical scholar, so I don't remember the exact book and verse, but there is a verse that says the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

I used to think it meant that finally all of those arrogant, rich, selfish people would have to get to the back of the line. All of those bullies who pushed the less fortunate out of the way and trampled on people to get to the top would pay.

I don't think that anymore. I know this would not be a popular viewpoint with a lot of people, and most likely not very popular with a lot of my friends and even some of my family. We tend to want people to be punished. But I've changed my mind on this one.  I think that verse means there won't be a line. I believe at the end of this life we join others in a circle, where no one knows who is first and who is last because we're all equal.

Those who were first (those with everything) will not have everything, and they won't have nothing. They'll have love. And those who were last (homeless, starving, poor beyond belief) will not have nothing, and they won't have everything. They'll have love. No one will have more love than the other, and no place in the circle will be more prestigious or important than the next.

And maybe I'm wrong. But I hope I'm not.

Summer bargains

I am all about the bargain, and this summer I spent quite a few weekends on the hunt. I visited a lot of yard sales and came home with several great finds. I tried to carefully choose, because the last thing we need is more "stuff."
We had been talking about a new backyard grill. The one we have is really for camping, and when we try to cook for a large group it doesn't quite do the job.
So we started looking and what we found just wasn't to our liking. They seemed flimsy and cheap, but the price tag told a different story.
I was at a yard sale and spotted this one.

I barely noticed it, and then remembered we were looking for one. The price was kinda high. I called Chuck and he wasn't so sure. That evening we took a trip to Costco for some stuff and happened to walk through the area where they had some really nice grills. They were all over $1,000!

Suddenly the price tag on this one didn't seem so high. I went back the next day to see if it had sold yet and it was still there. They threw in the heavy duty utensils, some oven mits and trays and we have a Vermont Castings grill! For $250! It has a rotisserie and a separate area for smoking chips. We used it a lot this summer, and we're getting ready to use it one more time before the season closes down.

I love yard sales!

A boy king

Last month we took advantage of our membership to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle and got deeply discounted tickets for the King Tut exhibit.
It was so very cool, and there were so many interesting things to see. I took way too many pictures. No flash, of course, but my cell phone took surprisingly good photos.
I think we were the last stop on the king's tour of North America. The kids were disappointed that the mummy wasn't the real one, but we made up for it later. We took them the Ye Ole Curiosity Shoppe on the waterfront and they got to see TWO mummies. Sylvester, who has been there since who knows when. I remember seeing him as a kid when we came to visit my grandparents, and now there is a female mummy there. I want to say her name is Sylvia, but I might be wrong. I can't remember.
So, at the King Tut exhibit the kids weren't quite as into it as Chuck and I were, but then I guess when you're 10 and 11 it wouldn't be as engaging to look at statues and old stuff.
Here are a few of the highlights.

An Egyptian bed found in the tomb.

Thousands of years ago they had games. These were in
his tomb.

Statues of the tomb builders.

The boy king.

Ramesses II

Sarcophagus for his cat.

The fake mummy. They were interested, but disappointed by the fake.

After the exhibit we went to eat at the Crab Shack.

Two Harts

We had the best time at David and Grace's wedding!
It was so beautiful.
Our trip was really great, and I was surprised at how nice the humidity and warm temperatures felt. But more about that and the rest of the trip later. Here are some pics of the wedding!

We arrived a little early. This is where they stood
for the ceremony. The glass jars held candles. 

The reception area was beautiful in daylight, but as night
began to fall it was absolutely gorgeous.

It was a carnival themed wedding and there were games
to play while we waited for the couple to appear at
the reception. Grace did such a beautiful
job with all of the details.

Isn't this cutout adorable? Grace is so creative. 

Guests were invited to create a page of art
in the guest book. A calendar of
photos taken by David and Grace had
instructions for each guest to find their birthday and
sign their name beside it. A great idea for keeping
track of birthdays!

The groomsmen and bridesmaids sauntered down
the aisle all smiles, animation and silliness. 

Each bridesmaid dress was red, but they all chose a different
style. The Man of Honor was dressed like the groomsmen.

A more serious moment.

Waiting.

The bride.

The vows.

The kiss.