1st day of summer!

Happy 1st Day of Summer!!

going south & finding culture

Curtis and I gave Craig and Carol tickets to see Les Miserables at Tuacahn so thursday morning the four of us headed down south to St. George. The weather was absolutely beautiful! Myself, not being a huge fan of St. George and the heat, was thinking it was going to be too hot, but it sure wasn't. None of us had ever been to Tuacahn before and we all loved it! I'm pretty sure this could become a yearly tradition. I saw Les Miserables for the first time last year at the Pioneer Theater in Salt Lake and I fell in love. It's amazing! The music and story and characters all have so much depth. My top three favorite characters are  

Jean Valjean, Javert, and Fantine. But the Thenardier's are absolutely hilarious! I think

everybody loves them, at least a little. I think being settled in the beautiful red cliffs of southern Utah made the production even better. And because there wasn't the restrictions of being indoors they were able to have live animals (the little piggy was Carol's favorite), fireworks, and use the surrounding landscape. What is it about going to plays that just give you the chills and make you feel all cultured? Is it just me? Everytime I see a play there is always a part of me that wishes I was... talented. I wish I could get on stage and really belt it out and, instead of people getting up and leaving because I sound so bad, they would stand and applaud. Welp, nothing I can do about that. I was not, I reapeat, was not granted a beautiful singing voice. I would even settle for a nice singing voice, but as it is I stick to lip synching and singing in the shower. (everyone sounds good in there). So in conclusion, my recommendation is to go to Tuacahn if at all possible. You certainly won't regret it. 

getaway today

We all have our little "getaways" or "happy places" we like to retreat to when life isn't exactly what we want or even if we've just had a less than desirable day. And although there isn't much a pint of Ben and Jerry's Phish Food can't fix, sometimes you need something a little stronger. For me, that "something stronger" is Seinfeld. There is nothing this delightfully funny show about nothing can't fix. Seinfeld will always make the skies seem a little blue-er and the grasses a little greener. And no matter what is going on in my life it will never be as pathetic and humiliating as that of George Costanza. 

A tribute to Elaine...


Everyone's favorite idiot, George.


Everybody needs a little Kramer.


And of course, Jerry.

favorite place...ever

Disneyland is my favorite place to be! The magic of Disneyland knows no boundaries. And I'm excited to announce that Curtis & I are taking a little trip to the Happiest Place On Earth in October! It's our belated anniversary getaway. So last night, as I was watching some video from our December '07 trip, I decided I needed to make a little movie. The kind of movie that gives you the Disney tinglies. And I'm not one to brag, but I think this movie does just that, so enjoy the magic!

indy's back! part 2

... there we were, in our seats, treats in hand, waiting for the lights to dim and the adventure to begin. We were emotional ready, physically prepared and nothing was going to dampen our spirits. An hour and a half later, when the house lights went up, there we were staring at the big screen as the credits rolled by. All of us frozen in our seats afraid to admit what we were feeling. I hate to say it because I feel like I'm some sort of traitor, but Indiana Jones and The Crystal Skull was quite a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it was entertaining, but the plot and character development was weak. And this is coming from someone who isn't a big movie critic. So, Curtis, Paul, Alison and I then headed to Cafe Sabor for dinner. As we were walking in, Alison expressed that she did not feel fulfilled by our recent movie experience. We all reluctantly agreed. Well, there's only one thing to do in a case like this. Get fulfilled! Get that movie experience we were expecting. So after we ate, we went back to the theater and saw Prince Caspian. And we got exactly what we needed. It was great! This was a first for me. The only time I've ever seen two movies in a single day at the theater has been at the drive-in. If this has taught me anything, it's that I shouldn't give up until I get what I want. Two thumbs up for Prince Caspian! One sideways thumb for Indiana Jones. Well, there you have it.

indy's back!

The wait is over! Our favorite whip-cracking, nazi-fighting, snake-hating archaeologist is back! Yep, I'm talking about the one and only Indiana Jones! I'm pretty sure this might be one of those things that if it wasn't as common in your childhood as Lucky Charms and saturday morning cartoons it might not hold the intensity that it does for those of us who were raised on it. Indiana Jones (particularly Raiders of the Lost Ark) was practically it's own religion in our house when I was young, right up there with Star Wars. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opened today and we will be attending the matinee tomorrow with some of our favorite movie go-ers. Ahhh, how can you not love it? This little music clip will get you all inspired.

 

Which Indiana Jones is your favorite?

karman's daring journey

This is Karman, an aquatic red-ear slider turtle. She's pretty quiet, keeping to herself. She has always seemed happy in her little habitat, well as happy as an aquatic turtle can be I suppose. She has never complained or seemed the adventurous type... until thursday. 

After work, this is what I came home to. An empty turtle tank.

As I went on a frantic turtle hunt in search of Karman I discovered her in the neighboring bedroom wedged between two rubbermaid totes. Despite her state of dehydration, she didn't seem too happy to be discovered, she even gave me a little hiss as I picked her up. (But I know in her heart she was relieved to be found.)

Karman was back where she was safe and the cruel, dry world of the house couldn't harm her anymore and where food falls freely from the skies.

Now, Karman's tank looks much better, she's in it. Hopefully Karman learned her lesson and has realized that there's nothing for her beyond the safe boundaries of her glass house. (And I've realized I can't keep her water level so high.)

mother's day

Today we celebrate the person who has done more for us than we'll ever understand. Mothers have the hardest job and unfortunately never receive a true thanks until twenty years after the fact. I am constantly amazed at how much my mom taught me and continues to teach me even now. She taught me the true meaning of patience, perseverance, love, what is means to appreciate the simpler things in life, and how important a positive attitude is. Anything good that I have become or done or ever will do I owe to her. 

 

Some of my favorite qualities & quirks I got from mama Susan (Mona to many good friends):

1. A wonderful sense of humor with a nice side of sarcasm. (she was so good at allaying everyone's suspicions and pretending to be so innocent)

2. An appreciation for working hard. (despite all my complaining from the ages of nine to about sixteen)

3. An absolute love for making, baking and eating food. (not sure if this is one of my favorites or least faves, the jury's still out)

4. Selflessness. She was the best example I could've had.

5. A love and appreciation for gardening. (she had an amazingly green thumb)

6. The ability to laugh and joke about horrible situations. (whether it was her wig falling off and acting like its own life force or poking fun at the fact that she was an organ donor whose every organ was riddled with cancer, that still gets me)

7. Creativity and craftiness. The crafty hotel wouldn't exist without her. (wink wink Stace)

8. What it means to do "simple acts of service". She could've written the book.

9. Making everything special. Every big and little holiday, birthday, calender event and some I'm pretty sure she just made up was the biggest celebration of the year, at least until the next one.

10. The importance of having a good attitude and keeping priorities in order. 

(I was just looking at these pictures and actually thought, " I need to get some new pictures of us." Holy moly.)

spring has sprung

Springy beautiful blooms from our house! Finally!

This one is my favorite! I'm pretty sure I could win a blue ribbon at the county fair with this little beauty.

These grape hyacinth are so wonderful! Think I'll write a poem about them... that will most likely win a blue ribbon at the county fair.

Finally spring has sprung! Enjoy it because in a week it will most likely be 90 degrees. You've got to love Utah weather.

morning playtime

Nothing like a little play time in the morning and no one does it better than Maggie. I'm pretty sure that Mags is the absolute most spoiled dog. Ever. She's so cute and lovable it's hard not to pamper her. Sometimes I wonder if she knows she's a dog or if she looks at Duke and Jada and thinks "animals". Most likely the latter.