My Happy List

I'm having a really great week and thought it was time to list the happy!

Volunteering at my son's school.

I worked the PTA Welcome Desk for two hours yesterday, which I think now qualifies me to be a WalMart Greeter! And I stuffed the folders in my son's class which turned out to be the most stressful thing I've done in months! There was so much paper that needed to go home yesterday and sitting in a child's chair for 30 minutes made my legs numb.  Keith was also the crossing guard yesterday. We are volunteering fools!

FREE Starbucks.

I went through the drive thru after Malloy's tumbling class on Wednesday and the computers were down.  I got my Venti Iced Coffee for FREE.  Gosh I love that place!

I made a new friend.

We're in our third week of tumbling and Mallory is loving it.  There's another little girl in her class that she hadn't warmed up to yet, so I suggested to her that we try to make some new friends this week.  I sat next to Nia's mom and it turns out that we have TONS in common.

I had dinner with my parents.

As some of you know....I'm estranged from my family.  My parents came to town and asked to see us and apologized to me.  I think we can move forward now.  I'm so happy and the kids are over the moon to see their Grandparents again.

Vacation.

We're going on another short weekend trip and this time there is a train involved!  I can't wait to see the look on my kids' faces when they see where we're going!!

Rocky Mountain Carmel Corn

GLUTEN FREE

The Best Cabernet for $10

Toro De Piedra Cabernet Sauvignon!  Full bodied and a little spicy!  I love it!

Great Friends

I have the best friends that are kind and thoughtful!   I love you guys!

Have a great weekend!

Bangs

I can't afford BOTOX.....so I cut my bangs. 

This should also be filed under....words you shouldn't search for on pinterest when you have your period.

The good news is that when iKeith walked in the door and saw me for the first time....he noticed and said that I looked younger.  Too bad he couldn't get lucky last night.

Are you as excited as I am for this week?  MY SHOWS ARE BACK! But All My Children is ending.  I'm thinking of watching the last week just to see how it ends.  Quick someone tell me who are the characters are besides Erica Cane.   My friend Becca went to NYC over the weekend on a #AMCFarewellTrip.  I loved following her tweets and she thought about me when she went to Starbucks!  Can't wait to hear all about it.

Happy Monday!

Photography School

I'm not good at going to school. I didn't mind it when I was a kid, I mostly liked getting new clothes and school supplies....I love school supplies!

Four weeks ago I signed up for an online photography class at www.betterphoto.com so that I could learn to use my Canon Rebel XTi camera and take better pictures. The camera does a great job in Auto Mode but I wanted to be able to really use all of the functions. I highly recommend taking a class. I have learned so much!

Week One ~ Color & Exposure Practice

f/5

f/10

Week Two ~ Basis Zone Modes

Portrait


Freezing Action Shot....This was Photo of the WEEK!!

Week Three ~ Creative Options

I was really proud of both of these....

The light here was perfect!

Week Four ~ Personal Best

Take everything I have learned and shoot two great pictures. However, we had a theme. One had to be RED and one had to be HAPPY.

RED....This is Calvin's favorite photo. There is some red in the horse....



HAPPY...

Things I Love!

I like Oprah. She has some good ideas and is great at inspiring a nation. I used to love her but she is getting on my last nerve lately. I may still be bitter that I was this close (hold your thumb & index finder really close together) to being a guest on her show. A show that they never made. Anyway, where was I going with this. OH YES.

Connie's Favorite Things!

1. Sunsilk Captivating Curls de-frizz leave in creme.
Since having kids....my hair is now wavy/curly and living in Utah, it is dry as a bone. I just picked this up the other day and it is the best de-frizz creme I have found. And I have tried them all. The best part is I paid $2.33 for it at Wal-Mart.

2. Cafe Sabor in Logan Utah
We made our first trip to Logan last week as part of our week long celebration of our 4 year anniversary. We met some friends at Cafe Sabor for dinner and we absolutely loved it. The chips and salsa were so fresh and spicy. I had the Cod Fish Tacos and they were amazing. Calvin had some shrimp stuffed pepper thing and he loved it. The staff even brought out a ball of fried Ice Cream for us to celebrate with. They have one of the best liquor menus I have seen in Utah....I tried the Mexican Martini, it tastes just like a screwdriver but will a little bit of pomegranate juice.

