creatures that go MEOW in the night

We have been having some fantastic rain storms since I got to St. George. After work, though the sky looked ready to dump I drove to a trail nearby and even as the rain started I thought as I started out, 'I'll play in the rain until I see lightening.' I didn't even get to finish the thought before the light show started.
I went home and the torrential downpour started shortly after. Guess it was a good thing I stayed in, the storm got pretty nasty.
Laurie called later in the evening and we decided to get in the hot tub at the condo where I am staying.
I had gone over a couple nights ago but didn't stay long since it's not well lit and I already have a thing for underwater creepy sounds. (I don't like putting my ears in the water because of these sounds) Making myself put my ears in the water and swimming around in the dark, the only dim light coming from lights in the indoor part of the pool... I can let my imagination run wild in this atmosphere.
Laur and I were sitting in the hot tub catching up and I was mid animated story when something brushed against my arm. I looked down and saw a bunch of leaves that had gathered in the corner. From the crazy storm for sure. I moved to the other side and Laurie got fidgety, 'Why are you moving, what's over there??' I told her something had touched me and started back in on my story.
Next thing I know she is flying out of the water saying the leaf was swimming towards her. 'It's a frog!!' She was yelping at me to get rid of it. I scooped him up and got out to check him out in the light, when she really starts getting upset, 'What is that?! That is NOT a snake in the water! Tell me that is not a snake!!'
I was getting SO excited, a frog AND a snake? Wow! There was a mysterious creature swimming around the hot tub furiously. It moved like a snake, going down to the bottom, wiggling a long, skimming the top only to dive down and hang around the pump. I put my frog down and got the rescue stick thingy and scooped the snake out, ready to catch it if it tried to escape.
Sadly, it was only part of a palm branch. And the frog took his chance at freedom and took off too.

I mentioned I am watching some cats. I visit two of them daily at the Adams and only have one at the condo with me. She is the definition of a scaredy cat. Pretty Kitty only graces me with her presence in the evenings and if I make any sudden moves she'll disappear again until she deems it safe to return.
I talk to her all the time though, when she is hiding especially, and sometimes she'll come out to talk back for a minute or two.
me: 'Pretty Kitty, you are a nut job. You should come out here and I'll give you a snack.'
PK: 'Meow? Meow! Meow! Meow?
me: 'Why are you hiding? Face your fears kitty.'
PK: 'Meow! MEow! meOow....
I've hurt her feelings. I get her more snacks.

She really does talk A LOT once she warms up a little. And always at the wrong times. Fist night I'm there she comes around chatting me up around 3 in the morning.
The next night I tell her we should only talk when I start up the conversations and until then she should talk to herself, in the other room. She seemed to agree and only came in to jump on me, then ran off when this act of bravery seemed to wear off.
Last night was the worst ever.
3 am PK: Meow?! Meow? Meow? MEOW! all the while jumping around on the bed and head butting me. She will not stop, has a lot to say so I talk back because it usually shuts her up. 'Oh, you poor pretty thing, you need to get out more, stop whining and go eat something.'
4 am PK: MEOW!! MEOW!!!
5 am PK: (more pitifully) meeeeeooooooooooooow........
I reach out to touch her, something she doesn't allow, and what do you know? She loves it!! Wants to be scratched more than life itself.
And after her itches were taken care of we coexist peacefully. Maybe we are friends now?

please pass the candy corn, apothecary jars and tea lights

You would think that this computer, in a photography studio no less, would be set up to download images from my camera? Nope. Can't. Won't. Don't even think about it. USB and I are not speaking. So instead of showing you somethings from real life:

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." – Steve Jobs

We've already agreed that I'm a fall fanatic? I can't help it! I want to make a wreath, buy miles of crinkly leaf garlands, spritz everything I come in contact with in spicy fragrances. And BAKE! What is going on? Mom, are you perhaps behind this weird urge to bake? Have I been drugged? Not that I'm complaining, my dream file is getting fat with ideas.
Instead I've browsed the heck out of the fall issues of home magazines and frequented Michael's and Roberts to visit the splendid fall florals and autumn delights.
I think the overloaded need to decorate is the lack of creative outlet to let me do so. Sure, I get this craving every year, but this time it is especially strong since all my treasures remain in their tote in the garage and I don't get to play with all the fall shipments this year at THD. Maybe I'll go get some cinnamon mentos? That should tide me over for, oh, a minute.

