Hallelujah

Five Years 

We hightailed it to Vegas and ate at Cheesecake (why are we so predictable???)

We found this cute park where little families were watching an outdoor movie.  There was even a carousel and a nice popcorn man.  Almost made me think about moving to Vegas... Almost.  

Quinn took me to Town Square to bask in the glory that is H&M (woman's best friend- this locale is SOOO better than the Miracle Mile shop) and he found this NYC style yogurt place.  Of course I had to whip out my trusty Sharpie and correct this ludicrous grammar atrocity staring every customer in the face.

...Oh ya, this is why we're so predictable: In an attempt to satisfy our Vietnamese longing, we stole a tip off some random blog and headed, with great anticipation of real ethnic delectableness, to Pho Kim Long.  Hello so not NYC.  I think something had died in my sweet-n-sour soup just before they served it to me. As for Quinn and the not ceramic-steamed pork fat... he's still suffering.

HOW I KNOW MY HUSBAND LOVES ME

Quinn surprised me with the newest LIMITED EDITION Bettie Paige!!!

This isn't it.  We ended up having to trade it for a smaller size (not to be confused with me slimming down) and Quinn spent 3 hours watching me try on every dress in the Boutique. There was a sale so I traded it for two hot picks and within a couple hours of being home I lost all self control and ordered 2 more (including the original anniversary present... OF THE CENTURY). 

P.S.  Bettie Paige is a new dig.  Totally 100% vintage 50's dresses.  They are ten times better on and in person than on the site, but you should check it out anyway.  Go HERE to satisfy all vintage style cravings and trim down your wallet by a sizable amount.

This first fabulosity is the one he originally bought me (I ordered it and this sassy wool number direct from the warehouse the next day).  I also have one more each for mom, me, and meg [not pictured].  Can you say ADDICTION?  Come to find out, the one designer I fall for just so happens to get their inspiration from America's #1 pin up girl.  Go figure.  Might be the fishnet must-have accessory in the store.

These three, in this order, are next on my list.  I will have to start subbing during my prep to afford even the hem of one of them:

THE PARTY HAS BEEN POSTPONED!!!

Sorry all but the roaring 20's party in Pine Valley will have to wait. The closer it got to it, the more people weren't able to come. And, it is my weekend off (friday and sat) and I have the chance to go Elk hunting up by Panguitch. So, we want to have the party when more people can come. When, instead of people saying they can't because they have something else they say they can't do other things because they have a party to go to.

So, we will let you know when it will be so all of you can plan, and get your costumes!! Pass the word.

FRIDAY NIGHT

When did Friday night become just another night of the week? I hate how it has really lost its luster. It just feels like any other old week day now. Sometimes I even forget that it is Friday because it doesn't even feel like it. Last night, I rode my bike home from work so got a little bit of a workout. Got home, got ready and went to the Dixie High football game because Nicole was doing a thing at half time. On my way to the game, I thought to myself how nice it was to be going somewhere on a Friday night. See, I love to do things, go places, and be with people. I could do someting almose every night if I could get other people to go for it. Anyway, so I go to the game, sit there by myself until Mark came, then we watched the half time thing and the 3rd quarter and then decided to leave. I saw all these kids having fun, going places after the game and everything else. And us....... we just went home.

The WORST landlords

Holy cow busy this month.  What with parents teacher conferences, out of town trips, and work work work- it seems we haven't been home before 10 or 11 in three weeks.  I don't even remember the last time I turned on Glenn Beck.  

So a few updates, pics to follow:

We are the worst landlords- we replaced the AC control the day before we left and come to find out, it doesn't work.  Our amazing renters have been sweating it to death (and probably swearing it to death too) for three weeks.   I feel wretched.  They will definitely be getting a $200 discount this month.  Poor things!!!!!!  Note to self, this is yet another example of why I should actually use my cell phone... or at least take it with me once in while (I  HATE talking on the phone so I never turn it on- did you know that about me? Probably thought I was just screening you all this time.  Nope, I don't even use it!  It's not you- it's phones in general).

Second- we hit the five year-no kids mark.  YIPEE!  More later.  Quinn scored big points.  He bought me a designer BETTIE PAGE!!!!!!!

Last:  I got this mysterious letter in the mail that said all Dixie High Cheer alum can come and dance at 1/2 time this Friday.  I thought,"What the heck," and went to learn the dance tonight.  I am totally the oldest by several years, but the insane part is that this dance is no breeze.  It's way totally hard.  There's enough hip shaking and chest thrusting to suit a night club.  I was sweating profusely by minute 5.  Seriously, this dance was not meant for the faint of heart- or advanced in years.  I'm giving it my best go.... but, unfortunately the uniform is a no go.  Honestly, I couldn't get my left but check in that thing... not that I've tried.  It's in storage. Really- I can't even remember what 112 looked like, let alone felt like.  View my complete feelings about this non-walk-in-the-park on the fabulous JNAC blog.

