Super Sized Saturday

Brain cancer is...

...living a big day...before noon.

Morning:  Denise and I wanted to sneak in one more hiking adventure before Team Alaska heads north.  Darrell thought maybe a bit of rest would be a better choice than an Adventure Girl "strenuous" hike.  However, he's a master of compromise and gave the thumbs up to our "moderate" hike of 9 and a half miles (above, in yellow).

The Adventure Girls like picking places that are new to us as we learn about our state.  Nearby Chino Hills State Park fit the bill for us perfectly today.  Each time we have an adventure, we're again amazed about how much open space and varied beauty can be found in busy Southern California.

Here's a slideshow of our adventure if you haven't seen the park yourself:

Chino Hills State Park Hike Slideshow

Two fun facts?

• There is no point higher than San Juan Hill (the summit, 1781 feet) between the Hill and Los Angeles and its nearby ocean.
• Chino Hills State Park is a bio link, meaning that it connects other large areas of open space and thus enlarges habitat for wildlife.

Since it was a moderate hike, we finished by 11 a.m.  So...

Big D and I hung out a the laundromat...

...and then eventually celebrated Saturday success at...

...you guessed it:  Islands.

Super job on your Saturday, Team D!

Things Are Moving Fast.

Brain cancer is..

 ...watching things happen.

When the going gets tough...

...the tough go to happy hour.

TGIF, Team D!

Thursday. Ho Hum.

Brain cancer is...

...you know.  Just living through another Thursday. 

7:00 am: Blood draw

10:00 am:  Leaving breakfast

1:00 pm:  Mediterranean Lunch

6:30 pm:  Italian Dinner

You know.  Just another Thursday.  Ho hum.

Things that Make Us Say, "Whoa!"

Brain cancer is...

...getting caught off guard by new sights.

Darrell and I have both caught glimpses of Zachary's hand as he went about his business throughout the day and gasped when we saw his wedding ring.  

Although we fervently wished that our sons would find treasured life partners, apparently when we took pictures of Zach like this 25 years ago

we never imagined that such tiny, practically boneless fingers might so quickly grow to wear an outward symbol of undying commitment to his partner, Summer.  

Whoa.  Cool.

Celebratory Sushi

Brain cancer is..

 ...celebrating the wedding...again.

Today Mr. and Mrs. Yoast Guillaume returned from a couple nights near the water.  We traded happy stories from the wedding as we enjoyed sushi at "our place."

We need to fit in all the sushi together we can before Summer and Zach leave for Colorado.  Sigh.

Darrell says:  "Vacations in Colorado, Baby!" 

A Day Off Together

Brain cancer is...

...valuing this day off together.

It's been a couple of (awesome) weeks since Darrell and I have had a day off together.  We made the most of it with such activities as:

• Resumed our workout routine.
• Unpacked and got things back in order.
• Had In n Out burgers for lunch.
• Made a video for the Day Of (6/23/18).  Click here for a link to 6/23/18 post, where you can access a slide show that sampled Zach and Summer's wedding day.  
• Changed arrays.
• Got back to discussing weighty matters.  1 v 1 animal battles:  Squirrel v crow?  Darrell says squirrel.  Andi says crow.  Thoughts?

Happy Monday, family and friends!

The Day After

Brain cancer is...

...finished with the wedding.

This morning we relived the weekend with family and friends over breakfast.  Then we helped finalize the venue clean up, and we headed back to the OC, feeling so appreciative.

• We are appreciative that Zachary and Summer found each other and are committed to a life together.  
• We are appreciative that Darrell was here to witness the kids formalize their commitment.  
• We are appreciative of each of you who participated in the weekend...making the wedding happen (so many helping hands!), making desserts, picking up burritos, dancing until the last shuttle made us stop...the list goes on...

...And...
We are hugely appreciative of all of you who have participated in your many ways with all of the years of support you have provided for Zachary and Summer as they have grown into themselves and reached this point in their journey.  It truly takes a village.  Thanks, Z and S Village!

