Payson Stamp Club

YAY stamp club is back in session!! My original club split into two different groups: Payson and SLC. So...this past Thursday was the first time the Payson group got all together and IT WAS A BLAST!!! There was tons of energy and excitement and I left with a big smile on my face!

From L to R: Kendal Edwards, Amanda Edwards, Vanessa Schmidt (who as you can see really "got the party started"....full report of the night on her blog too), Laurie Peterson and me. (Apparently my self-portrait skills need a little work!)


Amanda is a new-ish friend--and she was a fabulous hostess this week! Thanks Amanda!! :) Laurie and Vanessa have been in my life for so many years, it's hard to imagine living w/out them. Go Vikings!

Um....have I ever mentioned how much I love stamping? :)

Just an Average Day....

Today Jaron and I were alone on our row--our other 4 team members were mostly in Orlando at a Regional. And still--we found ways to entertain each other. Just an average day at the office.....

Me drinking diet coke......

And Jaron making a bizarre comment like "The next time you need a hotel room, I can get you one for free!"

















"Just take these.....

















....and at least one of them should work in one of the hotel rooms in whatever city you're in!"

This is not an inside joke. This is just Jaron--out of nowhere he produces dozens of hotel room keys that he's been saving up for who knows how long! Why one might ask? The answer is still to be revealed.....

Overall it was a day of Dreaming Big and Creativity at Work. After Bettering our Best we were in fact able to Get Connected and find the Look of Leadership. haha

(NOTE: This is in fact an unintentional inside joke--these are all past themes for our events....good memories....good times).

Alice Cullen

OK so Vanessa sent me this Twilight Quiz that I just completely love! If you don't know what Twilight is, go to Stephenie Meyer's web site -- or just ask me -- I'd be happy to fill you in! So everyone please take the quiz and then add a comment about who you are--I'm dying to know! :)

As for me, the first time I took this quiz, I tried to "fix" it so I would get Alice (I know, I know, I still cheat even when there isn't a winner). She's my fave and I just knew I could be her if I tried hard enough......and......I got Rosalie!! haha I mean me & Rosalie? So funny. So then I decided to take the quiz again and just be truly honest......and VOILA!

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Alice Cullen - You are vivacious and full of energy! Your childlike way of looking at life makes you both amusing and special to your friends. You make an excellent friend, although you do have a tendency to get uppity if you're not immediately given your way- people often give into you for your charm.
Take this quiz!








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Premiere Week!!

I'm back home now....what a FABULOUS trip it was!!! Here's a couple of final pics:

To the left--Christy and me at Chipotle (YUM!)....

and just below--me, Jill and Caroline in Caro's fabulous kitchen.

Now it's back to work AND....IT'S PREMIERE WEEK!!! The returning shows I am most looking forward to are:

• Brother's and Sisters
• Ugly Betty
• and my latest obsession....Friday Night Lights!!! I cannot explain really why I love this show so much but I think it has something to do w/Texas + Coach Taylor + the biggest group of hot people who can actually act--all rolled into one. If you've even ever thought of watching this show (or even if you haven't) DO IT THIS SEASON! Don't delay--you won't regret it!!!

Coach Taylor doing what he does best: just LOOKIN' HOT!!!

This is his "What do you want a hug or somethin'? Get outa here" face.

And the NEW shows I am most looking forward to are:

• Moonlight
• Cane
• and Gossip Girl

I have a feeling it's going to be a very good week!!

P.S. What's your top 3?

CNN

So yesterday, I took Jill to work (her car was in the shop and Caro has let me use her car every day--amazing freedom! :) Jill works at CNN and so I went in with her for a bit of a tour. She works in bookings for Wolf Blitzer (who commented that I was the first brunette Mormon that he'd ever met! haha). Jill's tour was amazing--mostly b/c of her commentary, of course! I also got to see Chris Carter again--who was instrumental in making one of my biggest dreams come true a few years ago! It was amazing to see him and to meet lots of Jill's other coworkers.

But the most amazing thing about the whole visit was seeing Jill in her perfect element! It makes me so happy to see her working in a place where she is not only fully appreciated, but where she can perfectly use all her skills and be in bliss all at the same time! It reminded me of Matt's blog entry last week--about passion. And it makes me smile to know that all Jill's hard work paid off and that she is truly in a wonderful place!

Washingon DC

Monday afternoon, we drove from NYC to DC. I was reunited w/my fave restaurant for the best chips and salsa that ever were!! And Amanda and then hit several of the monuments. I love this city!! And it was great to get back in touch! I've been here almost 3 days now and have been doing some major R & R, watching Friday Night Lights and seeing friends. I'm staying w/Caroline and Jill Chappell lives close by. Both of their houses are soooooooo amazing and have really inspired me to want to get home and finish up my spare room--and really get things more in order. So that will be one of my October projects.

