Life with Shannon

Christmas Tree Tour and the Perfect Day!

2010-12-14T22:43:00.005-07:00

Last week, I had this super awesome day. Actually it was a bit of a horrid day until I got home and then things started to look up. My mom does Grandma day every Thursday, with the grandchildren that aren't in school This year, that includes Carmie and Chaz. So when I got home Thursday, I found these on my stairs...
And the card that was included...
Is that the cutest thing ever?

So that was just the beginning of an amazing night...I set out to see all 3 of my sisters and take them a Christmas surprise. When I walked into Ally's house, I was met with this amazing splendor...

It's red! Her tree is red! And soooooo beautiful I took a few seconds to take it in. You might remember my post about Hillary's tree from 2007....when I saw Ally's tree, I knew what I needed to do....take a picture and share the beauty with the world.

On to Hill's, where this little gem was waiting to be photographed...
How she continues to top herself each year is beyond me...

And then it was on to Pop's....
I might be a little biased because we have the same tree so of course I love hers. :)

And on my way home, Jeff called to see if I still needed help painting my wall!!! So we ended the day w/a delicious meal at Denny's. :)

So there you have it....THE PERFECT DAY in which I saw all 4 of my siblings and all 5 of my sweeties. And then I snapped this when I got home to round out the tour...

What do you think of the new drapes?

Fancy Pillow

2010-12-07T00:23:00.004-07:00

So I purchased this AMAZING new couch that I referred to in this post. And I finally got it upstairs (thanks Pop and Steve!) and am ready to accessorize! I've been looking for ideas for new couch pillows and I found this post on my new favorite blog: Oh So Crafty.

So I immediately rounded up 4 old shirts that would've ended up at goodwill sooner than later....

And I up-cycled them to make an amazing pillow!!!!
It turned out a little more stripey than I envisioned (gotta love my lack of ability to visualize)...but overall I LOVE IT! This was most definitely the funnest project I've done in a LONG time!

Are you thinking "Weird color scheme, Shannon, are you color blind?" Well here's how it fits in the room....and I'm painting a wall the Cool Caribbean color so stay tuned for that.....

But for now....what do you think of my new look?
The remotes are a nice touch....but if I give them the chop I also have to cut out the vintage resin grapes and my Granny's craft project from the 50s...so they got to stay in the photo. :)

Happy Holidays!!

The 13th

2010-11-14T21:22:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I had the first normal Saturday that I've had in many months....it was good to be back!! So it was filled w/a Zoey sleepover on Friday night, stamping in the morning, Einstein's for lunch w/3 Roses and Pop, Hobby Lobby and about an hour of being a Maxxinista! Then Zoey and I stamped for a few more hours...the perfect day!

Zoey's latest thing is covering journals, which she writes in during ever spare moment. She did this one almost completely unguided....I only had to contribute my glitter Mod Podge. :)

It scares me how old she looks in this picture. :(

Also, to make the day even more fabulous, the 13th of every month is my unlimited Diet Coke day!! How is that different from every other day, you may be asking? Well it's not really, except I just don't feel guilty for damaging my kidneys. So after 32 oz. of the Dark Bubblie @ Einsteins, and a refill, I snagged this one on my way home...

Even after all that (roughly 96 ounces), I still spent less than $4 on Diet Coke today. :) mmmm!

November Art Class

2010-11-04T21:38:00.005-06:00

I am so happy and lucky to be taking an art class!!! The kids have been taking art from this awesome lady who lives in my Rent's neighborhood....and so Hill and I decided to join up for the adult classes this year. In October, we learned to sketch. I even have my own sketch book now!!

This past Tuesday, we created amazing landscapes with oil pastels. OMG I seriously loved it so much and when I'm finished it is going to be an amazing work of art for my newly decorated house (no progress on the house yet....just dreaming).

So here is my initial sketch...on special paper for this medium (I almost sound like I know what I'm talking about)...

And then I snapped this one after the background/mountains & sky were complete....

And this was how I ended the evening...I'm about 75% finished.....

Awesome, right??? I'll post the finished one next month so stay tuned....you will just die when you see the fields in the foreground!!! :)

Hocus Pocus!

2010-11-02T23:13:00.004-06:00

Halloween was awesome again this year at Stampin' Up! The training dept dressed up as witches...

Me, Donna & Carrie

Happy November, all ya'll! :)

Last 7 weeks

2010-10-25T22:02:00.002-06:00

I've been on 6 business trips in the last 7 weeks. It's been amazing. But I am tired and ready to sleep. Oh yeah--I already have been pretty much since I stepped off the plane! Anyway here are a few pics from things, not just business trips, that have been going on in the last little bit....please ignore my stupid phone pictures--I hope you can click on them and make them bigger if you wanna...

Times Square....SO AMAZING!!

I took a few days off after the Book-a-thon and it was UEA so we all...sisters, kids and friends...went to McD's one day for lunch. Does this look like awesome fun or what?!?!
I am my father's daughter so I snapped a picture of the South Carolina Capitol building whilst we buzzed by it in the cab one day...
Annual trip to Lagoon (or "The Magoon) as Chaz is still calling it...it was Frightmares which was so awesome!!
We've been doing Paper, Pad & Marker at Regionals this fall....I love seeing all the colors like this....
Stamping SWAG!!! I went to an awesome event when in Canada and this is all the swag I took home with me.....so much fun!!!
Also got to go to Niagra Falls for the first time...
Beef anyone? Texans know how to BBQ right!
And I bought a new couch!!!!! Stay tuned (ok check back in a few months actually b/c it is going to take me awhile) for a complete makeover of my house!! :)

Unbelievable Autumn

2010-10-06T18:26:00.000-06:00

And finally the weather is turning!!! Why is everything so much better in Autumn? Music sounds cooler. Food tastes better. Clothes are cuter. TV is unbelievable. I am happier.

NYC in Autumn is pretty much the best ever. And I was there this past Sunday and Monday. Sadly the leaves hadn't turned, but I assure you the weather was truly amazing!!!

And these are the crappy pics that I get w/my phone....must add camera to my Christmas list. :)

Book #7

2010-10-05T19:56:00.001-06:00

You can probably already tell how much I liked this book by how quickly I read it. I was sucked into it literally from the first page. It's surprising, shocking, evil, naughty, devastating and sweet all rolled into one. There were so many surprising things throughout, I expected the ending to be a little more WOW in some way and it just fizzled out. Kind of a bummer for a book that I found 90% of to be so incredibly fascinating!

Would I recommend it? It is really different so I am not sure I could pinpoint would like it. However, if you decide to read too many reviews before reading the book, it may ruin all the twists and turns.

I finished it last night and I am already looking back on it with a "that was awesome" feeling.

7 down; 5 to go...

Book #6

2010-09-30T00:28:00.003-06:00

I finished my 6th book of the year. And after 3 days of processing, I still hate it. I won't say that I regret reading it. Just that I hated it. I loved everything about this series in the first book....how did it go so wrong?

That's all I'm gonna say. I'm too tired, need to be packing, and don't want to waste another minute talking about this.

6 down; 6 to go...

For my sisters

2010-09-23T20:38:00.001-06:00

This post is for my sisters and anyone else who has plans to visit St. George in the near future...

Last weekend I was whistlin' in Dixie...we had a regional seminar for about 300 people Friday and Saturday. Then Amanda and I stayed in town and had a couple very good and relaxing days.

Anyway we went to this cutest ever bakery that also serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It was soooooo good and sooooooo yummy. It is like a Flour Girls with good sandwiches! Plus they have cupcakes!

H, A and P--it is about 3 doors down from the Bear Paw. For everyone else, I believe the address must be 25 North or South Main. It's gotta be one or the other and they are only a half a block away, right? Enjoy!!

The best thing about being a hairdresser

2010-09-21T22:11:00.004-06:00

Hands down, the best thing about being a hairdresser is cutting the hair of these precious sweeties. This is Chaz before...

And this one is after....

That's right....our 3-year-old is rockin' a sweet mullet!

Book #5

2010-08-22T20:55:00.004-06:00

8 months have gone by....and I've only read 5 books!!! Good thing my travel season is coming up....lots of time to read on planes!

Anyway today I finished The Postmistress. I am still pretty mixed about this one and am not sure what to say. It was another WWII book and there were parts that were soooooo sad! There were definitely some really beautiful parts and overall I really liked the way the writer described things--gave me an amazing mental picture of what was going on. But the ending left me very unsatisfied. I'm not even sure how I wanted the book to end--I just know that it left me feeling sad and a little bit empty.

However, I don't regret reading it--I thought it was very interesting.

Summer Top 5

2010-08-10T21:01:00.000-06:00

Did you know yesterday was 8-9-10?! That is awesome!! Turns out it was also a great day to cut my hair off! Will post a pic as soon as I can talk someone into taking one. :)

Anyway I just had to take a second for my SUMMER 2010 TOP 5....or in other words, 5 reasons that I'm glad it's summer (pretty much the only 5 reasons!).....

#5: So You Think You Can Dance!!!

I haven't cared for many of the contestants this year....who cares about them when so many of my favorites are back!!! Seriously I love the all stars!!

#4: Rescue Me

I actually gave this show up...but it turns out alcohol is not the only thing that can be an addiction. :)

#3: Drop Dead Diva

Oh my goodness I love this show sooooooo much!!!! A few weeks ago it was hands down my favorite....but that was before I rediscovered #2 and discovered #1....

#2: Mad Men

The picture pretty much says it all....my good heavens this show is so unvelievable!!!

Seriously this might be the best show of all time. OK it won't ever beat out ALIAS but every week it leaves me thinking "How is it possible to make a show this good??" At the end of season 3 I thought they should get out while the gettin' was good--I usually hate it when shows reinvent themselves. But HOLY COW I cannot believe how it is head and shoulders better than itself. AMAZING!

I struggled over putting this one at #1 or #2. In the end I gave it the #2 spot because after watching an episode of Covert Affairs, I feel happy. And at the end of a Mad Men epi I find myself wanting to jump off a buliding. haha

#1: Covert Affairs

I was a SERIOUS skeptic because I didn't want a show replacing my beloved ALIAS. But I am happy to report that my ALIAS void has really been filled!!!

Last week's epi was sooooo good I've watched it 3 times!!! Trust me and check it out....what the hell else do you have to do at 11pm on a Tuesday night? Even you summer lovers can't be out in the sun at that time of day! :)

U.S. Convention

2010-08-05T23:09:00.001-06:00

Thank you to Tracey Roy who sent me & Donna this pic of our fun Flower Power party at Convention. It was seroiusly so much fun!!! But then I always love a good costume party!

And once again I must beg for pictures from Convention. I really have to get a new camera sooner than later!! But if you have some cute pictures that you think I might like or would look cute on my blog, please send them to me: shanwest@gmail.com.

In other news, my baby sis graduated from massage therapy school tonight. Not only does she give the best massage ever but she also graduated with a 4.0! Hello!!! So I whipped up this cute card for her special Congraduations.....WAY TO GO POP!

I swear I will never get enough of Artistic Expressions....it's definitely my new "desert island" stamp set....it better NEVER retire!!!

Sydney Convention pics finally!

