My "Art" is Yours Forever

Ah, Valentine's Day. The day of love, chocolate, and flowers. I saw the Valentine below and decided to follow the words of wisdom and treated myself to a facial, some retail therapy, and a concert with friends. 

Happy V-Day to me. 

The following came in a package from my nieces who live in Portlandia:

My niece and nephew in B town also called and left me a great Valentine message and talked about the sugar cookies they made. We have a tradition of making sugar cookies on or around February 14th each year and I am slacking because the dough is waiting in the fridge for me to cut and bake. 

Viva Las Vegas

Meags and I started a tradition of going to Vegas each February to attend an international rugby event and also spend time in the sun while it snows in the 801. Each year, the number of friends going increases and this year we invited the circle of trust. I am usually the driver to and from Vegas but this year I enjoyed being a passenger the entire weekend and it was refreshing. I also spent time with my friend Bob who is pregnant with her first child-so exciting and I can't wait to visit again and meet her little one. 

We arrived at B's home and her mom had placed chocolate bars on each pillow-so thoughtful.

We ventured to the Hoover Dam.

Saying 'plum' while having a picture taken may result in the following.

Welcome to Arizona.

The Ladies.

Jumping on the trampoline...before the sprinklers came on.

Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate. I did not consume any chocolate-promise.

And then it was time for rugby and people are serious about dressing up. We met this guy and his son last year.

Go SA Springboks!

Scrum.

Enjoying the sun and rugby.

One of my favorite players and yes, I have touched his hair.

Super Bowl

I walked into the Super Bowl party and was immediately asked, "Where are the stuffed mushroom?" You see. We don't mess with tradition at this party and we know what we like. Luckily, the stuffed mushrooms would arrive shortly and all would be well. Or would it? There I was cheering for the Giants among a sea of Patriots fans. Good thing Bruce and Jamie were also cheering for the Giants or else I would be alone. I'm almost certain those cheering for the Patriots received the email from QB Tom Brady's wife, asking friends and family to cheer and pray for Tom and his team.

Before the start of the game, we each guessed the score at halftime and the final score. Some people use a notebook to keep track of the guesses but we prefer a paper plate. I was tied for the closest predicted halftime score, but lost because I picked the Giants to be ahead. Who was the winner at the end of the game by picking the winning team and being closest to the final score? Me. 

Next stop? Vegas. 

My Favorite Month

I like February. No wait. I love February. Holidays. Birthday. Shorter month. New music. And the list could go on and on. I awoke on this, the first day of February, and noticed several emails with discounts and/or free meals in honor of my birth and it was the perfect way to begin the month. At this rate, I will need to eat out almost daily(slight exaggeration) in order to utilize all of the free meals and desserts before they expire on the 29th.

I am also working on several projects this month and as much as I want to tell all about the projects, I will refrain for now. I have my fingers(and toes) crossed that they go as planned or hopefully they will exceed expectations and I report back at the end of the month.

Happy February!

Sundance 2012

Some friends and I decided to get tickets to Sundance this year and I must say it was one amazing week. Many of us registered for a locals only time slot to buy tickets and one of us was given the best slot available which helped us to see more than 10 films. Reviewing everyone's schedule and picking film times and locations that worked for the majority was quite the process and I don't recommend doing a project like this one after midnight. One of my favorite things about Sundance is making new friends and meeting people from all over the country. A couple of new friends even gave us tickets to a movie they didn't want to attend. Seeing celebrities was also enjoyable: Emily Blunt, Andie MacDowell, Josh Radnor, Richard Jenkins, Ty Burrell, David Duchovny, and others. A few of my favorite films included Liberal Arts, The Words, The Short Film Program, and Hit RECord with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Sundance included sleepless nights, as many as three films in one day and yet, it was worth it and I plan to attend again next year. I must say that my body crashed after Sundance and it took some time to recover. Spending so much time with friends was therapeutic and helped me through the blahs of winter. There really is something wonderful about having good friends. 

