The GRADUATES!

Well. . . The BIG DAY arrived! Oldest son and his wife both graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah this past weekend.



And so dear hubby and I pulled youngest son out of school and make that HORRIFICALLY long road trip down to Provo. (13 hours in the car each way) But it was so WORTH IT!







We had the best time with our 'graduates' and of course, true to style, I became a bit 'emotional' at the ceremonies.







We took an extra day to just play around and go visit the Kennecott Copper mine (largest open pit mine in the WORLD, by golly!) You are supposed to be able to see this thing from space--and the next time I board the space shuttle, I'll have to report back if the rumors are true or not.


























We also went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point--and although the men would have rather had their eyes poked out with flaming hot sticks--a good time was had by all in the end. (Especially consuming large quantities of fresh kettle corn)

And of course--there was always time for HORSING AROUND!

Here's my little slide show of all the 'festivities' and a big thank you to 'Grandma Carol' who made the effort to come be with us for this special event. . .

Idol Update!

Sorry! I just couldn't RESIST!

I mean--I absolutely ADORE the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and last night's Idol performances were dedicated to him and his music. . .

Again--my TWO FAVS--the two David's were SMOKING HOT and AMAZING!






I still say (as I did from the very beginning) this season is going to end up as the tale of two David's. . . . The battle for King David is still going strong. . .and I honestly love BOTH of them--the jury is still out of which one I like better. . .

Let Them Eat Cake!

Well. . . this story will answer the question once and for all, if you are a true 'germ-a-phobe' or not. In addition, it will also answer the question of just how far you are willing to go to appease your friends.

Let me explain. . .

Wasn't it stated by Marie-Antoinette, the Queen consort of Louis XVI, to 'LET THEM EAT CAKE'? For the sake of argument. . . let us say this story is absolutely true.

The same statement was also said this past Saturday night at a birthday-barbecue I attended with dear hubby at the home of some friends. However, the 'cake' in question is what we ended up having an issue with--and much like the peasants in the mid 1700s, protested quite vehemently about.

Here's the scoop. . .

The party was one of those friend of a friend affairs--with more friends of other friends that you didn't necessarily know arriving. So dear hubby and I already had our 'best behavior' caps on--as well as warning signals on high alert just in case something needed to be salvaged or stopped. (all in the name of helping our friends, of course!)

The party was going swimmingly--everyone was admiring the new big screen TV that our friends had just purchased and making the appropriate ohhs and ahhs as each high-def channel was clicked on.

Then the table was loaded with good food and everyone began eating and talking and having a grand ole' time. No mishaps, no one set themself on fire using the backyard grill, no spills of drink, or inappropriate table topics were discussed. So far, so good.

In fact--this was looking more and more like your run-of-the-mill dinner party. Ahhh. . . . but just wait--it gets better. . . .

Finally the Piece-de-resistance was brought out to the table. . . The CAKE! (in honor of the birthday person, of course)













Without mentioning his actual age (just in case he somehow finds this blog post) we'll say that there were more than 30 candles on the cake--so it took some hefty huffing and puffing for this guy to get all the candles blown out. . . and the 'puffing' was being quite evenly distributed over the top of the cake.

Dear hubby looked over at me and whispered that we may not want to partake of the 'said cake' since there were quite a few 'puffs' being blown all over it that may have contained more than just 'air'. . .

Well, I was about to agree, when the next event completely cinched it for me. The host's youngest son was leaning over the cake watching the candle blowing, when a GINORMOUS SNEEZE erupted from his mouth and nose and completely covered the cake!

My good friend, who had the serving knife in hand--and not phased in the least said: "Alright, who's ready for some cake??!!"

Dear hubby and I spoke in unison: Thanks, we'll pass. . .

Good friend, cutting cake: 'No problem. Come on, people, get your plates up here--it's extra moist!'

Amazingly everyone at the table had a slice--even the new people who didn't even KNOW the host and hostess but were party-crashing as they were only friends of the friends' friends. (The exception being dear hubby and I--apparently the only two 'germ-a-phobes' in the room)

Everyone admitted it was the most disgusting thing they had ever seen--everyone laughed about it--but the amazing part was--everyone ATE IT!

I truly like my friends--I even like THEIR friends (and the friends of those friends) But I found out just where I draw the line. I cannot bring myself to eat food that has been showered with bodily fluids. . . even if I really like you. . . I guess I deep down, I really don't like you THAT much!

And just for the record---I'm swearing off cake for the time being!

Inaffective Daily Affirmations

Ahhhh. . . the wonders of spring! The renewal of life and new growth. . .

Time for getting rid of the old, excess burdens and clutter that tends to drag one down. Time for bringing in NEW light and hope and goodness and. . . oh well! Here are some REALISTIC motivational affirmations that can rev you up and get you going as we start a new growing season. . .

And don't worry--if you don't like the 'choke-on-the-feel-good' stuff, then these babies are JUST FOR YOU!

You might find yourself saying these over and over and OVER to yourself--because, well. . . .THEY ARE KEEPERS!