9/11

Today I feel like a good teacher. Actually, I was very surprised to hear that my class was one of the few to even mention 9/11. I don't know if it's my genetic patriotic streak or my love affair with New York, but for some reason I feel that classrooms should stop a bit on this day to respect and honor those who fell and those who serve. Our troops and what they fight for (FREEDOM) is SOOOOO important!!!! I invited the 222nd (who are finally home and who we honored last year while they were in Iraq) and their wives to speak to us again and it was awesome. A few soldiers brought their gear and the wives gave such touching details of their experience. I learned SO much about Iraq and the war. The media says nothing!!!! I't was so cool that my students and I got to hear from the same guys we sent packages to with our massive service project last year. And to top it off- one specialist dressed me up in all his gear (which is 80 lbs in 130+ degree weather) and gave me a friendship bracelet he made to thank me for the project last year!!! He said that soldiers give these bracelets to someone who saves their life or as a sincere token of deep friendship. I am so honored. Another army wife left me with MRE's for my food storage! Needless to say, there were some tears.

Read about my MASSIVE service project in this FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER article.

The Bee's Knees

Alls you dolls and birds are invited to the cat's meow speakeasy this side of East Egg. Make a clean sneak Saturday night from the tins and drift to the Pine Valley drum. Bring your oysters and marbles, do up your best map, and pass the jaw and barber onto any mugs, tomatoes, or molls you know.

Bring something to take on and doll up real nice cause you might take the bounce if you don't. That's the cop, so tighten the screws onto your squeezes and pals to ankle up. The sing is, we're real excited to see you! P.S. Leave your shells, shysters, and snoopers at home and you'll be in a real shine if you don't remember the ticket. It's
HOOFER.

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TRANSLATION:

We're having a party- and you (yes you) are invited. The catch is that this isn't any normal party. After much input, we've decided to theme the night around the 1920's (Q's idea). What does that mean for you? You've got 2 weeks to come up with a swanky costume. I'll post some pictures to help.

WHEN: Saturday September 27th, 7:00. Spend the night if you want.
WHERE: The Pine Valley Cabin (if you don't know where this is, send us a comment and
we'll get it to you)
WHY: Because we've decided to become social
WHAT: 1920's theme (yes, you need to dress appropriately)
BRING: A treat to share and a change of clothes for church if you want to spend the night
HOW: There will be pictures, a Charleston contest, games, The Great Gatsby, and prizes for
best costumes
WHO: You, if we've even remotely heard of your name... and you can bring a friend.
(Quinn says leave the little tykes at home-This joint isn't keen for kids)

See COSTUME ideas HERE or HERE.

***Leave us a comment if you're in on this action

Songs I HATE the Most!!

No particular order - I hate them all equally

1. DROPS OF JUPITER- Train

2. FOLLOW ME - Uncle Kracker HATE THIS ONE!!!! but then again, I hate pretty much every Uncle Kracker Song..... Talk about a white trash idiot!

3. HEY THERE DELILAH- Plain White T's

4. WE'RE COMING TO YOUR CITY - Big & Rich
SAVE A HORSE (RIDE A COWBOY)

5. SWING - Trace Adkins
HONKEY TONK BADONKADONK

6. HICK TOWN - Jason Aldeen


- What ever happened to George Strait, Clint Black, Tim McGraw? You know, REAL country singers. Not trashy hillbilly, long haired morons with earings??

- This is Turning more into people I hate more than songs but here's one more...

7. KENNY CHESNEY - Funny thing is, I used to like him and I do still listen to a few of his older songs but, whats with him and the damn beach? Somebody needs to remind him that he's a country singer and not bob marley

8 - BUTTERFLY KISSES - Bob Carlisle

9 - John Mayer - barf!

10. And Finally... 99.9% of Rap Songs (I admit... I do like a few. Hence the 99.9)

Honorable Mention - I will always love You - Whitney Houston

*This list is subject to being added to at any time

cards

FIVE of these will be coming to a card swapper near you!

10 YEARS!

You bet I went to my reunion... and it was even fun. Quinn actually had more friends there than I did... which is kind of odd considering the fact that he didn't even go to highschool in Southern Utah. Everyone was really nice, sincere, and genuine. I must say, it did take me several hours to reognize Jamie Williams. Can you spot her in the picture below? Good Luck!