Miguel, Hawken, me, Meags

Killing time before JGL

Hit RECord with Joseph Gordon-Levitt

On stage with JGL

Joey, Ben(Beta Radio), Meags, Hawken, me

Meags, me, Hawken, Mel, Miguel, and the Boys from Jersey

Egyptian Theater: Mel, Hawk, Meags, me, Miguel

On the final day of Sundance: me, Miguel, Hawk, Trina, Brodie

I Like to Move It

I dread going to the gym the first two weeks of the new year due to the masses deciding to change their life and  treadmills are difficult to find and the trainers are super eager to get new clients. In an effort to be more cordial to the new gymers, I have assembled a list of things I have learned at the gym. 

1) If you get hungry before or after your workout, you now have the option of choosing chips and/or a chocolate bar. Let's call this job security for gym employees.

2) If you decide to make-out in the Cardio Cinema room, please go to a corner where people won't bump into you when they first walk in and their eyes are adjusting to the dark room. It is awkward for all parties, even if it makes for a great story.

3) One more note on kissing couples. Sure, it's adorable that you sit side by side while biking and share a water bottle and towel, but must you lean clear over to be closer and then kiss every few minutes? In their defense, maybe they were merely encouraging one another while biking "uphill."

4) Always remember that you are in a public place while running. Yes, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment and begin screaming or clapping while viewing your favorite show or sporting event, but try to hold it in.

5) You can pick the movie being played in Cardio Cinema. Uh, I mean. I get to pick the movie being played and would like to keep it that way.

6) Wearing ear plugs is necessary during kick boxing. Trust me. I am fairly certain the music volume exceeds the approved decibel level set by the EPA.

7) Sure, keeping a low profile at the gym is great, BUT, once in awhile, look up and smile. You may just meet someone new.

I Am Team

Darren is in town for the holidays so we made plans to attend the Utah Jazz home opener. When I saw Gail Miller waiting to greet us at the door, I knew this was going to be a good night. People watching was at an all-time high during the game which helped when the Jazz were struggling. BUT, the Jazz did come away with a win and I can't wait to attend another game soon. 

Thurl Bailey and Billy Dean were accompanied by pianist Marvin Goldstein for The National Anthem.

Darren's sister Callee sat by this woman and feared being hit each time the woman spoke using her hands. Please note the green bottle of Febreez in her purse. 

Callee, Darren, me, and Meags

Go Jazz!

I'm Learning

In no particular order, here is a list of things I learned yesterday:

1) Finding the perfect bag and then seeing the $650 price tag makes the $120 bag look even better.

2) Edamame is disgusting if boiled too long.

3) Pinterest really does make me feel like I am crafty. Prepare for future posts about projects in the works.

4) One really can learn to dance. Courage is key. And maybe a small amount of letting go of inhibitions.

5) Movie remakes can be fun and entertaining, especially when viewed with a couple of favorite people.

6) Double header movie nights at the dollar theater rock.

7) Having a friend reveal a secret crush only to find out the crush is a friend of a friend: epically wonderful.

8) The lyrics "I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show" has me thinking...a lot.

An Idaho Christmas

The Holiday 'o' Fun activities have helped kindle the Christmas spirit within and for that I am most grateful. I usually dread the drive to Idaho during the holiday season but this year was different. No snow in the 801 and very little snow in B town. Sy and Avy Shae ran into the house, yelling my name and attacked me with hugs which is pretty much the best welcome ever.

I spent time reflecting on some of my favorite Christmas memories which include re-enacting the Nativity with extended family, Grandma B's peanut brittle, sleigh rides and caroling with Grandpa B, singing with the women's correctional center choir and singing with dad at the state hospital, and hiding random items in mom's nativity set on the piano.

 I failed in the picture taking department this Christmas. So much was going on and I obviously was too caught up in the moment to capture the events on film. Between making cookies, watching movies, lunch with cousins, reading, sleeping, viewing Christmas lights, and Harper being born, I took the following pictures of family members wearing Grandma and Grandpa Bingham's glasses and a cousins sleepover: 

Harper Rae

We were hoping that Harper would arrive before Christmas, but she had other plans. I think(know) that Pip became annoyed with my daily(hourly) pep talks to Harper, encouraging her to join our family. She arrived on December 28th with dark curly hair which was not okay with her older sister. "She has dark tangled hair like you Shae, and I wanted her to have my hair color." Luckily, Avry quickly fell in love with little Harper.

