RECOVERY

This weekend has been spent in recovery from a week of complete madness. By Friday night the game of juggling responsibilities of work and family had taken it's toll on the physical and mental capicities of my existence. Last Sunday evening I mentioned to Ra that jumping over the week of June 23 would be better than actually living it. It definitely lived up to my expectations.

Monday was spent in organizing final details for the KCSG vendor space at the St. George Chamber Bix Expo. Among all of the interuptions that come in a day at the office this was not an easy task. I ended up leaving the office later than expected and arrived late for the gratitude dinner that was held by the Utah Summer Games officials.

Dinner was wonderfully asian! There is nothing better than good company, sushi, teriyaki steak and salmon. The end of the summer games always comes with mixed emotions as the staff are completely pleasant and enjoyable to be around and covering the events is definitely a fun thing to do.

Tuesday mornings I am usually in the Fox studio but something melted on the transmitter so I was able to add an additional 2 hours to my day at the office. This was desperatley needed. More preparations for the biz expo and July promos that I am behind on. Late Tuesday afternoon we set up our booth and that evening I spent making bean bags for the bean bag game we would have in our booth; which, by the way, turned out to be a big hit.

Wednesday and Thursday were all about the expo. A few hours were scheduled out among the KCSG sales team but for the most part I spent most of both of those days in the ice box of the Dixie Center - a very cold place.

At the completion of the expo on Wednesday I drove immediately out to the Washington County Fair Grounds for a meeting with the board. (The fair is a mere 40 days away - there is so much to do!) The meeting went the usual time but there were people to meet with afterwards to finalize details for the events KCSG is involved in. I arrived at Hamilton's soccer practice just as it ended around 9:15p. Hamilton was starving so we stopped at McDonalds on the way home. The Greyhound Bus had just arrived so that took forever. Wednesday morning I had left the house about 7:30a. I walked back in around 10:00 that night.

The expo ended late Thursday afternoon. Just in time for me to pull together the final details of the live radio/tv broadcast occuring on Friday morning. Fox 102/107 and KCSG TV partnered to generate donations and top of mind awareness for the local food bank. They are in desperate need of assistance for summer time donations.

My Friday started at 4:00a and ended Saturday at 12:30a. If you're not exhausted yet then just keep reading...

The simulcast broadcast went very well! It was a first time event for KCSG's Southern Utah Sunrise and for Rick St. Nick and the Fox. Considering that the first time you do something there are usually challenges and learning curves, everything ran very smoothly. We were very pleased.

Once it was over it was on to getting things ready for Sunset on the Square. This is our bi-weekly movie in the St. George Town Square. It is an extremely well attended event and all who are there seem to really enjoy the outside atmosphere and serenity of the evening. This is the first year we have tried this and it has been very successful! Independence Day ended around 11:15p. After clean up, loading and unloading the car we were home by 12:30a.

My thoughts at that point, I think I'm entitled to a weekend of sleep...and after reading this you might just feel like you need sleep too.

THIS IS MY LIFE - UPDATED

And here they are...my children growing up.

Rakai 24
Karamea 22
Isaac 18
Ammon 15
Asa 12
Hamilton 9

FYI - Asa was attempting to be Derek Zoolander. He's my comedic impersonater. He makes us laugh...

Check out my family blog - www.thepuririfamily.blogspot.com for the most recent family photo.

MUST SEE

Even if you do not like British Film you must see Son of Rambow. If I were Karamea I could post the youtube trailer right on my blog but since I'm not you have to click on this - http://www.sonoframbow.com/ - to check it out.

To view the film in St. George you have to go to the Red Cliffs Cinemas where the Salt Lake Film Society - http://www.saltlakefilmsociety.org/stgeorge/ - has taken over. Independent film stimulates the senses.

Son of Rambow is independent film at it's best and wonderfully entertaining. Ra is now inspired to make a movie with his boys. He thinks he is going to give them free reign of my very expensive video camera so they can make a movie. He should think again.

JUST LISTEN

Okay so maybe my playlist will tell my age...but if you remember the sounds then you're as old as me.