Video Content

Darrell and I are creating videos to capture the Day Before, and the Day Of.  I apparently spent much time enjoying and less time ensuring that I got all the great faces on camera. Please realize our love for you is not reflected in how often you appear on screen in these videos.  I was living in the moment.  We love you.

The Day Before video is finished and posted on the 6/22/18 entry (click here.)  Next up for us:  The Day Of video, which will be equally imperfect but heartfelt.

Zach and Summer Got Married.

Brain cancer is...

 ...going to bed happy.

Photo credit: Madison

6/25/18 Update:  Wedding Day Video
 

Click on this video link for a slideshow sampling of the day.  Some of these photos are mine, but I see that I spent time with loved ones rather than snapping their pics.  Oh, and dancing.  Thanks Melanie and also Kathie for sending me your great work! 

Here's the YouTube link instead if you prefer.

T Minus 1

Brain cancer is.. 

..ready.

 Today was an incredible day.  We have a million photos...and even more than a million memories.
We did not anticipate that the day would end with ballistic corks. Things went horribly wrong...in all the right ways. 

Heartfullove.


Photo credit: Sienna

The Day Before Video 

Click here for a slideshow of a few Friday moments.  Or watch it at the YouTube alternate link.

Thanks, CMPF!

Brain cancer is...

 ..successfully recruiting new members for Team D.

Above are both existing and new Team D members.  These are the mighty fellows of the California Math Project at Fullerton (CMPF) Summer Institute 2018.  Each day, under the direction of Dr. David Pagni (center, standing), these amazing teachers work to improve mathematical problem solving by doing lots of challenging math problems, by digging deeply into equity and language development issues for today's elementary students, and by studying their own instruction.  

I am so honored to call them colleagues.  Helping children become persistent, confident, competent problem solvers is a critical goal, and it's not easy.  Leaving the institute today, I felt full of optimism because such a committed, skilled group of teachers is up to the challenge.

Darrell and I also value their support as wonderful human beings.  Some I've known for years, long before Darrell's diagnosis.  Some I met just this week.  But all are compassionate, big hearted people who swell the numbers of Team D.   

CMPF members, you make the world a better place!  See you next summer, yes?

 (Lynn--skipping the selfie.  What are you going to do about it?)

Taking Mental Pictures

Brain cancer is...

...taking lots of pictures to freeze these moments.

Sweet.

Entourage

Brain cancer is...

 ...always with an entourage.

Darrell always has “people,” regardless of their species.

I loved receiving the above photo shortly after lunch at my institute today.

Darrell, have your people call my people. Ciao Baby.

Soooo Loving Newish Traditions!

Brain cancer is...

 

...attempting to live in the moment.

This is a big summer at the Guillaume house.  We are, again, experiencing event acceleration.  Today the Orange County Math Project at Fullerton Summer Institute commenced, as it does for a week each June.  Everyone works, Guillaumes.  Places, everyone!

Also today:  A newish tradition, the Mom-erette Party (established in 2014 in anticipation of Alex's marriage to Tiana). Every time one of my children marries, Hallie (above, left) and Ruth celebrate with me by dressing up and heading out for a glass of wine and small plates.  Tonight was Summit House's patio, with this view:

Oh, and...jewelry.

Dang!  Why didn't Path 1 include a few more kids?

Loving and living in this moment.

Cheers, Dads!

Brain cancer is..

...celebrating dads.

We are thinking happy thoughts of so many dads and the roles they've played in our lives today, in honor of Fathers Day.

Fathers Day Day 3 is all about the meat.

Meat Meal 1

Team D., have you heard Darrell's theory on family planning?  You may not have, if you weren't at that stage in life when you were hanging out with Darrell.  Basically, Darrell's theory of family planning is the theory of two paths.  Path 1:  Kids.  Path 2:  No kids.  Both paths are potentially equally satisfying, and each has its unique rewards and challenges.  However, once one path is selected, there is no going back.  Two paths.  

Darrell, I just want to say thanks for choosing Path 1 with me.  Thank you for being the father of my children, of people whom you've helped--by example and by design--to become charming, loyal, empathetic, generous, emotionally open, funny, and brave.  

