One of Those Weeks

It was one of those weeks that wouldn't end. Even amongst all that, there were some very cool moments. In no particular order, here were some of my favorites.

I loved meeting my friends fiance. (Which in my head is always a word that comes out in the voice of Holly Hunter from Raising Arizona...) It was a wonderful night of visiting and good food. I wish that I could take the city of Springville and all of the necessary stuff around it and plunk it down next to Layton.

Also a favorite would be the softball game on Monday night where I got to see my friends' girl pitch. Seej you have an arm on you! This was followed by some quality time on the new trampoline with my own niece and nephew. It's amazing how cool little kids think you are when you can bounce them on a trampoline.

Another good occurrence would be going to see Snow White and the Huntsman Wednesday night. Not because it was an awesome movie. But because I have finally found a movie where the Withering Stare gets a scene. And because the wicked witch is awesomely evil. Like ubber-creepy evil. Like the fruits of the devil. Evil. Also because I got to eat string cheese, strawberries, and popcorn for dinner.

Then last night I decorated a cake! It was a lot of work but I liked how it turned out.

First I had to practice. I wasn't sure what kind of scrolls I wanted to use to cover the cake. I ended up with this. I kind of like it!

Here is how the cake started. A blank canvas.

With dirty dishes surrounding it. That is just what happens when I decorate cakes. The kitchen kind of looks like a cake explosion of crumbs and frosting.

I looked it up and the technical term for this technique is "putting scrolly things on the cake." That is what happened here. Here is a close up.

Then the ribbon went on.

The end.

Mondays and Stuff

I went to lunch with my sis today, and the conversation went something like this.

"Hey what are you working on today?"
"Computer stuff. You?"
"Computer stuff. And I met with someone."

...Insert 20 min of silence...

"Hey I can't open any apps on my phone. Got any ideas?"
"Did you power cycle it?"
"Yep."
"Nope. I got no ideas."

...Insert 10 more minutes of silence...

"Sorry I'm not real talkative today. It's Monday."
"Yeah. Me either."

Isn't that just kind of how it goes some days?

And on other random notes...

I find watermelon a perfectly acceptable option for dinner. Followed by a fat piece of chocolate cake, of course.

I took a picture of myself walking into WalMart today to prove to someone that I will actually shop there.

In my perfect world, I would be addicted to exercise and cookies. I am 50% there.

On Memorial Day, I went with my sis and her two kids and my mom to Antelope Island. There was much merriment. And here are three of my favorite photos.

I'm not sure why she made this face, but I'm glad I caught it!

He had two sticks, and had to decide which one to share with his sister. This is no easy decision!

Luckily all turned out well.

A Little Positivity

Writing an e-mail to a friend today, it occurred to me that I spend a great deal of time brooding. Not in an I'm-an-angry-vampire-whose-undead-existence-is-plagued-by-bad-luck kind of way. (Curses to you Netflix for giving me access to cheesy teenage dramas!) Just in a I'm-concerned-about-the-state-of-life kind of way. So to put a little balance into the universe, here are some items that make me happy.

Painted fingernails. It might be silly, but it makes me smile to look down and see all different colors. Maybe not all the colors at the same time, though.

Books. I love getting caught up in a good story. I am so grateful there are so many talented authors out there!

Friends. I am blessed beyond measure. Here's to the good, the cheerful, the sarcastic, the stable, and the wonderful friends who love me. I hope that I can work to bless each of your lives as much as you bless mine!!

Getting to where an inside joke only has to be a smile, a glance, or a single word. Swoobs. Too-foo. 'Nuf said.

Dilbert. I probably can't post all of the strips on here I think are hilarious. But I laugh on a regular basis thanks to the sense of humor of Scott Adams. Sometimes I think he must have a camera on my life.

Pictures. I love that I have technology available to me that allows moments in time to be captured to remember in detail again and again. Here are some of my favorite.

