Vegas to Logan

I just got home from a quick and rather unexpected trip out west. My mother's brother has had cancer for years, and in the last few months it had gotten much worse. And within about 4 days his health absolutely deteriorated so much that he is in such a better place than where he was here.

I flew into Vegas, to be picked up by my Mom's cousin. We had a little errand to run for my boss before heading 2+ hrs to Hurricane, UT. We got there just in time for me to throw a black dress on, hug family, and join in the funeral services.

After a few days of clean up both financially and physically (his house and personal items), we headed to Salt Lake in a snow storm. (Mind you, I had about an hour to pack, and didn't see the snow in the forecast, so I only brought flats!) My mom and I drove in my Uncles car, with my Uncle in the urn. Weird?! Yes. And we stopped in Provo to go to the BYU Art Museum and see the Carl Bloch exhibit which was totally worth the stop. I also got to run into a dude that served his mission in Manhattan last summer.

We stopped at Cafe Rio for dinner before heading to my Aunt Lani and Uncle Rons house for the night. We attended their ward in the morning, and then got to visit with a favorite Boston friend and her husband and new baby. We hurried back for dinner with all the Walkers in the SL Valley, and then played a game of Ticket to Ride before hushing off to visit another favorite Boston friend and his wife and new baby. Then a short stop to visit my Moms other brother and makes sure all the graveside service details were done.

Monday was an early day as we had to get to Logan with enough time prior to make sure all the arraignments were being taken care of by the cemetery. Neither my mom nor I really planned for snow, but luckily I had a cousin who had a pair of boots that I could squeeze my foot into. After checking things at the cemetery, we ran to TJ Max and got my mom a proper jacket. So now we were both ready to stand in the snow for awhile, relatively speaking.

My cousin JP drove me to the airport from Logan. He is the only cousin I have that is my age. All the rest are years older/younger. It was nice to visit as I havent really seen him for years. And we made such good time, that I got to end the trip with yet another fabulous meal at Cafe Rio.

It was nice to see family, and even be in Utah. But next time I go there when snow abounds, I will be making it to the slopes! I so miss skiing in the West.

Happy Face

For those fellow Mormons that read this and have your own blog, do you sometimes feel like posting on your blog is alittle bit like sharing your Testimony during Testimony meetings?!?!?! I open up my blog and stare at a blank page feeling like I should update, but not really knowing what to share. But there are other times that I have something I really want to share, but I just save it as a draft as Im not ready to share those thoughts with the world. Ahh. Maybe if I wrote in my real paper journal more often I would feel less like I needed to share big things here, and can share the more fun things that go on in life. . . .

Well. Thats where I am this evening. Not really knowing what to share. But feeling like I have a lot on my mind. But what I really wish is that all those that actually read this could be sitting in my living room and we could just share in person the fabulous, and not so fabulous things, that are going on and those things we are thinking, feeling, and dealing with.

Alas, I live hundred of miles from any of you. And most days, Im content to just hear a voice on the other end of the phone. Or to read sweet words that someone either emails or texts me. But then there are days that I would just love a hug from you.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to AZ for a dear friends wedding. I got to bunk with a few of the girls from Manhattan and one of them being someone new. And there was just something so nice about having roommates for a few nights. It was a little slice of heaven amongst the craziness that can be wedding weekends.

I went to my first RS Activity as being apart of a family ward in my Adult years. And as I was walking in to my apartment afterwards, all I could think about was how genuinely happy I felt. I still don't know why Im in Charlotte. I don't have many friends in town. I don't really feel like I absolutely belong. But I feel like me, the most I have felt like me in years. I feel at peace with who I am and where I am in life. Granted, there are still moments that I really wonder if those blessings talked about in my patriartical blessing will ever come or if I messed up somewhere. But Im happy, Im confident, Im content, and Im ready for the rest of my life. Its taken a long time to get here. I know I have so much more to learn. But for now. I am happy.

Here is one of my favorites of the pictures I have yet seen from the wedding:

Facebook Status

There is something about a facebook status that can say alot, or not! And here are a few of my recent favorites, and thank you for letting me borrow these, if they are from you!:

I never get jealous when I see my ex with someone else, because my parents always taught me to give my used toys to the less fortunate.

Mom: Do you want milk or water?
Son: What day is it?
Mom: It's Wednesday.
Son: I only like milk on Tuesdays. That's when I change my socks.

‎4 days till valentines.. Not 2 late to break up...

Aint Going Down

60 degrees, sunny skies, driving with the windows down at lunch with old school Garth and Tim on the radio followed by "your hot" compliment at work. Its a good day. And that is all on top of getting a 'you have a nice butt' compliment the day before from a dear, but amusing friend. Two funny compliments in one week. The most I've gotten in a year. (Ok, I don't count the cat calls on the streets of Manhattan. Eww. Gross.) A girls gotta take what she can get. . . . And on top of fabulous winter weather?! I cant stop smiling! ;)

www.Despair.com

A co-worker introduced me to these. And I just had to share. There are so many other ones, check out the website!

The Year of. . . .

Weddings and Births.

Such happy chapters in some dear friends lives. So blessed that I have been able to, and will be able to experience them. Well, the wedding ones. Not the Births. Ewww. So not ready for that one! I just like meeting the little ones months later!

Here is a picture from the already wedding. Williams-Reintjes. Denver, CO. ... Kinda love that the Boston 'family' had precedent when it came to picture time.

It just warms my heart to see all the goodness in those that are dear to me!

Josh, You Have Out Done Yourself

It was back in 2006 that a good friend, Diana, had an extra ticket to see this guy, Josh Ritter, and made me go with her. I had faith that she wasnt just trying to get me to take the ticket but that she was right in saying that I would really enjoy the show. Previously she enticed me to see KT Tunstall and Augustana before they were household names.... And now 5 years later, Im so glad I took that ticket!

Josh Ritter, you love your music and performing more than anything and exudes from your being on the stage at every show. And even emanates through your cds. Oh, How I love thee.



So, Valentines day rolled around, and after sitting at my desk being alittle sad that I have no friends in my town, I looked up Josh's tour schedule. I was stoked to see that the NEXT day he was going to be in MY state. Ok, still 2+ hrs away, but nonetheless, MY state! I asked a few peeps Im becoming friends with, but no takers. (Maybe calling him folk music turned people off. Its really singer/songwriter music, if there is a difference!) Have to be honest, I wasnt sad over that. Im not ready to share my love of Josh with locals, just yet.

Singing don't let me into this year with an empty heart
With an empty heart
Don't let me into this year with an empty heart

All the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lightsr

Babe we both had dry spells
Hard times in bad lands
I'm a good man for ya
I'm a good man

Everywhere I went oh
I was always searching for ya
Bright smile dark eyes
I'm looking for some peace

If there ever was a "list" that I had for things that I would like in a spouse, then I would have to have that I want that person to at least understand my love for music, and live music. During the show, Josh wanted to have a 1 minute slow dance. So during a song he slowed down the music and everyone was just suppose to turn to who was around them and dance. I was absolutely left to myself as everyone I was around was with some. But dont worry, drunk Sam saw me, and came over to my rescue. Needless to say, I would have much rather had someone I wanted to dance with be there!

PS. The guy on the left in the picture is Austin Nevins. I first saw him play with Brian Webb. Actually saw him almost every time I saw Brian play. Its fun seeing him play with Josh. He no longer plays in Adidas Sambas, but rather fancy loafers. I guess he is big time now! ;)