Black Rock

This is where I am living for the next few weeks. The 8th Hole of Sunbrook's Black Rock Nine. (Jealous big brother? If wanted, I could chip off my lawn and practice my short game..) I am back in St. George tending a bunch of kitties, collecting mail, and best of all: working!!

I am working for my friends Nick and Signe while they are off touring around Europe. I think they are in Venice today soon to be boarding a cruise ship for Turkey? Lucky!
I am happy to be working again. Why is it that I feel so much better having tons of work to do in a day vs. being able to do whatever I please all day long? I've always felt this way, but for the last few weeks as I didn't work (and forcing myself to enjoy it) I had plenty of time to evaluate what it is about work that is so addicting for me.

I read (Eat Pray Love) that Americans are obsessed with work, putting in more hours than any other Westerners, feeling the most satisfied when they are in their place of work, more so than anywhere else in fact. Also, because we are surrounded by so much stimulation and constant desire to be entertained we have the hardest time being content doing nothing at all and truly enjoying the moment we are living in.
This is so true for me. I can't sit still long before the lists start piling up in my mind of what I should be doing. Is that why I am constantly telling myself to "Live in the now" when I get lost in my excitement to accomplish? I have to remind myself that I will miss out on life if I'm always anxious for the next thing coming, whatever it may be. Why shouldn't I be able to feel content with simply being. Am I missing the point?

I'm not knocking work though, of course, I know it has value and I need it. Am I misquoting when I say we reap what we sow?
Only asking questions.

축 생일 언니i사랑 너

I typed up this great big post at home earlier all about Kwona including bunches of great pictures, put it all on my flash drive and came to Traditions to put it up online and the computer is being silly. I'm not about to fight with it today so this is the only pic I can get to work. I will be brief (because it is like 300 degrees in here) and give you a list of things I love about Kwona until I can put up the proper post in its entirety.

• Kwona can eat more than the whole family combined and still be hungry (and never gain an ounce either)
• She is a really REALLY great sister, someone I can call when I'm feeling blue and end up feeling loved in the end.
• Kwona has the best sense of humor and can take all the teasing in our family and dish it out with the best.
• She is gumbi in the human form - can fold herself into a pretzel.
• Massages...oh my goodness...the massages this girl gives! I hurt myself on purpose just so I can say innocently, 'My back is killing me!' and let her work her magic.
• Excellent chef. I will eat anything she cooks. Whether it is dukbogi, chopchai or kimchichigai... she could feed me ants dipped in cheese rolled in mustard and it'd taste like a culinary master piece coming from her kitchen.
• Kwona is a the best example of a loving wife and mother and I look up to her in every way.

I'm lucky to have her as a big sister and only wish she didn't live so far away because I love being around her.

I Scream, U Scream... don't touch my ice cream

RC1 just got cooler. Cool as ice cream. That's right. The guy makes his own. I know I get excited about so many things, (I'm easily excited, nothing wrong with that) but this ice cream... I could eat it all day. He made cake batter ice cream last night and it was like licking the spatula while making a cake, only I didn't have to worry about eating all the batter and not having any left to make a cake. He sent me home with a Tupperware full of it and believe me, I will make this ice cream last at least 3 weeks until I can hit him up for more. :)In other news. I'm reading 'Eat Pray Love' and found an article at cinemablend that says Julia Roberts is slated to make the movie. YEA! It is written with so much wit and truth I hope the movie does it justice. I know Camel will love hearing this, I'm borrowing the book from her and I think she liked it too. Miss u Corn.

AND one more thing to get excited about, just a little thing my mom mentioned about the much anticipated trip in an email today. "... we have made reservations for Kruger Park where we will see many, many animals, birds and reptiles and also for the Cheetah research park, they put on a very educational 3 hour program. You may even be able to play with a Cheetah..."

She knows what to say to get me going huh?! YES!!!

