life in general

bellissima

Today Scott is jumping in as guest writer on this blog.  Because he does a great job of telling stories and he has the clearest recollection of the following story.  And it will serve double-duty as he includes it in an assignment for his negotiations class. 

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After our nice dinner at Mon Ami Gabi... we started back to our car.  Since there is a mini-mall in every casino, we were walking by several stores one of which was a big perfume cologne store.  To back up a bit, with me in Las Vegas all week every week, and in school every other weekend, Shannon had a pretty fail birthday.  I had been able to ship to her one actual physical birthday present, and the rest of the boxes were filled with "I.O.U's" for things that were either still en route, or that we would go out and do/buy later.  One of these I.O.U's was for a new bottle of perfume so this was the perfect opportunity for me to pay up.

Being a perfume store, there were about 300 to choose from.  The store was attended by a twenty something metro-sexual who could have been from Spain or another similar country with enough of an accent to be cool.  He approached us as we started smelling and took Shannon's hand and said.  "My apologies for bothering you, but you are such a beautiful woman,when you are done I have to ask you something, and I want to show you something, and when I do, even though I am bothering you you are going to want to give me a hug."  We continued smelling and every once in a while he would return to have us smell something else, he would again compliment Shannon, and move on.

Apparently he finally could hold it in no longer...he came over again and the conversation went something like this:

Sales-dude: I apologize for bothering you, but I have to ask you this question right now....you are such a beautiful woman, what makeup do you wear.  

Shannon, who was at this point pretty embarrassed timidly answers "Maybelline"

Sales-dude, reaches out and lightly takes Shannon's hand, slaps her hand and says...."Shame on you...Maybelline...Shame on you"  Come with me.

He pulls her across the room and sits her in a chair and spends the next 15 minutes lecturing her on the damage that she is doing to her skin with her ghetto makeup and at the same time gets her to allow him to do her half of her face with new makeup.  Also during this time he tells her about the different famous people for whom he has done make-up.  Celine Dion and someone who I can't remember and tells her how they all use this same make-up now.

As you can imagine, at this point I am pretty thoroughly entertained, it feels kind of like the "Bellissima" sketches on Saturday Night Live, with this guy occasionally tossing back-fisted compliments to me because of how gorgeous  Shannon is, and how in the world did I end up with her? And then returning to the task at hand which was pretty aggressively working over the left side of her face.

Well, the short story is the makeup was pretty amazing, he had Shannon do the right side of her face by herself so she could see how easy it was.

With the makeup done, he now shifts into "salesman mode" and of course there are no price tags on anything...he tells us the retail price for the makeup, and then tells us the deal he is going to give us.  Of course I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what makeup should cost so I try to get some input from Shannon on exactly how much this guy is going to steal from us.  It turns out that he only took us for about $10 more than what we could have bought it for online...which means that this guy was a great performer... but thankfully not a pirate... seeing Shannon as happy as she clearly was meant that my checkbook was out and this guy had all the power to fill in the amount....and apparently, while my back was turned, he also got his hug....grrrrrr...

Shannon also found perfume that was perfectly named "Be Delicious" and after seeing the Jersey Boys last night, I think she will have to agree that her birthday wasn't really "fail" at all.

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No fail.  This birthday was absolutely a winner!  Thanks for writing this up . . . you know that bits and pieces were a blur to me.

30 day photo challenge // 14, 15, 16, 17

14 - flowers

Puzzled?  Well there are flowers on my dress.  :)  Today I got a haircut and color.  This is just part one of my birthday week theme . . . "pamper."  (Last year the theme was "indulge" and I chose to eat everything in sight without guilt and drop the exercising)

15 - my shoes

Basic black flip flops.  Not so exciting.  But the place that I'm wearing them to is pretty exciting, or rather, relaxing . . . a local spa to receive a 90-minute facial.  Ahhhh.  I left that place so relaxed, loose, and smooth.  Facials are great because you get soothing skin rejuvenation and a great neck and shoulder massage to go with it.

