Flashback Friday 93

Our family Christmas card photo from 2001. Let the Christmas season begin!

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 146

I can't believe that Thanksgiving was a week ago. Feels like forever ago. Not sure why... doesn't really feel like I have done much since then.

Friday I had the day off... so I slept in and then went and hung out with my mom. Started to make Christmas plans. I'm getting excited for my family to come. It will be so fun to have everyone here.

Saturday I tried to be productive since I felt like I had been so lazy on my days off. I did get a few things done including setting up Christmas at my house. Usually I don't set up Christmas until December... but I know how much Megan loves Christmas, so I decided to set up early. It made her happy. We both brought our our Christmas decorations and our house feels very festive now. Love it.

Monday we had a Santa Barbara party at the Williams house for all the Santa Barbarians that live in Utah. They have only been back from their 3 year mission as Temple presidents in Brazil for a few weeks. They were even mentioned in general conference last year... which is pretty cool. Anyway... I didn't know a lot of the people, none of my age friends went, which I was pretty bummed... but it was still fun to mingle with the Santa Barbarians for a while.

Other than that I have been visit taught and went visiting teaching (last week of the month) and had tithing settlement and mingled with the peeps in the ward and hung out with Dave (which I have now become the secretary for Dave for James. What? I don't know why. Dave doesn't answer James' text, so James text me to find out what Dave's schedule is like so they can get together for lunch.  I shouldn't even get involved... but i'm too nice and don't know how to say no.

A lot of people have been breaking up lately. It makes me sad. I'm sad because they are sad, but it also makes me sad because I feel like there is no hope for dating with us "older single adults". If my friends can't do it, how am I ever supposed to make it happen? That is how it makes me feel. Silly... I know.

I'm starting to get a cold and I'm NOT OKAY with it.

I have a strong desire to be organized in my life. Seriously. Organization makes me happy. I have an "OCD" board on Pintrest where I pin all things that have to do with cleaning and organizing. I want to take on these large projects to organize my life and save space and make things more accessible. However, these projects that are so big that they stay on my "To Do" list for a long time and I don't really end up doing them ever. Examples of this... I have a stack of VHS tapes (I know, who has those anymore) that need to be transferred to DVD (hopefully they are still in okay condition). I need to get all of my CD's into my itunes library and throw away all of my mix CD's. I want to scan all of my pictures that are in my scrapbooks so that I have a digital copy of all of my pictures... and in all honesty, I would throw away some of my scrapbooks and make better digital books because I scrapbooked when I was young and didn't know what I was doing and it isn't even cute and it takes up a lot of space. These are the types of projects that I am talking about. They sound so great and that they are going to make your life so much better.... easy to access when you are done, saving space, preserving history... but you know it's just going to take so much time, so you put it off. I really need to work on making these projects happen. I also need/want to make another T-Shirt quilt and have a lot of T-Shirts laying around. Why do I feel the need to do all of this?

Photo of the Week 144

So.... until I go on another photo shoot, I'm going to keep posting pictures from my Boston trip.

Rob

Remember my good friend Rob Burton? We had 5 years of good times together in the ward. Remember when he left and moved to the east coast? Well... since he left I have received a few phone calls and text messages from him here and there. My last phone call from him was at the end of September or beginning of October and he was calling not only to say hi, but that he was coming to Utah to visit! He wanted me to help him plan a get together with everyone he knew in the area that would be in town while he was in town. I was more than happy to help out. I was so excited that he was coming. I put it on my calendar right away.

When Rob first got in town, he and his brother Tom came to church with me. The few left in the ward that knew him were so excited when he walked in with me. Everyone that knows Rob, loves him.

Then on Saturday we got together for dinner at Goodwood and after dinner people came to my house to gather and socialize and spend time with Rob. Lots of people stopped by and I just love having people at my house... so I was excited when Rob asked if we could do it at my house. I also got to see some friends that I don't get to see as much anymore. So fun to catch up with everyone. This last Sunday he came to my ward again and then I said goodbye.

Here is Rob, imitating Bane from Batman. You see why he is so fun to have around? Seriously.



So fun to have Rob in town. Who knows when I will see him again. I'm just so glad that he called and I got to spend as much time with him as I did. It was just like old times.

A Bowling Miracle

Last week I met one of Dave's best friends, Beth for the first time. She is great. She normally lives in New York, but is here for a few months. Her fiance flew out for Thanksgiving. I mentioned on my day of the feast post that after Thanksgiving at my house we spent time with Beth and her fiance. Well.. on Friday night, the four of us went out to dinner at Wing Nutz (Dave's favorite) and then after we decided to go bowling. 