Jenna Apple Seed

Sudouko and Dreamgirls, two things I've heard tons about but only just barely experienced for myself.
Dreamgirls was WAY better than I thought it was going to be. I'd heard too much about it so of course all the hype turned me off about it and I didn't think I would like it. I was wrong. As wrong as I was that I wouldn't like The Messengers. Oh syke. I couldn't watch it. I'm the biggest sissy alive. Camel and I tried to watch it last night. She fell asleep and I spent more time averting my eyes than actually watching it, went downstairs and had to watch Hitch to fall asleep.

And Sudoku? I tried to figure out what the heck it was, (just by staring at in on a plane once... directions? Who needs em?)

When I told Lynnel this morning I didn't know how to play, she quickly remedied that problem. She even gave me a book to finish now since I like it so much. Fun stuff.

Highlight of the day so far: Grandpa called me Jenna Apple Seed. I guess because I've been in the orchard so much?

wednesday, the day before thursday

First off, go check out PBPB, the folks have an update finally.

This week has been so relaxing and nice. I gave up my worries about finding a job since I'm leaving for St. George on Monday so with that off my back I've been enjoying my extended vacation. (nice words for slacker life style)

Monday I went with some new friends to FHE at Camp Tracy and had fun meeting people in my newest ward. I think I'll be in this one long enough to learn some names.

Tuesday Coree and I went to Lagoon a beach with Casey and two of his friends Megan and Whitney. Whitney and I had a blast going on the slides and floating along in the lazy river.
The plan after we were done playing in the water was to go home for a break then ride the rides later. Since I had faced my fears and gone on a scary water slide with Whitney she was going to go on Wicked with me (the newest ride) BUT Casey got sick so we didn't go back after all. I was so in the mood for some rides too.

So instead, I decided to go to Ogden and hang out with Jackie and Jeff. She gave me great directions and I was impressed with myself remembering all of them with out writing it down. Only Ogden conspired against me and made it difficult with unmarked exits and cones everywhere to make it more complicated than it should have been.
I passed the exit, and passed it again. Ended up in Farr West, then all the way back in Roy before I got it together and figured it out. Hanging out with those two was well worth the aggravation, they are one of my very favorite things about the Great Up North. They are coming down to see me in St. George in a couple weeks, I'm excited to have some house guests.
We have big plans of becoming permanent floating fixtures in the pool.

Today I went to lunch with Amy at a great place called Plates and Palates in Bountiful. Wow! Talk about fantastic food. If you are ever in the area, lets go! Frybaby? Wanna go tomorrow? It's all your fault I'm hooked on the place! It is set up like a kitchen supply store with a great gourmet deli serving up food to die for. Obviously I'm off the diet (will try again later) and am living it up eating all the good stuff. Amy is one of my four friends due this fall. She is a cute olive on a toothpick huh? (stole that description from your SIL Amy, it describes you perfectly!) I love ya, can't wait to meet Kylee.

I went back to the house and spent a few more hours chopping up apples to throw on The Big One, and even attempted an Apple Crisp. I'm at Grandmas, we'll let you know how the treat turned out. It looks ugly but smells really good. Wish you were all here to try some.

Millions of Peaches

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." Roald Dahl

It's been a fun week but nothing much to blog about. Reading a lot of books, doing a lot of fun things but still I have been lacking on anything to say, strange huh?

I've reached a certain point of maturity I suppose because I have become addicted to different forms of preserving fruit. Grandmas orchard offers a plethora of goodies and I have spent a lot of time the last few days 'skinning' peaches, chopping up apples, filling the dehydrator up a few times over and learning how to make jam. Next attempt: PIES!

This household is fantastic for soundbites. Yesterday I walked into the kitchen as Parker was asking about the new resident of the counter, moms huge dehydrator, The Big One. He asked how much it cost and Michele said she didn't know since it wasn't hers. I said 'One million dollars' (a rare Austin Powers moment for me) He said, "Well worth it for The Big One." OK, so maybe you had to be there, but Parker is a hoot.

So is Casey. Coree made him a quesadilla the other day for lunch. He was thanking her for it and asked what it was called again. She told him it was a quesadilla and he said, "Oh, a Casey's dilla."

Once a Viking always a Viking

Go Vikes! I've had more school spirit since moving in with this bunch than I ever had back when I should have! Maybe it is the constant flow of footballers at the house? The game tonight was fun, it rained long enough to get us sufficiently wet and our team won so can't get any better right?