16 - what i ate

Yup, that's what I had for lunch.  Thanks to our beautiful and thoughtful friends, Sheila and I enjoyed a delicious lunch birthday-date with all our girls, following a pampering pedicure date (we share the same birthday).  I love this little tradition, thank you so much girls.

Hair style, facial, pedicure -- When I pick a theme like "pamper" I don't mess around!

17 - on the shelf

It's my birthday!  I always collect my birthday cards on the window ledge above my kitchen sink.  I love having them out to give me a smile as I pass by, or to stop and re-read all the sweet notes.  It makes me happy.

And while we're on the subject of my birthday, I just have to share 2 totally creative gifts that really made my day:

First, it looks like an ordinary book . . .

 (I was scratching my head for a minute . . . The Forgotten Legion, hmm . . . Sheila reads a lot of books, maybe it's a good one?)

But then you open it up . . . 

And there's chocolate!!!!!!

And a picture of friends.  Awww.  And the page which the book opens to is titled "friendship."  Double awww.  See what I mean?  So creative.  And I'm so glad that Sheila did not injure herself in the making of this gift.  There was a box cutter involved so it was risky.  ;)

And then I checked my mail yesterday (the 19th -- too busy on saturday to get to the mail box) and found this . . . . 

. . . A Moving Survival Kit!  How awesome is that?  Becca had the most creative ideas:  a notepad for all my lists; a sharpie and packing tape for the moving boxes; lots of chocolate and of course Swedish Fish for snacks; Ibuprofen for my sore muscles; a water bottle; tissues for, well, you can guess; chapstick for the dry Nevada air; and "because you'll probably need to take an ice cream break" a couple dollars in cash.  Creative, huh?  Thanks so much Becca.

Birthdays are fun.

my memory of 9/11

For a long time I've wanted to record my perspective on the tragic events of 9/11, where I was, what I was doing, . . . . so here goes.

In September 2001, Conner and I traveled with Scott for a lengthy business trip to Michigan and Ohio.  He had work reviews that would last 3 weeks.  So rather than having him fly home across the country every weekend we decided to go with him -- and because his company was saving money by not flying him back and forth, they paid for my ticket.  :)

We arrived in Detroit on a Sunday night and drove through the dark to the first review site in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  It is on the upper peninsula of Michigan, right on the border.  All you had to do was cross a bridge and you were in Canada.

Our daily routine:  Scott gets ready, read scriptures together, Conner and I go back to sleep for a little bit longer, spend the day piddling around the hotel (he was just 10 months old so there were naps too), walk to lunch at the McDonald's next door or heat up leftovers from dinner the night before, Scott returns after work, and we'd go out for dinner together.

(I dug out some really really old digital pictures . . . from our very first digital camera.  The thing used 3.5 floppy disks for memory!  Yes, one of the originals.)

  Life in the hotel room with a 10 month old.  Luckily, Conner was a very happy baby so he was very easily entertained.  Even by exposed plumbing.

On Tuesday morning (day 2) we followed the usual routine.  Scott left around 7am, I fed Conner and we both went back to sleep.  I woke up a little after 9am (EST) and turned on the tv while I laid in bed.

And there it was on every channel.  Both towers of the World Trade Center had been hit by planes.  I was shocked, stunned, and aching for all those innocent people.  I needed to talk to someone so I called Scott at work -- we spoke for just a minute or two but he had to get back to work.  My eyes stayed glued to the television and I gasped as I watched individuals jump out of the high-rise windows.  Talking to the tv wasn't working, so I called my dad at work.  We talked for a few minutes, sharing our disbelief at the situation.

Tears came to my eyes as I watched the situation unfold, the smoke rise higher, the desparation in the streets grow, and then one tower collapsed, followed by another.  I couldn't believe I was watching this on live television.  And here I was, sitting alone in a hotel bed with an infant, in a strange state, a strange city . . . taking this all in.  I'll never forget that experience and feeling.

We continued with our trip, but there was definitely a different air about everything.  The border to Canada closed for a while, but on Friday it re-opened and we were able to cross over to get some dinner and take some pictures.

