Holiday week in review + a birthday wish

I go back to work on Monday after being off since Christmas Eve. Here's what I've loved about this week away from work:

1. Doing my Wii Fit Plus every day. I got it from my dear friend Krysta (who when I told her she spent way too much on me had the greatest answer why she spoiled me. She said "it's from me AND my husband." So that totally makes it okay, right?) Anyway, it's so fun - I hope you all have tried it. My favorite is probably the snowball fight, one of the new games in the plus edition. I don't know why I get such joy throwing snowballs at little cartoon mii's set up by my family and friends but I certainly do.

2. A free $4.00 credit on Amazon for video downloads. Go here before January 3. I can download movies from Amazon on my TiVo but you can get them on your computer if you don't have TiVo. You have 30 days to start watching but once you watch, you have to finish within 2 days and then it deletes automatically. I watched A Night at the Museum and Julie and Julia over the break (slept through the first, had already seen the second. I'm dumb, I know.)

3. A super fun Laurel class reunion with eight wonderful girls. We ate lunch, played games and did the most hysterical role play to assist the girls with letting down boys they are not the least bit interested in. I wish I would have video'd it. It would get so many 5 star reviews on youtube.

4. Lots of naps with this great new down throw I got from a guy I work with. Most work gifts are candles (seriously, I have so many) but this gift of an Eddie Bauer down throw with fleece on one side and a nylon plaid on the other has been so great. The guy who gave it to me said he thought it would be perfect for camp (it would) but I want to take it everywhere I go because it's so comfy and cozy and keeps me so warm. I think I've taken three naps this break. I never ever nap otherwise.

5. Getting this amazingly cute and functional Coach wallet from my mom for Christmas. I love it. The inside is like a mulberry pink leather and has plenty of room for my cards and change. The outside is that plastic material - forget what it's called - but it stands out in my purse so I can always find it. And hello, it's my favorite brand. Love. It.

6. Reading the book, The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale. I have 80 pages left and I can't wait to see what happens. The lovely and talented Janssen wrote a great review here. But seriously, just go request the book from your library if you haven't read it. It's so entertaining, clever and funny and not a waste of your time to read. And I have absolutely NO idea what is going to happen next. (Janssen, the story has taken a turn I so did not expect!!)

7. Hanging out with some of my favorite people. I spent a day with Krysta, had a game night with Lynda and her family and then several nights with Kim and the girls. I love free time and getting to be with those I love. I need more of that in 2010.

And finally, today is my bosom friend Kim's birthday. I am so glad I have her in my life. She's sweet, talented, kind, smart and fun. She can encourage you to step out of your box better than anyone I know and I love that about her. Happy birthday, dear friend!! So love you.

I'm finally blogging about my Utah trip!

I'm bothered by the fact that I neglected to blog about my trip to Utah over the summer. So rather than talk about Christmas, I'm going to play a little catch-up.

It was a fantastic trip filled with weddings, laughter, lots of driving, visiting with long time friends and meeting new ones.

I drove down with these two lovely ladies. We had a lot of fun just talking and laughing. I think I drove from Seattle to Boise and then Joyce drove the rest of the way. Lynda was a great passenger. ;)

Lynda and I stayed in Bountiful the first couple of nights at the home of my Ricks College roommate, Juliana. It was a treat to catch up with her and get to know her sweet family a bit better.

The first wedding we attended was Adrian & Aaron's at the SLC temple. I'd been inside once before but never to a wedding. It was great being there with Adrian's family, whom I just love. She was a gorgeous bride and had the coolest bright green shoes on that day. And at the risk of sounding vain, I absolutely love this picture of us. (Vanessa, I think I got the pose right for once!!!)

Next, Lynda and I took a quick tour of the conference center. I loved the artwork and then of course, the view from the roof was really great.

Lynda and I then split up for a few days and I went south to stay with my BFF Kecia and her family. Kecia and I have been friends since junior high. It freaks me out to see her kids getting so grown up. But oh, how I love this family!

While I was in Utah, I scheduled three meetings with bloggers I love but hadn't yet met. I'm sad to report that I did not get a picture of my first lunch date with beautiful Michelle and her darling daughter Mary. I don't know what we were thinking! It was a lovely afternoon and such a treat getting to meet both of them.

Another non-photo moment was my brief meeting with Jazzy. We used to be in the same ward but she has since moved away so her Bachelor/Bachelorette loving husband can go to grad school. We had a lovely time over smoothies at the mall with her darling boy Ryder. Hurry back home, guys. I can't believe I'm going to have to watch Chuck & the Bachelor without you in January!!

Next I met Shannon & Vanessa for dinner at Cafe Rio (YUM!) These fabulous and beautiful girls are so fun. I loved getting to know them better over an amazingly good dinner.

On Thursday, I met Holly & Jill at Cheesecake Factory and had the best time. It was like we'd known each other forever! And I'm not sure but my favorite thing about that day might just be the fact that we got Holly to smile with her teeth showing! ;)

And last but not least, we have Callie's wedding. It worked out that I was able to take Callie out the night before to do some last minute shopping (yes, we found her wedding shoes the NIGHT BEFORE HER WEDDING! Huge success!) and then we had dinner and got her a manicure and pedicure. I so loved having some time all to ourselves. It was relaxing and just fun.

