I took this in Maui last year. I love the detail on the leaves.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Pool Party
Saturday was our ward pool party. Although it was overcast and sprinkled a little bit... it's summer and there was a killer BBQ (yummy ribs) so it didn't stop people from coming. :)
Don't know what else to say except the activity was fun, the ribs were good, and the water felt great. :) Good times were had by all.
The guys love to throw Liz around because she is so little.
Allison and I showing off our pedi's
Maybe I showed up to the party a couple hours late... and wearing a HUGE hat. Turns out... the hat was a big hit. Everyone loved it. One guy even said to me that only I could pull off coming to a pool party like that in such style. I take that as a compliment. I have come a long way over the years in my style and confidence.
Don't know what else to say except the activity was fun, the ribs were good, and the water felt great. :) Good times were had by all.
The guys love to throw Liz around because she is so little.
Allison and I showing off our pedi's
Monday, July 29, 2013
Oh Deer!
My day started out so positive. It is my weigh in day... and I was very happy getting off of the scale. Then I went to work and worked out with my favorite instructor, Jeanie.... then when I left work my day took a turn in the opposite direction.
It all happened so fast. I mean... I only have a 5 minute commute to and from work. I was just about to go over the bridge... I switched lanes because the person in front of me was going super slow. I'm singing a long with one of my favorite jams on the radio (blurred lines) going 45 or 50 down the road (I have a little bit of a lead foot) all of the sudden I hear a THUMP! I looked over and a deer had jumped right into my car from behind the business buildings. Why was there are deer there by all the businesses and at 5pm during work traffic. They really are not the smartest animals.
In that split second that I heard and felt the thump, I looked over and looked the deer in the eyes as it flew up into the air. My car stalled a little bit and I decided to pull over. What do you do in this situation? I didn't know... I was also hoping I would never have to find out, but that time came. I looked in my review mirror at the deer on the side of the road to see if it got back up. I saw it try to get up and then fell right back down. I wasn't sure if I killed it or not, but I felt bad... I never wanted to kill a deer. However I was also mad at the deer because even though my car seemed to still be working fine... there is NO WAY you can hit a deer and have no damage to your car. Especially me... driving a ten year old Ford Focus. I didn't know what to do, so I drove home.
As soon as I got home, I got out to inspect my car. Considering the fact that I hit a big deer... the damage could have been a lot worse, but the deer definitely left a dent and a broken headlight. Since I hardly know a thing about cars, my next step was to call my dad. My dad said if I bought my car by tonight he would take a look at it.
Shortly after I hung up with my dad, he called my brother in law, Jess, and told him I had just hit a deer... so it was fresh, in case he wanted it. So my dad called me back and asked me where I hit the deer. Then my dad and Jess went to go pick up the deer that I killed.
After calling my dad, the next logical thing to do was to take a picture and put it on Instagram. ha ha. So that happened.
Then came the concerned text messages from my awesome neighbors. First from Jason. "Are you okay? What animal did you hit?" I told him I was okay and asked how he knew. He told me he walked by my car and he saw the dent and animal hair. ha ha. Gross. Then his roommate Geoff (who probably saw my instagram. He also asked me if I was okay and then sent me the funny YouTube clip that makes me laugh every time about deers crossing at the deer crossing signs. If you have never heard it, listen to it here. So funny.
After eating dinner and watching an episode of Gossip Girl (you can tell I was super concerned), I decided to head to my parents house for my dad to check out the car. I arrive at my parents house. My dad knowing how messed up the deer was when he picked it up and what kind of car I drive... was surprised to see the little amount of damage that was caused to my car. I really was very lucky. I know people who hit a deer and it totaled their car! My dad told me what needed to be fixed... and my niece decided to be of service and wash the deer poop off of my car. Then she just kept going and cleaned all of the bugs off of my bumper too. What a great little helper!
Meanwhile, by the back house... Jess is cutting and gutting the deer that I killed. My niece Reanne is right by his side waiting for her turn to help her dad and cut into the deer as well. PS she is 10, that can't be normal. Jess had never done this by himself... so it was a learning experience. It didn't bother me to watch... but I can't say I would want to do it myself.
Later he called for help from his younger brother, Seth, who has more experience in this process. Plus... who could say no to some brotherly bonding over the gutting of a deer? Their dad would be so proud.
I have to say... I never would have even thought to go back and get that deer so I could have it's meat. An event like this would have never occurred where I grew up... that being said it made me feel better about killing it. At least it was going to use instead of ending up in some dumpster. Right? It also saved me a call to Provo Animal Control. Glad I could provide some Monday night entertainment. Hopefully I don't have to experience this again. I tell ya... rarely a dull moment in my life. OH! I also told Jess that when he cooks up this meat, that he had to call me over to eat some since I killed it. He said "absolutely". He said when he puts the meat in the freezer, that he will label it "Tracy's Deer". I will let you know how it tastes when I eat it. ha ha
It all happened so fast. I mean... I only have a 5 minute commute to and from work. I was just about to go over the bridge... I switched lanes because the person in front of me was going super slow. I'm singing a long with one of my favorite jams on the radio (blurred lines) going 45 or 50 down the road (I have a little bit of a lead foot) all of the sudden I hear a THUMP! I looked over and a deer had jumped right into my car from behind the business buildings. Why was there are deer there by all the businesses and at 5pm during work traffic. They really are not the smartest animals.