2010-07-09T00:15:00.000-06:00

Thank you thank you all my lovelies for sending me pics so I can finally do a recap of a very amazing week!!! I've waited so long now that it almost seems weird to post these pics. However, I maintain that my blog is as much my journal as anything and I simply cannot go without having these pictures here to look back on in the future. :)

And as much as I wanted to go in chronological order, this first picture is encrypted or something b/c not only can I not move it, but I can't delete it either.....I think it's a sign! So I will start off with an awards night photo....one of my favorite things about awards night is that everyone gets all gussied up......look at all these gorgeous girls!!!

Sophie, Emma, Amanda, me, Clare & Jeanette

So now I'm starting at the beginning of the event....which was Friday morning. Emma and I stopped for a quick beauty shot...

And at the end of the day Friday with two awesome Kiwi's--Diane and Paula...

Let's see....lots happened on Friday that I don't have in photos. It was an extremely awesome and long day (any day is long for me when I have to start it in the 6:00 am hour). Registration, stamping, break-out classes, and then I ended the evening with delish Thai food and chit chat w/some demonstrators....but of course don't have a picture of that (Jayne--if you read this and if you have a photo--will you send it to me? Wait did we even take any pictures that night....hmm I think not....such a shame!)

On to Saturday....more break-out classes in the morning and then stamping, etc. in the afternoon. Here's the fabulous Ngaire who's from all the way over in Perth....

And the lovely Deb who I think is from Melbourne but I'm drawing a bit of a blank...is that right Deb?

And two awesome WA gals: Nicola and Charmaine....thanks for coordinating your outfits girls so that the picture would look so good! :)

And the last part of the event is Awards Night....which started off w/Paparazzi and a red carpet so we stopped for a few photos...

So first off Bonnie, me and Amy....two of my coworkers that I actually see every day instead of once a year. :)

And then me and Amanda striking a pose....I seriously love this girl and hate that she's one of the ones that I only see once a year. :(

Me and the gorgeous Sharnee rockin' her faux fox fur....ok it's probably not fox but I just couldn't pass up using that phrase....she's from Tasmania...

And two more WA gals--Leonie and Jodene...who also dressed in red and black...even the background is playing along!

And the ever so delish awards night dinner...

Nicola, Charmaine, Lynda, Ngaire, Skip, Cherita, Shannon

This year I decided to stay a couple of days after--so that I could do some sightseeing and get a good feel for the amazing city of Sydney...so on Sunday a bunch of us rode a ferry to Manly. The scenery was just amazing....Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the distance...

Sunday was such a gorgeous day--there were hundreds of sailboats in the harbour and the weather was perfect!!! Here we are on the steps of Manly beach. Manly is a cool little town....sort of like the beach version of Park City...we are looking at the beach and the photographer is standing on sand...

And one of my favorite photos--the ferry ride on the way back...

Shauna, Ngaire, Cindy, Charmaine, Marianne, Cherita, me, Emma, Teresa & Skip

And then back on land with the bridge in the distance...me & Teresa

And now that I'm at the end of my post, I can think of a couple more pictures that I have misplaced that I wanted to post...so I might have to post more later. The 3 days that I stayed after were sooooooo fun....mostly all shopping and recuperating and just having a blast in general. I loved every minute of this trip!!! So amazing!!

Backstreet's Back!

2010-07-05T19:45:00.000-06:00

A week or so ago, I had a reunion w/my Backstreet Boys. It was like going home and visiting some of my oldest and dearest friends. The truth is (and you might want to prepare yourself for some potentially shocking news): I am a groupie. In fact for a couple of years I "went on tour" with them. One week I actually saw them perform in Charlotte, Atlanta, Philly and DC. Seriously! In fact, one of my favorite life stories revolves around them....I was teaching high school in Virginia and I lied to my department chair about being sick so I could go to MTV in NYC and experience the boys filming a special TV show. Then when back at school, I was talking to my dept. chair and one of my students walked in and said "saw you on tv, Miss West!" ha!!!

We started the night at Appy Hour at Market Street Grill....yum!

Their songs are a soundtrack to my life. When I hear their music I am transformed to all sorts of events and experiences....it's weird how the songs crop up and before I know it I am thinking about all kinds of memories. Like every time I go to LAX I am secretly looking around for 5 guys in white suits dancing to 'I Want It That Way.'

Anyway tonight I went to the concert w/my 3 sisters. We have collectively seen them perform 30 times!! Watching the little girls have fun was one of the best parts of the night. And then Hillary (who endured the entire concert with a full-on migraine....no not the kind people say they have and then stay at work but the kind where you have to take 2 imitrex's and4 Excedrins but you get through it because that's how bad you want it) also brought on some great enjoyment when Brian told her he could see her sitting down and that she needed to get on her feet! ha!

Hillary, Ally, me and Lindsey

Other highlights for me tonight were:

Bigger--it sounded so good live!!
Larger Than Life (although a bit of a teaser the way they did it, I will always love it when they sing the video version of the song which is what they did)
Straight Through My Heart--still can't get enough of this song!
Oh and getting a text from my brother right before the concert that said "I will be late don't stay up and wait for me....I'm goin' to a place nearby, gotta go!" haha

Bedazzled hoodies....pretty much the only type I would wear. :)

Final bows...the saddest moment!

It was an amazing show!! And then on the way home, for the first time I was thankful for the I-15 construction when just as I started to slow down, I ran smack dab into the boys' buses!!

All the times that I've thought "If we could just find their buses, eventually they will have to stop for gas." And then there they were...and I was almost out of gas....so I couldn't even follow them to SoCal. Such a bummer! But amazing at the same time! It was truly an amazing night!!!

A day in the life....

2010-06-22T23:08:00.004-06:00

Whew! Work has been a little crazy lately...lots to do it seems. But every day I have a happy moment or two when I look across the aisle at my awesome boss...

This is Bonnie. She's the best and we have lots of laughs every day!!! Plus we are cousins--how cool is that!

But truthfully (and I told Bonnie this), I like looking across the aisle so I can see the calendar I bought in Italy....

Indeed what you are looking at is my HOT PRIEST calendar! Is that hilarious or what?! You'll notice the dates at the bottom....makes it look more like a picture book and less like a calendar. You'll also notice that this is August...but he's the hottest of them all so he actually gets June, July and August! :)

Just another day in the life...

p.s. thank you for all the awesome pictures...I will very soon post about Convention, and other things too....I've been itching to blog lately and have all kinds of things to say!

Convention in Sydney

2010-05-27T23:38:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the blogging hiatus.....it wasn't intentional but was brought on by a bit of sickness + my birthday + last minute prep + a 10 day trip Down Under. :) And in addition, I have a bit of bad news to share:

My camera died!!!

POS just quit on me. Actually it didn't quit--it takes very lovely gold pictures.....everything is gold. I might love it if I could actually tell who or what was in the photo!

So you can only imagine how devastated I am to not have one single photo from Convention in Sydney last week!! So if you have a good photo from Convention, will you send it to me? It can be a photo of me or you or us or someone else or whatever you want really.....I'm excited to see what you've got!!!

Please send photos to: shanwest@gmail.com

And THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

Book #4

2010-04-02T23:23:00.003-06:00

After reading Outlander, I wanted a book that was a bit lighter....and shorter too. My sister recommended this book and I almost loved it.

The first half of the book I did completely love!!! Oh sweet Sarah! I loved learning about this beautiful little Jewish Parisian. And in general, I love reading about WWII. I also loved how the book went back and forth between the two stories. I much preferred Sarah's story to Julia's. But I loved how the two were intertwined and I liked the unexpected twists and turns towards the end.

So if you like learning about WWII, I would think you would enjoy this little story.

Dish towels

2010-03-28T20:07:00.000-06:00

My latest project is making a few dish towels....which I am loving so much I may never make another card and just spend my life sewing!!

Yeah right....of course that would never happen. But the cool thing is I am using a lot of Stamin' Up! product on these....

This was the first one I made, using the Flower Layers die and the Big Shot. Then of course some satin ribbon for one of the stems. I've also thought of putting buttons in the center of the flowers but I couldn't quite imagine drying dishes or hands and encountering a button....probably would be counter-productive.

This was the 2nd one and I still am staring at it with "I can't believe how cute that is" running through my mind. Can you believe the pom poms and ric rac??!?! Plus my mom is a fabric hoarder and so her stash is really coming in handy with these little projects.

And now I am getting more and more creative w/Big Shot stuff.....so many dies....so little time!

Book #3

2010-03-20T22:03:00.003-06:00

3 down; 9 to go. I finished Outlander last night. And I have barely thought of anything else all day. I loved it soooooooooo much. At least I will say that I loved the first 750 pgs as much as any written word. I loved the risks Diana took--taking things a little too far. I started imagining men in kilts and I kid you not that I actually saw a man wearing one in the Memphis airport last Sunday!!! Weird coincidence, eh?!

But it was the last 100 pages that I am thinking about still. Still pretty much in shock. There were 3 things that happened, which caused me to feel horrified, devastated, and literally nauseous! And then I also felt disappointed and mad that such things would happen to my new favorite characters.

Nonetheless, I must ask myself: how many books have I read where I just didn't feel a damn thing for the characters? Lots. And so despite the shock I am still feeling, I know I will read book 2 before long. And I will go to Scotland sooner than later. And I will never again think of a man in a skirt as a feminine thing. :) And I will hope that the movie continues to be delayed until there is an actor that could actually play Jamie Fraser (seriously I do not think it's possible to properly cast him)!

With movies I often say that I don't have to have a perfect ending w/everything tied in a pretty bow for me to like it, and I am learning that I feel the same way about books. This book is NOT for the faint of heart....but it will send you on an unexpected thrill ride in which you may never be the same!

Sweeties

2010-03-03T22:33:00.004-07:00

A few recent pics that need to be posted....

Bones Rose....quite the personality!

Mikey and Carm obliterate Shanny's craft closet....don't shoot, Mikey!

Zoe and Chubs...

All 3 of the boys got Italian jerseys for Christmas...they love dressing alike!

"Where's your boots?"

Zoe's painting of the Eiffel Tower, which I purchased right in front of the magnificent thing. Thanks to my shrewd bargaining skills, I paid 1/3 of the original price! :)

Daddy Daughter Date

2010-02-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

You may not believe that I started this post BEFORE Vanessa posted her entry yesterday...but it's true--I swear it!!! I just misplaced my camera so I couldn't post it until I had the pictures to go with the entry. So read below what I wrote a couple days ago, then for a good chuckle, go check out Vanessa's post about her daughter...

If I were Vanessa, I would start this post off by scanning the pic of me and Dad sitting on the bales of hay, wearing plaid @ my Young Women Daddy Daughter Date....but alas I don't have a clue where that picture is so unfortunately I will only speak of my recent DDD.

Anyway last Friday morning, my Dad called me and asked me if I wanted to go see Billy Joel and Elton John that night. Um....that would be a big fat YES!!!! And we had a fabulous night watching the Rocket Man and the Piano Man duel....definitely the best dueling piano show I have ever seen! And probably the best I will ever see!

They opened together, playing Your Song. And WOW I couldn't have been happier since Moulin Rouge is my favorite movie. My other faves were Tiny Dancer, Crocodile Rock, Movin' Out and of course, Piano Man. It was an amazing show!!!