Travis, Avry, Harper, and Syden:

Aunt Shae, Avy Shae, Harper, and Syden:

 Grandma Lucy and Harper:

Grandpa Rufus and Harper:

 I love this picture. Pip was having a difficult time cutting some meat and dad stepped in to help. People may say the Mortensen girls are helpless, but if you really know us, we are fiercely independent and yet we will let down our guard with those we trust and love as represented below:

Baby Boy B

Ah, I just love spending time with my little friend Oliver and his parentals, Mindy and Jonathan. Mind and I work together and have become good friends while kicking our own trash at Kick Boxing and then baking muffins that taste like donuts and sharing a love for Amazing Race and So You Think You Can Dance. Oliver came a month early and spent time in the hospital but he is home and doing well. 

He's definitely a keeper. 

I Love You: A Sign

I was leaving a friend's home when I saw this and a smile immediately appeared upon my face: 

This I Believe: A Calm Voice

The call came that his sister was taken to the hospital and may not live through the night. He arrived at the ICU and found his sister lying unresponsive, yet agitated. Doctors and nurses said she had been fidgeting all day, somewhat responsive to touch, but had not spoken or opened her eyes. The brother approached the bed and began speaking words of encouragement and love and soon the sister's body began to relax and she appeared calm and at peace. Medical professionals noted the difference during this first visit and then subsequent visits and had no explanation.

I believe there is something powerful that comes through a calm voice. A voice one has known and loved for some time. A familiar voice reaching deep within, touching a soul unresponsive to medical care. Stirring memories of past experiences and so richly demonstrating the love which can exist between those whom we call not only family, but also friend.

This I believe. 

Best Peppermint Ice Cream

Lohra and I have been searching for the perfect peppermint ice cream for several years and while it's been a difficult task, we finally succeeded. And the winner is... Schwan's. I ordered the ice cream earlier in the week and was so excited when the Schwan's man arrived at my door Friday afternoon. He kept asking if he could come back in two weeks in case I wanted something else and I assured him that peppermint ice cream is all I'll ever need. I can't believe I waited until Sunday to have a taste.

The peppermint chunks(I dislike that word) don't become all gooey and gross like other brands and the ice cream is peppermint flavored as well. The ice cream is green which is usually a deal breaker for me but I am glad I overcame the fear of unnatural green items(aka green yogurt or any food colored with green food coloring-blech) and tried the goodness. 

I still have one unopened carton in my freezer to be eaten in the near future and there is always the option to buy more. Yum!

Rach, me, Simon, Shanny D, Meags, and Lohra

Best peppermint ice cream...ever

HOF + Holiday Specs= Magic

There were two Holiday 'o' Fun activities this week with the first one being a movie night. We watched Rudolf and The Muppet Christmas Carol. I will say that the latter movie followed Dickens classic quite well and included direct quotes from the novel. 

This picture was taken just before Simon was saved from the fire:

Tonight we ventured to Temple Square with my Holiday Specs and it was incredible. I stumbled upon these magical glasses a few years ago and I have continued to purchase a set each year as I end up giving several pairs to others enjoying the lights. My Christmas light experience has never been the same since discovering the blessed 3D glasses which allow one to see snowflakes, gingerbread men, Santa, angels, or candy canes in each  bulb of light.
Many people stared.  Some people called us names. Some were nice and we let them experience the magic. One of the best moments was when a girl was taking our picture and we all screamed when the camera flashed and the girl thought she broke the camera. I explained why we screamed and let her use the glasses and she was relieved to know she didn't need to buy me a new camera.

Taylor tried to sing at the Visitor's Center. Good thing the microphone wasn't on:

View of the lights through Snowflake 3D glasses:

Sharing the glasses with others:

Magical Glasses:

The claw or Crouching Tiger which is both ferocious and cute:

We then went to Hatch Family Chocolates for hot chocolate and steamers and spent hours waiting in line and talking to random stranger and then spent hours laughing and discussing all things current events. As we left, we had a nice little chat with the confectioners, Steve and Katie.