The weather here is so perfect--I don't know the temp but it feels like high 70s with a constant nice breeze. I LOVE the fall!!! This morning I went on a walk w/Jill all through these neighborhoods w/amazing old colonial type houses. I love old stuff! haha It felt so good to walk and talk and observe! I am excited even for today to just rest and read and hang out in this city that I love so much! More pictures to follow....

Heaven on Wheels in NYC!

Before you start reading this, click here (and start the music--which you will need for effect while reading this entry) and then come back to this page to read more.....

So after Philly, Amanda, Matt & I drove up to NYC. Amanda and I stayed at the also swanky (two swankies in one weekend!) Hudson hotel--so awesome. I put a link there so you can go check it out. We found it on priceline the day before. WOW I really couldn't believe what I was seeing--from the unmarked exterior to the men lounging in the "Private Park." Quite a sight!

The highlight of the trip was XANADU!!!! It's been on Broadway for a couple months now and it was truly HEAVEN ON WHEELS!! The coolest part is they have about 30 or so seats that are ON STAGE!! And as luck would have it, I got one!! This was definitely my favorite broadway experience thus far!! To be up close and see EVERYTHING was unbelievable!! The entire ceiling was filled with disco balls and they were skating on stage in different formations, wearing purple and sequins! I DIED. Not only did I buy a t-shirt, but I also found a new member of my top ten list: Cheyenne Jackson! Yum! I wish wish wish I could've take pics inside, but alas it was not allowed. However, here's a pre-Xani one of me and Amanda and Kira, the Greek muse.....and one of me just post-Xani when I was still in complete disbelief of the amazing showI just experienced!

We also went to this wow restaurant called VYNL. It was so delish, so fun, AND we saw Anne Hathaway! Matt's restaurant recommendations all weekend really were the icing on the cake. And in his own words, "He knows food!" haha Pic #3 is me, Amanda and Matt's friend Brandon who was in town on business but coincidentally lives less than a mile from me!

Monday morning, Matt went to an audition (see his blog for a full report of not only his audition but also his version of this trip) and me and Mandy went shopping! Then we rendevouzed for lunch at the Eatery, which is where we took this final pic. Obviously very happy people. :) And I'm trying out my best Alice Cullen imitation (gees get a tan already!). haha

NYC is soooooooo unbelievable. I just can't even explain what it was like to be back!!! There is always so much to do and see and watch and experience--I LOVE IT!

Philly

So last Friday and Saturday we had a regional seminar in Philly!!! Other than a few concerts, I'd never been to Philly so I was soooo excited!! The regional overall was probably my favorite one yet!! My presenting partners were Lori Olaveson & Jaron Winder and Amanda Romualdo got to go to this time!! This first pic is of the 4 of us on our way back to the hotel from Saturday's show. I loved the view as we were walking down this street--so fun and busy--with an amazing building right at the end (I think it's the city building). Plus in the next block you can see the exact spot where we decided we don't need no blood transfusion and we don't care what nobody says! (or at least that's what one wanderer said).

Plus Matt Anderson and Christy Banker came up from DC to check out Stampin' Up! and see what my job is all about. M@ has his extensive remarks and photos on his blog so check that out if you're interested....Here we are on the left--just doing what we do best--being weird! :)

Friday night, we went to one of the coolest restaurants I've ever been to: the Continental. It was way swanky and yummy!! Every table had cool seats and the ambiance was just so amazing! Plus the bathrooms!!! You could see in but the people inside couldn't see out! Instead they would sit and fix their hair, etc. and we could watch from the outside! Picture #3 is of Amanda & me at the Continental. You can see the submarine window behind us. :) And Pic #4 is an overall shot of the place (notice the swinging bamboo chairs on the upper level!).

Saturday night, Jaron, Christy, Matt and I walked to H&M, waited for Jaron to shop, then went to delicious Chili's. Pic #5 is of the 4 of us on our way back to the hotel. I still LOVE my self-portrait mode!! It always delivers!

So as you can see, all these people plus Philly made for a REALLY good time!!

Chaz

I keep getting questions about what name Hillary settled on......so here it is: Chaz West Rose. :) And here is the little sweetie....He is honestly just so sweet!!! I really can't believe how much he sleeps. I really really love him!

In other news, Jody Farnes got married yesterday and so I went to the reception w/Vanessa and Laurie--my BFs from HS. We always have such a blast when we are together and last night was no exception....total HS reunion too w/people we haven't seen for years. :) I did however, forget once again to take pictures....but I did manage to snap one after the event....Hill was in the hospital the day Jody had her shower so I had Zoey with me and we went to the shower together. So since then, she's been asking me when the wedding is and if she could go....so last night we went to pick her up....and here she is, dressed to the nines, in her best cinderelly costume and her wedding hat. :) She really was the most perfect princess at the party!

p.s. HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!! We made it through yet another miserable summer in the desert!!! This one however included the hottest Utah August on record....so if you ask me, surviving that is a SERIOUS accomplishment!!! Sept 1 is the day I wait for for 3 torturous months and this year greeting that day was a happy reunion! :)