Here's a picture taken just after the wedding itself (note the teary eyes!) From left is grandma of the bride, Elaine, then aunt of the bride, Marcia, me and Lynda. I love these ladies, especially Elaine who is just so much fun to be around.

The wedding was at the Draper Temple and I can't even communicate to you how stinking hot it was that day. The sun burned our eyes during the pictures so we all got lots of shots of eyelids that day. Here's a nice squinting shot of Andrew, Callie and some of their friends.

The reception was at the Springville Art Museum. Callie asked me to say a few words at the reception and I thankfully remained dry-eyed. It was such an honor to be asked to speak (but seriously, a tiny bit stressful too!) The reception was really fun and a wonderful evening.

And finally, a picture of Lynda, Joyce, Kim and me. We wanted to be at the wedding for Callie but we also really wanted to be there for Kim...to be a source of love, strength and support during her daughter's wedding. I'm so glad we were able to get a picture together and even better, we all look relatively "fresh" considering how stinking hot it was that day. (I miss being tan. Sigh.) But most of all, I'm so grateful for wonderful friends!!

We had a great drive home, although it did seem to last forever. I think I drove the whole way too. We made it just in time to catch a few minutes of Adrian's open house back home!

I'm planning another trip to Utah in April. Can't wait!!

Church bulletin excerpt

I'll blog about my super fun weekend soon (which includes a ward Christmas party with interesting food and our family Christmas party with an ugly Christmas sweater contest) but first I want to share an actual cut & paste from our bulletin today. Note the bolded word below.

SINGLE ADULT FAMILY SNOW DAY: On January 16, 2010 join single adults and their families for a great day of fun in the snow! There will be snowboarding, skiing, rubbing and snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass. Carpool from the temple parking lot at 8:30 am, the North Bend building at 9:00 am with cocoa and rolls at 8:30...

Think I should go to this activity??

Mormons, Mormons, Mormons

My cute and wonderful friend Kim has a well-known dad. (He's a certain longtime US Senator from the great state of Utah whose name rhymes with match.) Anyway, she blogged about this but I want to share it here too.

Her dad wrote a really great Hanukkah song recently that has gotten some publicity. (See Kim's blog for more.) Well, this week, The Tonight Show wrote all of us who are members of the LDS church a nice little song. Check out the video and then let me know if you're still singing the chorus in the middle of the night like I know I will be.

Hallelujah Chorus

I've been hearing that song in my head ever since Sunday when Kim and I went to the singalong (I did horrible on the 'amens' in "Worthy is the Lamb" though...next year, I'll practice a little beforehand.)

ANYWAY, I am enjoying the holiday season for so many reasons...here are a few:

• First and foremost, I finally got around to mailing three packages yesterday and there was NO line at the post office. It was an amazing moment in my life. (Jill, Jasmine & Callie, you may now begin stalking the mailman.)
• Treatfest 2009 has begun. Tricia and I had our annual baking day this week and made such yummy treats like caramel chex mix, chinese noodle cookies, peppermint meltaways, toffee, oreo truffles using the peppermint joe joe's from TJ's and chocolate almond kiss macaroons (see last year's post for pics of most of this stuff.) Two containers delivered, three more to go. I'm doing more baking this weekend for our family Christmas party on Sunday. I love, love, love to bake.
• My mom is going to wrap my gifts for me! She loves to wrap and I love to let her.
• I'm feeling no shopping stress. This year, I've let go of buying for the people I think I should buy for and instead I'm giving gifts only to those I want to buy for. And you know what? It's okay.
• Got a haircut last night -- I'm cute.
• Earlier this month, I got an unexpected cash bonus at work. It was recognition for the special assignment I've been working on since April and I earned every single penny (and, well, more but I'll take what I can get.) Anyway, I treated myself to the "precious." Yes, I bought the Kitchenaid anniversary mixer! It arrived Wednesday night but I have yet to open the box...hopefully tomorrow.
• Our office closes Christmas Eve through New Year's Day so that means 11 days of getting up when I want and going to bed when I want. I'm planning to watch movies, finish a couple of books, do a jigsaw puzzle, play games with my friends but also do a whole lot of nothing. We need a whole lot of nothing once in awhile, don't we?

Seasonal Likes & Dislikes

Like: Christmas music on the radio. I wish it started earlier than the week of Thanksgiving.

Dislike: Dry skin. I hate it. Why does the skin around my eyes get so grossly dry?

Like: Cold and sunny days. I know it's not Utah-cold but pretty dang cold for us (13 degrees when I got to work this AM.) It's beautiful though and the sunsets are breathtaking. I talked to someone in our California office and she was telling me how cold it was there...her exact words were "it's freezing here - it might get to 60 today." PUH-LEAZE!

Dislike: Static electricity in my hair, clothes and furniture. Strongly dislike.

Like: Great sales. It almost makes me sad I'm done with my shopping. Almost.