This is actually our 2nd DDDate to see Elton John and I love that I am the designated concert partner (at least when my mom doesn't feel like going). Thanks Dad!!! The dates with you just keep getting better and better!!

Would You Rather Wednesday

2010-02-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

Summer of 2002, my little sis (Allyson) and I drove cross country together. And she taught me the ways of Would You Rather. When you have 3 days in the car--you talk about a lot of weird things and think up all kinds of fun games. I know she didn't think it up, but she sure was an expert!!

Anyway this week I realized that according to Ally, I've been doing WYR Wednesday incorrectly. You are supposed to take the winners of certain "battles" and put them up against each other so in the end, you have one, or a few, winners.

So....congrats Bradley for beating Ashton (Sina assured me it would be a much closer battle....and Ashton is a cutie but hello!!!). How could I possibly find someone to challenge him?

Maybe an Olympian can give him a run for his money....maybe if that Olympian is a Norwegian Viking....

Aksel Lund Svindal....

....gold and silver and bronze medalist.....oh yes, you are #1!

And Bradley Cooper....the way he was when I fell in love with him--the Australian Rock Star:

(Lacey--you're welcome! :)

I'm already in crisis about who to vote for....

Favorite Movies of 2009

2010-02-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

I posted my Top Ten movies of 2009 on Movie Mavens so click the link if you wanna. There are still several movies that came out in 2009 that I haven't yet seen (The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air...) but it's the best I could do for now. :)

Quote of the Week

2010-02-17T23:40:00.004-07:00

"He was just one sport short of the perfect guy!"

--Vanessa Nielsen Schmidt

Haha still laughing about that one, V! Thanks for the memories that we are still reliving....every single one of them!

Would You Rather Wednesday

2010-02-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

I am officially reinstating Would You Rather Wednesday!!!! And this weekend is Valentine's Day...so how appropriate to have a new movie with the same name!!!

So here you go....two Valentine's Day hunks to choose from...as usual I tried to make this a difficult decision but there are very few that could rival one of these (at least according to me). Let's see if you agree....

Bradley Cooper:

....and one more....how could I resist posting a pic of him lookin a little WT?

Or Ashton Kutcher:

and one to equal the WT playing field...

My Leti

2010-02-09T17:55:00.002-07:00

Last weekend I got to go to Fort Collins, Colorado on a business trip. We had an awesome event but I didn't manage to ever get my camera out...which was sad b/c I had a great time w/Donna--it's such a relief to like the ppl I work with because it makes traveling soooooo much fun!

In fact, we got upgraded to first class both coming and going! Now if that isn't fun, I don't know what is!?! Unlimited Diet Coke and Biscoff cookies anyone?

Anyway, on Friday night, I got to see my Leti....

Too bad my camera only took a crappy picture. :(

Why did my text just turn blue? Anyway Leti was my mission companion over 13 years ago. I know, you are shocked by that, wondering how I could possibly be that old! :)

In a year and half, there were only 2 times when I had one of those moments--the kind of moment where everything is right in the world and you know you were meant to be there. I can't really explain it properly besides that....

One of those moments was with Leti and I can remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, and what it felt like. This is a friendship that has truly enriched my life in ways that I didn't even know were possible. I love this girl to the core! I loved her even before I met her!

And of course I took a 2nd picture--had to make sure to get at least one good one! :) Actually I think they are both cute...

Leti thank you for being so amazing!

Book #2

2010-02-02T20:47:00.003-07:00

Whoot woooooo! January is barely over and I've got book #2 under my belt. I finally finished Breaking Dawn.

It was like lifting a huge burden when I finished this book because I've been reading it for so long. I was already 150 pgs. into the book so I actually didn't read the entire thing this month. But since there are 750 pgs. total, I figure I can count it.

The story had some good moments--definitely liked it better than New Moon and Eclipse. I totally wish New Moon and Eclipse didn't exist and instead the story went straight from Twilight to this....and now there were still a couple more books left of the cool lives of vampires!!

Biggest annoyance: 250 of the most boring pages of my life reading about Bella pregnant and everyone just hovering over her. Blah that was torture!!!

Anyway that's about all I've been doing lately....I've been sick for a couple weeks but am better now. My Zoey turned 7 on Sunday (yikes! 7!!!) Other than that, I'm off to a regional this weekend: Fort Collins, Colorado!

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-21T09:32:00.002-07:00

This year I've made a new and very different resolution. I had a presentation in January that was on goal setting--and the lady I worked with taught me that goals should be something that you are excited about!!

I don't think I've ever set one goal in my life that I was very excited about. :)

So this year that has changed! My goal in 2010 is to read 12 books. I've gone though my whole life reading maybe one or two books a year so that will be an AMAZING accomplishment! The cool thing is--as soon as I made the goal, I wanted to read all the time!!! It's a very weird feeling for me.

So my January book wass the Sleeping Beauty proposal...

I was very excited about this b/c I loved the Cinderella Pact by the same author (which was one of the most fun and clever chick lit books I've read). But there were very few traces of similarity, if any. I didn't really like this book and struggled to get through it.

But I finished it and I still have 10 days of January left to get going on another. Next up: The Help and I still need to finish Breaking Dawn....

Leadership 2010

2010-01-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

This year, Stampin' Up! Leadership was in Phoenix. So I headed there last Monday, for the show that ran Wed-Fri. Then on Saturday, we had a Regional event--some of the same demonstrators, some different....

This was truly one of my favorite weeks of work....ever!

But I am still wondering when I will return to normal since I've done nothing but sleep and veg since I got home on Sunday. :)

Here are a few highlights:

Brian....

We went to see Nine one night and basically it was an expensive nap for me (or rather for Andrea since I forgot my credit card! ha!).

We couldn't figure out what Nine stood for since there were only 7 women in the movie. Brian suggested either Nine hours long or Nine confirmed cases of lung cancer after filming...both very likely. :)

Hands down, it was my favorite stage yet....

...and with a blue background...so awesome!
Always a favorite to be w/my coworkers...Me, Carrie, Shiloh and Lisa...

And then almost the same group but w/Amanda...

Prize Patrol is for sure my favorite part of events! :) (Pope, Carrie, me, Angie)

And this picture has become a tradition for me and Amanda at each of our events....
I got to teach a class w/Natalie Travis....it was much more than a class to me....more like a wonderful blessing and experience!
So many demonstrators....so little time....I wish I could have a picture with every one of them! This is Cindy Major from Quebec City....
Georgia Giguere and Lisa Fast (from the mid-west)....
Winona Semler (Edmonton)....

Vegas

2010-01-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

OK so forever ago--in September--my Kiwi coworker Emma came to the states. We met up in Vegas and had the most fantastic weekend!!!!! And I've never posted because well, I don't really have a good excuse! :) Sorry for the delay of picture sharing, Em!

I will start by saying that i SERIOUSLY love Vegas!!! This was my first time staying on the strip and it is for sure the best way to go!

One night we went to the Wynn to see La Reve and it was for sure one of my very favorite shows ever!!! Not to mention the amazing theater and hotel, etc...

We shopped til we dropped...Emma is one of the few that can shop with the best (meaning me. ha!). Of course besides me and my sisters, there are few who really do want to shop and shop and shop until there is no more money or energy. That's when it's time for a little Diet Coke so we can keep going for several more hours. :)

We stayed at Treasure Island. It was so perfect, super swanky....

...including an awesome slutty pirate/siren show each night.

We took a break from shopping for a few minutes....

Awesome food with an awesome person....

The Bellagio never disappoints....

It was the perfect weekend!

Italy etc.

2010-01-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

There are still a few more things about Italy that I didn't get documented... funny things that I definitely want to remember....

This picture was up in our Rome hotel....so hilarious b/c it was made of fabric and the medals, sunglasses and other details were stuck right on the canvas! They are the hotel owners. :)

The first day in Florence, Luciano & Luciana made us hot cocoa--which they had never made before. The first time I took a sip, I nearly choked!!! So after adding about 4 packets of sugar and a dollop of Nutella I was able to get it down.

The funny part came when they asked us how it tastes? Pope and I said "Oh it's great--thank you so much!" And then Luciano poured the remainder in a mug to give it a try...we were thinking "oh no now he will see how nasty it tastes!" But instead he just said "um...very good!" hahaha

But we had it every day anyway because it was endearing that they were willing to make it for us. :)

Naturally, Italian men are one of my favorite things!! Some might think they are more forward but I just think they are honest. :) haha Even the ones that had nothing to gain would still say things that would shock us.

This man wanted to be my slave....

...and I am not really sure why I didn't jump at that proposal!!

This man said his heart would never forget us....(seriously who says that kind of stuff?)

This man...well I call him my boss because he gave me a standing invitation to work for him...

And one last shot of Francesca....with Florence in view. :)

Venezia

2009-12-26T23:05:00.001-07:00

On Sunday morning, our last day in Florence, we said goodbye to Amanda around 5:30 am. So sad to say goodbye....I certainly missed her for the next couple days.

We headed to the train station early afternoon, after saying a very, very reluctant goodbye to Florence.
And soon learned the very, very hard way that we had assigned seats on the train (oops!). So after a painful rearranging, we were able to stow our luggage, and find out seats.

And we made a new friend too....poor guy was assigned to share a seat w/3 crazy American women!
Off the train....and onto the public water taxi....

And after much effort we found our hotel....

Our last day in Italy, we buzzed all over Venice....just outside our hotel starting off the morning...

On our way over to Murano to see and buy some glass... Lunch was a delicious pepperoni and french fry pizza! Really, it was tasty!

Us in Piazza San Marco, w/St. Mark's church/cathedral/bascilica (who can remember?). I love this photo b/c there is just so much going on....

The Bridge of Sighs....this wasn't the only time we saw Italy sell out to the highest bidder. I think these buildings were actually under construction but this display is quite the opposite of the usual fabric covering that looks like the actual building....

Cruising down the Grand Canal....

Lisa & I wanted to take a picture with the canal and palazzos behind us in this amazing spot...but this gondalier was just hanging out there. So we got in place and then I just turned to him and held out my arm inviting him into our picture. And i am not exaggerating when I say he rolled his eyes, then took one step towards me to get into the picture. Hilarious! But it sure made for a cool photo....

Self-portrait whilst on the steps of the Rialto Bridge....Grand Canal in the background...

When we were in Siena, we talked to a couple who had just left Venice and found themselves in the middle of high tide one night so they had to borrow boots from their hotel. I secretly hoped we would have the same situaion so that we could walk the catwalks which are all over. No such luck with high tide....but lucky for us, the catwalks were still set up....
Grand Canal at night....
Last meal in Italy. :( Sad. At least I brought home a few amazing rings, right? This one is glass...

Farewell, Italia...see you soon (I hope!).

(sigh) Florence...

2009-12-21T23:09:00.001-07:00

On this trip, I decided that Paris has nothing over Florence....except the Eiffel Tower of course. But besides that I love Florence as much....maybe more. I love it so much words don't properly explain....and that's the reason for the (sigh).

After a short bus ride (short ride on a bus, not a ride on a short bus) from Siena, we headed to the best B&B in the best location.....Luciano & Luciana (brother & sister)...