The following two weeks Scott worked in Cleveland, Ohio.  Over the weekends we took day trips to Kirtland, Niagara Falls, and Palmyra, NY to see Church history sites like the Sacred Grove & Hill Cumorah as well as the Palmyra temple.  There was heightened security at the falls as well as just a heightened sense of awareness everywhere we went.

During most of this time, all airplanes in the U.S. were grounded.  Airports were closed.  No one was flying anywhere.  We probably should have been more concerned about this, considering we were 2200 miles away from home, but we weren't.

It was near the end of September when our trip ended, and luckily the airports were open again.  We entered the Detroit airport with our luggage and stroller, checked in, went through security, and walked to our gate.  We were both in awe . . . the airport was empty.  A handful of people here and there, but by and far it was desolate.  It felt really creepy and eery.

We made it home safe and sound.

One year later we were back east again, following Scott on business for a 2 week stint.  This time we were in Massachussetts so we spent a Saturday sight-seeing in New York City.  We stopped by Ground Zero and took a picture (with my film camera).  It was impressive to see what they were able to clean-up and accomplish in a year.

This morning I watched part of the 9/11 Memorial service while eating my breakfast.  The kids sat on the couch with me and I tried to explain the events of that day while getting choked up.  Payton looked at me funny.  But I think it's important for the kids to understand this part of our country's history because it has definitely shaped who we are, and what we are fighting for today.

"Remember" was a theme throughout much of the Memorial service.  I know that I will never forget.

30 day photo challenge // 7, 8, 9

7 - something new

Back to school shoe shopping happened at the Converse outlet this year.  Everyone picked their own color/style.  Everyone was happy.

8 - technology

Noteshelf app + my shiny new stylus are taking my list-making to the next level.  Technology is awesome.  One cool feature is that you can take photos and paste them directly onto your notepaper, write notes around them, etc.  I can already see this coming in very handy when we're house-hunting.

9 - faceless self-portrait

My faceless self, baking zucchini bread after the kids have gone to bed.  Our garden exploded with zucchini this year.  There are two bags of shredded zucchini in the freezer, I've tried several (mostly mediocre) zucchini recipes from the web, given away one, and made a batch of chocolate zucchini bread.  If you look on the left, you can see 2 more big ones on my counter top (next to 3 grenade shaped cucumbers, which you can't see).  And the garden is trying to grow a few more.

Also, it appears that this top is my Friday shirt.  (Wore it last Friday on my golf date as well.)  I told you I loved it.

post note:  I tried a piece of the zucchini bread and it is yum-my!  Recipe here.

all by myself

Well, I've reached another milestone.  All 3 of my children are in elementary school.

People have asked me if I was doing okay, how I was feeling . . . But the past week has been so busy I haven't had a chance to really think about it.  Really, I haven't been too worried because Anna only attends in the mornings, she'll still be with me for lunch, and so it's almost like a continuation of the preschool schedule.  Just 5 days a week rather than 3.

The bigger question has been, what am I going to do with my time.  Again, being so busy I haven't had a chance to think of it until yesterday.  A fellow soccer mom asked me if I had planned something fun for my first "free" day.  The thought had never even occurred to me!  Shame on me to pass up such a great opportunity to celebrate.  :)

She suggested that I should go get a massage.

So I posed the question to a few others . . . 

Conner said that I should go shopping for clothes and shoes because that's what girls do.

Scott said I should mow the lawn.  Boo!

In passing at school drop-off this morning a cute 4-year old girl from church said, "She can do whatever she wants."  That's right!

And in his bedtime prayer last night Conner said, "Bless mom so she can figure out what to do while we are gone."

Thanks, bud.

So what am I doing today?  Scheduling doctor appointments.  Doing laundry.  Picking up around the house.  And paying bills.

Something is seriously wrong with this set-up.  I think tomorrow needs to be a fun day.

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{a report and pictures of the kids' first day of school coming this evening.  Or tomorrow morning.}

 

when i get sad i stop being sad . . .

First off, thanks for all the nice, understanding, supportive comments.  

