Last week brought the RETURN of the vortex…and with it came dinner with Mrs. Shalina Truglio (one of my ALL TIME FAVS!). She was otherwise detained during an appropriate time to consume dinner (she had a CPR recertification course – I guess we can let her off the hook this time – since she was ensuring she could properly save a life) SO it was after 8pm by the time forks were entering mouths and stomachs were being satisfied. HOWEVER, it was at that point (and before that – since we talked about it on Wednesday) that the GREAT DEBATE began. I made “fajitas” for dinner. “Fajitas” is in parenthesis because according to Shalina (and my roommate Erin who just happened to chime in on Shalina’s side – she won’t be feasting with me any time soon I can guarantee that!) fajitas are ALWAYS made of chicken or steak – or shrimp if you’re really ritzy. WELL in the Swope home (where I grew up) we had “fajitas” made of ground beef including FAJITA seasoning…in our house, “fajita” meant it was in a flour tortilla with bell peppers and onions and “tacos” were in corn tortillas, fried, and filled with ground beef including TACO seasoning. APPARENTLY the Swope family doesn’t know how to do Mexican food (which is quite the conundrum considering my parents live a mere 20 minutes outside of Mexico). After (not really all that) much chatter, it was settled, we had fajacos for dinner…and since then I’ve had fajaco nachos and fajaco salad. TASTY! I’ll take fajacos anyday…and if Shalina Truglio wants to make me fajitas, I’ll probably be up for those too!
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Great Debate...
Last week brought the RETURN of the vortex…and with it came dinner with Mrs. Shalina Truglio (one of my ALL TIME FAVS!). She was otherwise detained during an appropriate time to consume dinner (she had a CPR recertification course – I guess we can let her off the hook this time – since she was ensuring she could properly save a life) SO it was after 8pm by the time forks were entering mouths and stomachs were being satisfied. HOWEVER, it was at that point (and before that – since we talked about it on Wednesday) that the GREAT DEBATE began. I made “fajitas” for dinner. “Fajitas” is in parenthesis because according to Shalina (and my roommate Erin who just happened to chime in on Shalina’s side – she won’t be feasting with me any time soon I can guarantee that!) fajitas are ALWAYS made of chicken or steak – or shrimp if you’re really ritzy. WELL in the Swope home (where I grew up) we had “fajitas” made of ground beef including FAJITA seasoning…in our house, “fajita” meant it was in a flour tortilla with bell peppers and onions and “tacos” were in corn tortillas, fried, and filled with ground beef including TACO seasoning. APPARENTLY the Swope family doesn’t know how to do Mexican food (which is quite the conundrum considering my parents live a mere 20 minutes outside of Mexico). After (not really all that) much chatter, it was settled, we had fajacos for dinner…and since then I’ve had fajaco nachos and fajaco salad. TASTY! I’ll take fajacos anyday…and if Shalina Truglio wants to make me fajitas, I’ll probably be up for those too!
my weekend...in movies...
the oscars are coming up on feb. 27 (and although i'm fairly certain the 3rd annual oscars party has been cancelled due to a certain someone moving into a house) i'm on the quest to see all the movies nominated for best picture. while i was up visitng gan we saw the fighter - which was PHENOMENAL and i watched Toy Story 3 with my parents on Christmas Day! that left black swan, inception, the kids are all right, the kings speech, 127 hours, the social network, true grit, and winters bone. yikes bikes. however, this weekend was a great opportunity to get LOTS of moving watching done...i had a PLETHORA of cleaning and organizing to accomplish.
friday night my dear friend Rhonda came over and we watched the social network over breakfast for dinner (FAVORITE). it was a good movie - i felt so bad for the original CFO and co-founder of the Facebook...he totally got jipped. Justin Timberlake worked him over! ha!
saturday i went to red box (can we stop there for just a second...new releases...oscar nominated films...$1 from red box. LOVE IT!) and picked up the kids are all right. WOWZA. not my favorite movie. at all. but if the oscars are at all political, it stands a fighting chance.