I had not been bowling since I went with my ward back in February. If you remember... I couldn't break 100 points in all 3 games that I played. I wish I could say I was just having a bad night... but that is pretty typical for me. I'm not a good bowler. I don't think I have ever broke 100 before. 

We went to Miracle Bowl... and it was a bowling miracle for me. I beat everyone the first round. My score was 99. SO CLOSE!!! *Dave put in our bowling names*  Our second game, Betherton aka Beth came in first place. She even got a turkey (3 strikes in a row), T-Town aka me, Tracy, came in second place at 113 ( I finally broke 100 points), Walter Sochak aka Dave came in third and Muy Sexy aka Kerlyn came in last (it was his 3rd time bowling).

If I were going to give an award for most entertaining to watch bowl, award would go to Kerlyn, hands down. He would start so far back and he would hunch over and would throw the ball and end up on the ground as he watched it go down the lane. He also would dance and shake his hips before he would throw. It was great. Dave did a little too... which was equally as entertaining. 

It was fun. I usually don't think to go bowling... but I'm glad we did. It was a lot of fun to hang out with Beth and Kerlyn too. Both the nicest people and so fun and easy to be around.  I made sure we got a couple of group shots at the end... although I look like I weigh a hundred times more than I do because of my big shirt... and next to Beth and Kerlyn, anyone will look fat. And Dave.... he was in a goofy mood, don't mind him. ha ha.

Chad & Clara Take 3

Chad and Clara asked me to take their family photo's again this year for their Christmas card. Last year Clara was pregnant... this year... they have baby Irelyn to add to their cute family.

They also wanted me to take some of just Irelyn. It was dark by that time, so I just took some inside the house real quick. They turned out okay.

Here are my favorites from the photoshoot.

Day of the Feast

I sort of forgot to take pictures until the very end of the night... when almost everyone was gone. However, I will give a recap of the day anyway.

I slept in. I got ready for the day. I took my brother's family photo's for their Christmas card (pictures to come). I finished making Chocolate Haupia Pie... which is what I brought as my contribution to the feast. Dave got off work, came and picked me up and then we went to Mapleton to my parents house to feast.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the food... because there was a lot and it was all good. We had two Turkey's. One of them was cooked regular in the oven. The other was fried. We also had a green bean casserole (yes family... I had some and I liked it- I'm the big joke in the family when it comes to green beans because I used to gag on them as a kid. I learned it was ALL about the way it was cooked. Turns out Dave hated green beans as a kid too), the most creamy and delicious mashed potatoes and gravy EVER, yummy sweet potatoes (cut up and cooked with honey, lemon juice and olive oil. SO GOOD- I am usually not the biggest sweet potato fan), an amazing salad (my mom always makes amazing salads), jello salad, amazing homemade rolls and home made stuffing. It was all SO SO good. However, we had to leave room for dessert because not only did I make chocolate haupia pie, but my sister made Pumpkin dump cake... which I think it SO much better than pumpkin pie (I'm not a pumpkin pie lover... sorry) and someone also brought a pumpkin pie and some chocolate chip cookies.

I couldn't even think about food until the next day...

Besides eat, we hung out and chatted. Reanne and Sierra had another Awards Ceremony which is always exciting. Awards went to Jess, Chad & Aunt Teresa. Dave still has his award up on his fridge. I also watched football with Dave aka, I edited pictures on my computer and looked up at the tv every once in a while, while Dave watched football.

Later that night Dave and I left and went to one of his BFF's house, Beth to hang out with her and her fiance for a while.

Here are the few pictures I caught at the end of the night. I didn't catch cousins Brandon and his family and Lauren and her family before they left. Or my grandma before she left. Oh well... Irelyn is even in her PJ's because they were just about to leave.

During the holiday's I tend to feel very a lone and out of the loop because I am the only single one. Not that my family makes me feel that way at all... I just feel that way. It was nice to have Dave there with me so I didn't feel like that this time. I was happy that he came and felt comfortable and everyone made him feel at home. That is what I love about my family, they are really good at that.

It was a great feast. It was a relaxing and great day. I spent the day with great people. Thanksgiving success! 

Flashback Friday 92

Today's flashback takes us back to May 2008. My good friend Kirsten actually already did a Flashback Friday on this as well. Great minds think alike.