In that split second that I heard and felt the thump, I looked over and looked the deer in the eyes as it flew up into the air. My car stalled a little bit and I decided to pull over. What do you do in this situation? I didn't know... I was also hoping I would never have to find out, but that time came. I looked in my review mirror at the deer on the side of the road to see if it got back up. I saw it try to get up and then fell right back down. I wasn't sure if I killed it or not, but I felt bad... I never wanted to kill a deer. However I was also mad at the deer because even though my car seemed to still be working fine... there is NO WAY you can hit a deer and have no damage to your car. Especially me... driving a ten year old Ford Focus. I didn't know what to do, so I drove home.
As soon as I got home, I got out to inspect my car. Considering the fact that I hit a big deer... the damage could have been a lot worse, but the deer definitely left a dent and a broken headlight. Since I hardly know a thing about cars, my next step was to call my dad. My dad said if I bought my car by tonight he would take a look at it.
Shortly after I hung up with my dad, he called my brother in law, Jess, and told him I had just hit a deer... so it was fresh, in case he wanted it. So my dad called me back and asked me where I hit the deer. Then my dad and Jess went to go pick up the deer that I killed.
After calling my dad, the next logical thing to do was to take a picture and put it on Instagram. ha ha. So that happened.
Then came the concerned text messages from my awesome neighbors. First from Jason. "Are you okay? What animal did you hit?" I told him I was okay and asked how he knew. He told me he walked by my car and he saw the dent and animal hair. ha ha. Gross. Then his roommate Geoff (who probably saw my instagram. He also asked me if I was okay and then sent me the funny YouTube clip that makes me laugh every time about deers crossing at the deer crossing signs. If you have never heard it, listen to it here. So funny.
After eating dinner and watching an episode of Gossip Girl (you can tell I was super concerned), I decided to head to my parents house for my dad to check out the car. I arrive at my parents house. My dad knowing how messed up the deer was when he picked it up and what kind of car I drive... was surprised to see the little amount of damage that was caused to my car. I really was very lucky. I know people who hit a deer and it totaled their car! My dad told me what needed to be fixed... and my niece decided to be of service and wash the deer poop off of my car. Then she just kept going and cleaned all of the bugs off of my bumper too. What a great little helper!
Meanwhile, by the back house... Jess is cutting and gutting the deer that I killed. My niece Reanne is right by his side waiting for her turn to help her dad and cut into the deer as well. PS she is 10, that can't be normal. Jess had never done this by himself... so it was a learning experience. It didn't bother me to watch... but I can't say I would want to do it myself.
Later he called for help from his younger brother, Seth, who has more experience in this process. Plus... who could say no to some brotherly bonding over the gutting of a deer? Their dad would be so proud.
I have to say... I never would have even thought to go back and get that deer so I could have it's meat. An event like this would have never occurred where I grew up... that being said it made me feel better about killing it. At least it was going to use instead of ending up in some dumpster. Right? It also saved me a call to Provo Animal Control. Glad I could provide some Monday night entertainment. Hopefully I don't have to experience this again. I tell ya... rarely a dull moment in my life. OH! I also told Jess that when he cooks up this meat, that he had to call me over to eat some since I killed it. He said "absolutely". He said when he puts the meat in the freezer, that he will label it "Tracy's Deer". I will let you know how it tastes when I eat it. ha ha
Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Lord is My Shepard
It has been almost a year since I met Mr. Karaoke and we sang Endless Love together at Applebees. Since then... we have sung a couple more times together at karaoke, had a jam session on Halloween, watched The Sixth Sense together and we are in touch here and there.
It is also since that first time that we met that I had a singing crush on him. I absolutely love his voice and love singing with him. He is super talented.
A couple of weeks ago, I get a random text from Mr. Karaoke. He said a song came on that will forever remind him of me. Just a week or so before that I had been asked to sing in church on the last Sunday of this month (today) and I had been struggling to come up with a good song to sing. Something new and fresh and beautiful and not overdone. So I text him back and about the song and then said... speaking of music... you have any music suggestions for me and or would you want to sing with me in my ward. I was kind of expecting him to say he was busy and just give me a couple suggestions. To my surprise he said he would love to sing with me. I was thrilled.
Because Mr Karaoke and I both have a deep love and appreciation for good music, we struggled to find a duet that we both loved. I bought Rob Gardner's arrangement of "The Lord is my Shepard" to the table. After running through it once, we fell in love it and decided that was our song. We practiced a couple of times the two of us and then with my friend Lindsay (who played the piano for us) right before church started. Here we are in the program (with Mr. Karaoke's last name spelled wrong... should be Turley- Trejo).
Everyone loved it. People were super glad I brought Mr. Karaoke (because he is amazing) and everyone told us that we sounded great together. My bishop told me we should sing together again sometime. Some people told me that we should tour... just go around singing at different wards and firesides. He loved singing with me and I take that as a huge compliment. I'm so much less experienced than he is. Mr. Karaoke (Ty) is a great guy, so much fun to be around and a pleasure to sing with... so if he ever wanted to sing with me again... I for sure wouldn't say YES. So glad that he sang with me together. Thanks Ty! You're the best!
*I attached a recording of our song from today. Maybe we both recorded it on our phone... it is pretty quite, turn up your volume!!*
It is also since that first time that we met that I had a singing crush on him. I absolutely love his voice and love singing with him. He is super talented.
A couple of weeks ago, I get a random text from Mr. Karaoke. He said a song came on that will forever remind him of me. Just a week or so before that I had been asked to sing in church on the last Sunday of this month (today) and I had been struggling to come up with a good song to sing. Something new and fresh and beautiful and not overdone. So I text him back and about the song and then said... speaking of music... you have any music suggestions for me and or would you want to sing with me in my ward. I was kind of expecting him to say he was busy and just give me a couple suggestions. To my surprise he said he would love to sing with me. I was thrilled.
