Twilie's Unite

It has been awhile since I mentioned Twilight, but I have news: An Edward has been cast. Apparently, I am, like, the last person to know, but I still thought I would remark on my excitement. YEA! I am excited. For those others of you who may not have already been informed, the lucky and appropriate gentlemen is the one and only Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter. This news has thrown me back into the world of vampire romances. For those of you who have read the books but haven’t read the excerpt on Stephenie Meyer’s website from Midnight Sun…you should. It is Twilight from Edward’s perspective and it is enthralling, to say the least. It really illustrates the intensity of Edward’s drive to kill Bella and gives you a greater appreciation for the self-control that he exerts in order to be around her. Here read: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/midnightsun_chapter1.pdf

I know, I know, I am a Twilight geek like the Trekkies of old. I’m a Twilie. At least I have accepted it.

Images Period

Everybody celebrate! I found the cord to my camera and now have something interesting instead of just having to read my novel blogs all of the time! The above is (finally) a picture of Emma trick-or-treating in her Hedwig costume that I lovingly slaved over. It was so authentic she even MOLTED!

Next we have...

My adorable daughter and adorable nephew glued to the television. Too cute not to post. Don't you think they look like brother and sister? Emma loves her cousin Bosty! AND...she is wearing the same shirt TODAY! It was meant to be.

Some holiday pics...



Emma helping to decorate her first Christmas tree. I have to admit I was a little nervous to have a tree with a toddler running around the house, but she has been adorable. She will look around to see if anyone's watching, go for an ornament (her favorite is the tin soldier pictured here), get caught, and then we have trained her to fold her arms and "just look" at the tree. She is a good girl. Now we just have to ask her to fold her arms and she does.

One more and then my blogging time is up:

Emma's favorite game lately is to constantly move the chairs to the little play table. The kicker is that she has to have them perfectly lined up every time. This particular day she had a stuffed animal for every seat. It was so stinking cute!

Okay, I lied, I have four more minutes...

To close out this post...some big smiles from Emma and me for YOU for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Questionnaire

I was trying to think of something fun to post for the holidays and I got this questionnaire thing in an email. SO...I decided to post my answers. Enjoy:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both – depends on what I’m wrapping
2. Real tree or artificial? I prefer real, but Matt and I have an artificial one
3. When do you put up the tree? When it works with my schedule
4. When do you take the tree down? When it works with my schedule
5. Do you like eggnog? I will drink a little every year, but I don’t necessarily enjoy it
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The kitchen that made me faint
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? My mom does
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad
9. Easiest person to buy for? Emma
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? None – no, I mean, literally when the person who drew my name for Christmas forgot me
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf, Muppet Christmas Carol, White Christmas, The Christmas Story, all of the Cheesy Hallmark Movies
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Crepes
16. Clear or colored lights on the tree? Mine – Clear. The one I grew up with - Colored
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? All.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Ondasher, Onprancer, Oncomet, Oncupid, Ondonner, Onblitzen, Dashaway, Dashaway, Dashaway and All. Oh – Rudolf too.
20. Christmas tree top or star? I top my Christmas tree with a Santa bell and whole lot of love!
21. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Pajamas on Christmas Eve, Draw Name gifts on Christmas Eve, everything else Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that I have to work
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition that you miss doing? Christmas Pajamas (cause we aren’t getting them this year and I want to cry!)
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? The Blow-Up Snow Globe
25. Which looks best--theme trees or homey trees? I like theme trees, but there is nothing like the tree I grew up with that has a memory attached to every decoration. I love it!

KOSY 106.5

I was thinking of something exciting to write about and decided that I wanted to wait until I could post pictures with the blog. That is always more exciting. But then I remembered that Heather got voted out of America's Next Top Model and the joy that it brought me and I had to type. No offense to people with Ausberger's but she was definitely not model material. I was glad that Tyra let go of making a statement and simply accepted the truth. Not going to work.