The view out our window in one direction: the market....

...and in the other direction we could see the Piazza Della Signoria where there are tons of these....

We headed to the Duomo first things and climbed the tower. I like to do that to get oriented. :)

We looooove graffiti....and 496 stairs!

Yesssss.....we all got the memo about blue day! (gorgeous Florence behind us)

And here it is....the unveiling of the ring that I bought in Siena. Calling it a ring doesn't begin to do it justice.....

Why did we take more pictures climbing up and down than we did of the view???

Damn these steps are small.....good thing I have Shiloh and Lisa in front of me to catch my fall!

So many pigeons....so little time....

I'm home!!!!

I like this restaurant...I don't even care if they are about to kick us out and tell us to go to a pizzaria down the street!

Best pizza on the trip....

And a temporary camera malfunction provided 'world on fire' type of pictures....amazing!

I loooooooove shopping....I even love watching other people shop!

I found the one...and I only had to go to every handbag store in the city 3 times! :)

Here's another shot of Francesca (the ring)....color accent photog by Lisa...

Yes please...I want to come back for Florence someday so I will rub the nose of this frightening boar and throw my penny into the drain...

David....the very one....we sneaked a few pictures despite the fact that the photo lady was on constant alert....however no photo can do him justice and all 3 of my travel companions agreed w/this. Must see to believe!

"I can take this guy"

Yes, Lisa, I'd be happy to take your picture....oops I didn't notice that a light post was growing out of your head....just take a couple steps to the left and lets try again.....

Dangit--I really didn't mean to give you an evergreen headress, I promise! Hmmm what else can we get to grow out of your head....

I call this one "The Biggest Loser Italy." There were lots of times where I could hear Jillian in my head..."you're lazy" or "increase your speed" or "get up" or several other versions w/lots of different expletives. :) This was my ongoing joke though---because the food is too healthy (not as delish as American food, if you know what I mean) and we walked 12 hours a day. :)

There are so many more pics but I'm exhausted so I'm done for tonight...I will end by saying Florence was 3 days of absolute bliss!!!

Siena

2009-12-08T01:08:00.004-07:00

When Shiloh & I first started looking into hotels to book, we were considering staying one night in Siena, which is in Tuscany, between Rome and Florence. We found a review of a B&B on (Agritourismo Marciano) on TripAdvisor.com that said it was literally, heaven on earth! So we gambled and decided to check this place out and stay 2 nights.

And even with expectations that high, it faaaaaar exceeded everything! It is truly a place you just have to see to believe!!

This was part of our suite....

And the view out the windows (no screens!)....

The city was built completely on a hill, so everything was either up or down. It was this amazingly old, beautiful city with shops, shops, restaurants and more shops! And not much traffic--mostly all pedestrian streets.

This pic somewhat illustrates what it's like just walking around...

The first night we were there, the staff made us a 5 course dinner....it was one of the best moments of the trip getting to know all these fabulous people....

Il Campo....the main square (photography by Amanda)...

Me & two of my favorite things...

We almost gave up finding the lunch spot we were looking for, but were so glad we didn't because the food was amazing and the scenery might have been even better!

Shiloh, me, Pope....

When we ran into this shop, it was so much to take in we had to just stop and stare for a minute....

And in the end, we all ended up finding some treasures inside (no big surprise). I bought an out of this world piece of jewelry which you will see in my Florence post--which is next after this one...

And then dinner that night, in some sort of an old winery that they now use as a restaurant...
Siena was divine. It was a completely different pace than the other 3 that we went to---so amazing and so worth the detour!!!

Paris & Rome

2009-12-07T22:58:00.010-07:00

Just looking at the title of this post gives me chills!!!! (sigh) I am finally getting around to blogging about my unbelievable trip to Italy. After reading Lisa's posts, I'm feeling inspired. So, Shiloh, Lisa & I headed out on November 5...first stop: Paris.

Occasionally the airlines do a good thing....like forcing you to have an 8 hour layover in Paris! :) IT WAS AMAZING!!!!! And it was a nice reward after a flight of almost constant turbulence. This was my 10th time to Europe and I'm pretty sure this was the worst overseas flight EVER!!! Not only was it impossible to sleep, but I was having visions of plunging into the Atlantic...no, not good!

But waiting for us on the other side.....

I cannot get enough of that thing.

Seriously!

And of course Laduree macaroons were the 2nd most important thing in Paris!

Flying from Paris to Rome was like going from Salt Lake to Denver (except apparently they are still serving meals on short flights in other countries....not that I really saw what mine was b/c I was so out of it but I smelled it at some point). And I will also mention that not once did we fill out documentation of any kind on our way over!

We stayed in this cute little hotel, close to the Spanish Steps. Amanda traveled separately so we waited anxiously until she arrived Saturday morning. It was a happy reunion. :)

Day 1 in Rome we did:

Spanish Steps....

Double-decker bus tour...

(totally breaking my own rule of leaning away from the camera...what is that pose anyway? It's like my "Edward, please bite me" pose or something...)

Colosseum...

(I wore my Gladiator sandals for the occasion...)

And the Trevi Fountain...which for me, is the Eiffel Tower of Rome. It's the one thing that you just have to see to believe!

Of course we had to enjoy some gelato at the same time....

Actually, Rome is full of things you just have to see to believe. :)

Rome Day 2:

I learned that all over Rome they have ancient water fountains with drinkable water!! This was the one right by our hotel....

St. Peter's Basilica...

Climbed to the top too....this first one is inside the dome....

Because it was a dome, the stairways were curved at the top....

The amazing view...

I took a cool 360 video of the Vatican...to give a feel for what it is like to stand right there...

Walked through some other awesome areas....

Piazza Navona....

Pantheon....

And ended the night at the best place in Europe for Diet Coke....McDonalds....

And then really ended the night at the Trevi....

Rome Day 3:

The Forum....

(I love ruins....but this is the one thing that I think Vegas has improved! I mean how totally brill to take an idea from something that was so amazing and turn it into the most lucrative shopping mall in the world! Everything else in Vegas does not even come close to the real thing!)

Vatican Museum....

Of course we hit the Trevi...and we also found my new favorite make-up store....

Tuesday morning, we buzzed on over to say bye to the Trevi....

And to have one last sit on the amazingly ergonomically correct butt benches...how can two square, iron bars be comfy to sit on? Seriously have to try them out to believe it....

Saying goodbye to Rome was NOT easy...but knowing we had such great things in the future made it a little more bearable....Tuesday morning we caught a bus to Siena and enjoyed a 3 hour ride through Tuscany.....

To be continued....

October 28

2009-10-28T19:54:00.003-06:00

Picture of the day has been fun....but I'm burned out! haha whew! So let me catch up....

Oct 27....Zane had his first Pinewood Derby!!!

He didn't win but he sure did well! Lately, whenever I look at him I just see Jeff when he was a kid.

Oct 28...then tonight, we celebrated Ally's birthday....

....mmmm carrot cake! Happy 3? Ally! haha

October 25

2009-10-25T21:30:00.003-06:00

Chaz Rose.

But with this shirt on, all I could see him as was a mini Bo Duke! :)

Wow it feels soooooo good to be home! And I get to sleep in my own beds for 11 straight nights! Yay!!!

October 24

2009-10-24T19:48:00.004-06:00

Another completely fantastic day!!! There were lots of good things but the very best was seeing Heather, Los & their kids!!!! They drove up to Chattanooga from Newnan, GA. I can't remember when the last time was that I saw them--a year or two I guess--no matter what it was just too long!!!

Me, Hedder & Abby

Thanks Carlos, for talking us into Sticky Fingers.....mmmm.....I'll never eat another BBQ sammich w/out a heap of slaw on it! :)

Charlie & Los

Thank you sooooo much for making the drive, ya'll! I hope the hammerheads & otters were everything the kids wanted, and more!

And it was another fantastic event...I have LOOOOVED Chattanoogo....so sad to leave tomorrow but so happy to have a few days to relax!

October 23

2009-10-23T22:41:00.007-06:00

Today was the best day! Carrie & I set up early, then had our event in the afternoon and I will tell you w/all honesty, there is nothin like being in the south!!!! Plus Pam Morgan is here with us and she adds all kinds of fun....like a surprise ice cold bottle of Diet Coke aroud 3pm when I really needed it! :)

We went to dinner at the old train depot with some awesome demonstrators...and saw the actual Chattanooga Choo Choo...

Then I crashed a stamping party created by all these lovely demos.....

Cutest ladies ever....who had so many awesome ideas my head is still spinning! LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!!

And now I have to sleep because I am too tired not too...but it was a very very very good day!

October 22

2009-10-22T19:03:00.004-06:00

Another Thursday night...and I'm once again watching Project Runway in my hotel room....this time from Chattanooga, TN!!!

We were delayed 2 hours in Atlanta (booooooo!) but other than that it was a pretty uneventful day....even if it did feel like 8am when we stepped off the plane @ 2pm in Atlanta. I seriously don't do early flights! And every time my luggage appears, it is the happiest moment for me!

Anyway Carrie & I wandered around Chattanooga tonight, which was not so exciting at first. But then we found this delish pub where I had the yummiest Salmon I Am sandwich and Carrie ate The Mother Clucker....a chicken salad of course!

And the trip back to the hotel was the highlight because 1) we found:

Yummy.....

And 2) they have a free shuttle here in which the shuttle driver makes everyone sing! hahaha it was a great time!

October 21

2009-10-21T22:51:00.003-06:00

Today we had a special celebration at Stampin' Up!....we celebrated our 2nd Million Dollar Achiever: LISA FAST!!!!

She's one of my favorite demonstrators so I was so happy to have a few minutes to chat with her today....

Plus I had a piece of the best cheesecake in the world!!!

And then we all had a few minutes to stop and chat and relax a bit....

Lisa, moi, Cindy and Karah (and baby)

It was a great day.

And now I must pack....

October 20

2009-10-20T22:48:00.002-06:00

A drawing from my sweetie....

No, that is not a rocket ship!

October 19 (and 18th)

2009-10-19T22:11:00.003-06:00

Travel day yesterday....was too tired to post last night and forgot all day long to take pictures. In fact, almost went to bed w/out posting tonight too but I had to share a pic from my day off today....

Cheeseburber Boy!

October 17

2009-10-17T18:59:00.003-06:00

This morning Donna & I got to drive all around Portland w/Carolyn & Barbara--two AWESOME demonstrators!!! It was such a great time!

And the event today was fantastic too! It seems almost like a blur and sad that my visit to Maine is almost over. :(

October 16

2009-10-16T20:26:00.001-06:00

Today's event was just exactly as it should be--AWESOME! And I got to end the day @ dinner w/7 awesome Maine demos....

p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACEY & VANESSA!

October 15

2009-10-15T19:31:00.002-06:00

Tonight I am sleeping in Portland, Maine! It's been a long day of travel...and I forgot to take a photo. I am super excited to be here though and can't wait to give a better update tomorrow....

October 14

2009-10-14T22:38:00.003-06:00

Whew another crazy day at work, couple of meetings, packing for this weekend's event, and some early planning for Leadership in Janaury....