Because Mr Karaoke and I both have a deep love and appreciation for good music, we struggled to find a duet that we both loved. I bought Rob Gardner's arrangement of "The Lord is my Shepard" to the table. After running through it once, we fell in love it and decided that was our song. We practiced a couple of times the two of us and then with my friend Lindsay (who played the piano for us) right before church started. Here we are in the program (with Mr. Karaoke's last name spelled wrong... should be Turley- Trejo).
Everyone loved it. People were super glad I brought Mr. Karaoke (because he is amazing) and everyone told us that we sounded great together. My bishop told me we should sing together again sometime. Some people told me that we should tour... just go around singing at different wards and firesides. He loved singing with me and I take that as a huge compliment. I'm so much less experienced than he is. Mr. Karaoke (Ty) is a great guy, so much fun to be around and a pleasure to sing with... so if he ever wanted to sing with me again... I for sure wouldn't say YES. So glad that he sang with me together. Thanks Ty! You're the best!
*I attached a recording of our song from today. Maybe we both recorded it on our phone... it is pretty quite, turn up your volume!!*
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Pioneer Day Fireworks
Like I have said before, I love fireworks. One of my favorite things about summer. Since I missed out on the fireworks on 4th of July... I was super excited for Mapleton's firework show on Pioneer Day. I also know from experience that Mapleton doesn't mess around when it comes to fireworks.
A group of us gathered around 8:30 to head down to Mapleton Park. They had a live band there that was performing mostly all the current pop songs. We sat on blankets on the grass and listened to the music and chatted.
I mostly just hung out and chatted with Lindsay... but I have also become better friends with Sarah since we ran the half marathon together. Those early hours before the race started really bonded us together.
Fireworks were supposed to start at 10, but it ended up being more like 10:15. It was worth it though. It was a GREAT fireworks show. They even played music with the fireworks. There were tons of people at the park for the fireworks. It is fun to see the silhouette of all the people lit up by the fireworks in the sky.
Me watching and loving the fireworks. I just love summer. Life doesn't get much better.
A group of us gathered around 8:30 to head down to Mapleton Park. They had a live band there that was performing mostly all the current pop songs. We sat on blankets on the grass and listened to the music and chatted.
I mostly just hung out and chatted with Lindsay... but I have also become better friends with Sarah since we ran the half marathon together. Those early hours before the race started really bonded us together.
Fireworks were supposed to start at 10, but it ended up being more like 10:15. It was worth it though. It was a GREAT fireworks show. They even played music with the fireworks. There were tons of people at the park for the fireworks. It is fun to see the silhouette of all the people lit up by the fireworks in the sky.
Me watching and loving the fireworks. I just love summer. Life doesn't get much better.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Flashback Friday 127
I have not seen my friend Geedge since she got married (and she now has 2 kids) so I miss her and decided she would be my flashback today.
Geedge aka Gigi aka Jessica and I know each other from Santa Barbara. We met in Seminary (same stake) and became good friends.
We both moved to Utah at the same time... in fact, we caravaned to Provo from Santa Barbara together. She went to Hair School and I went to Massage Therapy school. During our schooling, I went to her at her school to get my hair cut and she came to me at my school for a massage. That is what good friends do. :) The picture in from 2003 when I went to get to get my hair done.
Now... if I was a really good friend I would jus go visit her since it has been so long... maybe I will set that up today. :) Love you Geedge!
Geedge aka Gigi aka Jessica and I know each other from Santa Barbara. We met in Seminary (same stake) and became good friends.
We both moved to Utah at the same time... in fact, we caravaned to Provo from Santa Barbara together. She went to Hair School and I went to Massage Therapy school. During our schooling, I went to her at her school to get my hair cut and she came to me at my school for a massage. That is what good friends do. :) The picture in from 2003 when I went to get to get my hair done.
Now... if I was a really good friend I would jus go visit her since it has been so long... maybe I will set that up today. :) Love you Geedge!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 180
Yesterday I went to Pilates for the first time in over a month (because I only go now when Jeanie is teaching because I don't like any other class... you could call me a pilates snob if you wish) and I am SO sore. I miss having her class twice a week. I had such a strong core back then. I'm so tender today.
So maybe I didn't weigh myself this week. I don't know why I get like this. you would think my weigh in day would be exciting... but I don't enjoy getting on the scale even when I am losing weight. It's a weird mind thing for me I think. I like going off of the way I feel and how my clothes fit.
Speaking of clothes... I just went through my whole closet. I'm talking actually took everything out of it. It is such a small closet, it's amazing how I have been able to fit so much into it. Anyway... with losing weight and changing trends, I formed a big bag of stuff I no longer want. When I'm done with my diet and reach my goal weight... I'm going on a shopping spree to reward myself. I can't wait... so I have to make room in my closet. It is so hard not to shop until then... but it doesn't make sense to either. I bought some new heels though... because those will always fit. :)
So Mr. Karaoke and I decided on a song to sing in my ward this Sunday. It is a Rob Gardner arrangement... so you know it's good. I just wish Rob Gardner would write more duets. He hardly has any. This one is beautiful though. I will have to see if I can record us singing somehow. I'm pretty sure I am going to bring Mr. Karaoke to my ward and all the girls are going to have a crush on him. He is cute and has a beautiful voice. Get's the ladies every time... I mean, I have a singing crush on him. I have since we first sang Endless Love together. ha ha. He is awesome and I'm excited we are singing together. It is a treat.