sunday was INCEPTION - definitely my favorite of the weekend. the crafted story is GENIUS and the complexity of the characters is intriguing from start to finish. i LOVED it.
friday night my dear friend Rhonda came over and we watched the social network over breakfast for dinner (FAVORITE). it was a good movie - i felt so bad for the original CFO and co-founder of the Facebook...he totally got jipped. Justin Timberlake worked him over! ha!saturday i went to red box (can we stop there for just a second...new releases...oscar nominated films...$1 from red box. LOVE IT!) and picked up the kids are all right. WOWZA. not my favorite movie. at all. but if the oscars are at all political, it stands a fighting chance.sunday was INCEPTION - definitely my favorite of the weekend. the crafted story is GENIUS and the complexity of the characters is intriguing from start to finish. i LOVED it. 5 down, 5 to go...and I think black swan is up next...in theatres...with my friend j...HERE WE GO!
Monday, January 24, 2011
OH MY FUNNY...
Steven and I went to see "No Strings Attached" on Saturday night as an attempt of getting me out of the house and laughing a bit (it was a HARD headache weekend). And laugh we did. A LOT. However, it is a wildly inappropriate movie that I cannot endorse - unless, of course, you are not intimidated by chronic use of the "F" word and an abundant supply of sexual inuendo.ps. none of my friendships have THOSE benefits. just to be clear. I'm not THAT girl!
the 5 hour lunch...
kimie was one of my closest friends back in the cbu days...oh college how i miss thee! when i was an admissions host in the freshmen dorms, she was just starting her college adventure. we had speech class together (that was an INTERESTING CLASS) and since she was a swimmer and her roommate (kita) was a waterpolo player, she was connected with a lot of my girls - they were polo players too! my senior year, our apartments were directly across from each other - we co-led a little bible study and really survived life together. just before my graduation, kent proposed and in march of 2008 she became mrs. kimie klawer. she and kent bought a house in riverside and started living adult life...while i was in the THICK of adult life in orange county. she stays super busy with work and a husband...and life just seems to pass us by. however, when we do get the chance to catch up, it is treasured time. we met at chick-fil-a for lunch (don't most people take 5 hours to eat?!?!!?) and chatted about life - work - babies - responsibility - headaches - husbands - boyfriends - adoption - special needs - cooking - parents and SO MANY OTHER THINGS. it was wonderful. i think we only managed to get together 2 or 3 times in 2010...but prayerfully 2011 will yield more opportunities to love life together. i miss you kimie! LOVEYOU!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
THE GLOBES...
While I was at Megan's, we re-ignited our LOVE for all things award show (ok mostly just the red carpet, but the other stuff is good too...when you see the dresses...or your people win!) by watching the Golden Globes. We purchased a bottle of wine in honor of the occassion
and fully intended to adorn ourselves in amazing (thrift store) GOWNS - however, we forgot...so there is a little teaser for the Oscars for you (have you marked your calendar yet - it's Feb.27!).The Red Carpet is always just SO FUN to watch...most of the women are seriously classy ladies and their gowns are spectacular...here are a few of my favorites...
I'm a sucker for all things RUFFLE...so I adored these two...
Natalie Portman looked STUNNING while sporting her little baby bump...
And although Carrie Underwood NEVER looks bad (she is just naturally GORGEOUS) - this sparkler was a winner for sure!
and fully intended to adorn ourselves in amazing (thrift store) GOWNS - however, we forgot...so there is a little teaser for the Oscars for you (have you marked your calendar yet - it's Feb.27!).The Red Carpet is always just SO FUN to watch...most of the women are seriously classy ladies and their gowns are spectacular...here are a few of my favorites...I'm a sucker for all things RUFFLE...so I adored these two...Natalie Portman looked STUNNING while sporting her little baby bump...And although Carrie Underwood NEVER looks bad (she is just naturally GORGEOUS) - this sparkler was a winner for sure!For my least favorite, I would have to vote Helena Bonham Carter...although I do love her as an actress ever so much!
Until the Oscars then friends...