This has been a loooooooong week.  Really.  I look back to Monday and the events of that day and it feels like it was weeks ago.  

We've shared the news with as many people as we know, we've talked through various moving/housing scenarios (with a lot of stuff still up in the air), and we've calendared like nobody's business.

But mostly we've taken some time to sit and let it settle in our minds.  Get a feel for it.  Wrap this big change around our brains.  No major actions have been taken (other than some mild pinning).

Just feeling and processing what this means.

Last Sunday I remember feeling really . . . heavy.  Heavy with the weight of this big decision.  The first part of this week I felt sad for changes that I knew would come.  And later I alternated through feeling sensitive, loved, disconnected, grumpy, blessed, nostalgic, and blegh.

Last night Scott and I went out and it was just what I needed.  A rejuvenation.

On our way out of town I told him about this funk I was in and I really really wanted to fix it.  Even suggesting that I need to put some motivational posters/quotes on my computer desktop as a visual reminder -- I'm sure pinterest could help me with that. I don't want to bring down the people around me.  I don't want to whine or appear whiny or mopey.  I need to put my big-girl panties on and look forward to this change & it's opportunities and embrace it.  I sometimes preach (or think) this "get over it and move on" mentality when I see others struggling . . . now, I need to take my own advice.

Scott gave me his usual advice in these situations: "Feel, deal, and heal."

And I think I've been able to do that.  As I said, last night was a rejuvenation.  I feel much lighter today.  I feel like I want to smile instead of forcing a smile.  I'm ready to get back on track.

And I think that this motivational piece of wisdom from Barney Stinson (of How I Met Your Mother) fits perfectly . . . . 

When I get sad I stop being sad and be awesome instead.  True story.

And so this week I am going to be awesome instead.

 . . . . be awesomely organized -- I am putting together a big binder to keep us organized during the move and to collect info on schools, etc.

. . . . be an awesome scrapbooker -- my week in the life album is half-way finished.  I will complete it.

. . . . be an awesome mom -- Yesterday I purchased all the supplies to make tie-dye t-shirts with the kids.  Oh ya.  Payton saw a booth full of t-shirts at the Saturday Market and really wanted one.  I promised him that we would make our own at home.

. . . . be an awesome homemaker -- This week I will begin my room by room deep-cleaning and purging project.  The question will be, "Is this something I really want to pack in a box and bring 1000 miles with us?"

Sounds like an awesome plan to me.

box number 9

So I think my mom and I started doing the mother/daughter weekend thing back in . . . . 2001.  Twice we attended Women's Conference at BYU, another time we enjoyed a day of pedicures and shopping, there was a mother/daughter spring event, we've gone to Wicked in L.A., and then there was the time I hosted in Portland and we stayed in a nice hotel downtown & attended Time Out for Women.

This time I was the host again.  Usually, we do this in the springtime, but there were a few special events that I knew were coming in August so I decided to change it up a bit.

For one, Les Miserables was coming to town!  I've never seen it before and Scott has an eternal dislike of the production, so I knew bringing my mom into town was my only (and the perfect) opportunity to see it on stage.

Here we are all dolled up for our matinee show . . . 

And for the first time ever I was taller than my mom.  It's all because of these heels:

She is a bit taller than me and then she compounds that by wearing heels all the time, everywhere.  I like my flats and lower heels.  :)

The show was fantastic.  Jean Valjean was amazing.  I cried.  Our seats (box number 9, front row) were amazing.  

After the show we enjoyed a great dinner at Nel Centro, per Scott's recommendation.  (He's eaten just about everyone in town.)  Calamari, roasted pork loin, beef short ribs, s'mores with housemade graham crackers & marshmallows, and an apricot & strawberry galette.  Very nice.

So that was just day one.

For day two . . . we meandered down a Street of Dreams.  My mom has always loved walking through model homes, and in our area it doesn't get more spectacular than the Street of Dreams.