On Sunday I got a scooter ride from a guy in my ward. There is nothing like a scooter or motorcycle ride in the summer evenings. I just love it. We drove up the hill at sunset. It was just nice and I enjoyed every minute of it. Hopefully there will be more rides.
I get REALLY annoyed when people judge me before they know me. When people who are not LDS think that I am just like the few Mormon's they met and now think they know everything about Mormon's. That is pretty naive to think all Mormon's are going to think and act the same. I know plenty of jack Mormon's and I know plenty of prude Mormon's and I am not either one of those. I try not to judge and I am nice to everyone and want to be friends with people (LDS or not). I know a lot of great people that are not LDS that I care about a lot. I hate it when people think that I follow my religion blindly because I grew up that way. Guess what? I don't live with my parents anymore. If I didn't want to go to church, I wouldn't go. If I wanted to party is up and drink and do drugs, I would... nobody is stopping me. Everything I do is my choice. I have chosen this life because it is what I believe. Oh and here is another thing that annoys me that people that are not LDS do to me... Just because I choose not to drink and sleep around so on and so forth... doesn't mean that I am naive to the world and what goes on. I'm very aware. I just choose not to live that way. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be friends with people who did... I would. I don't judge you.... so don't judge me. Ok, glad I got that off my chest.
Funny moment on Wednesday. Lauren and I were in the elevator on our way down to go to the gym. We were talking about how it is so silly that we have to scan and index for Europe because we don't know any of the languages... so we were teasing saying... oh this looks like this type of document maybe, so we will just index it this way. Meanwhile... we are in the elevator with this one other guy and he is shaking his head at us and then spouts off something in Spanish. Lauren says... oh cool, but we have to read things in like German and French... the man then goes on to say something in German and in French. Now we are starting to feel stupid. We are like... geez, how many languages do you speak. Apparently he also speaks Vietnamese and some other languages. We found out he is a software engineer and sometimes travels to Germany for work.... not sure why he knows all the other languages. How cool is that though? Even though we felt stupid. I mean... what are the chances that we would be having that conversation in the elevator right when probably the only guy in the company who could speak like every language. We had a good laugh about it.
I saw World War Z on Saturday. It wasn't the best movie ever... but I enjoyed it. It was intense and it was about zombies. It was fun... kind of like "I am legend" in a way.
Have you ever been on a date, and the guy just kisses you... like just lays one on you and you were not expecting it... like at all? Because you were not really giving the signals for it and you were not even sitting that close to him on the couch... next thing you know, he is kissing you? It really caught me off guard. I hadn't even decided if I wanted that. I was so confused... like reviewing in my head how the night got to that point.
You know when you are at a party and people start asking what your most embarrassing moment was? I usually have a hard time coming up with something. I know I have lots of embarrassing moments... but they are not SO embarrassing that I remember them through the years. Well, at Steve's wedding I had an embarrassing moment. Steve had a lot of friends that came to his wedding. Such as his old roommate from Palo Alto that totally remembered me from when I stayed at their house in 2007. Another person was Ryan, from his freshman year. I really wouldn't have recognized him if he didn't say... "Hey Tracy, how are you?" I say great and wondering who this guy is with his wife and kids. Then I hear Katie say "Hi Ryan"... then I had to think back on Ryan's that I know through Steve that would know me. So I ask... "Did we get set up on a blind date?" In my mind I'm thinking of the blind date Steve set me up on in 2005 and we doubled and it was a car racing date. I don't know why that one came to mind... but it was wrong. That was Jason. Ryan and I did get set up on a blind date though. Ryan says to me "Yes, we were set up on a blind date... it was some scavenger hunt date" and I sat there confused for a second because that is not what I was thinking in my head. Then Ryan's wife says oh a scavenger hunt date? And Ryan is like... yeah, it was a kissing scavenger hunt date. It was really stupid. All of the sudden it hit me which date we were set up on. All of the sudden I started to blush from embarrassment for bringing it up.... here he is with his kids and wife. My face turned bright red... I'm sure of it. Seriously so embarrassed while Brad is sitting there laughing at me. SO EMBARRASSED!!! How do these people still recognize me and I have no idea who they are until they tell me. How do I get myself in these situations? Why is my life a comedy? I can't make this stuff up!
Today at work I was the only CS there. It was kind of a slow day. I hate being cooped up in the office all day during the summer. Thankfully, Liz g-chatted with me while I was at work and we planned to lay out in the sun by the pool (we crash the Glenwood pool). Even though it wasn't very long... it made all the difference in the world. Highlight of my day. That needs to happen more often. Like, why have we not been doing this every week? I love my Liz time. I love summer.
So maybe I didn't weigh myself this week. I don't know why I get like this. you would think my weigh in day would be exciting... but I don't enjoy getting on the scale even when I am losing weight. It's a weird mind thing for me I think. I like going off of the way I feel and how my clothes fit.