Oh, and it snowed the most beautiful blanket of perfect Christmas snow here. It was the most wonderful way to start the most wonderful time of the year. AND I am almost completely done with all of the Christmas shopping, including Marilyn's. I have one more person on my list, neighbor gifts, and cards. AND I finished the Christmas trees for the city and got the approval from the big guy. Santa loved them. Red and Green. Once again, I will try and get some pics.

That is all for now until I have some pics and more exciting stuff to say!

Sarah

I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite.

Hey all! Did you miss me? Lame excuse for not blogging, but I liked having all of the pretty pictures at the top. What, since I lost my red shoes, my blog just doesn't seem the same and having Halloween Harry and Ginny greet me with a smile seemed great. To explain the abscence of the shoes, on some computers the format just didn't fit and it frustrated me to such a degree that I eliminated them - and now I long for them. The sad sad day.

Anyway, in other news....how much do you love Thanksgiving? I am thankful for Thanksgiving. That is all there is to say. That and "cranberry sauce rocks!"

For all those inquiring minds, yes, I did participate in the madness that is Target at 6:00am on Black Friday. Is it sick that I LOVE IT!? It makes me happy to just sit here and think about how much I enjoyed it. And I would like to send a SHOUT OUT (because I am not 30 and I can) to the line guards who did their best to keep the line jumping to a minimum. If I were honest I would admit to the fact that I only witnessed it because I was a little bit trying to get in on the action, but I will lie and say that I was only there for the entertainment value - which was HI-HIGH! I maybe would have tried if the people in the line weren't beginning to get violent. Despite having to go to the end of the line around the back of the building by the portable storage container, I was triumphant in getting my big ticket item: Ratatouille for $14!!! Killer deal, right?

The great joy in my life at the moment is that my mother-in-law has entrusted me to play Santa this year and I have had the great pleasure of blowing $100 per person on a bunch of CRAP this weekend. No no...I think I have done a pretty good job, with a little help from my Number One Elf! Who, I might add, is the key to all of my gift giving successes. I was very lucky to have married such a thoughtful person!

The second great joy in my life at the moment is that my boss has entrusted me to play Martha Stewart and decorate a tree for the city building all on my own. See, it falls in the "floof-de-flomp" category which is my sole responsibility. I have found the most amazing color scheme and decor samples to show him on Monday - which I guess would be cool if he wasn't colorblind. For those of you who can see colors, when I complete the masterpiece, I will take pictures and post. Until then, I will continue to shop for the family and the city and the WORLD!

Oh...one last joy in my life at the moment - the realization that I can now watch Elf to bring in the holiday season. Off I go - but I will watch out for the yellow ones cause they don't stop.

Sarah

As promised....

I swore to myself that I wouldn't post again until I had some pictures, so here they are! Hopefully they are worth the wait! Above you will see the Happy Halloween hosts: Harry and Ginny.
The winner of our Adult Male Contest: Mr. Bob Ross.

The winner of Best Adult Female contest: Ms. Britney Spears.

One of the winners of our children's costume contest: Jack Attack. Along with winner #2:

Pepe Le Peau - Boston.
And just for fun, a couple of fun pics from the party:

Meggan and Mia - Two of K-town's most gee-orgeous vampires!

Mummy wrapped! Mummified! I want my Mummy! Duncan as a mummy.

Porter - the resident apple bobber. We made him use the same one repeatedly...save the fun for everyone!

That is what I have for now...are you proud of my for following through - two weeks later!!!

Happy Harry Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone! I am currently in my official Hogwarts attire dressed as one Ginny Weasley, appropriate since my husband and snogging partner is going to be Harry Potter later this evening. And I think I have perfected my little Hedwig’s costume for her first trick-or-treating experience. We have even taught her to say “Trick or Treat” or something close to it. Got to send her out to get Mama and Dada some candy! It should be fun.

I have been asking my dear brother to get me the pictures from the Halloween Party so I can share them with all of my faithful readers, but he has neglected to follow through on that up to this point. So, I will detail and you can check back for the phots.