Kirsten and I hung out a lot before she got married and moved away.We loved shopping together and seeing movies. One night we went to the dollar theater to go to a late night movie and Kirsten ran over the curb and got a flat. Instead of doing something about it right then... we didn't want to be late to the movie, so we figured we would worry about it when the movie was over. We get out of the movie after midnight and wonder what we are going to do about that flat tire. Who was going to help us... because neither of us had ever done it before. We called our friend Clayton. We knew he would be up and willing to help, and help he did. He also brought Mike.

Not only did he help us with the flat, but he also taught us how to change the tire and had us both help do it. It was a good learning experience... however... I would still ask someone else to change it if I ever get a flat. :) Guys need to feel needed right? Just doing my job.

It was a fun night that we obviously both still look back at and laugh about. Love and miss hanging out with Kirsten.

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 145

Happy Thanksgiving! Where did this month go? I can't believe we are almost done with November. Things have been busy... as always.

Sunday my good friend Rob was in town (still in town) and he came to church with me. SO FUN! I can't tell you how much I have missed him. Saturday we will be having a get together for him at my house. So you will hear more about him soon. Sunday was also my niece Sierra's birthday. I can't believe she is 7 years old. She is such a sweetheart. We celebrated at my parents house.

Text is seriously the worst form of communication. I mean... it is perfect when you just need a quick answer to a question or whatever, but when it comes to having a conversation or trying to tell what the other person's emotions are... no bueno. I was supposed to get together with someone Sunday night. It ended up not happening (conversation the whole time was via text). I text "I guess I will catch you another time" and he text "Are you mad?" and I text "No"... which was totally true. I was disappointed, but not mad. I guess I should have said that instead of No. Although I said no, he thought I really was mad and just didn't want to tell him. I guess I need to work more on expressing myself correctly.

Monday I went to see "South Pacific" with my mom at the Hale Center Theater. This is the second Mother- Daughter date to the Hale that we have done. The first one was to see "The Secret Garden" which was much better by the way. Not that they did a horrible job with the play... but I forgot how average of a musical it is.... with a few great songs. They had a couple really good singers and the rest were just okay. Maybe it was just our night. Anyway... still very fun to go see a play with my mom. She is the best.

I have noticed lately that I have a really hard time sitting for a long period of time. I know this is strange since I have a desk job... but at work, I can get up whenever and sit differently in my chair, etc... but when I went to see "Lincoln" on Friday and seeing "South Pacific" on Monday... I just get really antsy after an hour and a half. I start looking at the time and wanting it to be over and I'm just tired of sitting still. I haven't always been like this, so I wonder what it is lately. I wonder if a large part of it is because I am sore and I need a massage.... like REALLY bad. Maybe...

Other than that... I have just been hanging out with Dave and meeting his friends this week. Not sure why this is the week where I have been meeting his friends... but whatever.

Today (Thanksgiving) has been great. I didn't have to work. I got to sleep in. I took my brother's family pictures... which I will post soon. Had an amazing and delicious thanksgiving feast. Got to relax. Got to spend time with my family including my Uncle Dale (favorite uncle Dale is how he introduces himself to my friends) and Aunt Teresa and cousins Brandon and Lauren and their families which I don't get to see all the time, so that was fun. It was a great day. Simple, but great. I hope that all of you had a great Thanksgiving as well. I want to end with listing a few things that I am thankful for. Since the thing on facebook and Instagram is to write something you are Thankful for everyday this month... I will just list 30 right here since I haven't been doing that. :)

I'm Thankful for...

1- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (and everything that goes along with)
2- The most amazing family a girl could ask for
3- Friends who care and are there for me
4- A great job with many perks
5- Traveling. I live for it. It makes me happy.
6- Awesome roommates (no drama)
7- My talents
8- Knowing who I am and liking who I am
9- Good Food (life is better with good food)
10- Exercise (I'm thankful for it even though we have a love/hate relationship)
11- Disneyland (the place where I feel ok still being a kid)
12-  My eyelash extensions (they make me feel pretty)
13- A cute and comfortable home
14- Nature
15- Music
16- Sleeping in
17- Other Tuesday aka karaoke at Applebees
18- Smart phones
19- A car that gets me where I need to go with very little problems
20- Tehcnology
21- Photography
22- Humor/ laughing
23- That I have the peter pan syndrome
24- My blog (which helped me start journaling again)
25- Heart to hearts
26- Continuing to learn new things
27- A life of cleanliness and order
28- Scuba diving
29- Massage
30- Having an awesome life with awesome people in it

Photo of the Week 143

Another picture from my Boston trip. Lexington and Concord.