Nipomo Visit #2
January is (apparently) my month for visiting loved ones. Upon my return from Emily's, I promptly packed a bag and got ON THE ROAD for the Central California Coast (Nipomo specifically) to visit my best Adventuremate: Gan. I didn't arrive until fairly late on Friday night - we had just enough time to chat it up, have a snack, and watch some really high quality television. PERFECTION.
Saturday we went to San Luis Obispo to have lunch at the Big Sky Cafe (which came highly recommended and DID NOT FAIL US). It is an interesting little place - a lot of organic and healthy food options mixed with an outdoor atmosphere. The food was DELICIOUS and it wasn't too pricey either. We then wandered through Thrift Stores (looking for one specifically that we NEVER found - FAILURE #1) where we found the FIND of a lifetime (which offically used ALL of our luck for the weekend) - The Adventure in Odyssey BOARD GAME! AMAZING!
After perusing all the thrift stores on the street, we grabbed coffee at a darling little german cafe decorated entirely with books lining the walls.
Then hit up Sephora in search of some fabulous polish. We didn't find EXACTLY what we were looking for (the Katy Perry OPI line) so we tried to find a beauty supply. IMPORTANT NOTE: when looking for a beauty supply, write down more than just the street name...or you may end up in the wrong city on the wrong street with the same name - FAILURE #2. We gave up and went back to Gan's house where we joined her parents for dinner (BREAKFAST) and then went to church.
Saturday we went to San Luis Obispo to have lunch at the Big Sky Cafe (which came highly recommended and DID NOT FAIL US). It is an interesting little place - a lot of organic and healthy food options mixed with an outdoor atmosphere. The food was DELICIOUS and it wasn't too pricey either. We then wandered through Thrift Stores (looking for one specifically that we NEVER found - FAILURE #1) where we found the FIND of a lifetime (which offically used ALL of our luck for the weekend) - The Adventure in Odyssey BOARD GAME! AMAZING!After perusing all the thrift stores on the street, we grabbed coffee at a darling little german cafe decorated entirely with books lining the walls.Then hit up Sephora in search of some fabulous polish. We didn't find EXACTLY what we were looking for (the Katy Perry OPI line) so we tried to find a beauty supply. IMPORTANT NOTE: when looking for a beauty supply, write down more than just the street name...or you may end up in the wrong city on the wrong street with the same name - FAILURE #2. We gave up and went back to Gan's house where we joined her parents for dinner (BREAKFAST) and then went to church.Sunday we slept in (BEAUTIFUL) then went to see THE FIGHTER starring Christian Bail (who never fails to make me think of Newsies!) - it was an EXCELLENT movie and we all really enjoyed it. It was the only film Megan hadn't seen that was up for a Golden Globe...so it seemed ONLY appropriate that we fit it into our "BUSY" schedule. ha. Sunday night we had a DELCIOUS dinner of tri-tip and potatoes while watching the Golden Glober. Megan and I are total suckers for Award Shows and have kind of a tradition of watching them together - so it was PERFECT that the Globes fell on my weekend visit! 
Monday we spent the day in Arroyo Grande...we had lunch at a Mexican place (you really can't go wrong with Mexican food) then shopped a bit in the Antique Mall and a couple other cute stores on the strip. We ended the afternoon with coffee at our favorite little place (which I must admit, serves the BEST blended coffee beverages I've EVER had) and then headed north to see the apple farms and a GORGEOUS view of the Coast. It was a lovely and delightful day.
Monday we spent the day in Arroyo Grande...we had lunch at a Mexican place (you really can't go wrong with Mexican food) then shopped a bit in the Antique Mall and a couple other cute stores on the strip. We ended the afternoon with coffee at our favorite little place (which I must admit, serves the BEST blended coffee beverages I've EVER had) and then headed north to see the apple farms and a GORGEOUS view of the Coast. It was a lovely and delightful day.I was sad to leave....but we're in the process of planning Kenz's birthday extravanganza at Gan's this year...so there are many more adventures to be had...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Branson Bound...