5 homes, 3300 to 5000 sq. ft., all above $800,000.  Lots of eye candy.  Lots of inspiration.  Some things that made us wonder "who in the world thought that was a good idea."  Master bathroom showers big enough for an entire family.  And beautiful outdoor spaces.  I took pictures to remember some of my favorites.

1.  I like the exterior design of this house, but the colors not so much.  I need white trim.  Nothing dark or creamy.  2. Isn't this the most adorable backyard garden!  Goes to show that your garden can be an attractive part of your landscaping.  3. I have now decided that I need a metal kitchen table.  Hammered metal and round just like this one, please.  4.  Liked this color combination in the bedroom.  5.  I wish you could see this up close because it was amazing.  Imagine a giant wood die-cut, painted and adhered to the wall.  The next day we saw this in a magazine.  I think it might becoming a trend.  A trend that I want to jump on!  6. Love the round section for eating that comes out of the main island.  And those chairs.  7.  I think a subtle pattern in the carpet looks very nice.  8. Genius!  A woman must have thought of this.  9. The upstairs media room features a row of built-in cabinetry.  Two giant doors open to reveal a secret playroom!  How much fun would that be?!

So that was the Street of Dreams.  Loads of inspiration and we got to ride on a school bus to and from the parking lot.

As for the rest of the day . . . . we enjoyed a good lunch and shopped.  Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie, Container Store, LOFT, Urban Outfitters, . . . definitely a good shopping day.

I feel pretty lucky that I get to do this once a year with my mom.  And super lucky that I have a husband who supports it by staying home with the kids, taking them to the park, cooking dinner, managing laundry, etc.  Pretty lucky indeed.

feeling left out

Did you know that Scott was very much into the ladies in high school?  Dated lots.  It's part of his history.  I'll get back to that point in a moment.

Near his home is the "Niagara of the West", Shoshone Falls, located on the Snake River.  But most of the time there is no water running over the falls or just very little.  The water is diverted for irrigation use and Idaho has had many drought years so there isn't much water to begin with.  In all of our many visits we have never actually gone to see Shoshone Falls.  Because there hasn't been anything to see.

But when we came for this trip we heard that the water was falling and it was spectacular.  Day 1 we hopped in the car to see for ourselves.

You be the judge.

look, a double rainbow!

So back to my original point . . . as we're driving down the canyon to the park Scott tells the kids that in high school he used to take girls here to kiss them.  (That may sound bad, but remember he was an Idaho Mormon boy, a good boy.  But I did have to smack him for sharing that kind of info with your kids.)  So I turn to him, after the smack, "but you've never taken me here!  I feel left out."  A little playful pouting.

So on the viewing deck we had to make things right

and one more,

let's go on a date: march

the date envelope

contents  gift certificate to local climbing gym, Subway gift card, carabiner

cost  $35

the plan

(I was trying to channel "The Bachelor" with the note on my date card this month.  Do you think it's cheesy enough?)  This month the plan was simple.  Rock climbing at a local gym and lunch at Subway.  Some good physical exertion and a good healthy-ish lunch.

the date night afternoon

Open climbing hours (during which the gym provides a belayer for you) were during the morning, so we made this into a day date.  It was kinda fun to pick up a sitter on saturday morning and steal away for a few hours during the daylight.  All kinds of new experiences with this one:  going out in the day, an activity that neither of us had tried before, and wearing yoga capris and a t-shirt on a date (a first for me!).

We harnessed up, slipped on some climbing shoes and faced the wall.  I stuck with some of the easier walls (with a slight inward angle) but I did attempt several of the straight walls and made it to the top about half the time.  Scott also challenged himself with some walls that came out at you at interesting angles.  It was a fun time.  After about 45 minutes we conquered just about all that we wanted to and left the gym with smiles and sore arms.

Scott wasn't in the mood for Subway (we had eaten there earlier in the week), so we changed plans and went to the local pizza place for sandwiches and the salad bar.  