INEFFECTIVE DAILY AFFIRMATIONS:

1. I am at one with my duality.

2. Only a lack of imagination saves me from immobilizing myself with imaginary fears.

3. As I let go of my feelings of guilt, I can get in touch with my Inner Sociopath.

4. I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.

5. I no longer need to punish, deceive or compromise myself. Unless, of course, I want to stay employed.

6. I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.

7. As I learn the innermost secrets of the 'rich & famous', they remind me in so many ways how unbelievably normal I am.

8. The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice things.

9. All of me is beautiful and valuable, even the ugly, stupid, and disgusting parts.

I have printed only NINE here---because I would like YOU (in the comment section) to put forth your best effort and give me that TENTH ineffective daily affirmation!

It'll do WONDERS to keep your spirits up and your motivation going!

King Of Queens Vs. Prince Of Provo

If any of you have ever seen the TV Sit Com, THE KING OF QUEENS you will note they have a VERY funny guy (Kevin James) who plays the character of Doug Heffernan--the ever funny, lovable, and slightly moronic delivery guy from IPS (International Parcel Service) of Queens, New York.

If any of you have ever visited Provo, Utah--they have a VERY funny, lovable and slightly moronic guy who plays the part of a guy who works for UPS (United Parcel Service)--and who happens to be THE PRINCE OF PROVO--as well as my oldest son!








As you can see--they both are VERY SERIOUS about their jobs. (and my oldest son happens to be quite studly looking in those short brown pants!)




Now don't ya just LOVE a guy in uniform?????




(my oldest son may KILL me for posting this. . .but I don't care) I like to live dangerously!

And while I am in a 'oldest son posting' mood---here are some really SWEET photos of him with his best break dancing buddy--(his little nephew Sam)

When 'The Prince Of Provo' is not in uniform and travels up to the great northwest, he likes to break out the moves with his little Number One Fan!





Sooooooo. . . in the KING OF QUEENS VS. THE PRINCE OF PROVO. . . who do YOU think wins? Cast your votes!

Are you an American Idol fan?

OK--I admit it! I like this show. I like to see new talent discovered. . . (and even though they won't publicly admit it--dear hubby and youngest son also watch it sometimes with me. . .

My absolute FAVORITES of this season has come down to the two 'DAVIDS'

David Archuleta--who has such a strong, amazing voice for someone so young and sings with such passion and feeling. To date--this is my most FAVORITE performance of his--where he sings John Lennon's 'Imagine':



And I also love the other David--David Cook--who has such a soulful, bluesy voice--and can really ROCK OUT just about any song. To date--this is my most favorite performance of his--where he sings Chris Cornell's version of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean':




For me--this season has become 'The Tale Of Two Davids' with VERY difference performance styles. I really think they are both good--and I would love to see them battle it right to the end.

Do any of you watch the show and who are your favorites???

Happy Birthday, Sam!

This past Tuesday my oldest grandson, Sam, turned FOUR! He is really into rockets and outer space in a BIG WAY--so his cool parents found this awesome pizza place called: 'OUT OF THIS WORLD' where they have 'SPACE STUFF' and BEYOND for kids to do--as well as pizza. . .







To say he liked it--would be QUITE the understatement. His little brother Max was equally as thrilled. . . and the rest of us even got into the excitement.







Here you can see Sam trying to show a friend exactly how old he is now:




Since Sam is such a 'Toy Story' fan, G-Pa and Nana couldn't resist getting him the Buzz lightyear and Woody Action Figures (Yes, Gil--they are ACTION FIGURES, not dolls!) The boys had a BALL with them--and now there is something else for them to fight over.



Sam's mom outdid herself on creating the PERFECT rocket cake for Sam--even down to the rocket thruster candles. . . and we DID get lift off!







All In all. . . I'd say it was a BIG success and Sam (as well as little brother) were on JOY OVERLOAD right till bedtime!










I need to let dear daughter know that she set the bar quite high this year. . . now what in the world will she do to top that next year????

Do ya BLOG??????

I have a confession to make. . .

I have become somewhat of a 'blog tramp' since I entered the blog world last October.

And those of you who ALREADY ARE 'blog tramps' know exactly what I'm talking about!

At first it was just trying to figure out how to post something that made sense and figure out how to add pictures, videos, and links.

THEN it turned into an addiction to try and figure out how to add fancy script and wallpapers and better graphics and cooler stuff to write about.

THEN I REALLY CAUGHT THE BUG and found myself blog-hopping from one person's blog to another without rhyme or reason! I'd start on a friend's blog. . . discover ANOTHER friend's blog and click to see that one. . . then find an interesting name and check THAT blog out--and before I knew it, I was halfway around the world meeting folks like Uncle Albert of the U.K. and someone's Aunt Tillie who is into photography and sushi and has a new spread in South Carolina!

Along with my tramping about the blogger world--I DID manage to track down some peeps I actually knew! And that was like finding COOL PRIZES in my cereal box! Now I have my own regular peeps that I can check up on and find out all the crazy stuff they've been up to--and from there I can see THEIR PEEPS--and those peeps ALSO have peeps--and well. . . pretty soon I am 'tramping out' again!

So I admit it--I am a complete BLOG TRAMP---but hey! It's rather fun and I rather like it!

Oh--and welcome to all my NEW PEEPS! (and PEEPS of those PEEPS. . . don't wanna leave anyone out)

HAPPY BLOGGING!