The day was chaos. For me, the atmosphere of the party is the most important thing, so I spent the day spending tons of money at a picked over Walmart, trying to find the perfect décor. The centerpiece: a lighted Halloween sign, about which I was thrilled to purchase. Thrilled until I got home to find that it said “Halloneew.” Whoops. Keri and Erik save the day and switch the N and the W and off we go. We threw in some spidey webs and cooked up some grub and changed into our costumes about five minutes before the guests began to arrive.

As those who know me are aware, there was some trepidation as the night began because of the dreaded party curse, but we actually had a significant turn out. Thank you to anyone reading this who attended for…attending. We began the night with some very yummy cuisine. Thank you for anyone reading this for bringing food. And then settled in for some Halloween games. I actually bobbed for apples, which I have never done before. My theory was that I could not ask any of my guests to do something I was not willing to do myself, as the hostess (I know, I should write hostessing guides or work for Martha Stewart or Dear Abby or something). So, I bobbed away and successfully acquired an apple! After that, we did a mummy wrap, which was fun for the little ones, and then played the Halloween name game, which went over well if you ask some and not so well if you ask others, but everyone played and at least pretended like they were enjoying themselves! Thanks to anyone reading this who attended and PREtended – it was appreciated.

The night slowed down after that, but we still pulled out the Karaoke, which scared some guests away. The die-hards had a good time as our in house washed up Britney Spears performed her classic “Oops, I did it again.” And the kids all danced like crazy people. Then we managed to conjure up a Dance Dance Revolution and busted out some more moves and then…it was over. But, it was a success. We may have started a Sarah Hale tradition. A Halloween party the Saturday before Halloween every year. Mark your calendars.

See ya next year.

Sarah

P.S. I added some pics from Moab on the "Matt's World" post below, if you want to check it out. I am trying to be better about putting pics on, but if I waited until I was at a computer they were on, I would never blog!!!

Dress me up

Here we are, the eve of the biggest Halloween event of the season….and I have costuming dilemmas. I wish that J.K. Rowling could have timed her big announcement a little better (http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/10/20/harry.potter.ap/) It has created a problem as my husband was planning on dressing up as Dumbledore and I was planning on dressing up as Harry Potter and now, had we gone through with it spent any time kissing or canoodling while thus dressed, we would have suddenly been making a statement about a potential inappropriate relationship between one student and his headmaster. Yeesh. The poor children at the party made have been scarred for life!

So, now J.K….tell me what to do….I am supposed to have a decked out Harry Potter family tomorrow and all of my previous preparations have been in vain. No Dumbledore this Halloween. AND my Hedwig is falling apart on me as well. What am I going to do!!!

If I figure it all out, I will post some post-Halloween pictures. Maybe it will all come together. Matt as Harry and me dying my hair red….?

Wish Me Luck,

Sarah

For your viewing pleasure...or guilt...

Oh the insanity. What was I thinking being a full-time employee and a full-time Mom. Not that I am all that great of a mother when I spend the majority of time at the office, merely thinking of her and wishing I could be there for her. This week has been particularly hard. It was as if suddenly she woke up and the light switched on and she realized that her mama was leaving her everyday. Now she holds on to me so tightly when I am with her and I can tell that she just doesn’t want me to leave. And then I have to walk out the door to the sound of her hysterically screaming, just wanting her mom to stay. I don’t think this is going to work out much longer. I keep in my mind and in my heart the fact that I really was trying to do the best thing for my family. We found out that Matt truly is on track to graduate in the spring, which our family really needs. But, it is driving him crazy to be Mr. Mom…one of my primary babysitters – Matt’s Mom - is leaving on a mission in the very near future…and my child becomes increasingly damaged emotionally every time I walk out the door. All signs point to the truth that I probably should have known all along: STAY HOME AND BE A MOM!