Quinn's Hot Picks:
CJ Wade's wife
Jamie Williams
Talyor (forgot her last name)
Ashlynn Allen
Sunny Bellistan

photos

Does anyone know a great photographer in SGU for famdamly pics over Thanksgiving week?  Ya- I know, Yellow Pear Photography is a no-can-do.  DRAT!

Bliss

Well, it happened.

I'm happy.  Took long enough.

The latest is that for the first time in 6 long years, I got to seriously hang out with my best friend Paul.  Can you believe he has not 1 but 2 kids???  I still can't get over my friends having kids.  It's really weird.  Like some time warp jumped us ahead of where we should be:  17 and without a care!  Saturday Alana, Paul, and I went to the late show of Flyboys (yes- I still think it's the best and, in a moment of insanity, decided to go to Denny's afterwards.  I got a grilled cheese.  Q isn't the only free flyer around town.  On Sunday we got out all our old scrapbooks (totally a DECADE old... holy crap!) and had a blast remembering 'the good ole days'.  What- am I really almost 30?!?!

For Labor Day (happy b-day Brandon) we went to lunch with Matt, Ash, Nate, and his cutest little girl ever, Naulie.  She is a riot.  It was pretty easy to talk everyone into walking downtown for cupcukes after lunch.  All I had to do was mention them to Naulie and the deal was set.  I got 5 cupcakes in all... but I did part with 2 (BIG sacrifice).  I keep mentioning to my students how much I love these cupcakes but they're not taking the hint.  Perhaps when finals hit I'll be getting a few bribe offerings.

Work is great.  I had an amazing experience.  The vice principal attended a meeting where my student's mom said I had changed her kid's life.  It was pretty touching.  There may or may not have been tears... and it's only been a few weeks.  We middle school English teachers have to take kudos anytime they become available because it can be a hard knock life hanging with teens all day.  Plus, my pay check is QUITE a bit more this year... which leads me to realize that it's not a huge raise... it just means I got paid squat last year (aka: year of the unrelenting hellish night mirror).

Speaking of Thailand... we are planning a trip.  Any advice?  Know anyone who has been?  We need some tips.

...oh, and we moved.  HURRAY!!!  Which means our mortgage will be paid off in April.  That's all folks.  CARDS COMING SOON... ooooo, they are so cute, I had to remake mine.

Best Day Ever!

First of all about the picture.... it's true that the camera adds 10...... or maybe 25 lbs right? Geez!
A couple of weeks ago, me and Nick played golf at here in St. George and said how fun it would be if we went up north and met Bryce and played up ther sometime. I quickly said, "lets do it next thursday on my day off". Then he told me he would be up there already. So, we made a call to bryce that day to see if he could make it happen and he said he would see what he could do. We called Jerome to but he had to work that day. Anyway, Wednesday night rolled around and we still werent sure it wa going to happen. I had my doubts because of the long drive, the gas, the money and a ton of other things. Mostly excuses though. Anyway, I ended up leaving St. Geroge wednesday night at 6:00 and got to my sisters house at 11:00 and went to bed at midnight. Got up at 5:30 and drove back to Bountiful to meet Nick and Bryce at Lakeside GC. We played 18 and had So Much Fun! It was Great! the whole back nine we were all alone on the course and we couldn't stop talking and laughing about funny things we have done together. When we got done, Bryce had to go to work and but me and Nick went to lunch at the paradise bakery! Then Nick went to get Juli and I drove to Salt Lake and met my Bro in Law Ryan at Eaglewood Golf Course and we played another 18. Eaglewood was awesome! I was a little tired after 36 holes but it was a good tired. We saw Kyle Korver hitting balls on the range. Anyway, then I left there and drove straight to the Salt Lake Bees game and met Bryce, Kristi, and Lilly, Abe, Luke, and Trevor. Then, after the game, I drove back to St. George and got home about 3:00 a.m. slept till 7 then went to work. It was the logest day but one of the best ever. Once again, it just goes to show you that you NEVER regret doing something after you have done it! Every time I stew over whether I should go do something or not and then I go, I never wish I hadn't. I hope I always stay spontaneous and willing to do things on a whim. Just think how many fun things I could have missed out on if I wasn't spontaneous. Being married has tried slow it down a little but Nicole is awesome about letting me do whatever whenever most of the time. That's one of the things I like most about us. Anyway, any amount of money or loss of sleep was totally worth it for a day spent on the Golf Course, and at the Baseball Stadium with firends!