Last weekend I had the joyous opportunity to visit my sweet Emily Trammell in HER neck of the woods – Missouri/Arkansas. Packing was difficult to say the least as this California girl has NO IDEA how to dress for cold weather (proven by the fact that when Em said to pack socks – I did - I packed those little keds things that we sometimes wear with ballet flats – yeah, apparently those DO NOT COUNT as socks!) but after several attempts, I managed to fit everything I needed (other than my coat) into a small carry-on. WOOT.
Friday morning, Shalina Truglio came to pick me up – we had a lovely little lunch @ BJ’s and then continued on to the airport. Flying is SO not my favorite activity – it makes my head hurt like crazy funky and I don’t handle it well when surrounded by strangers and access to only a very small bathroom…so lunch with a dear friend was a delightful distraction. My plane was delayed about 4 hours, so I spent my afternoon in the airport reading the Help and drinking a black iced tea/lemonade from Starbucks. It wasn’t how I expected to start my trip, but it wasn’t a total loss either! Ha! I finally landed in Springfield around 11:30pm their time and we headed STRAIGHT for Steak & Shake to get dinner. Steak & Shake is kind of gross – I’ve been there NUMEROUS TIMES (it’s kind of a World Changers Debriefing Classic) but it was the ONLY THING OPEN in town and it is RIDICULOUSLY cheap (seriously like $3.99 for a meal!) but In-N-Out is probably that cheap huh, and WAY better, ok I digress. After dinner, we went back to Em’s apartment where we literally hung out and chatted until after 4am.
It had been almost a year since we’d talked in person and there was much to say…so Saturday came a little later than expected, which really didn’t matter at all anyway!
Saturday we headed straight for Branson, Missouri – the Senior Citizen Entertainment Capital of the WORLD! Ha! It is quite the place!
We pit stopped at the Tanger Outlets for a little shopping adventure in Gap and Banana Republic and then drove down the “strip” – it is NOTHING like THE STRIP, but it is hysterical to see!
My personal favorite was the Titanic Museum – and Em was particularly partial to the King Kong scaling the side of the Empire State Building atop the Wax Museum! Ha! Branson is also home to the World’s Largest Fiddle, so in honor of Megan, I stopped and saw it. In that very parking lot, we were greeted by the friendly elves who are somewhat overstaying their welcome as I venture to say that Christmas is over.
HOWEVER, the Branson landing would disagree with me as they are still celebrating in STYLE with a gorgeous Christmas tree and Santa’s Silver Reindeer – who I’m sure would LOVE to get back to the North Pole. The Branson Landing is really pretty – and Em and I had a photostrip made – which is a personal FAVORITE activity. After turning into a human popsicle, we went back to the car to melt and then got on the road for Valley Springs, Arkansas – the land of Emily’s childhood with a population of: 167.
Her dad is the superintendent of the school system and her mom is a teacher. DARLING! We went to Miguel’s Mexican Villa for dinner and then watched a home video before ending the night with an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and a LOT of chatter.
Sunday we went to church in the Valley – and then had BBQ for lunch. BBQ makes me SO VERY HAPPY. I think I am really southern at heart – there is just something about pulled pork that ALWAYS sounds fabulous to me! Ha!
After lunch we went to the Buffalo River National Park and walked around. It was too cold to stay outside of the car for too long though – so we skipped a few rocks (or attempted to) in honor of Michael Page, and called it a day. It started to snow just as we were leaving Valley Springs – it was SO FUN! The snow flurries around on the ground like a Voldemort vapor. Back in Missouri, we stopped for dinner at the Springfield Mining Company and then grabbed frozen custard at Andy’s – a Springfield FAMOUS spot. Sunday was a very kick-back day – but that is ALWAYS ok in my mind!
Monday morning we got up and went to Ozark where I purchased a “button ring” as the souvenir from my trip.