Then it was off to meet LeAnn & Vanessa for a little pre-birthday celebration for V....FINALLY I got to see Whip It!!! Loved it, of course, and will review it on Movie Mavens when I have the chance.

And just in case you didn't know, the new movie theater @ University Mall sells Kettle Corn ($6.50 a bucket--with a refill!) which is basically the regular delish popcorn coated w/sugar. YUM!!!!!

Must go...so much to do before I can sleep:

Packing
Laundry
Watch Glee
and SYTYCD

October 13

2009-10-13T23:32:00.003-06:00

I had today off and since October 13 is such a special day for the West family....I celebrated all day....

Shopping, lunching, ending with family time tonight. At one point, Ally gave Hill $50 and everyone was like "wow that is amazing!" and so Ally took it back and gave her $20 instead. hahahaha

I taught the kids how to make rotten teeth...

And then I had a front row seat watching Chaz slowly demolish what was left of the frosting...

Happy 25th Hill!

October 12

2009-10-12T11:59:00.000-06:00

I had a good day at work today and then I rushed home to change, and headed to the ball park to watch my sisters play their last night of softball. Unfortunately they choked and lost the first game (booooo!) but the Little Girls and I stayed until the very end, in hopes that the rude team would lose.

No luck. :(

After all these years, the ballpark still feels like home however. We finally left around 11pm and mourned once again that Frontier Cafe burnt to the ground a decade ago. :( So we went to IHOP instead....

It was super gross but the company was the best!

And now I get to listen to the rain as I fall asleep....one of my favorite things to do....

October 11

2009-10-11T20:18:00.003-06:00

Nearly every business in Wichita had this sign on their door....

No, I am not kidding! I'm not really sure why but I imagine that it comes from people going into restaurants, and putting their "heat" right on the table or something. Bizarre--don't you think?

Anyway when you have a 40 minute layover scheduled, it's pretty scary to board a plane even 5 minutes late....so when we boarded 15 minutes late this morning, I was sure we were in for a long and horrible day.

Luckily, it turned into an ok day of regular travel....and when I got to my Rents' house, there were 2 awesome things waiting for me: 1) a hot dinner w/my family, and 2) the kids on the swings...

October 10

2009-10-10T18:56:00.003-06:00

I have this weird yet yummy smell on my hands...from the most delish Bourbon BBQ hamburger! mmmm! Today was another wonderful day....

I had the morning to wander around a bit and I found this awesome little coffee shop where I had hot chocolate, breakfast and just sat and read for awhile.....such a cute place......and the view of Wichita from inside....

And the event today was wonderful, as usual. One of my favorite demos, Pam Bert, was there and so we snapped a quick pic after the show.

I always know it has been a good day when I'm exhausted at the end of it....tomorrow we fly home...bye bye Kansas! Thank you for being so hospitable. :)

October 9

2009-10-09T19:45:00.000-06:00

Today was an amazing day!!! Ending w/an amazing dinner at none other than our hotel restaurant! :)

Me & my coworkers Ellen & Mark

Indeed it was an exhausting yet wonderful day. Fabulous demonstrators, wonderful conversations, fun presentations, good times, and oh how I love demonstrators!!

October 8

2009-10-08T19:41:00.002-06:00

Well, I failed to take a picture today but it was a boring day of travel to Wichita, Kansas! We had a layover in Memphis, then backtracked to Wichita.

And I spent at least half the day feeling yucky so I learned that the result of that is not wanting to take pictures.

So instead I will tell you that we are staying @ the Broadview Hotel and it is haunted!!! For real! We've already heard a few ghosts here and there. SO COOL!

October 7

2009-10-07T21:01:00.003-06:00

Today was a crazy day, filled with getting ready for this weekend's trip. But of course I'm always willing to take time for a delicious lunch with my team....

Me, Donna & Carrie @ Bajio--yum!

Time to go pack....

October 6

2009-10-06T23:05:00.001-06:00

I loved today!!!!! Loved it soooooo much!!!!

Reason #1: Wahooo! Luggage showed up around 5am....

Reason #2: He is growing up waaaaay too fast!

Reason #3:

Yep, my boys are back! Years ago I signed off ever having new music from them that I love as much as the old. But this CD is really throwing me for a loop. SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! I love them!

October 5

2009-10-05T22:37:00.003-06:00

It's 38 degrees and I just got back from 2 hours of softball observation. WOW my dormant, competitive rage became active again! My sisters lost (so sad) but fortunately the tournament is double elim. See how cold it was?

Me & Pop

Today was an amazing day....filled with funny and awesome things:

Zoey told me I'm like her step-mom, only not mean.
Got lots of kisses from my Chubs (really he got kisses from me).
Went to work, filmed a video, mourned over all the things I needed which are in my luggage.
My dad gave me a lecture about being a crazy driver....which would be like me telling someone to not wear so much glitter.
My newest brother-in-law said he learned a lot about the West family by watching the softball game rage.
Dinner @ Denny's w/Shiloh.....mmmmm yummy!
And my sis loaned me her phone charger....sometimes buying the same things really comes in handy!

And that's about it I guess. Except this...

LUGGAGE UPDATE: Mary, the nicest and apparently only capable United Airlines employee just called me to inform me that MY BAGS ARE AT THE AIRPORT!!!! How they got through customs and back into the U.S. is a mystery to me but WHO CARES!!!! By the time I wake up I should have all my precious things back!

October 4

2009-10-04T18:58:00.003-06:00

Yay I made it home today (miracle)! And it was a fairly uneventful day....as we left Quebec City, we had an amazing view of the autumn trees....it's hard to explain how beautiful they were....

And a close up from the airplane window....

And the Pleasant Grove welcoming committee....

Luggage update: still has not been acquired. Apparently it arrived in Quebec around 5pm today. The only problem with that scenario is that's the exact same thing I've been told for 3 days in a row now. Yep, I've started making a list of everything that was inside in hopes of reimbursement. :(

October 3

2009-10-03T21:28:00.002-06:00

Whew it's past bed time....only 6 hours until the taxi will be waiting for us to head to the airport. TODAY WAS AWESOME! With a few devastating moments but still mostly awesome. I encountered 104 reasons/reminders of why I love my job so much: DEMONSTRATORS! They are the best and the same everywhere, no matter what language they speak. :)

After our event today, we went to dinner and I asked my French translator what Pogo Chic Chic was (English menu, I still needed translating). Carrie Marcelin (one of SU!s Canadian employees said) oh they are kind of like corn dogs. Como what? Oui oui mademoiselle--I'll have that!

Mmmm delish! Bathing in BBQ sauce....

p.s. Luggage is still in Chicago--I will wave to it as I fly through tomorrow--at least I hope I fly through--I've been promised I have a seat but we shall see. Luggage has to go to Quebec before they can even try to return it to Utah. Fun, isn't it!

Au Revoir!

October 2

2009-10-02T21:22:00.004-06:00

Yessssssss! We made it to Quebec City but sadly our luggage did not....has not....yet. It was a stressful day but we did manage to get a lovely dinner in the old city....and it was so lovely walking around! I only wish it were light so the pictures were more clear.

This next picture is in one of the beautiful streets--there were all these notes hanging in the air--it created sort of a faux ceiling which was beautiful. They were blowing in the wind and they had things written in them by children, in French of course so they all looked simply beautiful!

It was a stressful day followed by a magical evening of good food, scenery & company.

October 1

2009-10-02T16:39:00.004-06:00

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR! (Well at least 2nd best, next to December). I thought I would celebrate this October with a fun blogging game. I have this totally crazy month ahead of me and I thought it would be fun to document it w/one picture a day. That's it. It might be more but might not. Sometimes blogging takes too much time--but I'm thinking I can definitely handle a picture a day.

So to start off with.....yesterday I flew from Salt Lake City to Montreal. Problem: I was supposed to get all the way to Quebec City. Without any further details, you already know it was a frustrating day....hence today's picture.

Me, in Chicago, pouting because our flight was oversold. Boooooooo!

Cincy

2009-09-22T20:38:00.000-06:00

A week and a half ago I went to Cincinnati for our first regional seminar of the fall season. It was such a fantastic time!!! It was my first time in Cincy and I loved it, naturally, because the demonstrators were fabulous, as was the city.

In one of my presentations I gave a few tips of how to take good photos and here we are trying out some of those tips--look how well these tips work! :) (Bonnie, Donna, me, Carrie)
This is my boss....she is the best!!!

It was a special treat to have Bonnie & Jill there this time....the more the merrier!!! And here's Me and Pope and Carrie during the seminar....

Dinner with Pope, Darlene & Shelli...we were famished after the whole day and then an hour at Macy's--who knew their corporate headquarters were in Cincy!

And we found Graeter's--which is the most fantastic ice cream. I don't even prefer ice cream over other treats but WOW this was good!!!!

In the town square, there was this most fantastic fountain....that we only got half of in this picture. In the airport on the way out, I was buying a magnet of the fountain when I learned that it was a gift from Germany years ago b/c they accepted so many German immigrants. Such a cool story!

And then Saturday night, we were walking to dinner and walked right into a velvet rope across the sidewalk....so we sneaked up close and waited for what was to come....

To our amazing delight----we experienced 5 buses of Denver Broncos unloading!!! Yes, it was delightful! The most fantastic display of designer suits, cologne and testosterone that I've ever experienced!!

Photos by Lisa Pope.....

A few things about my day off today that made me happy...

2009-09-14T21:43:00.002-06:00

I got back from Cincinnati yesterday, so I had today off...and wow was it a fantastic day!!!

I woke up at 10am (which is noon Cincy time!)....to darkness and rainstorms! Just look at all the clouds behind the mountains....

A sure sign of Autumn....fruit stands on the side of the road....had to make a quick stop....yummy!

Just look at my car's temperature gauge!!!!!!!

And who wouldn't be excited about going to lunch w/this little guy....

I'm In Love!!!

2009-09-03T23:34:00.002-06:00

For I don't even know how many years (5?) I have quietly mourned. As a former fashion teacher, and lover of shopping & all things fashion really, I always knew Project Runway would be my favorite reality TV show. But, I don't really watch that much TV so I didn't feel like I could justify upgrading my cable to get Bravo--just so I could watch Project Runway. I caught episodes when I could but have never watched a whole season...

Until now!!!!!!!!!!!! I have become intertwined in my true love!!! Thank you thank you thank you Heidi for taking your show to Lifetime (it's always been one of my favorite channels anyway!)!!!!!! I love it a thousand times more than I ever thought I would!

Every week when the fashion show starts, my heart speeds up.....

This is my fave dress so far this year....

I love it so so so so so so much! Already cannot wait until next Thursday!

It's What Fun Is!

2009-09-01T14:51:00.003-06:00

Happy September 1st (my favorite day of the year, next to Christmas). I can feel cold weather just around the corner.....

A couple weeks ago, Hill & I took the Z's to Lagoon!!! WOW this was my funnest trip there to date! I can't believe how fantastic the park is--it definitely gets better each year (Spider, new & improved Wild Mouse, fountain play area)--yet they still keep the vintage feel too (Turn of the Century, corn dogs, Pioneer Village, funnel cakes)!