This situation also creates a problem in that I am a TV junkie and now feel guilty any time I spend any of what precious little time I have with my child watching my shows. So, for the most part, I don’t. And there is so much GREAT crap this season I wish I could be watching. All I can say is…Hallelujah to whoever –whomever-(I did catch the Office this week) created the DVR and the IPOD which allow me to occasionally indulge myself when my child is in bed.

What I do watch: Beauty and the Geek, America’s Next Top Model, Survivor: China, and The Office. Comments: Have you been watching Beauty and the Geek? High-larious! Have you been watching America’s Next Top Model? Higher-larious. And I don’t even have to say how HIGH of the larious the Office is. On Survivor, as ruthless as Jamie and PG were this week, I think their plan was absolutely brilliant. It just sucks for Aaron and James. But, that’s the story you submit to when you decide to starve yourself for glory (or sad sad defeat) on Survivor.

What I wish I could watch: Heroes, Reaper, Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, and Pushing Up Daisies. Good thing you can buy the DVD collection when the season ends. I guess I will comment in a year. For now, I will just continue to wish that I could watch and catch the occasional episode at four in the morning when I have the time.

See you then sleepyhead.
Sarah

Matt's World

Hello from Moab! Matt has convinced me once again to venture down to the land of the red rocks. We spent the day on Elephant Hill Loop. I say scary. He says “I’m in heaven!!” This was his four year anniversary gift: my time 4-wheeling in Moab. Those of you who know me well know that I am a Chicken with a capital C, so for me to undertake a four-wheeling adventure is for me to go out of my boundaries by like a mile. Luckily for Matt, I am warming to it – mostly because of the beautiful back country that we get to see. And occasionally it is amusing to me to see some of the rock formations that his little Jeep Cherokee can attack. Today, there were quite a few that I thought there was no getting past, but good ol’ Black Sheep (which is what we named the Cherokee today) conquered all. And Matt just laughs.

Emma likes four-wheeling. Apparently to her it is mother nature’s rocking chair. Matt and I were amazed when she fell asleep during the most intense part! She also enjoyed hiking a bit when Mom decided it was too dangerous to risk and we both got out to watch from the safety of the solid ground.

Of course the trip would not be complete without some time spent shopping. So, the girls got dropped off so we could venture through town. I have to say that female touristy shirts are definitely improving…I actually saw some I considered purchasing that I may have worn more than once. The most important thing I purchased was a Moab sticker for Matt’s Jeep. Now we can brand The Sheep with the name of the place we love best!

We ended the evening at Pasta Jays – an excellent recommendation made by Moi. The wafting smell of garlic beckoned me every time we drove by. I had the Cheese Tortollone with meat sauce…it was good but did not hold a candle to Matt’s Chicken Pomodoro. So…get that if you ever end up there. I plan on it. Moab actually boasts some pretty enticing cuisine. We already have the restaurants lined up for our next visit!

All in all, we have had a pretty good weekend. Moab is growing on me. Matt wants to move here, but I still have some issues with people looking at me weird because I did my hair and makeup. We’ll have to see what the future holds, for now we are just looking ahead to our next Moab trip. I’ll keep you posted!

Sarah

Je suis un submarine rouge...

While Matt watches some Russians speaking French captioned in English, (you may not know this about Matt, but he enjoys watching movies in foreign languages. Right now we are watching "The Hunt for Red October" in French!) I have decided to update my blog. In the midst of the chaos that continues from before, we have had a few exciting events happen in our family recently. One being that Matt's brother, Cameron departed to the MTC this last Wednesday. It has been since Ben that I have dropped anyone off at the MTC and I had forgotten what an emotionally draining experience that can be! But, we are excited for Cameron and the things that he will learn. Matt has been briefing him about Argentina for the last three months and is already anticipating the opportunity to go pick him up in two years and see some of the places that he served in. While in Provo, I got to revisit some hold campus haunts, or whatever you call them. We went to the Creamery on Ninth and got some Mint Cookies and Cream ice cream and ate some craked pepper french fries. It was quite yummy and brought back some memories from my early college days.