3. Weight Watchers English Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Bar Only 2 Weight Watchers points....
I have been on Weight Watchers for a week now and I have to have a treat at night. I grew up having tea and dessert every night and that is a hard habit to break. These don't taste like diet ice cream at all. I could eat the whole box...but I won't!

4. Swingtown and Army Wives
Summer TV season is hard for me. There is usually at least one new show that I end up liking and then it disappears...never to return. I'm getting smarter and I decided that I would watch the controversial Swingtown, just enjoy it and not expect to see it again. Ever. It is really entertaining and who doesn't love a kinky love story? Plus, the straight laced Janet just cracks me up!

Then there is my other favorite show. Army wives was on last summer and I was so thrilled that they brought it back. It is on Lifetime (you know the channel for women and drama) on Sunday nights. Such a wonderful cast and I end up crying every week.

5. Orange Mango Banana Vivanno Nourishing Blend from Starbucks! Only 4 Weight Watchers points.....

These are yummy, healthy and so refreshing on a hot summer day. It has 6 grams of fiber and everyone could use a little fiber in their diet. You know what I'm talking about.

6. Anthony Field
Anthony (the one in the blue shirt) from The Wiggles! I have loved him since the first time he shook his fingers at me. I love his accent and his smile. And he is such a great dancer. I don't let the kids watch The Wiggles very much because I get this funny feeling in my tummy when I see him and I don't think that is appropriate in front of the children. My husband knows about my feelings for Anthony and he is okay with it. I'm thinking of writing a letter to Oprah about my crush and see if she can help me meet him. I've written to her before and I was almost on the show! I'll post about that another time.....

Off to write my letter to Oprah.

Why Starbucks?

After yesterday's breakdown over my local Starbucks closing, I decided to go there this morning and spend a little quality time with my obsession.

It isn't like I get Starbucks every day, or even every week. Some times I will go weeks without Starbucks because I'm not in the right part of town. My general rule is that if I pass one, I stop and get something because they are so few and far between here in the land that time forgot.

I decided on this trip that I was really going to pay attention and try to remember every moment of my visit. I told the cashier (who ended up being the manager) that I was sad about the closing. She was very empathetic and told me that the employees from her store are going to be reabsorbed into the store in South Ogden and anyone that isn't will be getting a nice severance package. She also said that she doesn't know when they are closing and she will have at least 30 days notice so I can keep visiting until then. It is good to know that I don't have to quit cold turkey and can slowly deal with my loss.

I sat in one of the nice arm chairs that they have there and enjoyed my coffee. I took in the atmosphere and let my soul soak up the happiness that I feel when I am in Starbucks. I decided that I wanted to figure out why Starbucks means so much to me. It can't be the overpriced coffee! And then it hit me.

Starbucks is my Tiffany's!

I just happened to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's for the 1st time yesterday and it was as if all of the puzzle pieces where coming together.

I thought about the quote from the movie that I rewound a couple of times because it seemed to profound.

Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.

You see, I had my first cup of Starbucks Creamy Goodness back in August 2000. I had just packed up everything that would fit in my little black Ford Escort and left my horrible marriage. I moved to Denver and I never looked back. Well, maybe for a minute but I left my crappy life and started a brand new one.

I got a job and my Sister let me sleep on her couch. Then, in the next couple months I had a couple of runs of bad luck. I needed a root canal and didn't have insurance yet. The engine in my car blew up and my soon to be ex-husband dropped off the face of the earth. I later found him living in his truck but I had to find a way to divorce him without his input.

I was flat broke but I was happy. I was beginning a new life in a new town and I had Starbucks. I couldn't afford it all the time, usually once a week or so but sitting inside a Starbucks with it's warm woods, comfortable chairs and soothing music was a reprieve from my difficult life.

Starbucks became a calm in the storm for me. Somewhere I could go and feel carefree. I would get so excited for that first taste of White Chocolate Latte with Whipped Cream! Happiness in a cup. And you know, holding a Starbucks cup in your hand is a status symbol. Just ask half of Hollywood and Britney Spears! I felt better about myself and my life when I had a Starbucks.