Ring purchases are a definite MUST for me and Em after our great New York City Macy’s rings purchases in the summer of 2007. THAT ring is currently missing a diamond (which makes me REALLY SAD and somewhat angry at the same time…I don’t think diamonds should fall out of rings. EVER. I realize that is unrealistic and yet it is still my personal opinion!) so this new ring is an excellent replacement. I love it. It is unlike anything else I own and I’m pretty sure it is one of a kind. The button itself is from the 1880’s and is hand painted. I love having a small piece of history on my finger! After the great ring purchase, we went to LAMBERT’s “home of the throwed rolls” for lunch with Henry and Chris. 
Lambert’s is quite the experience. You get there and they hand out brown paper towels. A guy is walking through the restaurant literally throwing rolls at you, hoping you will catch one, and there are “pass-arounds” which basically means you get WAY MORE FOOD than you order. First up was fried okra…YUMMY!!! I miss southern food! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich (which was AMAZING) and sent over half of it home with Chris! You’re welcome new friend When we walked outside after leaving the restaurant and it was SNOWING. I had been hoping for snow all weekend and it was finally falling. It was GORGEOUS.
We stood outside and played in it for quite a while – I was like a small child – filled with wonder and excitement. If I had the appropriate clothes on, I probably could have stayed out there FOREVER. After lunch we went to Missouri State University where Em gave me the tour of her office and then the BASS PRO – Springfield is home to the National Headquarters so the shop is particularly HUGE (including a Starbucks at the entrance – I’ll take a grande soy peppermint mocha with half the peppermint and no whip please, and THANK YOU BASS PRO!). 
Bass Pro is a strange place – and one that makes me entirely uncomfortable. You are outside while being inside and there are dead animals EVERYWHERE. That is STRANGE SAUCE for this California girl. From Bass Pro we went to meet Sarah – Emily’s sister and then ended the evening at Em’s apartment. It was snowing pretty good by the time we were ready to say goodbye and drive to the airport…I had been slightly apprehensive about getting snowed in all day…but truth time was finally here. We got to the airport and they told us we were ahead of schedule and would be taking off early. It was a laughable comment – but I didn’t know that yet. I got on the plane early as they had indicated, but it all went downhill from there. The plane got stuck on the ice and wouldn’t move forward or in reverse, so they brought out the de-icers. It took approximately 2 hours to spray the plane down and get the runway plowed for take-off. At that point, they realized there was not enough fuel on board to make it all the way to LA, so we were going to have to land in Phoenix to refuel. LONG story short, I didn’t land at LAX at 10:00pm…no no…it was more like 3:00am. THANKS to an amazing friend (rachey) I still had a ride home from the airport and went to bed right around 4am. It was a hard night…but it was SO GOOD to see my Emy. COME to LA soon love!
Friday morning, Shalina Truglio came to pick me up – we had a lovely little lunch @ BJ’s and then continued on to the airport. Flying is SO not my favorite activity – it makes my head hurt like crazy funky and I don’t handle it well when surrounded by strangers and access to only a very small bathroom…so lunch with a dear friend was a delightful distraction. My plane was delayed about 4 hours, so I spent my afternoon in the airport reading the Help and drinking a black iced tea/lemonade from Starbucks. It wasn’t how I expected to start my trip, but it wasn’t a total loss either! Ha! I finally landed in Springfield around 11:30pm their time and we headed STRAIGHT for Steak & Shake to get dinner. Steak & Shake is kind of gross – I’ve been there NUMEROUS TIMES (it’s kind of a World Changers Debriefing Classic) but it was the ONLY THING OPEN in town and it is RIDICULOUSLY cheap (seriously like $3.99 for a meal!) but In-N-Out is probably that cheap huh, and WAY better, ok I digress. After dinner, we went back to Em’s apartment where we literally hung out and chatted until after 4am.
It had been almost a year since we’d talked in person and there was much to say…so Saturday came a little later than expected, which really didn’t matter at all anyway!Saturday we headed straight for Branson, Missouri – the Senior Citizen Entertainment Capital of the WORLD! Ha! It is quite the place!