Other exciting events, I got a "High School Musical" T-shirt from work. I am thrilled about it. And, I have begun re-reading Twilight. The great thing about a second read through is that I am not as anxious to find out what is going to happen so instead I can slow down and enjoy the ironies that I had not noticed my first time through. I find myself drawn to Edward even more because the first time through I was intitially rooting for good old Mike and I thought Edward was a jerk. Now I know what is really going on, so I am enjoying it even more!

So, that is about all in the life of Sarah. Matt's life is school and more school. Sometimes he gets to play with Emma and he enjoyed time with his brothers this last week as they prepared for Cam's departure. Emma has been amazing us with her ability to do puzzles intended for 3 year olds. Despite the fact that she insists on calling me dad, I think there are some real brains on the girl!

Well, I don't speak French or Russian, but I am still going to watch with my husband...C-ya.

Sarah

There she goes...

Thrust back into life: the theme of this week and the chaos that it encompasses.

But first, the vacation. Four days in Lake Powell sans child, phone, tv, and makeup = the perfect vacation. We spent our nights on the beach sleeping under the stars (filtered through the see-through roof of our tent and offset by the light of the computer monitor) and our days lying out in the sun reading Twilight or one if its sequels. The old folks played card games, the young folks bathed on the water slide. I believe good times were had by all - with good weather, good food, even some howling coyotes for company - how could anyone not have fun? Trip Highlights: hours and hours of nonstop reading, wake-surfing at which I suck yet still thoroughly enjoy, swimming in the grotto in Lost Eden, and possible illegal cliff diving from a cliff with the approximate height of 18.65 feet (if you "dive" from a cliff higher than 15' the patrol are under no obligation to help you if something goes array. Scarray.). Trip Lowlights: the speeding ticket received on the return voyage and not having enough treats. Yeash.

For your enjoyment, here are some pics for you to enjoy:






Matt Wakesurfing

Matt performing tricks on the Jetski

If you are wondering why I am not in any of the above, it is most likely due to the fact that I had my nose in a book the majority of the trip! By the way, if you have read Twilight through Eclipse, are you an Edward fan or a Jacob fan? I for one am an Edward fan. Sadly, my reasoning for being so would not hold up in a debate. I don't like Jacob because he has long hair and is younger than Bella I will forever root for Edward.

Life since the vaca hasn't been nearly as perfect. I have started working full time and every day at work it is pure chaos from 8 to 5. But, I can get my knee looked at now which means I can continue wake-surfing and walking up and down stairs and vigorous things like that. Through all the chaos - that is what I keep telling myself. And we laugh, cause the people I work with are funny. Laugh it off they say.

I must laugh off the chaos.

Emma is doing marvelously. She spent the time while we were away with her new favorite person Megs. She learned how to say a few new words and we have reveled in it since our return. Matt's most memorable instance "Here you go!" which we will forever consider as her first sentence! Oh, and her favorite number is eight which she now says clearly when we read her 1, 2, 3 book and which she picks out every time we play with the magnet alphabet and numbers set. We missed her while we were away.

Matt is attacking school like a madman and doing homework as we speak. Go Matt. He is also enjoying his time with Emma and contemplating his future career as his parents and long-time employers are threatening to leave us high and dry. Since they have a good reason we will let them off of the hook...but....otherwise....

Is anyone else excited for Halloween? Random, I know. Yet, I am still considering pulling out my pirate skull and eating a pillowsack full of candy. Yeah, I better go!

Sarah

As Good As We Both Make It

See, I told you I wouldn't know what to write about now that So You Think You Can Dance is over. I reminisce by downloading songs from the show. My current favorite and the one that has been replaying over and over again in my head this fine evening: "Make It Work" Ne-yo.