"Thanks, we'll call you."

It just took me longer for me to write "Thanks, we'll call you" than it took her to say it and promptly dismiss me saying something in French or maybe Italian as I left that had me curious. Does she speak in another language when she is pleased? Or when she is doggin' on stuff? I broke out in a serious sweat when I posted this pic and took a good look. I left out a substantial piece of my sketch and seriously didn't catch it until just now. Oops. Goes to show I'm not with it completely when I paint late at night. Don't go looking for my flaws, hopefully they won't either. Stupid mistake.

I make it sound way more 'brush off' than it was, she could have loved it for all I know. I guess I just wanted her to say more but her phone was ringing and she was intent on answering it so I found myself outside, blinking in the sunlight thinking, 'Now what?'

I went cruising for fun shops, that's what. I found a new consignment shop I'm sure I'll check out often.

This great building is on Highland a couple blocks away from Dzurov, the designers I want to paint for. It is THE building I picture when I dream the dream of having my own shop. (with renovations and mucho tlc of course) I'd live in the door on the right (in some daydreams, in others I live in my car) have a kickin gallery/showroom/boutique in the space on the left with an art studio in back and deliveries/storage/workspace and maybe rent out some space to a starving artist in the basement to help with the overhead.

Signe called to catch up and tell me about the happenings in her world. I think our daily chats are one of the biggest things I miss about my routine. Made me a little home sick honestly. But not enough so to make me sad I left. Life is too good to look back.

Gib and his pup

I swore I would seriously cut back on the dogs but c'mon, these are too cute NOT to share. Really? Just me? OOoook.

Once again I'm back for a break from the cupboard, researched some olive stuff, laughed my guts out reading an email from my friend. I laughed so hard Michele thought I was crying. And I guess I was, but mirth tears, not sad tears. Feels good to laugh so hard, now I can go back and properly conquer the cupboard.

But first, thought I'd share my quote of the day too. I really should share them more often, they are priceless, but most of them take too much explaining to appreciate, and in the end I'm probably the only one who gets a kick out of em anyway. This one is easy if you know Grandpa Awesome.

I went out back to tell them I was leaving because I wanted to be in on the bleaching of the football playas collective hair. Grandpa, of course, thought this rediculous. "I don't have time for foolishness." He was smiling when he said this but it was so grandpa I laughed about it for awhile afterwards.

Auh, Grandpa, foolishness is what makes the world go 'round. Or is it love? I'm thinking of a song... can anyone help me out? Dangit. Hate it when I have half a memory.

Procrastinating

I have found The Job For Me.

I saw a tiny scrap of a paper on the job board at LDSBC about a job painting furniture for a designer on Highland. I got together a portfolio and went out and talked to them yesterday. I loved the showroom and the couple of people I met were really friendly.

The furniture is amazing and I started dreaming up fun things to paint while she was showing me what other artists have done. Their look is Old World/Tuscan so I have a good idea what kind of work it would be.

The designer gave me a cupboard door to take home and paint something on. Easy enough I thought as I drove home. Yesterday I couldn't wait to get started. But I slept on it and I shouldn't have.

OH! THE PRESSURE. I've syked myself out I think. Luckily I like working under pressure so I'm bound to pull out of this funk. Got the background on and now I'm too wrapped up in it to continue so what better to do than blog and whine instead? I've still gotta put on the next layer, an olive branch scrolly type thing I've sketched out but I'm stuck on how dark the background looks. Too busy. Blast.

OK. I feel better now. Back to it. Finished product update later.

strudel

"I am also an internet junkie who needs to ask herself the question...just how many blogs can one person follow and still retain a life away from the computer." -Beate Knappe

I've asked myself the same question! I borrowed the quote from her blogspot, as well as the cool picture or one of her creations.

Park and Ride

My Sundays start out with a standing agreement to meet up with my folks online to chat. I look forward to it every week. It makes it seem like they aren't so far away until my dad says something like 'I hope you enjoy the day, we already did.' We'll have to come up with a new meeting time because I'm changing wards again and the new one is the 9 o'clock. No wonder my records are lost, I haven't been to one consecutive ward more than three weeks in a row since the beginning of the year.