We pit stopped at the Tanger Outlets for a little shopping adventure in Gap and Banana Republic and then drove down the “strip” – it is NOTHING like THE STRIP, but it is hysterical to see!My personal favorite was the Titanic Museum – and Em was particularly partial to the King Kong scaling the side of the Empire State Building atop the Wax Museum! Ha! Branson is also home to the World’s Largest Fiddle, so in honor of Megan, I stopped and saw it. In that very parking lot, we were greeted by the friendly elves who are somewhat overstaying their welcome as I venture to say that Christmas is over.HOWEVER, the Branson landing would disagree with me as they are still celebrating in STYLE with a gorgeous Christmas tree and Santa’s Silver Reindeer – who I’m sure would LOVE to get back to the North Pole. The Branson Landing is really pretty – and Em and I had a photostrip made – which is a personal FAVORITE activity. After turning into a human popsicle, we went back to the car to melt and then got on the road for Valley Springs, Arkansas – the land of Emily’s childhood with a population of: 167.Her dad is the superintendent of the school system and her mom is a teacher. DARLING! We went to Miguel’s Mexican Villa for dinner and then watched a home video before ending the night with an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and a LOT of chatter.Sunday we went to church in the Valley – and then had BBQ for lunch. BBQ makes me SO VERY HAPPY. I think I am really southern at heart – there is just something about pulled pork that ALWAYS sounds fabulous to me! Ha!
After lunch we went to the Buffalo River National Park and walked around. It was too cold to stay outside of the car for too long though – so we skipped a few rocks (or attempted to) in honor of Michael Page, and called it a day. It started to snow just as we were leaving Valley Springs – it was SO FUN! The snow flurries around on the ground like a Voldemort vapor. Back in Missouri, we stopped for dinner at the Springfield Mining Company and then grabbed frozen custard at Andy’s – a Springfield FAMOUS spot. Sunday was a very kick-back day – but that is ALWAYS ok in my mind!Monday morning we got up and went to Ozark where I purchased a “button ring” as the souvenir from my trip.
Ring purchases are a definite MUST for me and Em after our great New York City Macy’s rings purchases in the summer of 2007. THAT ring is currently missing a diamond (which makes me REALLY SAD and somewhat angry at the same time…I don’t think diamonds should fall out of rings. EVER. I realize that is unrealistic and yet it is still my personal opinion!) so this new ring is an excellent replacement. I love it. It is unlike anything else I own and I’m pretty sure it is one of a kind. The button itself is from the 1880’s and is hand painted. I love having a small piece of history on my finger! After the great ring purchase, we went to LAMBERT’s “home of the throwed rolls” for lunch with Henry and Chris. Lambert’s is quite the experience. You get there and they hand out brown paper towels. A guy is walking through the restaurant literally throwing rolls at you, hoping you will catch one, and there are “pass-arounds” which basically means you get WAY MORE FOOD than you order. First up was fried okra…YUMMY!!! I miss southern food! I ordered a pulled pork sandwich (which was AMAZING) and sent over half of it home with Chris! You’re welcome new friend When we walked outside after leaving the restaurant and it was SNOWING. I had been hoping for snow all weekend and it was finally falling. It was GORGEOUS.We stood outside and played in it for quite a while – I was like a small child – filled with wonder and excitement. If I had the appropriate clothes on, I probably could have stayed out there FOREVER. After lunch we went to Missouri State University where Em gave me the tour of her office and then the BASS PRO – Springfield is home to the National Headquarters so the shop is particularly HUGE (including a Starbucks at the entrance – I’ll take a grande soy peppermint mocha with half the peppermint and no whip please, and THANK YOU BASS PRO!). Bass Pro is a strange place – and one that makes me entirely uncomfortable. You are outside while being inside and there are dead animals EVERYWHERE. That is STRANGE SAUCE for this California girl. From Bass Pro we went to meet Sarah – Emily’s sister and then ended the evening at Em’s apartment. It was snowing pretty good by the time we were ready to say goodbye and drive to the airport…I had been slightly apprehensive about getting snowed in all day…but truth time was finally here. We got to the airport and they told us we were ahead of schedule and would be taking off early. It was a laughable comment – but I didn’t know that yet. I got on the plane early as they had indicated, but it all went downhill from there. The plane got stuck on the ice and wouldn’t move forward or in reverse, so they brought out the de-icers. It took approximately 2 hours to spray the plane down and get the runway plowed for take-off. At that point, they realized there was not enough fuel on board to make it all the way to LA, so we were going to have to land in Phoenix to refuel. LONG story short, I didn’t land at LAX at 10:00pm…no no…it was more like 3:00am. THANKS to an amazing friend (rachey) I still had a ride home from the airport and went to bed right around 4am. It was a hard night…but it was SO GOOD to see my Emy. COME to LA soon love!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KACIE!!!
