New Shoes Make Me Happy!

Today I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Perhaps this is due to the air conditioning breaking and all the humidity making it hard to sleep. Or it could be due to my mother waking me up to ask a question I don't even remember answering and then leaving on my bed a basket of clean clothes for me to put away. Since I couldn't drift back into dreamworld I threw off the covers, shoved the laundry basket into a corner, and slowly made my way into the kitchen to enjoy a nice cold bowl of Lucky Charms, only Holly used up all the milk! So I then had actually put effort into making my breakfast and whipped up some scrambled eggs. Really hard and full of effort I know! But that's not really the point. The point is today was shaping up to be an awesome day (please note the last few sentences are drenched in sarcasm.)



I was turning into a walking Godzilla annoyed and snapping at anyone who even looked at me! Then the heavens opened and showered the blessing of shoes on me! While my mom was getting her watch fixed at Kohl's I found the cutest shoes ever AND THEY WERE ON SALE!! The first pair of shoes transformed my attitude from grouchy to pleased. With the second pair it metamorphosed into flat out joy. When I found the 3rd pair in my size I was practically floating on air smiling so brightly it blinded the customer next to me!!



My mother simply shook her head as I paid for them but in my mind I'm not married so I am justified in spending my hard earned money on these cute investments. Haha I have no husband to check with, no children needing school supplies or doctor visits. Yes I can still be self-centered and impulsive AND look fabulous while doing it! :O) It's amazing to me how something as simple as cute shoes totally did a 180 on my day! I don't think anything makes me happier than a new pair of shoes! Someday when my hubby does something stupid instead of sending me flowers he needs to send me shoes! As Rebecca Bloomwood once said “We all have a destiny in life and since I was 14 I knew I was put on this earth to shop.” In my case I was destined to shop for shoes!

Summertime Update

I apologize for not posting in so long this is due to several things.

1. I am waiting for certain people to send me pictures of things that we have done together so that I can share them with all of you.

2. I think about something I want to post then get busy with something else and forget what I wanted to post.

3. Let's be honest...I"M LAZY and while posting really doesn't require all that much effort it is still more than I would like to expend. I am filling up my energy reservoirs for my 30 fifth graders next year.

But alas, no more excuses. Here is my update...

K'S BRIDAL SHOWER!

My best friend, "K", is getting hitched in exactly 8 days!! Its so crazy cause it seems like just yesterday we were putting curlers in our hair for Senior Toga Day and stressing about college applications and prom. Her fiance, "A", is amazing! They are perfect for each other!! It was really fun to go to her shower and kick start the wedding celebrations. So here is to the beautiful Bride to Be Katie!








Check out those new initials





"K" and her sister "J"



The beautiful bride!!



Next big event of this summer..H GRADUATED!!

Here is a little poem to honor her... haha!


H was a thumb-sucking, Barney-carrying infant.
I wonder how you grew up so fast.
Your contagious laughter filled the air.
She was a white ragged baby blanket dragging behind.
H was the cry baby and Roxanne's shadow.
And then she grew up.

H is a 2 time VA state Rugby champ and drum major!
She's all dessert, all the time.
H wants to be Mrs. Edward Cullen.
H is long nails and a side ponytail.
She bleeds green and yellow and will soon bleed cougar blue.
She steals the clothes from my closet and is a friend to everyone. :O)
H is a HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE who will change the world!

I love you baby sis!



Trying To Steal Her Hat!



Showing H Some Loving!



The Whole Crew!



The happy graduate!


Coming Soon...Summer Update Part 2!!

Summer Bucket List

With a little over 3 weeks til I head back to Utah and real life (aka work) there is still so much I want to do! I'm one of those people who likes to make lists. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I get to cross an item off. There is just something about being able visually see everything that I have done in a day or plan on doing. So to make sure that I make the most of this summer and get everything done that I want here is my "Summer Bucket List." Or everything I want to do before summer kicks the bucket. Anyone who would like join me on these adventures is more than welcome, just give me a call!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST (no particular order)

√ Catch fireflies.
√ Explore Charleston, SC.
√ Relax on the sands of the OBX.
Go all the way through the Holocaust Museum. Yes this one is going to be tear jerker.
Hike to Ben's Den or Old Rag.
√ Eat crabs, lots of crabs!
√ Read the 5th Percy Jackson book. I am so excited for the 1st movie to come out!!
√ Go to a Nationals Game.
√ Eat lots and lots and lots of BBQ!!! It doesn't get much better than pulled pork!
√ Do a puzzle.
√ Watch all the old Harry Potter movies and explain them to Mom and Brendan.
√ Visit NYC (more specifically Coney Island.)
√ Drink lots of Dad's famous chocolate malts.
Climb Timp.
Go sailing with Grandpa!
√ Fall asleep on the hammock.
Visit the Museum of the American Indian.
Hit Brendan with water balloons when he least expects it!!
√ Help Grandpa START WRITING the story of his life. That's right Grandpa no more thinking about it we are just going to start.
Lay by the pool.
Dance in the rain.
Celebrate Kaitlyn and Alton's wedding!!
A Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Marathon.
Visit Philly.
Walk through the National Museum of American History.