We decided to wait and go in at 5pm--because ticets became 2 for 1. Zoey wasn't too happy that we had to wait about 10 minutes to buy tickets....

But the best thing--it rained earlier in the day (which was what made us decide to go b/c we knew it would be cool)! So we even needed jackets....me & Zoe on the ferris wheel...

Zane & Hill....
We rode the Bat which was about a 10 second ride (the only one that wasn't worth the wait--which was only about 10 minutes--we hardly had to wait all day!)....these two were just in hog heaven all day long!

This last pic was just before 11pm....and our 5th time on Colussus!!!

After all these years, Lagoon still is what fun is!

Convention 2009

2009-08-21T00:06:00.005-06:00

I love Convention. There's just nothing like it. Why? Well there are a few of my favorite things that run in complete abundance during Convention.....

To name a few: Excitement, adrenaline, Diet Coke, laughs, achievements, smiles....

...Friends....me & Carrie right before the doors opened for Awards Night--definitely one of my fave parts....

Me & Amanda (I think we have a picture like this for the past 5 Conventions, and then some)....

....and Karah who was running things back stage this year....

Sharing ideas.....everyone is so generous when swapping, talking, discussing, learning....these are the ladies that I taught with this year: Joan, Christina, Ruth & Paula)...

Demonstrators!!! I love EVERY single one of them!! (me & Robin...just before she was named to this year's Advisory Board)...

And me & Christina...(Don't those display boards make you want to sign up as a demonstrator? If so, let me know--we've got a fantastic promotion going on right now! :)

This year I had a few visitors come see what Convention and my job is all about...Leann and my BFF Vanessa....

....and on the 2nd day of classes, my family was in the audience (L to R): Mom (who is in my downline and always @ Convention and being w/her is always one of the highlights!), Allyson, Zoey & Hillary....

...and no they are not twins--even though this picture almost confuses even me! j/k :)

Hillary & Zoey stayed over in the hotel w/me one night and WOW for a minute I realized that Pleasant Grove is a little bit country b/c Zoey was bug-eyed most of the night about the lights and city and robbers and people....it was so awesome!

Then my sister the night owl made us sleep w/masks so she could stay up reading....of course I am also a night owl but 5:30 am comes waaaaaay too early to stay up late....

....then she stole my camera and made a little fun of us. :)

Lastly, we always have some fun outings!! I've said before that my coworkers are like family...everything is always such a blast! Saturday night, Lisa, Shiloh & I went to the Craft Lake City fair and bought out all the headbands...then went for a little late night snack....

...and of course Lisa & I couldn't pass up another opportunity to take a photo at the dinner table...that seems to be our tradition. Shiloh was also in the picture but after 3 tries and still blinking, I gave her the chop. Sorry Shiloh! It's ok though b/c she never reads this. :)

Wow Pope--your pose is perfect! And on the first try!!! :)

Straight Through My Heart

2009-07-30T22:23:00.001-06:00

My boys have a new single. It's a good one, if you ask me!!! But of course I love dance/techno-ey music so I couldn't be more thrilled! Do you agree?

Straight Through My Heart

For Jaron

2009-07-23T00:08:00.003-06:00

If it weren't for my nagging friends, I would probably never get any projects completed.....I'm not finished w/my bathroom yet but I'm getting closer. So Jaron....here you go....a few pics of my progress....

Five months ago I introduced this project in this post. The paint has been finished for awhile....next I painted frames and added some gold touches.
I love the way these look w/nothing in them but what I have to put in them is even more fabulous--they are French cosmetic ads from magazines in the 50s. Plus then I glittered them--probably my best glitter creation to date! :) (Wow does the possibility of that make your head spin?) I hope to have them up soon....

A few accessories.....I gold leafed 3 cherubs--one on the counter and these two....

....which are completely ruined by this ridiculous light fixture....must fix that too!

And a close-up....I just used a little spray adhesive and the gold leaf stuck perfectly. It's really worth more than it costs....but then again it only cost me 99 cents for a huge pack (from Savers of course).

I am sooooooooooo glad I decided to paint over the first green which now looks apple green compared to this. I love this color so much! And thanks to my sis who finished the painting whilst I was in Australia!

Zoey

2009-07-21T00:46:00.004-06:00

My little sweetie is truly the cutest thing ever. Don't you agree?

This is a picture of her at Color Me Mine last weekend--one of our favorite places.

We get to have sleepovers all the time and I must document this so that I will remember it for all of time. Before bed she lays out her clothes for the next day...

That was her 4th of July outfit. Sometimes there are earrings too! :) I must try this myself--it surely would save me a few minutes in the morning. Or maybe I should just try going to bed at a decent hour....

Pop's Wedding

2009-07-09T23:41:00.010-06:00

On June 24, my baby sis got married! It was such a fun day (was a lot more than one day actually)--such a fabulous party! Here are a few highlights (some are my photos but the really good ones are from her photographer--Brock Best. Oh and a few are from her bestie Natalie so I can't take all the credit)...
I was the stylist of this one....
A new twist on the oak doors of the temple...

The happy couple....

My family (sadly Carmy & Micah got the chop)...

Mikey, Zane, Zoey....so hilarious!

Carmy wearing Lindsey's shoes....

The cake (with a vintage topper)...
My "date" for the evening....it frightens me how big he is getting!
The West girls....(minus Carmy)...

The table decorations--floral arrangements by Hillary. Each table had an old wedding photo of loved ones.....this one is my parents! (awe!)

Zoey caught the bouquet!!

Siblings....Jeff, Ally, Lindsey, Hillary, me...

40 years

2009-06-11T21:45:00.007-06:00

Last week, we celebrated Mom & Dad's 40th wedding anniversary!!! Can you believe that? Spending 40 years w/the same person!?!? Since one year of marriage seems like an impossibility to me, 40 is definitely out of this world!

We returned to the scene of the crime--the Salt Lake temple--and had a really lovely experience there. It's truly such an amazing building, inside and out!!! Then we went to dinner at the Garden restaurant--which is at the top of the Joseph Smith Building. It was super delish and we had an awesome time....as you can see.

Me & Hill....

Mom & Jeff....
Ally & Kyle....

Pop & Steve....

Obviously they waited a reeeeeaally long time to have kids b/c we are not even close to 40 years old! :) The original 7....

My parents are one of the greatest blessings I have in this life. I love that they love each other and that they have dedicated their lives to making each other and their children and grandchildren happy. We are really lucky!!

I'm going crazy...

2009-06-09T22:12:00.004-06:00

...just to let you know, you'd be amazed how much I love you so, oh baby! When I get my hands on you I won't let go....

Today Shiloh & I went to Cafe Rio and on our way out, this song came on the outdoor speakers and I knew instantly what it was....so I put the windows down and waited to hear it so I could try to remember who sings it....to my complete shock and happiness and shame all at once....IT'S MY FAVORITE DONNA SUMMER! Seriously she is one of my fave singers--how could I not know she sang this?

So I went back to work and found it on youtube.....and this video made me laugh so hard that I had to share it w/everyone else for laugh purposes. But also for you V--b/c of our shared love for this talented lady!

Feliz Cumpleanos

2009-05-17T22:05:00.005-06:00

This year for my birthday, I went to visit my former home!!! It was TRULY the most amazing trip!!!! I really cannot think of one thing I would've changed. Oh wait, I just thought of something--I would've taken more pictures. :)

I arrived Tuesday evening and surprise surprise both Anais and Matt picked me up at the airport, with a cold Diet Coke for all of us in hand! mmmmm Do you see why I love going there? Yeah well that was just the beginning....

Wednesday was my special day--and lucky for me, Anais is currently in the Day Club so we had a day of awesome festivities.....starting with a 2 hour chat w/Sina on Skype.com. Oh it was so so great to talk to her--none of us had talked more than brief emails since they left for Sri Lanka in early April. It was the perfect way to start the day.....and is this picture awesome or what?!?!

Next we took the party to the movie theater!! We saw Valentino: The Last Emporer. Loved it! Click the link if you wanna know more b/c I blogged about it on Movie Mavens. We followed that up w/some quick chips and salsa--sitting outdoors (the weather was actually beautiful) and met up w/Christy. Then Christy and I went to see Matt in Shear Madness @ the Kennedy Center. WOW WAS IT AWESOME!!!

I ended my special day with dinner @ my favorite restaurant...Rio Grande!!! BSGs reunited...Jill, Caroline & me....
...and a shot down the table....Caro, me (mmm quesadillas!), Lacey & Rachel...
...and the other side....Chris, Christy & Anais....

One of the things that set this trip apart from those of the past couple of years was the amount of time that I had with everyone. I got to see all my friends out there at least 3 or 4 times. On Saturday morning, we all gathered at Lacey's house for a Stampin' Up! party!! Robin Merriman, a demonstrator who lives in VA, prepped everything for us....

Christy and Lacey just having a ball....and then below is Amber, Carolyn & Caroline....I don't have any good pics w/Robin--so Robin you've got to send me whatever you have! :)

The rest of the week was filled with a billion other things...shopping, more movies, visiting, one more of Matt's plays (loved it!), Mr. Yogato, walks through the beautiful city & suburbs, late nights, fun tv shows, important CNN business, and then--my friends really spoil me by letting me go to my favorite restaurant as much as I want--even twice a day! This was the 3rd to last time I got to go there....

Anais, me, Lacey, Rachel & Christy....this picture includes a big portion of what I always called my urban family when I lived out there....those that I lived with, laughed with (cheesy but true), watched ALIAS with, etc...I spent some seriously amazing years in DC!!

And that's about the most of it!! Hope you aren't asleep by now because above all, I think this post was mostly for me and the "journal" side of my blog. I'm lucky to still have all these gorgeous people in my life!

Canberra, Part 2

2009-05-09T10:05:00.010-06:00

And now for the actual event.....we started Friday morning VERY EARLY!!!! Here we are, in the last few minutes before 7am (that's what time we opened check-in and Memento Mall). L to R: Derek, Angie, Cindy & Amanda--the check-in crew.

In this next photo, you can see behind me there was a soda machine so I got my morning beverage for no less than 3 DOLLARS!!! That's right friends, a $3 can of soda (actually about $2 US). A 12 pack runs around $4....which makes it about $.33 for a can normally. Emma said $3 was cheap and she was right because a little later I found small bottles in the mall for $3.50.....anyway moving on....

Friday was filled with tons of fun activities--Main stage presentations....

...break-out classes (I taught Wise Investment w/a fabulous demo--Alison Charlton--who I somehow managed to NOT get one picture of!! DUH!), and we ended the day w/Manager's Reception.... Emma, me, Amanda...
Then Emma and I hit the shops---we had 1.5 hours until they closed--and that was only b/c it was the late night for shops (open til 9). Seriously--shops all close at like 5 or 6 on normal days. In 1.5 hours, I found 2 skirts, 2 pair of shoes, a fabulous pearl bracelet to wear to Lindsey's wedding, and a new pair of sunglasses. Plus we ran into the Western Australia ladies shopping too.....Skip, Ngaire, Me, Cherita & Jo....
Once the shops closed, we rendezvoused at Koko Black for some extremely delish hot cocoa (Amy Ealy, me & Emma)...