Thank you for all the days and nights between Lamaze class and now.  For the Dr. Seuss story times, for the green fog, for the laundry bombs, for the PVC pipe battles and for the hole-digging adventures.  Thank you for the trips to Islands with triple patty burgers for our "sons," the FUHS O-line.  Thanks for the Walk on Water physics projects and for the hours spent on math homework.  Thanks for sitting with me at band concerts and football games and commencements.  Thanks for teaching our children to change the oil.  

There is no one in the world I'd rather hold hands with on the trip down Path 1 than you.

Cheers, Dads.

Beautiful June Gloom

Brain cancer is...

 ...relishing the cool weather.

It was almost nippy today, just perfect for outdoor activities and maybe even a fire in the fireplace later.

Darrell says, "In this weather, arrays last forever!"

Happy Saturday, Team D!

Heartfullove

Brain cancer is...

...a license to invent new words.

Why isn't there a word in the English language to express the sentiment, "our hearts are full of love"?  That should be a word, right? When one wonders how there could be so much human goodness?  How's this:  Heartfulllove?  Better idea?  Please send it our way!

In the meantime, here's why heartfullove:

Father's Day Act Two with Gordon:

Dad, your influence as a father ripples far beyond your original four children.

Next we had a very enjoyable afternoon with LuAnn, planning 80th birthday parties.

Finally, we had "Munchies with the Mayfields."   We're pretty sure we are going to move into their backyard.

We drank champagne and toasted to everything that we (all inclusive) have survived and accomplished this year.

From left:  Lennie, Andi,Christine, Darrell, Bekah, Charlie, AnnMarie

Mayfields, you are on our short list of heroes.

Heartfullove, Team D!

Learning from the Pros

Brain cancer is...

 ...learning from people who do it right.

At breakfast this morning, we told Alex and Tiana about Chris Renne (above).  Chris and Andi went to graduate school simultaneously, earning our master's and doctoral degrees together. That means Chris and I met in 1988, before Alex was born. Chris and I remember Alex sitting in his carrier on the table, munching on a tortilla chip with us at some Riverside Mexican restaurant in 1989. 

(Blog readers know Chris, by the way.  She's the "Chris" of posts that include works from "Chris," as in here--the moonn-- and here--the pink footed penguin.)

After our commencement, Chris and I went separate directions until our paths brought us back together for great times at CSUF, and Chris retired from the Department of Elementary and Bilingual Education at CSUF five years ago. 

Chris is sleeping late when she wants to, weaving, taking her dogs for long walks, and seeing the world.  Literally...the world.  Chris, I think you've been on every continent, right?

You know you have a good friend when you can pick up where you left off after five years.

Thanks, Chris, for your friendship and support and for the advice on hiking in Sitka.  For sure you make retirement look good.

 Happy Thursday, everyone.  Let's call it quits for the day.

Father's Day: Act One

Brain cancer is...

...so happy to celebrate another Father's Day.

Act One.  More to come.

Photo credit:  Kathie. 

Throwing Rocks...Again

Brain cancer is..

...getting ready to throw more rocks.

We hope it's been long enough since we've posted about birds that a bird posting is acceptable today.

The park was just aflutter this morning.  Geoff, you know we love you, but it was not our love that kept us from posting about coots.  There have been no coots...

...until now!  Clearly this is a Coot Scout, the advance party.

Most importantly, we saw this bird for the first time all season:

It's a pin-tailed whydah, native to sub Saharan Africa. If you have never met a pin-tailed whydah, click here, and you'll see that they are striking little birds.

But that's not what's important.  What's important is that pin-tailed whydahs draw serious photographers with bulky, expensive cameras.

Readers from October 2, 2016 (click here) might recall that my husband is a hoodlum. Back then he envisioned a whole scene with the two of us running screaming toward the photographers, throwing rocks at them.  In Darrell's vision, the terrified photographers dropped their cameras and scrambled away.

Ah.  Some things never get old. 