Boston

Many of you that really know me, know my boys. Well, since we are such good friends and have done such an awesome job of keeping in touch, we still get together even though they have moved all over the country. I told them that no matter where they go, I would come visit. So far... I have. When I was in NYC I went home with Brad to Connecticut while he was working in NY. Nate and I took a road trip out to San Francisco when Steve was there. I visited Nate and his wife when he was going to Law school in Arizona, We ALL met up in Newport Beach when Brad had a job there. NOW Brad and Steve are in Boston going to Harvard Business school. They told me I should come visit... so I did. OF COURSE I DID. Not only do I love these boys and would travel the world to see them, but it gave me an excuse to visit a new state that I had never been to before.

I found an awesome deal. First weekend of this month I flew round trip for $270! I hear that is pretty hard to come by from SLC to Boston. I was pumped. I let Steve know I was coming and he made plans. On my what ended up to be a 6 hour layover in Dallas (because my flight got canceled and I had to re-book) I received an email from Steve with a rough schedule for my time there. I love that Steve wanted to make sure I got the most out of the weekend. He is great. He picked me up from the airport, we went to the grocery store to get some food and then it was off to bed. I was SO tired when I got there that I got right on Boston time. The next morning we had Nate Palmer over for breakfast. He used to be in our ward when we lived at the Devonshire in 2005-06 and I had not seen him since! I didn't even know he was in Boston attending Harvard Law School. It was so fun to catch up. Oh, and he would not be the last person that I got to see while I was there. Turns out I know other people out there and didn't know it.  Next Steve took me to tour Harvard. We toured the museums they have on campus. Steve could get me in for free with his student ID and he had never been before, so it was new for both of us, which was fun.

After the museums, we went to Lexington and Concord and learned more about the battle that happened there.

Next we went to Walden Pond. BEAUTIFUL! I was lucky that I caught the end of fall there.

That night we met up with Steve's girlfriend and his roommates and we ate at the Longfellow's Wayside Inn, which is the oldest running Inn in the country which they have turned into a restaurant. I had some delicious salmon. Got to take advantage of sea food where sea food is fresh.

Saturday I slept in while Steve played paint ball with his buddies. He took a lot longer than he planned, but thankfully Brad had called me. We met up at the subway and rode into the city and went to Quincy Market for some lunch. I was told by several people that I needed to get crab while I was there, so I tried a crab roll. SUPER good.

Steve and his girlfriend met up with me, Brad, Lauren and Sophi. We then explored a part of the Freedom trail. I just loved walking around Boston. So charming, so much history, so much personality.

That night I went to the Harvard Memorial Hall concert with Steve's roommate, Austin. A little date while I was in Boston. Yes, I thought he was cute and we had fun getting to know each other. Oh, and the concert was AMAZING. The acoustics in that building are pretty amazing. It was just in a beautiful building on campus. No big deal.

We left the concert and went to another one of their roommates (Brad) engagement party where I met up with Steve again AND got to run into my friend Dave Healey... who I totally forgot was there. We had a lot of fun catching up on each other. I think he is moving back to Provo, so I might be seeing him a lot again here soon.

Sunday was church. I ran into Krista, who also used to be in my ward at the Deveonshire. It was so fun to see her and catch up with her because I hadn't seen her since. After church Steve and I and his roommate Mike went to have lunch at Brad and Lauren's. After that Steve took me to the Mt Auburn cemetery (which was the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen). It is huge, it is old, it's historic (lots of people from war) and there is a tower in the middle of the cemetery that Steve and I went up and it gives you this incredible view of Boston.

After that, Steve drove me around to a few more places and then we went to a dinner party. Early the next morning, Steve took me to the airport and I was on my way back to Utah. I loved Boston! Such a great city with great people. I wish I could have stayed longer and done more. However, what a beautiful time of year to come. I can now not only say that I have been to Boston... but I have been to Boston in the fall. (Anyone know the song, Pirates who don't do anything?) Of course, more importantly, it was awesome to spend time with Steve and Brad. I'm blessed with great friends. Special thanks to Steve for taking me to and from the airport, showing me around the city, keeping my entertained and giving up his room and bed so I could have it while he slept on the couch. He and his roommates made me feel very welcomed and at home at their place.