The other side of the table: Jeanette & Clare who are two of our contact center agents in Sydney. They all arrived Friday night and it was so great to finally meet them too!

And the end of the table: Hollie (facilitator in AUS) & Angie.

Saturday was equally awesome....we started w/breakout classes--this time my class was Demonstrator Theatre where I taught w/Makeesha Bye and Marelle Taylor--again no pictures. Booooooo! Then during the general session the Workshop Wow demonstrators presented--I got to work with them to help them prepare and so while we were setting up, we snapped this picture....Nicki Tidbold, Ngaire Anderson, Michelle Habib, moi & Shelli....

Of course I am not the tallest person in the world, but it's pretty rare that I am the shortest one in the picture! And I don't think anyone had heels on....

After general session, we cleaned up, packed up, then had a quick change in the bathroom. It was a frenzy of hairspray, glitter & of course flashes (from cameras of course).....
I did manage to obtain a picture w/Makeesha at the awards dinner....

It's tough to say what my favorite part of Convention is--but the actual awards ceremony definitely ranks towards the top. Just seeing the amazing accomplishments from the past year of all different demos makes me a bit emotional! This year I got to hand out some of the prizes---here's me and Amanda where we greeted demos as they came off stage and congratulated them with prizes....

That night, I finally fell into bed around 2:30am....to be awakened by my alarm @ 5!!! I was in the lobby by 5:30 and we were @ the airport by 6. They even put us on an early flight to Sydney because our 8am flight was going to be delayed....so we sat on the early flight....and watched the 8am flight leave us behind. That's right--delayed already! So it was back to the airport where we snapped this photo: Back to Front and L to R: Jason Gerber, Dave Baugh, Derek, Jason Hatton, Cindy, Pam, Jill, Amy, Deb (a demo from Melbourne), Shelli, me & Emma...

I finally got home around 5pm on Sunday--so the delays weren't too bad. But my luggage didn't show up til 4:45am on Tuesday morning (yes, they did call and wake me up). But at least it arrived!!!

And now to complete the story....Monday I went to lunch w/Hill & her two youngest--to one of my favorite spots--Einstein's Bagels--where I got 32 ounces of complete deliciousness for a mere $1.79!!!

And p.s. pretty much all soda in Utah is refillable--so it's really all-you-can-drink....but I can walk out w/32 oz. in hand! And that's why $3 cans shock me. :)

And here are 2 more awesome things that I got to experience at Einstein's....

Is that an amazing welcome home gift, or what????

Canberra

2009-05-06T23:09:00.004-06:00

Last week, I went to Canberra, Australia on business, for our annual AUS/NZ Convention. IT WAS AN AMAZING TIME IN SOOOOOOOO MANY WAYS!!! Here are a few highlights....

I left here Sunday night, and after an hour delay, we finally left LAX. I have to say that I am TOTALLY OVER Qantas Airlines! Everyone always gushes about them--and even if we did have a mini-convenience store in the back of the plane, there are TOO MANY DELAYS! Of my 3 trips to Australia, I have been majorly delayed EVERY time! This time we were delayed on the way AND the way home!!!

So now I will step of my soap box and introduce my beautiful room....I love the rooms over there--they always have so much character--swanky and modern all in one.

Would you believe I didn't even turn that flat screen on all week?

Emma got in about the same time from Auckland--and we met up w/Teresa Dabrowski--a demo that I met last year. She took us all over town and showed us a fab time. We went to the War Memorial....

The poppys are a tradition on ANZAC day--which was just before. They put them near the name of a loved one.

We saw the old and new Parliament houses (afterall, Canberra is the capital city)....I love the official seal or whatever they call it--with the Emu (I think) and the Kangaroo...

Then we went up Telstra tower for an awesome overlook of the entire surrounding area....L to R: Emma, Teresa, me.

Then we found a big ole pack of Roos--here's me and Cindy. There is a fence between us but they are "wild" and just roam wherever. We saw tons of joeys and my favorite--watching them run. :)

Wednesday morning we had a couple hours before starting to set up so we grabbed a delish breakfast @ Dobinsons which was already our favorite place at this point. I mean just look at that toast! ;)

Once set-up began, we didn't really have a lot of time for play....we did however catch some dinner w/a bunch of demos on Thursday night. Here's Yvonne, Ngaire & Keesh....

...and then the other side of the table: Cherita, me, Teresa....

...we went to this awesome place that had a funky name that I already forgot. In fact everywhere I ate was completely delicious!!! The area we were in had tons of shops and restaurants--it was perfect!!!

And it was so much fun this year catching up w/friends--and still meeting lots of new friends too! Each time I go I love the countries and the demos even more!!

For me, one of the best highlights of the trip was meeting this gorgeous girl:

After working with Amanda for 3 years, meeting was looooooong overdue!! Amanda--I love ya girl! Thanks for being one of my 9 followers! :) When my blog is as popular as Paris Hilton's--oops I meant Perez Hilton's, I will still remember that you were one of the first--maybe I'll even let you be a guest blogger. :) haha

Next post I'll move on to the actual event....had to have a way to break it up and quite frankly I am just too tired now to continue. :)

P.S. If you are an Aussie or Kiwi and have pics posted on your blog--leave a comment with your blog addy so I can see your pics and read your stories too! Thanks!

Today

2009-04-15T23:15:00.008-06:00

To my beloveds......thank you for the millions of laughs and memories!!!

Blue October

2009-04-12T20:51:00.000-06:00

You may not know this about me, but I am a former groupie....and some things you just never grow out of. A couple weeks ago I went to a Blue October concert at the Depot. The main reason I love concerts is to hear songs that I love by the real, live voice. And these guys totally delivered!

Me & Jen at dinner beforehand--at SLCs Rio Grande (nothing like my favorite restaurant of all time in Virginia--but I had to give it a try just because it has the same name).

Concert pics always suck....but at least it jogs my memory....

This is Justin--the main guy--he's got some serious horrors he's trying to work out through his music. :)

And here comes the groupie part....(Lisa, Jen, Justin & me)...
Look at all of this guy's awesome jewelry!

Oh yeah--and I brought along one of my best friends.....

Business Trips

2009-04-02T22:24:00.004-06:00

I had 3 business trips in March....but for some reason I just didn't feel like taking very many pictures. Linda took a bunch in London--but then her camera stayed in Detroit when we boarded the plane. :( Fortunately, Lisa took a few in Edmonton.

My trips are all awesome--for one obvious reason and that's that I get to spend time w/demonstrators!

But the 2nd reason is my coworkers--each trip there's a different mix of us and it's always so much fun and a little different from the last one. 5 years ago, I never never would've thought that I would find a 2nd family at work. I truly love them! How did I get so lucky?

We even have fun @ 3:45 am (seriously that's what time we had to leave for the airport!).

These Is My Words

2009-03-20T19:37:00.005-06:00

Reporting from Edmonton this weekend. :) In my life, there have only been 2 books----only 2----that made me want to read slower because I didn't want them to end.

The first was Twilight.

The second is These Is My Words.

I finished this book last night and WOW!!!! It was the sweetest story. Sooooo so good and sad and sweet and interesting and funny. I loved it so much!

And Sarah Agnes Prine is hands down my favorite character in a book, of all time. I want her to be real so that we can be friends. :)

Please read this book and then tell me so that we can discuss!!

Last Weekend

2009-03-16T18:25:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I got to spend some QT w/Zoey & Chaz while my sis and her man rekindled their romance. I took Friday off and we did nothing all day but STAMP!!!! Zoey is, I am sure, the best 6 year-old stamper that ever was. She is so creative and can do heat & stick & glitter all on her own.

Here she is, still in her pj's, with one of her fabulous creations in hand:

And then this little guy--I mean honestly!

This was probably the funniest moment I've had with him--it was like he just had a billion things to say and was yelling at the top of his lungs for several minutes! So funny!

Diet Coke, please forgive me!

2009-03-14T19:47:00.006-06:00

Reporting from London (Ontario, not England) where I am visting on business. We had such a great show today--one of the best, for sure!
Anyway Linda & I went to the most delish Italian restaurant tonight and I had seriously one of the most delicious Diet Coke's I've had in a very very very long time! Oh it was seriously so good! So I had 3 and savored every drop.

And it was my turn to pay so I got out my card and glanced over the bill......and to my COMPLETE HORROR, this is what I saw:

What???? WHAT?????? How could this be? I'm so deceived!! This is defintely a first and Diet Coke, I am soooooo sorry--please forgive me! How can I make it up to you?

I'm sure my heavily drug-induced state is the culprit (just Relpax, people, nothing serious). But I still feel like I've had a love affair. :(

Bathroom project

2009-03-01T10:15:00.001-07:00

This week I decided to paint my spare bathroom. So here are the before pictures....

Is this dying for a makeover or what??????

And from the shower looking out toward the hall...
Then these next two pictures are the "oh gosh, what have I done!!!!!!" pictures. I kind of hated it b/c it wasn't what I wanted but the green paint choices were so ridiculous!! Serious slim-pickins!

So I reevaluated and bought new paint....but I forgot to take photos of what it looks like now (half this and half new color) so I will post those when I get back from Albuquerque.....and of course expedite getting it finished b/c I am so anxious to see it in the end!!!!!

Fabulous Friday

2009-02-27T21:59:00.003-07:00

Because I can't wait until wordless wednesday to post this picture of this fabulous baby....

Is he awesome or what???????

Valentines

2009-02-23T22:43:00.006-07:00

This year was the only year I've ever loved making Valentines.....so I thought I'd post a couple of examples. As I said a few posts ago, Zoey's valentine to me was what inspired my valentines. So here it is--the inspiration for it all:

Isn't that awesome? So you can see just one of the many reasons why I love Zoey so much--she's so creative and fabulous!

I used all different colors--this was one of my favorites...

And a close-up of one of my other faves....you can't tell really but I finally found a use for all the newspapers that I picked up on my Mediterranean cruise a few years back (this one is in French)....

This must be my new tradition and I'm glad I have a whole year to figure out what to do next year....

Shopaholic

2009-02-18T22:00:00.006-07:00

Tonight I went to see the Shopaholic (more info about the movie on Movie Mavens) and I was congratulating myself all the way home for not being like her!! Seriously she's a mess!

And so as I hung up my fabulous new-ish coral jacket, I had to stop and wonder---do I also have a problem?

Would love to hear what your shopping addiction is (or to see it--consider this a photo tag and you're it)!

Zoey's Valentine's Day Box

2009-02-15T11:16:00.004-07:00

Last Thursday, Zoey came over to decorate her Valentine's Day box. (Sorry for the crick in your neck that you'll have after watching this video....)

We had so much fun making it and I am wondering how I lived so long without a glue gun (just bought one a few weeks ago).

The whole idea was actually inspired by the valentine that she gave me earlier in the week--I also copied her idea to make all of my valentines, which I will post here next....

Did you wear red?

2009-02-11T20:21:00.004-07:00

No, not for Valentines Day--but last Friday for Happy, Healthy Heart day?!

Lori, Jaron, Linda, me & Carrie in the elevator. :)

Just one more reason why I love my coworkers--they totally go all out for causes like this!

A few more of my fave pics from Orlando

2009-02-03T20:35:00.005-07:00

Me & Shiloh just after arriving in Orlando....