Funny that I lack things to say since I feel like a lot has happened in the last three days. I got the full time position I was vying for at work. Reasoning behind me taking the job is that I get full benefits for hours that I was going to be spending there anyway. "YEA!" you are all thinking! "Finally she can get that knee checked out and stop limping like an old lady." Yeah, I know I am too young to have knee problems, but I do. That danged Anything Goes with its tap dancing and crap! I will never be the same again!

Anyway, given that I start full time in a matter of weeks, I have been trying to spend every spare minute playing with Emma because I feel guilty about working and not being with her. Good news is that Matt gets to play Mr. Mom for awhile. Hopefully they will build up a special bond.

Matt and I are both counting down the days to our Lake Powell trip. It is nice to take a trip that is all about relaxing and playing, you know, after you do all of the work it takes to get down there. I am also counting down the days to my haircut. Short now, shorter after. I am thinking Victoria Beckham similar to the following:

What do you think!?

I got to go run to the store. Don't forget to leave your feedback. You have until Thursday to get me NOT to!

Sarah

To the Tune Of

Sabra is the Champion my friends. She kept on fighting til the end. She is the Champion, she is the champion. No time for losing cause Sabra's the Champion of Soyouthinkyoucandance!

Sorry, just had to sing my celebratory song. I think this is the first time in the history of my reality TV watching career that the person that I most wanted to win – won. That can't be true, now that I think back to the beginning of my long long career. I think I was just the most excited about this one. Most likely because my votes counted! I bet she only won by fourteen votes, the exact number of times I dialed. It's all because of ME! Go Sabra.

Sad thing is, it is over now. What am I going to blog about now?

Decision 2007

I am a voter. I take my responsibility very seriously when considering whom to appoint to such a position as is being decided tonight. Every vote counts. Keeping my obligation in mind, I spent two hours considering the candidate that I felt was the most deserving and then I did my duty and spent ten minutes repeatedly dialing to give Sabra the one up over Danny in the run for Champion of So You Think You Can Dance Season 3. I was getting a little nervous last night as I watched. Danny and Lacey were at the top of their game. I don’t care who wins…I just don’t want it to be either of them! I’m sorry, but I think that the title should not be given to two people who belong to the same family. It stinks of nepotism. And Danny, well, Danny is just too good. And that is how it is. So as long as it is Sabra or Neil I will be fine. Stay tuned…

A Bit Too Honest

Holy Scraps! This week has flown by! I can't believe it is Friday and August 10th! I am sitting in anticipation of my maiden trip to IKEA! Can't wait. I have heard all sorts of great things about it and I have suddenly become very nervous that it will not live up to my expectations. I will update you tomorrow on how it goes.

In the meantime I will comment on my pirate party. The pink jewel tatoo that adorned my forarm was a hit, as was the treasure chest full of pirate gummies, pirate bracelets, pirate tatoos and eyepatches (my idea). Ahoy Matey. All in all, my first city wide event that I have planned was a hit. Hopefully it keeps me in the mayor's good graces.

Then there was So You Think You Can Dance. Anyone who knows me would be amazed that I completely forgot that I had missed it until Thursday evening rolled around and even then I didn't have time to give it a proper viewing. At this moment I will say that the mannequin dance is probably my favorite dance of the whole season. In order to comment further, I feel it is necessary to watch it again. I will report back.

For now, I have to go get re-ready for the day. My alarm didn't go off and I woke up at 6:57am with a 7:00am staff meeting to attend. Big round of applause for getting out the door and to my meeting fully clothed and made-up by 7:18am. The secret: I did my make-up while I was driving. Don't tell the authorities or my insurance agency! Sorry Progressive. So much for my safe-driver discount!