Today is my sweet friend Kacie's 21st birthday...SO...last night we JUST HAD to celebrate at LifeGroup with some cupcakes - including sparklers - and as MANY loud exclamations of excitement and happiness as possible! Kacie is truly a remarkable girl - she has passion and a genuine heart to serve others. She overflows with joy and makes me laugh CONSTANTLY! I'm so thankful to have her friendship and presence in my everyday life!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAC! hope you have a ROCKSTAR celebration! loveya!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAC! hope you have a ROCKSTAR celebration! loveya!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
2 days...
oh man...not tomorrow but the next day i will be boarding a plane headed straight for Springfield, Missouri where HIGHS are in the 30's this weekend and there is a 40% chance of SNOW on Monday! i'm going to FREEZE! but being cold is a small price to pay for a weekend visit with my Em! (but not too cold since i have a RIDIUCLOUSLY CUTE new peacoat and the SOFTEST houndstooth scarf you've ever felt to take with me - THANKS SARA!) the Em Tram has had a HARD week and i am SO THANKFUL that i get to bring her some joy and distraction! i have no idea what we're going to do while i'm there (other than visit Valley Springs, population 167...and shop the outlets in Branson [the senior citizen entertainment capital of the world]... and eat at Antonios Mexican Villa) - but you better believe there will be PICTURES galore to commemorate our time together. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010…
2010 was a good year. Let’s review…
January: I pulled Rosalie (my Kitchen Aid) out of her box and realized that life looks better with a cookie in each hand (or cookie dough in a bowl in the fridge) – and with a Kitchen Aid, cookie dough only takes about 3 minutes to throw together! AMAZING
February: Gan and I threw an EPIC driveway dance party for Kenz in honor of her 24th birthday – who can prevent dancing when Hall & Oates are playing..TRULY…
March: I turned the big 2-5 and went to the Ellen Degeneres show; had an AMAZINGLY fun birthday party (including a RIDICULOUSLY CUTE INVITATION); and spent a weekend in Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo with the girls & Steven
April: I spent approximately 12 hours with my dear friend Susan Whitley and then a long weekend with my WC teammate Emily! Em’s visit included the walking tour of LA…TOTALLY worth the miles walked thus causing sore and blistered feet
May: Gan & I spent a LOVELY afternoon at the (500) days of summer park; I threw a graduation party for sweet Jennifer Jackson; I coordinated my FIRST wedding for Amber & Sean McGaughey; and we rode an elephant in honor of Megan’s 24th birthday! We LOVE us some Becky!
June: BEST FRIEND SARA came to visit and we spent an ENTIRE week living it up in the California sun; my little M turned 2 and had a darn cute Minnie Mouse Birthday Party; and I threw Shalina’s So Cal Bridal Shower Soiree
July: I spent another 4th of July in San Diego celebrating with Jenny (and her soon to be fiancé Josh) and Anna; attended Shalina’s BACHELORETTE WEEKEND; went to the She & Him Concert with Gan & Kenz @ the Hollywood Bowl in celebration of Gan’s birthday (yet one more time); experienced the Gold Class Cinemas (thanks Ellen); and coordinated my 2nd wedding/watched one of my dearest friends marry an AMAZING man - Shalina & Craig Truglio’s wedding may be the HIGHLIGHT this year! SO HAPPY for them!