Sitting in Starbucks this morning with my memories brought me to tears. I cried for the poor girl that had to be brave and face every fear she had and start a new life. I cried because I am so proud of her and what she has made of her life. She has a great husband and two beautiful children. If you had told her 8 years ago what her life would be like today....that all of her wildest dreams would come true. She would have laughed at you and then voted for Pedro.

And then I realized....I don't need Starbucks anymore. I have everything I need and more.

Mallory's First Starbucks

Need MORE Starbucks!

I was all ready to turn over a new leaf here. Since it looks like we are going to be stuck staying in Utah for a while I was going to try to be more positive and find things to like about Utah.

I really was. I am not kidding. Stop rolling your eyes. I was. Really.

One of my major issues with Utah is the lack of Starbucks. When we moved here there was ONE and it wasn't even in Ogden, it is in Riverdale. And it was 10.6 miles away from me.

Well then, they put one in South Ogden and I got a little excited. THEN, they built one in Ogden. It is only 8.8 miles away. That is close in Utah terms.

Then today, I see the list. The list of stores that are being closed. I thought to myself that they couldn't possibly close any stores in Utah because there aren't that many to begin with.

I was wrong.

They are closing the Ogden Starbucks. The one that is right by the college. I can't believe they are doing this to me.

....stomping feet and pumping my fists in the air......

Now I know how my 2 year old feels when I take a prized possession away from him.

I guess my chances of getting a Starbucks in North Ogden are slim to none now.

Edited to add this funny clip!

The Caffeine Test

I love coffee and soda pop. It helps get me through my day so that I don't have to resort to drugs. Some even say coffee helps with the performance of tasks that require constant attention. Even at normal times when alertness may be hindered, such as after lunch or when your kid wakes up at 5am ready to start his day.

There are two little people that require my constant attention and without coffee and Mountain Dew, I might just lose my mind.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure that my BFF, Kate is a coffeeaholic. She just has to be.

My new favorite drink is the Sonic Java Chillers. I tried the Hazelnut one yesterday but they also have carmel and mocha. Yummy!!!

EDITED: I just had the Carmel Java Chiller and it is THE BEST!

Take this quiz and see if you are getting enough caffeine!


Created by OnePlusYou

By the way, I have been on the coffee diet for 2 years now and it isn't working for me! This diet makes me crave donuts!



You know you are addicted to coffee when....


You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.

You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.

You've worn out your third pair of Old Navy Flip Flops this week.

You sleep with your eyes open.

You need a scientific calculator to take your pulse.

You're so jittery that you can use your hands to blend your margaritas.

You can type seventy words per minute with your feet.

You don't sweat, you percolate.

You forget to unwrap Poptarts before eating them.

People get dizzy just watching you.

Instant coffee takes too long.

You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.

You help your dog chase its tail.

Your first-aid kit contains two pints of coffee with an I.V. hookup.

You can't drive 55!

Vacation or Rehab?

va·ca·tion

a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation

re·hab, re·ha·bil·i·tate

to restore to a former capacity

Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.
Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz)

I'm still amazed that there are some people in the world that think that staying home with my children is not a job. That I don't work. And since I don't have a job, I certainly didn't deserve a vacation. So I decided to call it REHAB! I was in desperate need of rehab, since I had worked for 732 days without a day off. On call 24 hours a day. And I don't just take care of two small children....I have a husband that needs me too. It is beyond a full time job.

Rehab was great! I did a lot of shopping, finding many great outfits and a cute pair of shoes. I had my make up done by a super cute gay man at Sephora at the Northpark Mall. I told him that I needed something to make my eyes pop because I am a SAHM and I am blending into the couch. He did not disappoint and I am now the proud owner of Lancome Mascara, Fresh Eyeshadow in Corazon Del Mar and a Make Up Forever Black Eyeliner!

We saw a couple movies and throughly embarrassed the concession stand guy (Josh) who had some difficulty completing our order because of me and Bobbi's hotness. He was so flustered! We went to see Baby Mama, it was great! Very funny and it made me want anover baba weally bad. And it provided a new use for Pam kitchen spray!

The next day we went to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Mainly because we heard that there was full frontal MALE nudity. There was PEEPEE and we loved it. It was so freakin funny and we got our new life mantra from it. When life gives you lemons...@&$% the lemons and Bail!! Also...The weather outside is weather! LOL!