C-ya -- Sarah

Jami's Challenge

4 Jobs I have held:

Parks and Recreation Secretary
Men’s Basketball Secretary
Front Desk Manager Howard Johnson Hotel
Sales Associate at Victoria’s Secret

4 Movies I can Watch over and over:

Pride and Prejudice (2006)
Music and Lyrics
Emma
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

4 Places I have Lived:

Washington
Utah
Arizona
Idaho

4 TV Shows I Enjoy:

So You Think You Can Dance
Heroes
America’s Next Top Model
The Bachelor

4 Places I have been on Vacation:

Orlando
Maui
Bermuda
Lake Powell

4 of my Favorite Dishes/Restaurants:

Café Rio – Salmon Tacos or Pork Salad
Wingers – Sticky Finger dinner or salad
Applebees – Quesadilla Burger or Oriental Chicken Salad
Baja Cantina’s Flautas

4 Websites I visit Daily:

www.farmington.utah.gov
www.gmail.com
www.hotmail.com
www.theoakstree.com - waiting to see if it ever got fixed!

4 places I would rather be right now:

Hawaii
Lake Powell
My New House
Bed

Lower Back Tat

We spent the weekend in Elko at Uncle Paul’s wedding. Elko is thrilling, let me tell you. We had our noses deep into various Harry Potter books for most of the trip: Matt is reading the seventh and final installment, I was reading six. I know what you are thinking “She’s in six already?” Um…yeah, I kind of cheated. I got a little anxious, wouldn’t you? So, I skipped from two to six and I am now in chapter twelve of seven. Yea! Finally you can all talk to me about it. Well, not quite yet. It is gripping and I am sure I will have completed it within a few days. Then we can have a Harry Potter chat.

So as not to let one of my two blog readers down, I will now comment on So You Think You Can Dance. Upfront apologies for the delay, I had a very busy week. Anyway, Wednesday afternoon I was thinking to myself “Tonight I am going to vote for Dominic, we need to keep that boy in the competition.” Then, as I watched him betray his love for Sabra by macking on Lauren at the end of his Rumba I was like “Uh Uh – he did NOT just do that.” So, no vote for Dominic from me and thus, he was booted from the show. That’s what you get for being a playah. I did not agree with Sara being outed though – but I guess if Sabra is to be the winner, then they all must go at some point. I must also, at this point, bless DVR because as I look ahead in anticipation to this week’s show I realize that I will be otherwise employed at the annual Volunteer and Employee Appreciation Dinner of which I somehow ended up semi-in charge of. It is pirate themed and poses to be a good time however I will not just miss SYTYCD, but also the welcome home dinner of my favorite temple square mishcanary. Sad times. I will eat a pirate gummy in her honor.

Sarah

Parading with the Star

Six years ago, when I was in New York, I happened upon a limo parked along the curb outside The Plaza Hotel. Innocently walking past, I glance over at who is stepping out onto the pavement - it is none other than Aerosmith lead singer Steve Tyler appearing in all his big mouthed glory. Bigger in real life I tell you. Yesterday, I happened upon my second brush with the Rich and Famous as I was innocently walking back to the car after touring a Salt Lake Parade of Homes Mansion. I see this Lexus coming up the street and the driver looks just like the brand new Salt Lake resident and winner of Dancing with the Stars Season Three Apollo Anton Ohno. I second guess myself and call it a look alike, but moments later my suspicion is confirmed as my fellow home viewers see him too and confirm his identity. We coily play paprazzi as we pull our bright yellow Ford Escape next to him and take a picture through the window. Partake of the picture and share in our celebrity sighting. (Apollo - Center, Gray Shirt) Pretty cool, right?

The Greatest Game Ever Played This Year

This morning was my first game of golf this year. Sadly, my swing needs a LOT of work. But, I blame all of the bad shots on the clubs - time to get some new ones. I just have a hard time investing in something I will probably only use once or twice a year. I begin to think of all the clothes that the $250.oo I would spend on clubs would get me. Then I change my mind. I wear clothes more than I play golf...oh wait, I guess everyone does! I enjoy spending money on clothes more than I enjoy spending money on golf. That's the ticket! Really, my favorite thing about golfing is simply spending time in the great out of doors at insane hours in the morning that I would typically spend in bed. I am secretly a morning person. Guess its not so secret anymore. But, especially with these three hundred degree days where being outside in the middle of the day is just too stinkin' hot, the best time of the day to be outside is 6:00 in the AM, when there is even a bit of a chill. That's what I go for, a chill outside in the heat of the summer. Everyone has their vices, especially to get them through an excruciating round of 20 foot drives! (Or somewheres around theres)

Off to the driving range with me. Maybe I can drive a 30 foot shot this time round!