Monday night at a delish Mexican dinner...(Cindy, Pope, Jaron, me, Leslie & Carrie)...

Me & Pope Thursday at lunch...

Me & Pope Friday @ Johnny Rockets (we like to take pictures of ourselves eating)....

Staff table at the Regional on Saturday....

On our way back to the hotel after everything was over....(Linda, Pope, me, Cindy & Carrie)...

Sunday morning in the airport...at about 6am....

Update

2009-01-31T15:54:00.006-07:00

The last few months have been such a blur. I'm going to do a quick recap b/c there is too much now for me to blog about...so I will just give a few highlights...

Way back in November, I went to NYC. It was my fave trip there yet--completely to my surprise b/c I've had some pretty amazing trips and I didn't expect to love it so much. But I did a lot of things that I haven't done before, learned a lot about the history of the city, etc.....and how many of you can say you've actually seen the former location of Studio 54? Yep--I can now say that I've seen it!!

Vanessa did a way superior post than I ever could so check that out, or Hillary posted pics in facebook. Isn't technology the greatest! :) And here are a few of my pics...Macy's is famous for its window displays--but Bloomies does some pretty amazing ones too:

We went to the Christmas Spectacular which I completely loved! Had to snap a photo of the Swarovski Christmas tree/chandelier hanging in the Radio City Music hall lobby...

Everyone waiting for the subway...

Diva Christmas Eve was as good as ever this year....me and my Zoe....

Jeff & Carmy (representing Ally b/c I didn't get any pics of her)...

Hillary & Lindsey...

And Chaz......he's too pretty to be a boy, isn't he?

January means Leadership Conference for Stampin' Up! and this year it was in sunny Orlando! Just when I think I couldn't love my job more, I get to spend an amazing week in Florida w/hundreds of fabulous people. Lisa's got a fab post too....

This is my very tall friend, Stacie--we presented together this year...

and then the other two fabulous ladies that I presented with: Barb & Mimi...

This event brought a new kind of tired....at least one of us still managed to smile. :) haha

Every event also brings bonding time w/coworkers....including a couple of nights in the Backstage Lounge with Waddell, the Pope and Jaron....

Backstage after the show...Lori, me, Dale (our president) and Carrie...

We really are this happy at events. :) This picture was not set up--it was completely on the fly! Ole!

Meals...I can't remember if this was the lunch where we discussed Jaron's conjoined octopus twin or not, but that is a conversation I will never forget!!!

Amanda was backstage w/me this time...

We had a few free hours one night so me, Amanda & Angie had dinner in Morocco (the Epcot way)...

During Make & Takes we did demonstration booths--showing off stuff from the new catalog...

Favorite Movies of 2008

2009-01-18T23:35:00.002-07:00

I'm feeling the blog bug again--so go to Movie Mavens and check out my favorite movies of 2008.

Don't cover it up!!

2008-11-25T22:28:00.006-07:00

Today, my fabulous friend Jill was telling me about someone who has such a hot body, she thinks it's a crying shame for him to ever wear a shirt!!!

Is that such an amazing concept or what?!?!

So of course I started thinking--what is my feature that is a crying shame to cover up?
And the answer is: MY HAIR!!

I have often said that I don't wear hats very much because I'm a hairdresser so I never have a bad hair day. But today I'm realizing that I just don't like to cover up my hair!

So I asked Jaron: what is your feature that is a shame to cover up? And do you know what he said?

HIS BOOTY!!!! hahaha

Anais is here for Thanksgiving and we just decided that hers is her EYES!!!
Don't you agree?

OK so OUT WITH IT!!! What is your feature that is a total shame to hide??? And don't you dare say "I don't have one" because YOU DO!!! If you can't figure it out, let me know and I'll tell you what it is. :)

Goodbye to an Era

2008-11-16T22:18:00.002-07:00

On Friday, I had a sad moment when I learned that MTV's TRL was CANCELED (Thanks for breaking it to me gently, Vanessa)! And even though I haven't been watching it for years, I will always love it b/c it changed my life. No--I'm not exaggerating! I mean who else can say they've spent 6 hours w/all 5 of the Backstreet Boys & Carson Daly? Yeah, that's what I thought. :) Not to mention my darling friend Erin--we never would've met if it weren't for this show!!

TRL is the American Bandstand of my "generation." How could it just be over? I thought video killed the radio star? Are we doomed to a life of the Hills and Real World/Road Rules challenges?

I had a great laugh at this video which is sort of a tribute and sort of a mockery....enjoy!

TRL - MTV Shows

Farewell my beloved TRL! I'll forever be grateful for all the unforgettable experiences!!

Some Ecards

2008-11-15T18:00:00.006-07:00

Awhile back, Christy sent me the funniest ecard from Some Ecards. I go to this site when I want to have a good laugh (warning: you may find some of the cards offensive! View at your own risk!)
So this is the one that just caused me the biggest laugh....probably because for me it is absolutely true! hahahaha And one more I just couldnt' resist posting....

Virginia Beach

2008-11-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my last business trip of the autumn...and it was to Virginia Beach. So it was back to the former homeland for me! Oh how I love that state!!

I managed to take 2, yes just 2 pictures in that 4 day period. Which would be normal for 4 non-traveling days.

But never fear, the 2 photos were certainly QUALITY!

Photo #1: Possibly the most delicious mexican food I've ever had!! You can see I had a feeling about the meal since I snapped this beforehand!

Photo #2: Again at meal-time....Sunday morning breakfast. This is a salt bagel. YUM!! I really can't find these anywhere in Utah anymore. :(

The event was the greatest! It's just so much fun to be around demonstrators!! And I met Robin Merriman for the first time--she is soooooooo lovely! (If you're a samper, you'll want to bookmark her blog b/c she posts new and awesome ideas all the time!!)

Robin took this picture--well actually we did. She's a demonstrator and we have a mutal friend in common (Karah CC).

But really the best thing about the trip was that Christy drove down from DC to visit. We had such a nice time catching up, testing out restaurants, and visitng Borders. It was a blast and I can't wait til she gets here in 2 weeks!!!

Photo Tag

2008-11-13T21:18:00.001-07:00

Ok I never do tags unless my name is listed specifically. Buuuut.......this one caused me such joy and elation that I couldnt resist. Vanessa was the first one I saw to do this....you pick the fourth folder, fourth photo in your My Photos or wherever you keep your photos on your computer.

The happiness came for me when this 4th and 4th photo was one that I sneaked at my work party last January!!! I mean I sneaked the photo--I can't very well put it up here now, can I! :) So I'll put this one instead b/c it was 3rd.... Yeah it's a horrible picture...it's my department singing Let it Snow. So since you can't see anything I'll put a pic of me and my date also.....

I know this post might be unsatisfying for some of you so if you want to peek at my sneaked pic let me know and I'll send it to you. :) I'm tagging everyone!! If you are my friend and you are reading this then I tag you and want you to put this on your blog!!!

UPDATE! Since posting this, I realized that Lisa tagged me for this same game in this post. So...I thought I would also do the 4th and 4th photo on my work computer.

Lindsey holding our little Mikey--this was Christmas 2004. :)

Jackson, Mississippi

2008-11-12T22:08:00.001-07:00

On Halloween, I got to go to the South!! Jackson Mississippi!! I was looking forward to it so much and it did not disappoint one bit! This trip was a little different than the ones I usually go on--it was a small event and it was just me and one co-worker making the trip: Linda!

Not only was the city just beautiful, and filled w/beautiful southern-style buildings....

Mississippi State Capitol Building

Governor's Mansion

Random plantation house across the street from the hotel!

But the hotel was just amazing too!!!
It was filled w/huge, beautiful paintings like this one... As usual, the event was just so wonderful!! Linda and I had the grandest time all around. And one of the best parts was going to a delicious dinner w/a bunch of awesome demos from Louisiana! :) Good food, good company, good time!

Halloween

2008-11-11T22:03:00.002-07:00

Even though I was on a plane on Halloween, I still got to celebrate by dressing up the day before! And now that it is like mid-November, I've missed all the Halloween-reminiscing parties....but my sched lately hasn't allowed for much blogging.

Anyway I loved the "team spirit" that my department showed! We each chose our own themed vampire....the day was so much fun!

Here's my team....imagine sitting on a row w/all of these blood-suckers all day long! Here are some close-ups....

Glam-pire (Linda)

Dracula's Bride (Carrie)

Punk-pire (Jaron)

Fire-pire (Donna)

Cheer-acula (Lori)

Countess Disco-la (ok seriously this is the most frightening picture! But Halloween is all about being scary, right?)

Stamp-pire & Witch-ula (Pam & Selma)

Jock-ula (Lindsie)

Trampire (Donna M)

Dr. Acula (Christina)

Vam-pirate (Bonnie)

Cop-ula. Francis Ford Cop-ula. (Ben)

Volcom-pire. Cheers! (Angie)

And a darling little witch (Lisa).

Witches Night Out

2008-11-02T21:02:00.005-07:00

This was my first time going to Witches Night Out at Gardner Village. IT WAS SO FUN! I can't wait til next year and am already contemplating what my witch costume will be.

So just in case you want to go next year, here are the Do's and Don't of Witches Night Out (thanks LeAnn, for brainstorming this list w/me!):

DO: Overdo on the makeup...and wear a wig!!!

DON'T: Wear normal clothes and then just put a witches hat on...

Do: Dress up your witches hat w/all kinds of cool crap!

And my personal fave....

DON'T: Let your booty hang out of your candy corn skirt.

DO: Put on stilts and lurk around dark corners...

DO: Dress up like ABBA witches--and dance like them too!

And one more DO: Strike the Charlie's Angels pose w/your friends (since that is the WNO theme/logo)...

Edmonton

2008-10-26T22:25:00.004-06:00

Last weekend I got to go to Edmonton on a business trip. The show was so fabulous--I had such a good time w/the ever fabulous Canadian demonstrators!

We also got to mingle with our Canadian office coworkers--Carrie & Dale. Jaron and I paused for a quick pic w/Carrie....

Other than the event, the most exciting thing we did was visit the mall--which is the largest mall in North America! And indeed...it was massive. Here are a few things that you'll find there....

A wave pool....

Waterfalls and waterslides....

A mini-sized petting zoo (the animals were all minis, not the zoo itself)....

Bumper cars and a huge pirate ship....

Bourbon street w/many delicious restaurants....we went to Mike's Burgers or something like that....truly so delish (espesh the Diet Coke!)....and so we captured the moment (as well as the cheesy vinyl sayings).....me & Linda...

There was also an H&M, an amusement park, a few other stores (tons!), and even an ice skating rink where they played co-ed hockey after hours! So much to do, so little time.

And then maybe the coolest thing about the whole trip was the fact that all 3 of us had walk-out sliding glass doors to what was formerly a pool, or an open-air courtyard but now is a mini-stage in the form of a pagoda. Truly magnificent!! :) Just beyond the pagoda you could see our doors if you knew what to look for. I was hoping for a nightly viewing of the King & I, while Jaron was sure this was a former set for America's Next Top Model....

Alas we were both wrong when we saw a wedding reception here Saturday night (so predictable! :( haha)