Archive for 'Holidays'

My Fourth Of July Baby

As much as I love wearing my own red, white and blue ensembles during the month of July, it’s even more fun having a baby to dress up.

Hope you are enjoying your own holiday.  Mr. S and I have already enjoyed the Murray Symphony this weekend and tonight it is all about the BBQ and fireworks. Happy 4th of July!

Picnics, Pioneers And A Hello Kitty Pinata

The weekend before Mr. S had to have his second surgery we were lucky enough to spend a long weekend up in Cache Valley. My brother and his family were here from Taiwan so saying we had a jam-packed 4 days is an understatement. My adorable niece, Elizabeth, turned 2 so the family took advantage of her being here and planned a birthday party. I was in charge of decorations. I may have gone a little crazy but I have always been a details kind of gal and Zurchers makes it too easy. Plus, once you start with a theme, it’s hard to know where to stop. Even Kingston took part in the festivities.For the first time in my professional life I had Pioneer Day off from work. This meant that I was able to enjoy the kind of parade that only a small town in Cache Valley can provide. The family had to split up to attend two different parades because we had a niece in one and a nephew in another. I was just glad that the one I attended had plenty of Tootsie Rolls thrown my way. Everyone got back together for some baseball, dinner and fireworks.My favorite day of the weekend was the day we went to Bear Lake. I love the sun. And I love the water. I did feel bad for Mr. S who spent the day sitting on the beach unable to walk very well or get in the water. I made it up to him with a stop at La Beau’s for a shake. It was a great weekend and since our summer was cut short the next day with surgery, I’m very glad we were able to have those few days. Now the plan is to get Mr. S walking. I have a lot of plans for fall and I need a husband who can walk. Preferably without crutches or a cane.

Happy 4th Of July – I’m Out!

Mr. S and I have hit the open road on our motorcycles for a few days. We trailered the bikes to Twin Falls and dropped Kingston off on the way at my sister’s house. From there, who knows where we will go. Well, actually I know but I’m not telling. At least not until we get back. Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July holiday – I’m out!

New Year’s Resolutions And Other Things I May Not Finish

It’s the first day of a new year and I guarantee you have given some thought to what kinds of goals you want to accomplish this year. I don’t necessarily set out to put on paper the standard “resolutions” because for me it is not a once a year thing. I find myself having to recommit to goals at least once a month, and sometimes even once a week. Sometimes they get written down and other times they take up much needed space in my brain, along with the guilt I get every time I don’t complete them. Who said all this beauty and talent didn’t come with a price?

But just because I don’t like traditional New Year’s goals, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about some resolutions as the new year approached. On my list are the standards: work out more, finish my scrapbooks, save more money, read the complete list of Pulitzer Prize winning books, and watch less of “The Bachelor.” Okay, that last one will probably not happen, but that’s the kind of guilt I am willing to live with. They are bringing Jake, the pilot, back for Heaven’s sake!

In case you haven’t made your list yet or are looking for some inspiration I give you the New Year’s Resolution Generator. According to it, I have some coping to learn. I can only imagine the guilt I am going to feel when I fail at this one.

Celebrate The Season With Mickey And Friends

Five years ago I was working at Walt Disney World. I had just graduated from college the previous May and a few weeks later I had packed up my car and moved to Orlando. I stayed in Florida for just over 7 months, which was enough time to see a little dream of my fulfilled. My Christmas wish came true that year when I was cast in the Christmas show on the castle stage, called “Celebrate The Season.” At first I was just excited to get to wear such a glamorous costume for a change (love the top hat), but the two months I spent in rehearsals and then performing this show are some of my favorite memories of working for the Mouse. Recently I found this video of my show on YouTube and being Christmas and all, this is my gift to you.You’re welcome, and have a Merry Christmas!

P.S. For a good look check out those Santa girls about 2:20 in. You can also find parts 1, 3, and 4 to piece together the whole show.

How I Went To The Company Christmas Party And Stole My Own Gift

I’m sure there is some quote or inspirational saying out there about how once you do a thing more than once it’s bound to become a habit. Guilty as charged. For the past couple of years I have come home from my company Christmas party with the same gift I brought to exchange.

The first time it happened, I admit, was a blatant and deliberate act. We had decided on a CD gift exchange and knowing there were a couple of cheap people working in my office I had a backup plan. I bought a CD that I knew I would enjoy and if I got stuck with the used CD I was sure someone was going to bring to get out of spending $10 I would swap for my CD and no one would be the wiser. Worked like a charm.

This year I am at a new job at a bigger office and knew my odds of coming home with something decent was much higher than in years past. I was right. Last night we had our party and there were some nice presents, including the one I brought. I liked it so much I almost bought one for Mr. S and I as well. We played the same game – everyone takes turns picking a new present or choosing one that has already been unwrapped. I’m sure you know the game I am referring to. At the end of the game I had a nice board game in my possession and would have been happy to take it home. But as luck would have it, a nearby coworker who had ended up with the gift I brought asked if I wanted to trade with him. Didn’t take me long to make that decision. I am now the proud owner of a Skookie and I didn’t have to do anything devious to get it. Merry Christmas to me!Skookie

Doing Black Friday My Way And I Still Come Out On Top

shopping-logo-tssThis weekend was full of good food, family and great deals. Yup. I went shopping on Black Friday. Even though I swore to myself that I would never do it again after the torture I went through a few years ago.  Then I looked through the ads. ShopKo had a Christmas tree on sale and we needed one real bad. Real bad. The kitchen knife we have been using the last couple of years to keep the tree upright is just not cutting it anymore. Though it does add some unexpected sparkle to the root of the tree if the lights hit it just right.

But don’t think I was stupid enough to get up at 3am. Here’s how my day played out. You might want to take a few notes for next year.

3:34 am - While all you fools are climbing out of bed and scrambling to find the clothes you most likely laid out the night before (can’t waste a precious minute) I’m snoozing in bed.

5:02 am - No doubt you are now busting your way through Wal-Mart to save a few bucks on the television or Xbox you could have bought online. I’m still sleeping.

6:47 am - You guessed it. Still sleeping

7: 52 am - Roll over, give Mr. S a kiss and leisurely get out of bed to go and walk the dog. What’s that you say? You’ve been up for almost 5 hours?

8:00-11:00 am - Enjoy a relaxing breakfast, read, watch some TV, and get ready for the day. I love holidays.

11:15 am - Mr. S and I decide to head into town to do some shopping. We have our eyes on a couple of things, but if they are not there no big deal.

11:31 am- First stop, Best Buy. Success. We find the last remaining external hard drive and leave happy. Mr. S even has time to open the door for someone else. Shopping after the crowds allows for both courtesy and sanity.

11:47 am - We are already to stop #2, ShopKo. The initial tree I wanted is sold out, but wait, there is another option. And for only $20 more I like this tree better than my first choice.

12:10 pm - Less than a hour after we started we are at our 3rd and final stop, Old Navy. My mom wanted me to pick up a couple of shirts for my nephews. I find shirts but then get sidetracked with all of the other great deals. So while Mr. S runs next door to another store, I try on jeans. After careful consideration I purchase jeans AND a sweater. Success.

1:13 pm- Mr. S and I meet at the car and decide we have time for lunch. We head to a local favorite of mine, Fredrico’s Pizza. We reflect on our day and high five to turning Black Friday into a positive experience.

2:30pm- Back to the parents’ house. Man, I am exhausted. Maybe I will take a nap.