Sarah

The girl with the flower in her hair

I just got done watching So You Think You Can Dance - The results show. Too bad I couldn't see any of the dancers around Cat Deeley's massive growth on the side of her head. What was that? I did, however, see who is gone - and I have to say I am a little glad that Jamie is gone. She was getting in the way of Sabra and Dominic's romance. I did think we were just beginning to see what Kameron was capable of, guess I will have to buy tickets to the tour to see more!

I've got to go construct my headpiece.

Sarah

Waiting on the Song to Change...

So, my other interest at the moment: So You Think You Can Dance. Matt and I were dumbfounded again at our dislike for Danny, even though he amazes us with his dancing every week. I had a hard time with the everyone-dance-the-same-solo idea mostly because I got sick of the song choice. I wonder if they could do the same dance, but let the dancer choose the music...or something. Anyway, we are rooting for Sabra and probably Neil, even though I really like Dominic.

In the real life realm, as opposed to the "reality" realm, I have been working like a crazy person. We are short staffed at the moment and in the midst of a merger, so I have been working extra hours and working three people's jobs at once. It has been crazy, but it is nice to be somewhere that I enjoy. I just miss my Emma. Today she decided that her face was messy, so she got a hold of a wipe and cleaned herself up. So independent that child. She also said "Grandma," I think. She jabbers a lot -the real words are few and far between. The count is at 10 or so.

As for Matt, he is real estate - ing away and building stuff for people on the side. Little stuff, shelves and things. He is working hard until the day he goes back to school, then it will be school school school, until June...then its over. For good, probably....hopefully.

Go Sabra. Go Neil. Go...to bed...its late.

Harry Potter Dies...Just Kidding, I don't even know!

Everyone is reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Final Book, the end of an era. Personally, I am on book two. I refuse to read The Deathly Hallows until I have reread 1-6. Book seven has been lying on the couch, calling me to open and read, but I remain strong. I didn't remain strong, however, in my conviction to deny myself some of the contents. The day it came out I looked on the Internet to find out who died and who didn't....don't give me that look of disgust....I didn't want to be the last to know. So, for now, I read. I am not sure when, or if, I will ever get to the final chapter of the final book anywhere in the near future - especially since Matt has taken my car and, thus, Book Two - sitting on the front seat. But, my will has yet to be broken and I will not jump ahead five years in the life of the boy who lived.

Where it all began...

To explain, Matt and I met in the musical "Oklahoma." The first time he approached me it was to tell me that he liked my shoes: red sneakers I had purchased from Payless. That's where it all began. And here we are, four years later, one child, negative one house - chilling with the folks while we wait to build another humble adobe, I mean, abode. Ah, the life of a builder's wife. A new home every two years. I can't complain. Most people our age have yet to build a home at all, and here we are on our second. With one under our belts, we like to think that we are all the wiser and have worked out all of the kinks. I guess we'll see next June when we will (fingers crossed) be moving in. We'll update on the progress of that.

As a head's up, my passions are movies and TV, with People magazine and E! News as guilty pleasures, so don't be surprised if I blog about the status of my favorite jivers on So You Think You Can Dance and my latest feelings on the disaster that is Britney Spears. Although Matt is highly preoccupied with the chaos that is his life, when blogging or blogged about cars, off-roading, and lifting weights may be mentioned. As for our sweet little Emma, she is very into doing anything her mother tells her not to and Baby Einstein. Good thing she can't type yet.

So there is the intro blog. Welcome to our world.