Once we finished, we still had an hour left before our sitter would be expecting us home.  Because it would be a crime to waste perfectly good childcare! . . . . we drove to Dairy Queen for Blizzards.  And then parked at the park by the river to finish eating them.  As you can tell, we were not in any real hurry to get back home.  :)

the scrapbook page

next month

satisfying our spiritual and physical hunger

 

to see all of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

embrace the camera: may 26th

Last night Conner was awarded his Webelos badge.  And I got pinned.  As Conner approached with the mother's pin he said, "brace yourself."

I just love this funny kid.

And can I just say that I am digging this Cub Scout gig.  I'm officially one year into it.  (Although it feels longer since I've been involved on the committee since Conner started 2 1/2 years ago).  Sure, some weeks (a lot of weeks) my 12 boys are crazy with energy and I feel like I'm herding cats and when I come home I just collapse on the couch.  But I am enjoying the topics & skills we cover, the little projects (and doing things the "boy" way), games, skits, songs, and their genuine interest and eagerness to participate.

It works for me.

i am a mother

I've been thinking a lot about motherhood lately.  What my role entails, the pieces in this family that are uniquely mine, the things that I need to do because no one else is going to do them for me . . . .

i am present . . . classroom parties, special events at school, talks in church, school pick-up, soccer games, . . . as much as I am able, I will be there.  I love the look on their faces when they see me -- eyes light up, a smile.  Being present at the little things gives them assurance that I will be there for the big things.

i am a homemaker . . . our home is supposed to be a sanctuary from the world.  It's my job to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable, safe, loved.

i am available . . . I feel incredibly blessed that I can be a stay at home mom.  But I also feel it is my responsibility to keep myself and my kids from becoming over-scheduled.  "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e."  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

i am a listener . . . my favorite is when I hear, "mom, can I ask you a question in your room?"  My job is to keep the lines of communication open.  To listen when they need me and to let them know (by my words and especially by my attentiveness) that they can talk to me about anything. 

i am a motivator . . . the pusher, and yes, the nagger.  Sometimes (a lot of times) my job includes making them do things they don't want to do.  Because I can see the bigger picture.  Additionally, I have to be motivated myself.  Apathy, complacency, and laziness just aren't going to work.  If I don't do it, then who will?

i am a teacher . . .

i am an enforcer . . .

i am a giver of love . . .

i am a hugger and kisser . . .

i am a mother . . .

{quote art from Becky Higgins, who also loves being a mom}

I started typing this post a week ago.  Since then I came across a campaign at a news station in Utah, called Motherhood Maters.  It's purpose is to encourage, inspire, and remind us why motherhood matters.  They have some great thoughts, quotes, downloads, and a 10-day challenge.  Go check it out.

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(I actually started writing this post on April 28th and had intentions of posting it on mother's day, but then I got busy, and then we went to California, then busy again, and then I didn't feel like that great of a mother for a few days, and then I made changes to fix that.  So I post this with the purpose of sharing what I believe my role as a mother should include, not what I am perfect at everyday.)

embrace the camera: april 28th

this one captured by Scott on Easter Sunday after church.  After a couple "nice" pictures he said, "okay, give mom a kiss."  Anna is always mooooore than happy to offer a smooch.  I was laughing at just how quickly she swooped in for a kiss - not quite ready!

me right now

what I ate for breakfast today:  honey bunches of oats with peaches

who I last spoke to on the phone:  Scott, in the SLC airport, about to board his plane.

the last web site I looked at:  facebook

the last book I read:  all the way through . . . Tuck Everlasting.  I've got 3 others that I'm in the middle of right now (Room, Life of Pi, and The Indian in the Cupboard).

my last itunes purchase:  Dog Days Are Over, Glee Cast

the last meal I cooked for dinner:  Chicken Carbonara on thursday night.  Last night it was leftovers for me and mac & cheese for the kids.

what I'm wearing right now:  a bold & flowery sundress, coral t-shirt, and denim leggings

my current favorite tv show is:  How I Met Your Mother

the last person I sent an email to:  Katie @ Creole Wisdom.  Weighing in on a question she had about a popular blogger's changing looks.