I spent the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa having dinner and enjoying their company. Grandma amazes me with how vibrant she is. What am I expecting right? She has always been so full of life, how could a little thing like falling from the attic slow her down? I love living so close. If for no other reason to be here right now, I am sure being near family is purpose enough.

Casey and I went to my friends house to see the horses, but didn't stay long because the park was calling to us. So we were on our way and had fun playing until a bully took away our toys and made us cry. OK, Casey was the one crying, I just felt like it cuz bullies are...well...bullies. :) It's funny how badly I wanted to chase the kid down and make him sorry. What's wrong with me?!

Then Cade and I finished off the day with an excellent meeting for the single adults in the area. The speakers were really great, The Eyres, and beautiful music, Hillary Weeks.

The photos are from friday when I decided to go back to the trail I mentioned a few days ago to finish it. I made it to the top only to find that the trail keeps on going further back into the actual mountains. (vs foothills) Fun to make it to the top but I found out from Tony later that the trail keeps going until it hits SLC. I was too hungry to go on. It is still an unfinished adventure.

I 'won' some tickets on the radio for a concert yesterday so RC1 and I went and checked it out. When I say I won the tickets, really, the DJ's just gave them to me along with tickets to Underdog because they had them and I was the only one who stopped by silly enough to take them. It wasn't a cool venue, or a very great band so we took off after a couple of songs and had fun doing other stuff instead. Stopped by a P Breinholt concert that Ryan Shupe was helping out with where they also had maybe ten hot air balloons hanging around. Why? I don't know, maybe some kind of balloon extravaganza, but the overall effect was pretty great.

insomnia

Have you seen Premonition yet? I'm up for any kind of movie, even if it isn't pleasant (I know,and you thought I only liked chic flicks) But c'mon! This movie....argh. I tried watching it earlier this week and had major dis functions thru out the attempt including two separate locations about the house to watch it, starting it over at least three times to get the disk to stop skipping and THEN in the final leg it up and died for real leaving me hanging. And now after watching it in its entirety tonight with Camel I came back downstairs wanting to punch something. WARNING KINDA A SPOILER (BUT NOT REALLY): I should have quit when I didn't know what was going to happen, maybe I am better off with happilyeverafters...

I've spent the last hour or so reading a book by my favorite Irish author, Marian Keyes, and getting a good laugh as can be expected of any book of hers but as soon as I turned off the light I'm wide awake again and I chose to blame the movie.

But it does give me a good excuse to write about my designer of the week. None other than Kate Spade.

She has been so fun to read about over the years. I love her style and the fun person she seems to be. I like hitting up her 'play list' to find fun new music too. Her website is a favorite past time of mine to check out what she is reading or what she is up to in her universe of chic bags and so many other great items I can't really afford but love to drool over. I WOULD BE THE MOST ORGANIZED PERSON ALIVE IF I ONLY HAD A KS PLANNER.... calm down now. (I'm also reading again the book by MEE about things owning me. I don't need a planner, I have one...good grief. That was close.)

Here is the link to behind the curtain, I'm listening to the mixed tape 3 right now and loving the it. Quirky.
Wouldn't it be cool to intern for someone like Kate Spade? I've thought about internships abroad after school. NY could be considered a foreign country couldn't it? If I ever got the chance to meet her, I'd want to meet Andy Spade too. The quotes she put in her books (the etiquette ones) from him make him sound like my kind of people. Sneakily funny and on the silly side, but not over the top (don't you love how I give them personalities of my choosing?)

Style has to be exactly imperfect. -Andy Spade

Seasons, they are a changin'

I know it really isn't even that close to fall yet but for the last few years fall has always started at the end of July for me. I would start placing orders for all of our really great fall merchandise: wreaths, dried floral items, harvest and pumpkin scented candles... Everything would smell so good as I unpacked the huge boxes that signaled the right time to start decorating for fall, my all time most favorite time of year.
I just finished a good book (on my notable mentions list) and the main character stated that our past is made of layers and so as we live on it is impossible to experience new things with out the past being linked to us still somehow.
This backs up the common recurrence in my life where I'll be going along with life and BAM! I'm hit with a strong sense of familiarity. Just a certain way the light is on a particular day and the distinct feeling of nostalgia for no real reason until I take a moment and think back to previous years and what the day signifies for me. It's a little eerie how dead on my my inner calendar can be. It pulls up a memory and lays it out for me to enjoy all over again. I like eerie, and weird. Anything to make life more real.
Fall is jam pack full of great memories. And normally it is considered the end of the seasons but it also has a lot of great beginnings.
Some things I'm looking forward too in the near future:

• Being in the Wasatch area for the beautiful colors after 7 years of missing the mountains at their finest. (Seoul gives a hardy try and I'll admit if I could be in two places at once for the colors, Korea is a close second. Dixie misses the season almost entirely.)
  
• The start of the fall line up of my favorite shows. (I know, kinda pathetic) but so much fun! Can't wait to see Kate Walsh's new show. I'm a bit scared for G.A. What will come of all the changes?
  
  
• Starting school again!!! I pulled up Carden's logo because the beginning of the school year there is still a very vivid memory. I dust it off more than any other this time of year. New uniforms, new shiny shoes...the smells, the teachers, the creaky floors!!!

• Traveling somewhere new to spend time with my parents who 'I miss so much sometimes it hurts to breathe'

• Reading the last Harry Potter. (I only read them in the fall)

Go home silly bird

Grandpa told us the neighbor had stopped to talk while he was out in the yard and asked him if he'd seen his homing pigeons. Now isn't that a funny thing to lose? Aren't they supposed to come home no matter what? But as I write I can see one of them sitting out on the light post. Are they malfunctioning? On strike?
Grandma and I were curious about these funny birds so we got on wikipedia to learn more about them. Did you know studies show that the birds follow man made routes to their destinations and use visual landmarks to get home? "Take your next left at the McDonald's, follow that road 4 miles and it's your third left after the movie theater." How do they do that?

BST

With no commitments, schedules, work chaos to control, or projects to finish I find myself in something close to retirement. When Grandma and I compare our days I'm not surprised at all by the similarities. We both putter around the house, read books, take naps...

The only real difference is what I do to break up my days. I was so excited to find that I have easy access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Micheles house.






One summer in High School, Coree and I helped Bronson with his Eagle Project clearing a portion of the trail near the U of U campus trail head. Since then I have always wanted to do more exploring along the trail but never have. Now I can be there in less than 10 minutes and have found that there are bunches of trails leading off the main trail to explore.
Yesterday I started up the side of the mountain 'heading south' I told Michele in case of emergency. I found a 4' long snake skin (but no snake. Bummer.) and took a side trail that climbed and climbed. I wanted to do 'just one more switchback' but each time I did, there was another one. The mountain just kept on getting taller. I'll get back to that trail one day to see where it goes when I pack some water.
I'm doing my best to not go stir crazy. I don't know what I expected coming here with out a job lined up and no real option of getting one right off with obligations taking me out of town, but I guess I didn't think I'd run out of things to accomplish in under a week. Time to start creating chaos I guess. It's the only way I know how to survive!

Pictures brought to you by other peoples flickr accounts.

JACKIE and JENNA together again!

I LOVE this girl. Jackie is the reason I got up in the mornings when I was young. I thought she was the meaning of fun. And years go by and what do you know? She still is. We went to Carden Memorial together, had countless sleepovers (usually at my house because it was the jackpot for her: popcorn, capri suns, fruit snacks, all things not found at her house.)
I think of her often (every time I eat a bell pepper) and while we had lost contact the last two years I knew it wouldn't be long until we found each other again. And today just happened to be that day.

She and and her husband Jeff came to Centerville for dinner (Firehouse, YUM and oops on the diet.) and then we went to her parents home which is now just mere minutes from the home I grew up in. (A dream we always dreamed growing up since she lived in Sugar House and wanted desperately to live in Btown with me.) These people are some of my most dear friends. A fun game of OH HECK, or Mormon Gin in their home, and a debate on the grey area of honesty (fun to debate with Dixie on any subject) and I consider this a perfect night spent with fantastic company.