I met my internet friends Kristen and Aimee and we enjoyed some fabulous Margarita's together and made fun of a man in a white linen suit. I also insulted a bell hop. But in my defense, what I said came out wrong. We were having a fabulous time and then Texas weather hit and we had to leave quickly to escape a Twister! I suppose it is just as well. Two Top Shelf Margs and I was drunk dialing my husband and singing Milli Vanilli songs to him. GIRL...you know it's true! **a note about the picture. In Utah, it is very dry. Imagine a parched sponge. Take that sponge to Texas, add 95% humidity and tequila. I don't think I am that large in real life. I think I was bloated.

Back in the day, when I lived in the big city. I used to enjoy going to the theater and having fabulous sushi. I decided that I wanted to share this with my family so I got tickets to The Wedding Singer Musical. It was great! I just love live singing and dancing! The Music hall at Fair Park is a great venue. A note to people that go to the theater. DRESS UP!!
Business casual for a matinée does not mean jeans. And please, no flip flops!

Then we went to The Blue Fish on Greenville. It was awesome! I have had what I consider very good sushi and I have had sushi in Utah so I think I know great sushi when I see it. If you ever have the pleasure of eating here you have to have the Ahi Tower It is a Tuna tartar, snow crab, avocado salad, rice tower with wasabi sauce that is to die for!! It come out in this pretty stack and then the server smashes it all up for you and you gobble it up! We had a Caterpillar roll (eel & cucumber, topped with avocado, served with eel sauce) and Unagi Nigiri Roll and then I wanted my Dad to experience my favorite sushi roll.

Ikura with Quail Egg!



Isn't it beautiful? My Dad said he felt like he was on Fear Factor! And if you like Sake...try the Sho Chiku Bai. See if you can sit at Somalin's table! She is a great server!

If you know me very well, you know that I love Target. It pains me that I do not live closer to a Target and that the Target's here in Utah are missing a key ingredient that makes them wonderful. They do not have Starbucks. Well, I'm about to tell you something that will make you squeal with glee. I'm getting all sweaty and warm just thinking about it. What I'm about to tell you has replaced my sexual fantasy of doing it with Henry from Ugly Betty. Are you ready?

They sell Wine at Target!

I know, right! Isn't that freaking awesome? Starbucks AND Wine, IN Target!

I did lots of sleeping, reading and visiting with my family! It was really nice to get away but I missed my husband and kids so much. They were so happy to see me when I returned home and I think they appreciate what I do a little more.


Here is a picture Bobbi took of me with her phone before the theater. If you look in the mirror...you can see her. She flattened my hair for me. Oh and see...I'm not as puffy. LOL!

I need an iPhone!

You know those iPhone commercials. The ones where the people talk about how their iPhone came in handy and they would have been lost without it. That guy who was about to meet his girlfriend's boss and his fiance. And they couldn't remember her name so they looked it up on the iPhone on the couple's wedding website. And then there is the guy that no longer has to carry his man purse because now every thing he needs is in one handy little gadget.

I needed an iPhone today. You see....I'm late. If you are a chick, you know what this means and you will totally understand the rest of this story. If you are a man, your palms are now sweaty and you are not sure you want to read the rest of this.

I have a group of Mommies that I belong to a message board with that are my best friends. I share everything with them. The good, the bad and the hey guys, I'm two days late what do you think I should do. We are all avid POAS* pushers. We love to examine the lines and some of us have even found ourselves purchasing tests (16) from the internet, then buying 4 more at the store and peeing on them as early as 10 days before said time of the month is due to arrive. I don't know who this person is...but I heard about it once.

You should know that I am NOT trying to get pregnant. There was a time, a very short time ago, that I wanted another baby but I think I'm over it now. I still have bouts of baby fever but I usually just drink myself silly until the feeling goes away. If you watch The Young & The Restless, then you know that condoms are only 98% effective. Just ask Lily Winters. She'll tell ya.

Anyway....my girlfriends were pushing me to POAS* and I was going out shopping today anyway so I decided to pick up some tests. First I went to Starbucks. Then I went to Target and while there...I suddenly had to pee. So...I consulted with my head girlfriend and she instructed me to purchase a test as quickly as possible and run to the bathroom and pee on it.