Get lost in the memories!

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

THE SOCCER MOM REPORT
The 2008 Utah Summer Games are over for us. Four players, four days and eighteen games later the boys have obtained 3 medals. Isaac and Ammon each have a gold and Asa a bronze. Hamilton did his best but they are young and in the learning stages. It was exhausting and we are all sunburned.

THE KCSG REPORT
The interview with Colin Raye was awesome. He was very cordial as were his manager and everyone around him. KCSG personnel did a fabulous job and I am happy with how things turned out for KCSG's part in the opening social and ceremonies of the 2008 Utah Summer Games.

Wanna know more - check out this website - http://utahsummergames.org/

As for Sunset on the Square...HUGE SUCCESS! There were at least 500 people in the town square. It was tons of fun and a perfect June evening under the stars. Next movie is Independence Day on June 27. KCSG and Spinners are giving away a Scooter. That one should be an explosive time!

The Mom Report
Today is Father's Day and the first Sunday home for Ra. Actually everyone is home together and it's a strange sensation. I prepared a celebration meal for all of us - the first time in more than a year. The house is more chaotic and noisey. There is always loads of laundry and dishes in the sink. Someone is always in the kitchen eating. I'm not exactly sure how I will stay on top of it all.

This is motherhood in a whole new way.

RETURNED...AND LIFE GOES ON

Ra has returned! His journey home took a little more than 24 hours and he lost a day. Major jetlag! After spending the evening with his family he finally lost all consciousness around 9pm. He sleeps...

Ra is home just in time for the Utah Summer Games. Four of the boys are playing soccer in the games this year. We have 12 games over the next 3 days, and that doesn't include the medal games on Saturday.

But wait...

In between the soccer I will be doing some PR for KCSG. An interview with Colin Raye, the USG banquet and opening ceremonies. It all seems a little overwhelming.

But wait...

Friday is Sunset in the Park, a movie under the stars, and I'm in charge. So after we're done with the Friday games I have to be back to organize the Friday night Festivities. Feeling a bit warn out?

But wait...

The laundry has completely piled up since Ra's return. In Dubai he was having his clothes professionally laundered and he lived in 5 star hotels for 6 weeks. Hopefully he can adapt.

It's good to have him home...if only for a few short weeks.

THAT WAS FAST

It is my last Friday night of loneliness. Today Ra is in Taiwan. Tuesday he will be home. In the beginning six weeks seemed like a long time. In the end it went by so quickly.

MY BOOK OF LIFE

If your life were a series of books how would you title each volume? Mine might go something like this…

All about Me: The Life and Times of Laninina Scoville Puriri
Volume 1 - When I was Young
Volume 2 - A Short Single Adult Experience
Volume 3 - Marriage and Motherhood in Salt Lake
Volume 4 - Marriage and Motherhood in Heber Valley
Volume 5 - Growing Up in St. George

There is much to be said for the memories in those years and many things to write. Remembering the most sometimes requires starting now and going backwards.If I were to do that I would say I’m on the final chapter of Volume 5.

Sometimes when you read the final chapter of a favorite book you feel a sense of melancholy. You know you are nearing the end and you want to read those final words but once you do – then what? How will the next book ever compare to this?

So the final chapter of Volume 5 begins now.

I feel as if the ten years I have lived in St. George have been the most challenging and the most rewarding years of my life to date. I have experienced a greater sense of personal growth here than in any other place. The trials I have faced, raising children then leaving motherhood to step into an unwanted career, meeting new people, facing new challenges. Although most difficult, everything has been to my benefit. I have increased in immeasurable wisdom.

I feel stagnate now and compelled to move on to new experiences and new growth. It is as if I have accomplished all I needed to do in this part of God's universe. I have been an instrument in His hands as I have raised my children, worked with the local Polynesians, connected and disconnected with long lost and life long friends.

I think it is time to spend the next year in preparation for what is to come.

LOST

I feel very displaced - like I woke up in a place where I don't belong. I am not needed here anymore. It is time to move on...