Maybe this time we'll actually hit one.  (Just kidding.)

Science Side Note

We just learned that pin-tailed whydahs are problematic for California's native birds. (Click here for the article if you like.)  Whydahs are "brood parasites," which means they lay their eggs in the nests of native birds, and then go clubbing (probably).  The foster parents raise the little whydahs at the expense of their own babies.  Fortunately, the whydahs aren't great flyers, so their spread is likely to be contained.  Maybe we should throw rocks at the whydahs instead of at the photographers.  Kidding!!

Just Another Manic Monday

Brain cancer is...

...powering our way through Monday.

The song of the day:  Just Another Manic Monday, by the Bangles.

Andi started the day in a stressful meeting:

Ha ha. Lattes with a BFF (Best FERP Friend), Teresa.

The lunch meeting was equally tense:

Darrell felt pressured to meet so many clients' demands:

So stressful!  Sigh!  We would feel sorry for ourselves, but then LuAnn sent us a picture of her Monday evening:

Things are tough all over, it appears.
Congratulations, Team D, for making it through your Monday too.

Attention Young Guillaumes

Brain cancer is...

...giving a shout out to our younger selves.

In going through our family business notebooks, Darrell came across a message from 1997 Darrell and Andi (above).  As you see, it's addressed to the "old Guillaumes."

Imagine that!  We had time to go from young to old...together...in 21 years.  

Thanks, young Guillaumes, for thinking of us!

Adventures and Treasures

Brain cancer is...

...the treasure at the end of the adventure.

Denise and Andi fit in one more hiking adventure before other summer adventures take precedence.  

Check out our route at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park:

12 miles, 120 floors

Smiling at the summit.

 Want to see more of the adventure?  Check the video out at your choice of links:

• Animoto
• YouTube

At the end of the adventure rainbow?  The treasure, Darrell:

Yay!  Happy Saturday! 

Wait. What?
Some of you want practice on the concept of the day, protective coloration?
Can't you just go enjoy your evening? 
No? Sigh.  Here you go:

Two rabbits

One mule deer (We didn't catch the two fawns on camera.)

NOW can I put my feet up??

Here's to treasured adventures and the treasures at the end of adventures!

Sugar and Spice

Brain cancer is...

 ...everything nice.

Darrell has always had the sweetest habit of asking me out on a date in writing.  Today I chose the left-hand invitation:  Thai.  (Yes, yesterday was so long ago for a date!).

In addition to this sweetness, Darrell was full of spice and everything nice in his words.  Today I heard that:

• I am the best runner in the world.
• I am a good friend.
• I have beautiful eyes.

I heard more, but really, I'll stop here so that it doesn't go to my head.  The best thing ever?  He believes what he says.

Today is Darrell's 28-month diagnosis anniversary.  You go, Darrell!

Happy Friday, Team D.  Every good thing that people say about you is true.

Where's the Story Today?

Brain cancer is...

...having trouble picking the story today.

Writing the blog has been a great lesson in thinking about the story of our life each day that we have the privilege of living it.  

Sometimes the blog just writes itself, the story is that clear.  Such is the case whenever any sort of bear is involved.  (Side question:  Team D., what's with you and how much you like the posts with bears?  Not judging, just wondering.)  

Other days, it's harder to find the story.  That's today.  

Maybe the story is the absolute honor of saying "cheers" with Gordon for breakfast weekly?  

We know that every one of us is longing to clink the glass of someone we miss.  Cheers, Gordon!  Thanks for showing up every week.

Or is the story having lunch with my mom at a new place in Pasadena, after she took the train in?

La Grande Orange Café at Del Mar Station?  Three thumbs up.

To LuAnn, who is always up for an adventure:  Cheers!

Or maybe the story is the ever-growing population of varied birds now congregating in the front yard?

From the safety behind our window screen, we ask, is there a reason they call it a murder of crows?

To our dear, dear neighbor who said something like, "All I wanted to do was feed one injured crow!":  Cheers!

Today's post seems to be a Choose Your Own Adventure.  To the story you choose:  Cheers!