Speaking of clothes... I just went through my whole closet. I'm talking actually took everything out of it. It is such a small closet, it's amazing how I have been able to fit so much into it. Anyway... with losing weight and changing trends, I formed a big bag of stuff I no longer want. When I'm done with my diet and reach my goal weight... I'm going on a shopping spree to reward myself. I can't wait... so I have to make room in my closet. It is so hard not to shop until then... but it doesn't make sense to either. I bought some new heels though... because those will always fit. :)
So Mr. Karaoke and I decided on a song to sing in my ward this Sunday. It is a Rob Gardner arrangement... so you know it's good. I just wish Rob Gardner would write more duets. He hardly has any. This one is beautiful though. I will have to see if I can record us singing somehow. I'm pretty sure I am going to bring Mr. Karaoke to my ward and all the girls are going to have a crush on him. He is cute and has a beautiful voice. Get's the ladies every time... I mean, I have a singing crush on him. I have since we first sang Endless Love together. ha ha. He is awesome and I'm excited we are singing together. It is a treat.
On Sunday I got a scooter ride from a guy in my ward. There is nothing like a scooter or motorcycle ride in the summer evenings. I just love it. We drove up the hill at sunset. It was just nice and I enjoyed every minute of it. Hopefully there will be more rides.
I get REALLY annoyed when people judge me before they know me. When people who are not LDS think that I am just like the few Mormon's they met and now think they know everything about Mormon's. That is pretty naive to think all Mormon's are going to think and act the same. I know plenty of jack Mormon's and I know plenty of prude Mormon's and I am not either one of those. I try not to judge and I am nice to everyone and want to be friends with people (LDS or not). I know a lot of great people that are not LDS that I care about a lot. I hate it when people think that I follow my religion blindly because I grew up that way. Guess what? I don't live with my parents anymore. If I didn't want to go to church, I wouldn't go. If I wanted to party is up and drink and do drugs, I would... nobody is stopping me. Everything I do is my choice. I have chosen this life because it is what I believe. Oh and here is another thing that annoys me that people that are not LDS do to me... Just because I choose not to drink and sleep around so on and so forth... doesn't mean that I am naive to the world and what goes on. I'm very aware. I just choose not to live that way. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be friends with people who did... I would. I don't judge you.... so don't judge me. Ok, glad I got that off my chest.
Funny moment on Wednesday. Lauren and I were in the elevator on our way down to go to the gym. We were talking about how it is so silly that we have to scan and index for Europe because we don't know any of the languages... so we were teasing saying... oh this looks like this type of document maybe, so we will just index it this way. Meanwhile... we are in the elevator with this one other guy and he is shaking his head at us and then spouts off something in Spanish. Lauren says... oh cool, but we have to read things in like German and French... the man then goes on to say something in German and in French. Now we are starting to feel stupid. We are like... geez, how many languages do you speak. Apparently he also speaks Vietnamese and some other languages. We found out he is a software engineer and sometimes travels to Germany for work.... not sure why he knows all the other languages. How cool is that though? Even though we felt stupid. I mean... what are the chances that we would be having that conversation in the elevator right when probably the only guy in the company who could speak like every language. We had a good laugh about it.
I saw World War Z on Saturday. It wasn't the best movie ever... but I enjoyed it. It was intense and it was about zombies. It was fun... kind of like "I am legend" in a way.
Have you ever been on a date, and the guy just kisses you... like just lays one on you and you were not expecting it... like at all? Because you were not really giving the signals for it and you were not even sitting that close to him on the couch... next thing you know, he is kissing you? It really caught me off guard. I hadn't even decided if I wanted that. I was so confused... like reviewing in my head how the night got to that point.
You know when you are at a party and people start asking what your most embarrassing moment was? I usually have a hard time coming up with something. I know I have lots of embarrassing moments... but they are not SO embarrassing that I remember them through the years. Well, at Steve's wedding I had an embarrassing moment. Steve had a lot of friends that came to his wedding. Such as his old roommate from Palo Alto that totally remembered me from when I stayed at their house in 2007. Another person was Ryan, from his freshman year. I really wouldn't have recognized him if he didn't say... "Hey Tracy, how are you?" I say great and wondering who this guy is with his wife and kids. Then I hear Katie say "Hi Ryan"... then I had to think back on Ryan's that I know through Steve that would know me. So I ask... "Did we get set up on a blind date?" In my mind I'm thinking of the blind date Steve set me up on in 2005 and we doubled and it was a car racing date. I don't know why that one came to mind... but it was wrong. That was Jason. Ryan and I did get set up on a blind date though. Ryan says to me "Yes, we were set up on a blind date... it was some scavenger hunt date" and I sat there confused for a second because that is not what I was thinking in my head. Then Ryan's wife says oh a scavenger hunt date? And Ryan is like... yeah, it was a kissing scavenger hunt date. It was really stupid. All of the sudden it hit me which date we were set up on. All of the sudden I started to blush from embarrassment for bringing it up.... here he is with his kids and wife. My face turned bright red... I'm sure of it. Seriously so embarrassed while Brad is sitting there laughing at me. SO EMBARRASSED!!! How do these people still recognize me and I have no idea who they are until they tell me. How do I get myself in these situations? Why is my life a comedy? I can't make this stuff up!
Today at work I was the only CS there. It was kind of a slow day. I hate being cooped up in the office all day during the summer. Thankfully, Liz g-chatted with me while I was at work and we planned to lay out in the sun by the pool (we crash the Glenwood pool). Even though it wasn't very long... it made all the difference in the world. Highlight of my day. That needs to happen more often. Like, why have we not been doing this every week? I love my Liz time. I love summer.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Photo of the Week 178
Another picture from Dinkey Creek. Can't get enough of those beautiful mountains, pine trees and streams.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Evening in Park City
Over the years, Brad, Nate and Steve have moved all over the US. I tried to visit them everywhere they lived and I did a pretty good job of it. Currently... Nate and his family are back in Utah and Steve and his new wife just moved back to Utah. Brad and his family are going to be moving back to New Port Beach, but until they find a house, are staying in Park City at Brad's parents future retirement home. So, we all got together.