OK. Now, just because of my enthusiasm on the greatness of Jackie, don't discount or confuse it with the enthusiasm I'm about to exoress about something else entirely. Being with Jackie was like coming home. This other thing...I know I am probably more excited than I should be, but I can't help myself!!!

Bry (or otherwise known on the blog as RC1) told me a week ago that he had ordered me some business cards. I can't remember exactly what brought about a conversation in the past where I mentioned the need for business cards? But things were said, and the outcome was Bry taking matters into his own hands, and I was really anticipating what he had come up with. (I love surprises!)

Last night Bry was a gem and said he would go to my friends reception with me and as I was getting together a very thoughtful gift (check and card, "intentions pave...") he said he might have a card in his truck if I needed one. 'Oh no, I'll find something....' (I have the random note cards for such an occasion like any female would.)

BUT as we are sitting in his truck (I'm making this longer than I should because it is so fun to relive!) he gives me this big box I know holds the much anticipated business cards. But why so big for what he said was just a few cards, mock ups, to see if I liked them or not?

When I see them I was....words escape me even now.... stunned?
Not what I was expecting AT ALL. Above and beyond.

AND IT GOT EVEN BETTER!

He made my cards! Actually mass produced them. With envelopes and everything. Just like that. He made a dream I've thrown around in the back of my head a reality. I tried to tell him how much this meant to me but it just sounds as corny as it does again right now. But it really is so very..... insert a word of your choosing better than 'awesome' because you know I've completely killed words like awesome and cool. I have shown everyone I've come in contact with today because it gives me such a thrill to see my funny little creations in the form I always wanted to see them in.

I'm sorry the picsare gone. I'll put them up again momentarily, Cara pointed out I was giving out too much info.

the office saturday

need I say more?

A Happy Ending

We made it to market Wednesday morning and it was well worth the wait.

I found a few more new companies I will add to my file for the day I get going on 'my own thing' whatever shape that may take in the future.

My picture of the market center doesn't quite capture the actual hugeness of the place. And ONLY Buildings A and B are open right now. To the left C is well under way, and every year another building will be added until there are 9 total, soon to be the biggest market center in the most convenient city, VEGAS baby.

Since we weren't actually buying this trip, (just keeping up with the trends and new companies this time) we were done making the rounds in record time.

These two were getting everyone jazzed for the nightly party, Tahitian themed and supposed to be really great catering and such but it was still two hours out so we decided to go to PF Chang's instead then hit the mall.



I brought you boot leg shots I dared myself to take in my two favorite show rooms. I had to be ultra sneaky cuz photography is frowned upon. My preloaded excuse was 'But I have this blog, I NEED pictures...'

My dream retail space looks a lot like these two styles tossed with a really eclectic, consignment type feel (mix in a little Brambled Nest and other tiny shops for flavour and you've got my ideal setting) But the style, (OH THE STYLE!!) these designers exude... I soak it up as much as I possibly can every six months hoping to have even a sliver of the vision they have.

NOW THIS CHIC HAS SERIOUS TALENT!! We saved this vendor for last in Building A because it is my very top favorite. And also my favorite rep, Caren, shows this line. (generally our reps are pushy and obnoxious so having a favorite is rare!)
This particular designer is up for designer of the year and her line is up for merchandiser of the year. Go figure. She's my designer for next week so I won't elaborate any more except to say, WOW!

Vegas with Jana is always a good time. It gives us a chance to catch up and have a good time. I laughed until I cried at least 5 times that I can remember. I won't pretend I wanted to go all along, I almost bailed out. But Tuesday night I started to get excited and I am so glad I went.

It was a challenge sticking with The Diet. We have our regulars so there were a few sad moments as Jana ate the usual and I had my stupid raisins and almonds. No In and Out, no Cheesecake Factory, no Macaroni Grill, no Crispy Creme.... BUT it was a great way to prove to myself this is making a difference already. I have never had an easier time making it thru the long shopping days. I kept up on lots of water and instead of going for the candy handouts in every showroom (used to be my energy boosts) and stuck to the veggies and fruit.

Jana gave me a hard time about my rigid ways on not bending at all but she was exhausted and practically hooked to diet coke with an IV to keep up and I felt like I could go all day long.
4 days in and I haven't even done the big cleanse/detox and I'm starting to see progress. YES!!!