something I recently learned:  how to operate a lawn mower.  I've never ever ever done this before.  Growing up as the only girl in a family with 4 boys means you never have to mow the lawn.  But ours was getting loooong and it's been so rainy.  We had 2 glorious days of sunshine (with more rain on the horizon) and Scott was out of town for those 2 days.  I thought this would be a nice surprise.

something I'm not looking forward to:  the scale monday morning after throwing caution to the wind and ingesting as much Easter candy as my blood sugar levels would allow.

something I'm thankful for:  beautiful spring days filled with sunshine.  We were driving home from an egg hunt today and I pointed out a field covered with blue wildflowers.  The kids thought it was great and Payton said, "I love springtime."  I hear ya.

how I'm feeling overall:  good.  Currently feeling like I've got a decent grip on "my plate."  Although, needing to take action on a few things quickly or else that grip will slip.  And the sunshine is a definite mood-lifter.  I'm ready to get things done!

oh and I just wanted to share two pages from my December Daily album.  (everything is reversed)

I'm lovin' it.

{post inspiration from Cathy Zielske's hybrid layout, Me Right Now}

and it was all yellow

I have long been in the mood for a party.  

For the decorating, the details, the themes, the food . . . all of it.  Something happy, something to plan for, something to be creative with.

And I think I can account this craving to two things . . . . 

1. This has been a long, cold, rainy winter.  I swear, it feels like the longest winter we have experienced in all our years here.  We finally touched 60 degrees last week.  That set an record for the latest first-60 of the year.  Ever.  And there were 28 days in March with measurable rainfall (also a new record).  You get the picture.
2. I discovered pinterest.

Just in time there was a birthday coming up, she thought a lunch date would be nice, and I said "I'll do it!"  Within an evening I had the whole thing planned out.  Can you tell I was just a little excited?

The theme is yellow . . . 

tablecloth: Target

I love this little ribbon + doily trim.  This piece of yellow grosgrain ribbon came to our house on a birthday gift and I saved it in my stash.  After ironing out the wrinkles I sewed little paper doilies (folded in half) along one edge.  With the help of some double stick tape I adhered it to the lip of my kitchen island.

Cake stand (about to be holding mini yellow cupcakes):  Costco

Hanging above the island . . . . tissue pom poms from party city.  And a ribbon dowel inspired by this party.

Mason jars served as glasses for our delicious Brazilian lemonade with lots of ice.  Yum!  Refreshing, sweet, and just a touch of creamy.  (Thanks to sweetened condensed milk).  Blue striped paper straws - so fun!  

paper straws: Shop Sweet Lulu - I didn't get my straws from here, but I'll definitely be shopping here in the future for party supplies.

Following a lunch of paninis, we enjoyed some cupcake fondue.  Doesn't that sound fun?  Well this post (found via pinterest) looked like a lot of fun, so we decided to try it.  (The frosting fondue isn't meant to be kept warm -- but you can use a fondue pot just for looks.)  Toppings included sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, coconut, and chopped peanuts.

yellow tray: Target

*all pics taken before lunch-goers arrived.

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guess what?   . . . . . . . .  The sun is shining today!  And it's going to shine tomorrow!  And saturday!

if you were an ice cream flavor you would be my favorite one

I love happy music.  Quirky, fun, soothing, make-you-smile music.  And that's exactly what Mindy Gledhill gives you.  

Last night I went to her concert with my girlfriends.  Aren't they cute?

(actually, Jenn was there with her daughter & friends being the cool mom.)

I bought Mindy's album, Anchor, last summer and instantly fell in love.  We listen to it in the car -- Anna is so funny, she loves the songs and belts them out in her cute 5-year-old voice.  Now, I almost wish I had brought her to the concert (there were a few other little girls there) -- she would have loved it.  Instead, I videotaped one of the songs to show her later.

We had a yummy dinner (amid a little drama to acquire our seats at the bar - the place was packed), Paige bought truffles to share (yum), and we settled in for a good show.  

All the "little girls" were invited on stage to help with her last song, "I Do Adore."   Hey, I know about 8 of those little girls.  ;)

It was a fun concert, Mindy's voice is beautiful and you can tell she is a sweet, kind person.