Count-Down

3 weeks from right now, I will be getting ready to board a plane to Seattle.

That's right, folks. 3 weeks from today is the beginning of my trip to Forks, Washington. . .I really will have Gone to Forks!!!!

I might be a little excited. I also might be having a hard time focusing on anything else today.

Is it a sign of insanity if I spend the day dancing around and chanting "3 weeks"?

Guilty Pleasures

I've recently been reminded by my ever-so-kind-and-loving girlfriends, that I adore quite a few things that make them snicker and giggle--and roll their eyes on occasion. I thought it would be a hoot to list as many of them as I can. So, in the name of making those I love laugh today, here's my list of guilty pleasures: i.e. things I really shouldn't love like I do:

**"Dude Where's My Car?"--come on, it's hilarious!
**Demolition derbies
**Twilight/Stephenie Meyers--this is way beyond guilty pleasure but I still get some eye-rolls over it
**Ace of Base
**Romance novels (although Rae keeps me within strict bounds--thanks babe!)
**Dukes of Hazard--either the old show or the new movie--lovely mindless viewing pleasure!
**Manual (i.e. stick shift) engines--ooh the power!
**Mac computers--but really, they all want one too!

This just barely scratches the surface! What are your guilty pleasures?

Delicious Destruction

Last Saturday we went to the Salt Lake County Fair as a family. Now, before you get all teary-eyed with cute images of our little family strolling through the animals and baked goods being all lovey, you should know why we went. One reason and one reason only: the Demolition Derby.

For those who don't know what that is (and really, you all should), it's a bunch of people (guys mostly) with too much time and an extra car. They take all glass, etc out of said extra car and use it to smash into each other. It's a grown up version of bumper cars. And it is one of the best ways to spend a summer Saturday night ever!!!

I know, I know, I come across all sophisticated and urbane (snorts and snickers appropriate here). But Z-man and his roomies introduced me to the joy that is a demolition derby when we were still first dating. Translation: I was still up for anything becuase I was trying to impress him. And I have been hooked ever since. My parents think I've lost my mind. Many of my girlfriends laugh at me. But until you have heard the snarl of a beefed-up engine followed by a very satisfying crunch of folding metal and the accompanying roar of an excited (and mostly drunk) crowd, you'll never know the thrill that is a demolition derby.

So, here's to those drivers with too much adrenaline and too many cars! Thanks for making my summer!

It's Finally Here!

Breaking Dawn is finally here--and I'm finally finished reading. OK, who am I kidding--I was finished less than 24 hours after getting it in my hot little hands. (Thanks Rachelle for bringing it to me at 1 am--I owe you big!). All I can say is WOW!!! It's amazing--and surprising--and not at all what I expected! And my brain is still too fried from being up too late and reading too much to say any more than that! Read it!

It Happened One Night

Friday night, I got the chance to feel like I was a teenager again, and it's all thanks to "the Lisa".

Lisa was asked to meet a photographer from the Salt Lake Tribune to meet him at the Provo City Cemetery Friday night for a photo shoot. (the story comes out Aug 1--look for it--it's gonna be awesome!). So, I got to go along as "protection". . . which mostly means it's creepy to meet a strange man in a cemetery at night and wouldn't you want a girlfriend with you too?

So, first of all we arrived and I was reminded again how beautiful that cemetery is. Then we all noticed that the signs say the gates close automatically at dusk. So, after some drama with Lisa's keys being locked in the car (we're laughing WITH you, Lisa) we move her car and then head out to find a place to take these pics. It's just after 9 pm, and I realize as I'm looking around that we're in the perfect spot at the perfect time to see the haunted headstone that glows at twilight! I don't know the story (I heard way too many conflicting versions in High School), but there's a headstone that glows at twilight, and we got to see it. Ah the wonders of polished marble and neon lights across the street. LOL

The photographer showed up and was totally awesome (Hey Jimmy!), and the shoot itself was so cool! We found a great headstone to use, and I got to watch the way he set up all his cool equipment and delayed exposures and lighting effects and all sorts of cool stuff. And then, he asked me to help with the lighting. (I am now a pro at holding a flashlight and pointing it in the right direction LOL) We laughed and joked the whole time, but it just got better at time went on. Because when we were finally done, we realized that the gates had been closed for quite some time, there were no openings in the fence anywhere, and we would have to climb out. Jimmy kept apologizing, but Lisa and I couldn't have been happier--we got to climb the fence to escape the cemetery after a photo shoot with a newspaper. Does it really get any better than that?!?

With help from Lisa's hubby, we found a concrete and rock pillar to climb and made our escape. Which we promptly celebrated with hot-fudge sundaes from McDonald's. What a night! I haven't had this much fun since I was a teenager! Who knew TMs could keep me so young!

Be Safe!

I was planning on blogging today about the vacation we took last week. . . and I will probably do that still later today or tomorrow.

But after reading Rae's blog today--I simply must say something to all the women (and men) in my life:

BE SAFE!!!

Do whatever you need to do whenever you need to do it.
You are too important to me--my life would not be the same without you.
So, whether or not you think you need to, take stock of your life and make whatever changes or adjustments you need to in order to BE SAFE! If not for yourself, do it for me. I'm too selfish to do without any of you!

Great Declutter Challenge

Because of the sad state of our homes, a couple friends and I have decided to declutter our homes together. We're going to choose areas of our home to work on at the same time, and report with before and after pictures. I figured everyone ought to enjoy the journey with me. So enjoy!

2008 Declutter Day 1

Office

Our "office" is just a corner of the master bedroom--but that corner gets overwhelmed easily and often. So it was a great place for me to start. Here's the before:

And, after 1/2 hour of work (not to bad if I do say so myself), here's the after:

Still a little cluttered--but in a small house with 4 people and a dog, what can you do. Now to find out how much of the rest of the house was trashed while I did this. . . .