August: took my first trip out to Nipomo to visit Gan in her new city…I miss her being in Orange County, but I think we’re getting closer to be adjusted to our new long-distance-friendship. 
September: I threw my Sister-In-Law a ROCKING cocktail birthday party (with LOTS of help); and hosted wine night for some of my girlies; AND opened a coffee shop @ Ev. Free Fullerton – BIG TIME JOB! 
October: Gan, Kenz and I took our 2nd Annual trip to the San Clemente Beach House where we spent the weekend watching THE MOLE, carving pumpkins, and making caramel apples. DELISH 
November: I met Ina Garten; saw the Trans-Syberian Orchestra with Steven (quite an experience); celebrated the release of HP 7 with an HP marathon with Kacie and then when HP7 came out, I was THERE with Shalina & Craig and Kenz too; and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family 
December: went to the boat parade with my AWESOME lifegroup; & celebrated Christmas with SO MANY that I love! 
I can only hope and pray that 2011 will be as full of friendship and fun as 2010 was! God is SO good!
January: I pulled Rosalie (my Kitchen Aid) out of her box and realized that life looks better with a cookie in each hand (or cookie dough in a bowl in the fridge) – and with a Kitchen Aid, cookie dough only takes about 3 minutes to throw together! AMAZING
February: Gan and I threw an EPIC driveway dance party for Kenz in honor of her 24th birthday – who can prevent dancing when Hall & Oates are playing..TRULY…March: I turned the big 2-5 and went to the Ellen Degeneres show; had an AMAZINGLY fun birthday party (including a RIDICULOUSLY CUTE INVITATION); and spent a weekend in Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo with the girls & StevenApril: I spent approximately 12 hours with my dear friend Susan Whitley and then a long weekend with my WC teammate Emily! Em’s visit included the walking tour of LA…TOTALLY worth the miles walked thus causing sore and blistered feetMay: Gan & I spent a LOVELY afternoon at the (500) days of summer park; I threw a graduation party for sweet Jennifer Jackson; I coordinated my FIRST wedding for Amber & Sean McGaughey; and we rode an elephant in honor of Megan’s 24th birthday! We LOVE us some Becky!June: BEST FRIEND SARA came to visit and we spent an ENTIRE week living it up in the California sun; my little M turned 2 and had a darn cute Minnie Mouse Birthday Party; and I threw Shalina’s So Cal Bridal Shower SoireeJuly: I spent another 4th of July in San Diego celebrating with Jenny (and her soon to be fiancé Josh) and Anna; attended Shalina’s BACHELORETTE WEEKEND; went to the She & Him Concert with Gan & Kenz @ the Hollywood Bowl in celebration of Gan’s birthday (yet one more time); experienced the Gold Class Cinemas (thanks Ellen); and coordinated my 2nd wedding/watched one of my dearest friends marry an AMAZING man - Shalina & Craig Truglio’s wedding may be the HIGHLIGHT this year! SO HAPPY for them!August: took my first trip out to Nipomo to visit Gan in her new city…I miss her being in Orange County, but I think we’re getting closer to be adjusted to our new long-distance-friendship. September: I threw my Sister-In-Law a ROCKING cocktail birthday party (with LOTS of help); and hosted wine night for some of my girlies; AND opened a coffee shop @ Ev. Free Fullerton – BIG TIME JOB! October: Gan, Kenz and I took our 2nd Annual trip to the San Clemente Beach House where we spent the weekend watching THE MOLE, carving pumpkins, and making caramel apples. DELISH November: I met Ina Garten; saw the Trans-Syberian Orchestra with Steven (quite an experience); celebrated the release of HP 7 with an HP marathon with Kacie and then when HP7 came out, I was THERE with Shalina & Craig and Kenz too; and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family December: went to the boat parade with my AWESOME lifegroup; & celebrated Christmas with SO MANY that I love! I can only hope and pray that 2011 will be as full of friendship and fun as 2010 was! God is SO good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)