I usually hate driving... but I was actually excited for an excuse to drive up the canyon. It is one of the most beautiful drives. Especially this time of year. As I drove up the canyon I was reminded of the few times I drove up to Midway to the Crater to get scuba certified. I was reminded of my half marathon only last month... and how far I actually ran! I was reminded of flying over that whole area when I went on the plane ride with Jay. So many great memories.
Then I got to Brad's place in Park City. It's beautiful. Not only a beautiful home, but a home with a beautiful view! In fact, the whole time we were all there... we were on the back patio. Had a BBQ and just sat out there and chatted... enjoyed the beautiful weather and the beautiful view.
Of course whenever we are together, we always talk about the years that we all spent together. I hope it isn't annoying to the spouses. Those times don't seem like they were that long ago, yet it has been almost a decade. When we are all together... it's like no time passed since we last saw each other. They still feel like my home away from home... almost like an extended part of my family. It is a very weird and cool feeling to think back to me as a young 21 year old who dated their roommate and became best friends with them and did all the fun and silly things that you do in college like prank wars. Now, here we all are in Park City with real jobs, spouses (except for me) and watching the kids play together so nicely. (it was actually really cute to watch Max and Sophie play together). If I think about it too much, it is a total trip. How did we stay friends? On the other hand... it is so comfortable and not weird at all. Feels like home.
It feels great to all be together again. Now if only I had a husband to join the crew. One day... PS can I just say how much I love little Max. I just feel this bond with him. I love it when he will just hang out with me and sit in my lap. It makes me happy. What a great summer evening spent in Park City with my Besties. *I should have gotten a picture of the whole group. What was I thinking?*
I usually hate driving... but I was actually excited for an excuse to drive up the canyon. It is one of the most beautiful drives. Especially this time of year. As I drove up the canyon I was reminded of the few times I drove up to Midway to the Crater to get scuba certified. I was reminded of my half marathon only last month... and how far I actually ran! I was reminded of flying over that whole area when I went on the plane ride with Jay. So many great memories.
Then I got to Brad's place in Park City. It's beautiful. Not only a beautiful home, but a home with a beautiful view! In fact, the whole time we were all there... we were on the back patio. Had a BBQ and just sat out there and chatted... enjoyed the beautiful weather and the beautiful view.
Of course whenever we are together, we always talk about the years that we all spent together. I hope it isn't annoying to the spouses. Those times don't seem like they were that long ago, yet it has been almost a decade. When we are all together... it's like no time passed since we last saw each other. They still feel like my home away from home... almost like an extended part of my family. It is a very weird and cool feeling to think back to me as a young 21 year old who dated their roommate and became best friends with them and did all the fun and silly things that you do in college like prank wars. Now, here we all are in Park City with real jobs, spouses (except for me) and watching the kids play together so nicely. (it was actually really cute to watch Max and Sophie play together). If I think about it too much, it is a total trip. How did we stay friends? On the other hand... it is so comfortable and not weird at all. Feels like home.
It feels great to all be together again. Now if only I had a husband to join the crew. One day... PS can I just say how much I love little Max. I just feel this bond with him. I love it when he will just hang out with me and sit in my lap. It makes me happy. What a great summer evening spent in Park City with my Besties. *I should have gotten a picture of the whole group. What was I thinking?*
Monday, July 22, 2013
Travel Visa
Next step.... So lame that I have to pay $150 when I'm only going to be there a few days. India was the same way. However.... I'm excited because this step of the process makes the trip that much more real! So so excited.
PS I hate that they don't let you smile in these pictures anymore. Makes me look so mad.
PS I hate that they don't let you smile in these pictures anymore. Makes me look so mad.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Mr. Bad Conversationalist
My friend decided to set me up on a blind date. Well... it wasn't totally blind. He had added me on facebook first, so I saw what he looked like. I wasn't super attracted to him, but sometimes personality can make all the difference. He had been texting me and seemed really funny, so I was still excited to meet him.
We text for a few days, then he asked me if he could call me. I said sure and we talked on the phone to get to know each other a little bit and so that we could set up a date for that week. Well... conversation wasn't great on the phone. It didn't flow naturally, there were awkward silences where I said I should probably go, but then he kept talking about nothing. I would fish for things to talk about and then he would talk over me. He told me all about his divorce in detail. I was really hoping that this was not an indicator for how our date was going to be. I was hoping that MAYBE he was just nervous on the phone or something.
Our date came. He picked me up and right away... it was happening. The awkward silence where I felt like I was trying to get conversation going. I'm asking how his day went. That didn't go far. I asked him to tell me more about him and he responded with "what do you want to know". This was just in the car on the way to dinner. I realized it wasn't just on the phone... this was the way he is.
I finally got him talking to where conversation flowed at dinner. However he would still talk over me... and when he was done I would say "so anyways... as I was saying" ha ha. I HATE it when people talk over me... like whatever they have to say is more important than what I was talking about. I was starting to enjoy conversation until Mr. Bad Conversationalist started talking about work....
Mr. Bad Conversationalist - "Girls are drama, and they just have this need to be talking all of the time. Conversation is so important to them. Guys can be together and just sit in silence and be happy. We don't need to have conversations with each other"
*I'm pretty sure this isn't true. Even when guys are together, I know they need conversation. Everyone does! However, I'm starting to feel like our conversation is a burden to him... especially since he sucks at it*
Me - "Oh, so is it just a pain to have to have conversations with girls?"