What Do You Give Someone Who Has Everything?

Every now and then you come across that one person who is impossible to buy for. You know, that one person who compels you to search ALL of the clearance shelves at WalMart on Christmas Eve looking for the perfect gift.

I'm here to solve all your problems.

Enter monogram gifts. It is the perfect they-can't-regift-it-gift because it has the recipient's initial on it! Unless you cultivate lots of friends whose name start with the same letter. Then you can all have an exchange-the-monogram-gift party. Eat cupcakes. Generally make merry.

It is kind of like the grown-up version of putting your name on everything in kindergarten. And why let your friends have all the fun? Be like me and when you are going through the bargain bin at the local outlet store, laugh at the wallet with your initial. Then decide that maybe it is worth the $3 to cross to the dark side and have something branded.

If you decide to go down this route, there is no reason to stop at one or two items. Life would be so much fun with a monogrammed vacuum, toothbrush, and shoes that leave a monogrammed footprint. (If they don't make those yet, they should.)

Once you are ready to move to the next step, we can start a discussion about putting your WHOLE name on stuff. Like water bottles. For now...baby steps.

Saying My "I Love You's"

Kat - because you are encouraging each of us to say our "I Love You's" every day, this one is for you!

Mom - I love you. I love your positive attitude and your boundless excitement for trying new things. I love your sense of adventure and your patience with me.

Dad - I love you. I love your steadiness and your sense of humor. I love that I know you love me because you say it.

Tammy - I love you. I love you checking in on me on random days and at random times to see what I am up to and let me know what is going on with you and your bunch.

Becky - I love you. I love your sass and your openness about everything in your world.

More to come later. Just a few for the noon hour!!

It's Easy to Forget

When I was young, I always thought that I would NOT grow up into a fussy adult. I would REMEMBER how important the little things are when you are young and I would let my kids have cookies before dinner and buy them designer jeans and...well, 100 other things that mortified me or frustrated me about being a kid...I would NEVER do those as an adult!

Fast forward 25 years. Life took a little different turn than I thought, and I have no children. Which means that I don't have the opportunity to help them build character by NOT having the newest iPod, iPhone, or whatever it is that the lives of short people revolve around these days. Because at some point in those 25 years, I realized how important it is to tell a child no. To help them understand what is important and how we have to make choices about what we want in life. I am so grateful for all of the lessons that my parents taught me in all the small ways over the years. Thank you!!!

I am lucky because I live close enough to some of my family that I get to be part of the lives of the little munchkins they are raising. One of them is this little cutie. She's much bigger now...almost 5!

This last weekend she and her brother (and mom and uncle and grandparents) came over for dinner. She had a new necklace and she was SO EXCITED to show it to everyone. Her aunt had given it to her and it was shiny and sparkled and made her feel very grown up. As we were putting on shoes to go play outside she said, "Mom! We are going outside and everyone is going to see my necklace and they are going to think it is so pretty!"

That was a sweet moment, and it helped me remember how important the little things really are to a young kid. Such small and simple gestures are so profoundly crucial to them. It is the little hugs and smiles and stories and kisses and bed time back rubs that help them know they are loved.

Right. I would keep up the ramblings, but sometimes my feelings towards these little folks makes me get a little emotional. And it totally ruins the tough-girl reputation I am trying to build at work with these guys when I sit at my desk and cry over pictures of baby girls. Blast.

The Vampires Got Me

I already live underground - at least for 40 hours of the week. I have the awesome pale skin and dark hair that seem to be the visual standard. All that was missing was to actually have an inhuman thing drain me of my blood and cause me to lose my soul. I'm a desperate sort, so when I tried and failed yesterday to catch the eye of the nearest inhuman, today seemed like a good day to try again. And it worked. Muwahahahahahahaha!!!

Which is all a really dramatic and silly way to say that I gave blood this morning. And it seems to be affecting my judgement. Perhaps my writing as well...