I reserve the right to change/update/nullify any part of this list. :O)

TESTING TESTING

Hey! I'm just testing out different layouts...don't mind me!

I am not dead

No I am not dead, kidnapped, or missing I just simply turned off my phone for a couple days. Why would I do a extremely weird and apparently dangerous thing like that? Because I am on vacation! Let me explain. Last week I was lounging under a brightly color umbrella with my toes nestled into the sand of the Outer Banks. Eyes closed, listening to the rhythmic breaking of the waves when suddenly I hear "SWEET HOME ALABAMA." Talk about throwing off someone's chi. As much as I love that song come on your on vacation. There is a reason you are not in the office. So to prove a point I turned my phone off (which was in the house not on the beach) for the duration of the trip.

Ironically this backfired when Friday morning I was awoken at the indecent hour of 8:30 (I'm on vacation and totally justified in sleeping in) to my friend "K" asking "A" if I was alive? "A" proceeded to hit me and ask me if I was alive. My reply,"I don't know. What time is it?" Apparently my very caring mother had not heard from me in a couple days and thought I would be home Thursday. When I was not in my room Friday morning she started to worry. There was no answer to any text messanges or voicemails. So she called "K" to see if she had heard from me. When she hadn't panic REALLY set in. Thankfully "A" never turns her phone off, that would be like turning off her heart, and "K" was able to tell me to call my mom.

Even MORE IRONIC is that when I did try calling my mom's cell, the house phone, my dad's cell, and all of my sibling's cellphones NO ONE PICKED UP. I guess they really weren't that concerned after all. But just to make sure my mom didn't report me missing I left a message for my father at his work so that when he got out of a meeting he could inform my mom with the happy news "I'm still breathing...no worries." My dad's poor secretary could not understand why that was the only thing I wanted to say. I didn't feel like any further explanation was necessary.

No, no that's not the end of our story. "A" feeling like if my mom was worried hers might be to called home saying, "I'm alive Mom you don't need to worry!" Her mom replied, "That's great. I had no doubt that you would be." Haha Disappointed her mom didn't love her enough to think she was missing, "A" went to sulk on the beach. Half an hour later her mom called back exclaiming,"I didn't think you were missing because I know you are a responsible adult!" Haha I guess my mom doesn't think I am.

Here are some pictures from my trip...



Don't you just love our hats!!!



"A" enjoying the beach.



Playing some beach volleyball with A's family



Eating some crabs!



The amazing house we stayed in!

Home Sweet Home

I've been home for 72 hours. Here are my observations...

1. The PTA will fall apart when Momma W is no longer in charge. As soon as Brendan graduates it will simply disintegrate into ash and get blown away by the wind. Our house is littered in emails, prizes, To-Do lists, posters, balloons, and other decorations for After-Grad. It is a never-ending job.

2. I am now one of the weaker siblings. Yes, it finally happened, Buddyboy is officially stronger than me. He had me pinned to the ground earlier today and try as I might I could not get free. I had to sink to the level of a 5 year old and threaten to lick or bite him in order to loosen his grip. Now, I am still quick so as long as I am dodging, twisting, and otherwise in motion I am good. This startling new reality has however, strongly motivated me to get back into the gym. Good thing my best friend is a personal trainer. "K" get ready to kick my big butt back into shape.

3. Fireflies make everything better. They add sparkle and magic to the world. The slow and constant blinks as the last rays of sunlight fade into the deep blue of the starry night sky instantly bring you back to being a child. When the world was filled with wonder. When flowers turned into fairies and toys came to life when you weren't looking. That is the way the simply beautiful glow of a firefly makes me feel.

More to follow...

Dancing on the Red Rock

The Southern Utah red rock outlined by a blue cloudless sky is absolutely breathtaking. It is a sight everyone should see with their own eyes at least once in their lives. No picture can truly capture its beauty. Roxy and I recently moseyed on down to St. George to visit "L" and "H" and had a blast. Here are some souvenirs... (if you click on the image it will become bigger)


We climbed up to "Dixie" Rock.


Roxy and HayHay


Partners in crime...since 7th grade!



Roxy before we yelled at her to watch for rattlesnakes.


2 beautiful girls in front of spectacular scenery what more could you want?


Wish you were here.



Looking over the edge...it was a long way down!


Now for my closeup.