Mr. Bad Conversationalist - "No, because girls have boobs"
Me - * nervous laughter... I have no words for that comment*
Isn't it a given that you don't talk about that kind of stuff on dates... especially a first date with someone you don't really know? Maybe it's just me?
After dinner he wanted to go to the park and talk. I didn't really want to, but figured whatever. At the park, he brought up boobs one more time. What did this do? Just made me self conscious that my boobs were the only thing he was thinking about on this date. I wasn't impressed by this... that's for sure.
He was a nice guy... and I can see how he would probably different at work (which is why my friend wanted to set me up) but... being a 37 year old that had been married before and been in relationships since his divorce... I just expected that he would know how to have good conversation and know that it is not ok to talk about boobs on the first date.
On a positive note... my friend Rich and I were talking about dating a little while ago... and he wanted to make sure I had a good next date and if I didn't he volunteered to dress up like a Genie and grant me wishes. Let me remind you that this was his idea and not mine... but I agreed to it thinking I rarely have a bad date. He wanted to set me up so that he made sure I had a good date, but that double date fell through and this one happened next. I look forward to seeing Rich dressed up like a Genie. :)
We text for a few days, then he asked me if he could call me. I said sure and we talked on the phone to get to know each other a little bit and so that we could set up a date for that week. Well... conversation wasn't great on the phone. It didn't flow naturally, there were awkward silences where I said I should probably go, but then he kept talking about nothing. I would fish for things to talk about and then he would talk over me. He told me all about his divorce in detail. I was really hoping that this was not an indicator for how our date was going to be. I was hoping that MAYBE he was just nervous on the phone or something.
Our date came. He picked me up and right away... it was happening. The awkward silence where I felt like I was trying to get conversation going. I'm asking how his day went. That didn't go far. I asked him to tell me more about him and he responded with "what do you want to know". This was just in the car on the way to dinner. I realized it wasn't just on the phone... this was the way he is.
I finally got him talking to where conversation flowed at dinner. However he would still talk over me... and when he was done I would say "so anyways... as I was saying" ha ha. I HATE it when people talk over me... like whatever they have to say is more important than what I was talking about. I was starting to enjoy conversation until Mr. Bad Conversationalist started talking about work....
Mr. Bad Conversationalist - "Girls are drama, and they just have this need to be talking all of the time. Conversation is so important to them. Guys can be together and just sit in silence and be happy. We don't need to have conversations with each other"
*I'm pretty sure this isn't true. Even when guys are together, I know they need conversation. Everyone does! However, I'm starting to feel like our conversation is a burden to him... especially since he sucks at it*
Me - "Oh, so is it just a pain to have to have conversations with girls?"
Mr. Bad Conversationalist - "No, because girls have boobs"
Me - * nervous laughter... I have no words for that comment*
Isn't it a given that you don't talk about that kind of stuff on dates... especially a first date with someone you don't really know? Maybe it's just me?
After dinner he wanted to go to the park and talk. I didn't really want to, but figured whatever. At the park, he brought up boobs one more time. What did this do? Just made me self conscious that my boobs were the only thing he was thinking about on this date. I wasn't impressed by this... that's for sure.
He was a nice guy... and I can see how he would probably different at work (which is why my friend wanted to set me up) but... being a 37 year old that had been married before and been in relationships since his divorce... I just expected that he would know how to have good conversation and know that it is not ok to talk about boobs on the first date.
On a positive note... my friend Rich and I were talking about dating a little while ago... and he wanted to make sure I had a good next date and if I didn't he volunteered to dress up like a Genie and grant me wishes. Let me remind you that this was his idea and not mine... but I agreed to it thinking I rarely have a bad date. He wanted to set me up so that he made sure I had a good date, but that double date fell through and this one happened next. I look forward to seeing Rich dressed up like a Genie. :)
Friday, July 19, 2013
Flashback Friday 126
In honor of Steve's wedding... I thought I would flashback to my time with those boys. These particular photo's were taken fall of 2006... but this started back when we first met... (I think). I always want to take pictures. Because I am the only girl in this gang (or was until they all got married) I got to be in the middle. Well... Nate and Steve decided to start tricking me in the pictures. I would be there smiling and posing for the picture... meanwhile they would give each other an evil smirk and either one would hold me in place while the other gave me a "zerbert" (blowing on the neck) as Nate calls them... or they would both go for it. You would think after so many years of them doing this that I would learn my lesson... or see it coming, but most of the time I totally didn't. I drop to the ground and scream every time.
Hopefully now that they are all married and matured (?) the zerbert days are over....
Hopefully now that they are all married and matured (?) the zerbert days are over....
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 179
This summer is just flying by... and I hate it. I feel like I am not getting in all of the summer activities that I want to get in. I need to be better about planning it I guess. I still have a little over a month of quality summer time left... so I need to make it count. Go camping. Spend time in the water. Be outside!
Weight loss update. As of Monday I have lost 32 lbs and 8 inches. I can feel good about that. Half way there. I'm feeling skinnier everyday.
I finished Fringe. It got super confusing at the end for me... but overall I liked it. Now a friend told me to watch Gossip Girl... so I have been. On the second season. I know that it is just stupid drama... but honestly, sometimes I like to watch stupid drama because it makes me feel better about my own. Fact. Next I better watch Breaking Bad... because my co-worker has been bugging me to watch it for forever and he said he needs someone to talk about it with. I have heard it is good... but super intense.