Dislike: TV shows going into reruns. While I love that we've had new TV pretty much all fall, I hate that it's over after this week. And speaking of, wasn't Glee just fabulous last night? I can't believe we have to wait until April for new episodes though. And Top Chef? Such a good season even though I wanted Kevin to win.

Like: Christmas decorations as far as the eye can see. I love my new tree, I love the snowflakes and toy soldiers that decorate downtown Bellevue and the cool Christmas ornament stars on the light poles by the Southcenter Panera.

And one last like: peppermint. Candles, candies, cookies, hot cocoa...yum!

What I've accomplished recently

• Finished my Christmas shopping (although I have one last thing to pick up yet.) And if you know me at all, my list is huge so this is a major accomplishment. Now I'll have lots of free time to bake and wrap.
• Had a fabulous time in Portland with Michelle (where we did our shopping sales tax free, thank you state of Oregon.) Michelle told me that this weekend was the first time she was able to feel excited for Christmas, which made me happy considering the year she's had. We had a wonderful time shopping, laughing, crying, eating, walking, and making fun of the women who for Christmas shopping dress alike in horrible holiday garb (i.e. matching ratty Peanuts Christmas shirts, fanny packs,huge wrapped Christmas gift earrings, jeans with pink fabric sewn in the ankle to make them "flared." I tried so hard to get a picture of one of them trying on a lace, see-through shirt over her Peanuts shirt but couldn't get a good one. Use your imagination.)
• Froze my you know what off. I came home to a freezing cold house because who wants to leave the heat on when you're out of town - not me. Temperature in my bedroom tonight? 57.4 degrees. Ouch.
• Won a bet. Finally, the Seahawks won (and it's only for dinner so nothing I need to see the bishop about. lol)
• Replaced the battery in my chirping smoke detector. It wasn't just a plop in a new battery easy fix but one that involves wires and tricky battery covers and super human finger strength. Thank you internet for having the instructions I needed!
• Bought a whole bunch of stuff for myself. I am terrible but I kept finding things I loved this weekend like new pajamas (my only winter pajamas are Christmas ones), new Christmas bathroom decor (the alpine stuff from Target), and some other stuff I'm choosing not to list here because it means I have to admit I have an addiction to a certain brand.
• Fixed my broken GPS. My GPS decided to die shortly after we arrived in Portland. I ignored the nice letter I got a couple of months ago telling me it would probably break thinking "oh mine's fine, it won't happen to me." Of course it breaks the time I need it most, right? Thank you, iPhone for leading us to the best deals this weekend.

Now if I could just get my tree up and decorated...

Today, I'm better

Okay, I don't know what is up with this daily blogging thing and I apologize to those of you whose readers runneth over but I just have stuff to say.

• I bought smaller jeans today. That was a happy moment. (and yes, I can breathe easily in them.)
• My car window is fixed. It took all day and cost $638.92 but it's fixed. Today I'm grateful for insurance and a somewhat manageable deductible.
• I had an enjoyable morning with Mr. Crushworthy who is still quite dreamy.
• We had our Relief Society Christmas party last night and it was such a nice evening. One of my former Laurels sang and I sat there and cried. How can I love these young women so much? I've been out of my ward YW presidency for two years and still I'm overcome with emotion when I think about those girls and how much they mean to me. I'm still so grateful that Heavenly Father entrusted them to me for five years. And to my former Laurels who read my blog? You make me cry too so don't think you're not as special as the one who sang last night. ;)
• Have you heard Andrea Bocelli & Mary J. Blige sing "What Child is This" yet? They were on Oprah and PBS Monday. Stunningly beautiful. If you didn't get Oprah's free download, it's totally worth your money to buy the song (and Amazon has the entire CD for $7.99 as compared to iTunes' version for $9.99. Love you, Amazon!)
• And finally, I received three wedding invitations in the last week. THREE!

Done being thankful

Today, I'm just annoyed and I'm free, after a month of having to be nice, to voice it here on the blog. Here's what happened:

I took my car in to get an oil change, tire rotation and a couple of other things in anticipation of my trip to shop in Portland this weekend. As I was exiting the off-ramp, I noticed the big huge truck in the turn lane next to me was creeping into my lane so I hugged the inside line as I turned and then heard a thump. I pulled up next to the trucker at the light and said "I think you just hit me." He was talking on his phone (this is a hands-free state...oopsie) and didn't understand me at first but nicely pulled over. It was dark and foggy/drippy out but we felt all up and down the side of my car and couldn't find any damage at all. So I stupidly drove off without getting any of his info and took my car to the dealer for the maintenance stuff (thinking I must have just had a rock bounce up underneath my car.)

I picked up the car this afternoon and when I was pulling out, I noticed my back rear window was completely shattered. I got out and noticed two scratches too, one with red paint (which was the color of the stupid huge truck.) The people at the dealership nicely taped up my broken window and now I have exactly two days to try and get it fixed so I can go out of town this weekend. ANNOYING! This is not the way I wanted to start my month.

And today would have been Ida's 39th birthday. Sigh, sigh sigh. I miss Ida.