Lanell's Ring

at Pasquel's for breakfast...

Ojo Caliente

Bandanas in Santa Fe

Bill's Christmas Morning Game - Find the most creative use of a bandana!

Christmas '05 in Santa Fe - Lanell's Version

So, we spent Christmas in Santa Fe with the Anderson's. It was a FABULOUS time - hard not to in such a magical place at Christmas. The pinyon was amazing. It snowed lightly one morning, but mostly it was unusually warm. We shopped ourselves silly. I think Lucy inspected every last piece of silver jewelry in all of Santa Fe. Highlights of the trip were (not necessarily in this order):

* dinner at The Compound - my first oxtail! (in the form of ravioli)

* after-dinner conversations with Bill & Lou in their room, next to the pinyon fire with Buddy and Georgia supervising.

* brunch at La Fonda on Christmas Day - it was hard for me to decide which "seconds" to have first, more succulent turkey breast with gravy or chocolate dessert. I ultimately decided to have both.

* Buying our wedding rings at the Charlotte Store on the square.

* Sunset at Ojo Caliente! three words - MINERAL HOT SPRINGS! Must go back there. Lucy and I soaked our tired, dry bodies in yummy mineral springs for an hour, by a pinyon fire, with a red cliff backdrop. We said goodbye to the sun and hello to the stars. We counted them, and there's a LOT!

* Interviewing Bill on his childhood memories. We audiotaped our conversation which lasted about 2.5 hours and I hurriedly scribbled notes. It's my project to gather this all together and share it with the family. I plan to interview everyone. ;)

* Santa found us in Santa Fe - or at least, he found Lucy's stocking. On Christmas morning, Lucy awoke to a handmade stocking (by Lanell) filled with tons of goodies - lotions, lipsticks, mini sharpies in all the necessary colors, gum, healthy bars, all the necessities...

* Bill's game with bandanas - On Christmas morning, Bill gave each of us an envelope with our names on it. In our envelope was a brand new, crisp bandana. The person who had the most creative use of wearing theirs got a prize. When he said "GO!" there was mayhem. Imagine all of us hurrying to put on our bandanas in a creative way. Lucy made hers into an apron. I made mine into a swaddle wrap (I swaddled my scarf-baby into the bandana) and stuffed it under my sweater. Others used their bandanas as a loin cloth, a head wrap, a bracelet, a santa hat, etc. The prizes were more bandanas! It was so much fun. We made a rule that you had to wear your creation to our fancy brunch at La Fonda. I think Ashley was the only one who followed that rule.

It was such a memorable trip and we are so, so, so thankful for a wonderful family! Thank you Bill and Lou!

Lanell's Vows

One evening in July 2005, I couldn't sleep. So I got up and wrote a promise to Lucy. After I wrote it, I knew these would be my vows to her when we married. The first draft was the final draft. I hand wrote them on fine paper and sealed them in an envelope with a special calligraphy sticker that I've had for probably 15 years, just waiting for the perfect letter to affix it to. With tears in my eyes, I read...


My Love,

How could I have ever known you'd be around the corner? What sweet, sweet love we share.

Lucy, you're my companion and friend. I promise today and always to be whole to you - to bring my whole self into whatever we set out to do together.

I promise to be courteous and to offer my genuine lovingkindness.

When we are challenged, I promise to hold your hand and walk even closer by your side. I promise you openness and honesty, absolutely.

I promise to always care for myself so that I may be true to you.

I promise to always help you reach your fullest potential.

I promise you all the fun and dynamic joy I can share and create with you.

I promise to be generous and kind.

I promise to greet each day with a beginner's mind - eager for discovery, yet humble enough to accept what is - in the present moment.

I promise all this to you and so much more- my sweet Lucy - today, November 5, 2005 with our friends and family bearing witness to my devotion.

Love, Lanell

Lucy's Vows

Background: Two years ago, Lanell asks Lucy, "What are you doing the rest of your life?" On November 5, 2005, Lucy gave her an answer:

"Suppose love never came. I would be alright. If I would have spent the rest of my years waking to someone else or the cold nose of the dog, I would be okay. If the night came and went without a spoken word I would still wake in the morning and face the day.
I would still be curious, I would still seek delight in the world around me.

But love has come to me. Your love. And that’s all it took.

All of these years and I never really knew what it would feel like.

Now I do. And I will. I will accept this love and take you, my sweet Lanell into my life, to care for, in loving kindness with laughter and tears, at our weakest and our heartiest, I promise to love you for ever more. So in response to your question about what am I doing the rest of my life? I am happily spending it all with you."

G-Ma's Hankie...

Ceremony Altar