Guess what? My tonsils are finally back to normal. I seriously thought it was never going to go back to normal. For over a week I was taking antibiotics and living off of advil. It sucked. Monday it had been over a week and I felt like the antibiotics weren't doing anything... and I was ready to go back into the Doctor. I was still in so much pain. This guy that I went out with, who is in the medical field told me to wait it out.... So I did. Tuesday was the first day I started to notice it getting better... Wednesday a little better... only took 2 advil in the morning. Today, NO ADVIL!!! Hooray. It's gone. It was terrible and I am so thankful to be back to normal.
Mr Karaoke and I are going to sing in my ward together. I'm excited. I love singing with him.. he has a beautiful voice. However... I am trying to find a beautiful duet for us to sing.... and I have been struggling. If you have any suggestions... please let me know.
I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my Uncle Dale and Aunt Teresa and their kids and their families lately... because my cousin Travis was in town. It has been so fun. I really love spending time with Aunts, Uncles and cousins. I really do have a great family, immediate and extended. I feel so blessed for that.
Like I said last week... I'm trying to get caught up on all of the movies that I want to see. Saturday I went with my good friend Mary to see Despicable Me 2. I loved the first one, so I figured I would really like the second one. I was right. Funny and cute. Best part of the movie. Those minions! I wish I had a bunch of them in my house working for me. My life would be so great!!!! I would also be laughing all of the time. Just think about it... how much better life would be with minions in it.
Weight loss update. As of Monday I have lost 32 lbs and 8 inches. I can feel good about that. Half way there. I'm feeling skinnier everyday.
I finished Fringe. It got super confusing at the end for me... but overall I liked it. Now a friend told me to watch Gossip Girl... so I have been. On the second season. I know that it is just stupid drama... but honestly, sometimes I like to watch stupid drama because it makes me feel better about my own. Fact. Next I better watch Breaking Bad... because my co-worker has been bugging me to watch it for forever and he said he needs someone to talk about it with. I have heard it is good... but super intense.
Guess what? My tonsils are finally back to normal. I seriously thought it was never going to go back to normal. For over a week I was taking antibiotics and living off of advil. It sucked. Monday it had been over a week and I felt like the antibiotics weren't doing anything... and I was ready to go back into the Doctor. I was still in so much pain. This guy that I went out with, who is in the medical field told me to wait it out.... So I did. Tuesday was the first day I started to notice it getting better... Wednesday a little better... only took 2 advil in the morning. Today, NO ADVIL!!! Hooray. It's gone. It was terrible and I am so thankful to be back to normal.
Mr Karaoke and I are going to sing in my ward together. I'm excited. I love singing with him.. he has a beautiful voice. However... I am trying to find a beautiful duet for us to sing.... and I have been struggling. If you have any suggestions... please let me know.
I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my Uncle Dale and Aunt Teresa and their kids and their families lately... because my cousin Travis was in town. It has been so fun. I really love spending time with Aunts, Uncles and cousins. I really do have a great family, immediate and extended. I feel so blessed for that.
Like I said last week... I'm trying to get caught up on all of the movies that I want to see. Saturday I went with my good friend Mary to see Despicable Me 2. I loved the first one, so I figured I would really like the second one. I was right. Funny and cute. Best part of the movie. Those minions! I wish I had a bunch of them in my house working for me. My life would be so great!!!! I would also be laughing all of the time. Just think about it... how much better life would be with minions in it.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Photo of the Week 177
Love spending time at the lake during the summertime. This is Shaver Lake, near Dinkey Creek.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Dinkey Creek 2013
I'm very excited to be blogging about Dinkey Creek. Last time I blogged about Dinkey Creek was just to relive old memories.... not knowing if I would ever go back again. I'm so happy that our Dinkey Creek group got enough people that wanted to go this year and made it happen.
Unfortunately not my whole family got to be there. My parents drove to California with Kristy and her kids. There they met up with Lori and drove up to Dinkey Creek with her and her kids. Sadly both husbands couldn't go. I flew into Fresno on Tuesday night. This way... I only had to take one day off of work, but got to be there most of the week. I'm really glad I was able to go. It had been nine years since I was there, but when I was there... it was like I never left. Feels like home. So many memories there. Some things had changed, but most things were exactly the same. I loved falling asleep and waking up to the creek. Being surrounded by beautiful nature. I just love it there.
Dinkey Creek has the regular routine. I got there just in time for skit night on Tuesday night.
There is crafts for the kids every morning.
There is meal time.
The kids get dirty!
Thursday was Independence day. We didn't do much that was patriotic... except lots of people wore patriotic shirts... including me. I wore the one I made.
Every night I enjoyed sitting by the fire. The kids of course loved roasting marshmallows.
Then of course during the day.... we Swim! My favorite day is always the day we go to Shaver Lake. My dad rented a boat... the kids loved it.
The kids favorite is always Pollywog pond. The water was so low this year that it made it so the water was a little warm and was refreshing instead of freezing.
I also loved that a lot of the same people that I grew up seeing every year were there. It was like Dinkey Creek, the Adult years.... when last time we were there it was Dinkey Creek the Teenage Years. Another friend I got to see was not associated with Dinkey Creek until she married Clint. My friend Lisa. We used to be in the same ward. So fun that she got to join the Dinkey Creek family.
All in all, it was a wonderful time. So good to be back. So happy to be there with my family and old friends... and hopefully, it is going to continue... every other year. So Dinkey Creek... hopefully I will be seeing you in 2015! :)
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