I got some in my cart but then got distracted by the pretty shoes and Amber started texting me...instructing me to hurry the hell up.

I got to the stall and got into position. Then the restroom started to fill with people. I sat there for the longest 4 minutes of my life while Amber texted me over and over with updates of how much time was left. I was trying to take pictures of the test with my phone to send to Amber so that the group could analyze it but my phone has had one too many trips into the toilet (thanks Erick) and the camera doesn't work! I wonder what the person in the next stall thought was going on with all of the texting and picture taking going on. And it wasn't just a text sound...for some reason my text alert tone is CRAZY by Patsy Cline. Maybe my phone is trying to tell me something.

All of this would have been so much easier with the iPhone. I could have had instant access to my message board and been live blogging while POAS*. And then I could have taken a high quality photo of the test, emailed it to Amber who could have uploaded to the message board. It would have been great!!!

Finally, the four minutes were over and the test was negative. I bought my monthly visitor some wine, maxi pads and some really good chocolate hoping she will show up. I just really hope that she isn't waiting to go on Vacation with me. Because she is NOT invited!!!

Do you think Apple would make a commercial out of my story? I'm going to pitch it to them. I think it will sell a TON of iPhones to women.

*POAS...Pee On A Stick

The One About Mommy's Mental Health Day!

Hubby was out of town for four days. The last time he was gone...two weeks ago, it wasn't too bad. He was only gone two days that time and the kids slept well and were well behaved.

This time didn't go as well. Mallory was teething (two top teeth) and Alex was missing Daddy and would demand to see him at 2am. I think Mallory cried the entire four days. Let's just say...It was rough.

They were so happy to see Daddy when he got home. Mallory smiled for the first time in days and they didn't let him out of their sight.

I really needed to get away so I left Saturday morning for some Therapy.

RETAIL THERAPY!

I started out at Starbucks. My plan was to go to Super Target and to fully enjoy Super Target, I must have a Venti White Chocolate Latte FULL FAT with Whip. The Target's in Utah do not have Starbucks in them like they do in Colorado. Just another one of those irritating things about Utah.

Luck for me...there is a Starbucks across the street and it has a drive thru. I pulled up to the side of the building and stopped in front of the box.I was supposed to pull up to this box but I stopped just short of it and waited to place my order. It took me several minutes to realize that I had pulled up to the WRONG box. I was idling in front of the TRASH CAN. I know you have seen them....they have a long shoot coming out of the top so you can deposit your trash from your vehicle. Yeah, or tell it what you want from Starbucks.

Laughing my butt off, I pulled up to the right box and placed my order. I guess I was in need of a break much more than I thought!!

I have been on a self-imposed Target Fast. I wasn't supposed to go there until March 1st but it was an emergency. A retail therapy emergency. Once I got my coffee and was headed in the direction of Target...I could feel my pulse quicken and I got little butterfly feelings in my tummy. I knew it would be just a few short minutes until I was over the threshold. I quickly parked my car and entered the building. I basked in the warm glow of the Target sign as I walked through the door, and instantly...I felt it.

I was HOME!

I walked through all of my favorite isles getting more and more excited as I examined all of the pretty things. And then....I saw that they were putting out the gardening supplies and I had couldn't control it anymore...

This is the family blog so I am going to stop right there.

Like a bad boyfriend that treats you badly and takes all of your money....

Target....I can't quit you!!!!

My next stop was Joann's Craft & Fabric Emporium. I found a really cool quilt that I want to make for the kids for summer but the fabric that is recommended would set me back a hundred big ones and I figured I could find some just as cute.

I was wrong. I was in Joann's for over an hour. Looking and looking. Trying to match fabric to this one cute fabric with cars and trains on it, but basically finding nothing. I decided that my life would be much easier if I was a knitter and not a quilter. I dream about quilts and fabric and it is really annoying.

I left there and went to a store I have not been too before. At Hancock Fabric, I found the fabric that would work for my project and the best part was that it was all on sale.

For 15 bucks!!!

Here is what I got:



Now you have to wait to see what I do with it.

Here is the quilt that I just finished! It is Nana's Christmas present...it took me longer than I expected to finish quilting it.


BREAKING NEWS: Alex has a fever. 102.3 But he isn't acting sick.