Spooktacular Day

My Halloween started with a jump as I walked into the hallway and was greeted by this creature:

I went to the gym and loved Spinning to Halloween songs and then returned home to hearing the fire alarm going off in the clubhouse. The firetruck arrived and I decided to set off my car alarm to join in the noise. Awesome.

The Singles Mingle Halloween Party was held at a bowling alley and I was reminded me how much I love my job and the people I work with.

I Hear a Symphony

A few months ago, I decided to buy a series of tickets to the Utah Symphony and tonight was the first one of the season for me. The Utah Symphony featured Special Guests The Kings Singers and I found myself smiling and tapping my foot as they sang an eclectic mix including The Beatles All You Need is Love to Somewhere Over the Rainbow to Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. The man next to me kept asking his wife if he could check the score of the BYU game and the World Series and I laughed because as much as I love the Symphony, I also wanted updates.

On the drive home, I had to take a rather long detour due to police closing several blocks near my house. As I took an alternate route, more police, firetrucks, and an ambulance went by and I had to take another detour as the police closed that road. Eventually I made it home and cried for several minutes in joy over the Cardinals win in the World Series or maybe it was due to BYU's loss to TCU.

MITE Night

I heard about a weekly event called MITE(most interesting thing ever) Night where people give a fifteen minute presentation on a topic and then there is a question and answer period. The topics are pre-approved and must edify, inform, and not be a sales pitch.Tonight's topic was interactive television and the presenter was very entertaining. Past topics include: how to deliver a baby, history of the printing press, humanitarian trips, and basic car maintenance. My friends and I met some new people and had a great time. As we left, one friend turned to me and said "Is that what we came to see? I thought we were going to a mic(karaoke) party." We all had a good laugh and then she said the following, "I even put on eyeliner in preparation for the night." And now all events will be judged according to whether it is eyeliner worthy.

Are they twins?

I learned a lot about twins while staying with my friends Ben and Allison. Everywhere we went, people gawked, smiled, and talked to the girls. Take the children in the above picture. We were trying on boots at Nordstrom when the children came over to say hi to Rosie and Evie. The girls were tickled, teased, and gently mauled and smiled during the entire process. Where were the parents of the children? They were on a different bench trying on shoes and I'm sure they appreciated that we provided entertainment so they could try on shoes in peace.  Ben and Allison said that many people ask which one is the boy even though the girls would be wearing bows and/or dresses. Apparently, most of America think that every set of twin has one boy and one girl. Who knew?

Happy H'owl'oween!

Tonight I ventured to Utah County for the annual Pumpkin Carving Extravaganza with Jamie and Nicole. Now, last year(and maybe the year before) there were problems cutting the top off the pumpkin and a sliced thumb so I was apprehensive about my abilities to carve. I started looking for ideas months ago and felt confident that I could carve an own without a pattern. It should be noted that my grandpa was an artist and would come to my elementary school to teach art lessons and I would leave my project unfinished for fear that my teacher would expect me to be an artist like my grandpa. Oh the pressure I put on myself.

We ate dinner and then it was time to start carving. I took a deep breath and with a picture of what I wanted to carve beside me, I dug into the pumpkin. Soon after, my pumpkin was finished and Jamie and Nicole were just getting started. Apparently I had a one track mind while carving and couldn't be bothered with treats, a scary movie, or conversation. I like the look of Horace Hedwig and have already started thinking of ideas for next year.

Horace the Owl, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Marvin the French Bulldog.

Denver in the Fall

Meags and I just returned from a visit with Ben, Allison, Rosie, and Evie. I had a great time and Ben and Allison were incredible hosts and very easy going. I have known Ben and Allison for several years so it was nice to catch up on life, watch scary movies, help Rosie learn to walk, and shop for the perfect pair of boots. 

 Upon our arrival in Denver, we went for a walk. I was in charge of the girls and Meags was in charge of the dogs. 

 We made delicious sugar cookies which Meags cut out freehand since we didn't have a pumpkin cookie cutter. The little ladies couldn't wait to try one. 

 We went shopping in downtown Denver. 

 Meags and I "played" a friendly game of chess and clearly I was the winner. 

 As we were leaving the chess playing area, we noticed a wizard and had to take his(our) picture. I imagine he was telling the other guy about the Marauder's map and the best situations in which one would use the invisibility cloak. 

 We went for a hike in Boulder and then played at the park. The girls loved the swings. 

 Once a Cougar, always a Cougar. Well, except that Meags went to the U, but I'm pretty sure she likes BYU more than Utah. 

 On our final day in Denver, we decided to go on a bike ride. We should be wearing helmets like our friend John. 

Corn-mazing

To celebrate Pelosi's birthday, we went to a Corn Maze and I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out. Here is the night in pictures: 

 We went down a slide and it was one bumpy ride.

 Photo shoot on the farm. 

 Dance party in the middle of the maze. 

 Someone had the brilliant idea of playing Sardines and a few of us decided to make our own rules and Halls and Simon(above) fell over.

We ended the night with a game of baseball in the parking lot. 

Happy Birthday, Pelosi! 

BYU vs San Jose State: Another Win

I'm beginning to think I should have purchased season tickets to BYU football. I have attended the past three games and BYU has won each of those games which clearly means I need to be there for every future game.  It should be noted that the girl behind us in the picture was cheering for San Jose St which may explain why she is sticking out her tongue.

Post edit: I failed to mention one of the most exciting events which happened after the game. The Cougar marching band was leaving the stadium and Lohra and I noticed that the band member on the last row was all alone so we had to join her. We marched as the band exited and played imaginary instruments. Sadly, this was not documented by myself or my friends so if a video or picture appears on the world wide web, please send it to me.

Picking Perfect Pumpkins

Pip, Sy, Avy Shae, and I went to Shoemaker's farm to pick pumpkins and of course it started to rain while we were in the field. We all laughed and quickly picked out several pumpkins. Sy had to have the biggest pumpkin he could find and it took both of us to detach it from the vine. What a kid. Avry decided to pick several small pumpkins and helped load them on the scale inside the small farm store. I think Pip and I look forward to this yearly trip as much as the kids. After picking pumpkins, we went to pick apples, and then we had a sleepover at grandma and papa's house. Pretty much an amazing weekend.

BYU vs Utah State

Simon, Pelosi, and I ventured to Happy Valley in order to attend the BYU vs Utah State game. Traffic was insane and so we listened to 'the voice of the Cougars, Greg Wrubell.' Simon and Pelos are both Utah State fans and cheered loudly when their team scored within the first 14 seconds. I took a deep breath and continued to cheer for my Cougars. 

Simon, me, Pelosi.

Final Score. Well done, BYU!

The fans rushed the field even though they were asked not to. I guess some Cougars do cut corners. 

Rise Up

As part of a yearly tradition, Steve, Jamie Lyn, and I attended the BYU vs University of Central Florida game. Thoughts quickly turned to the previous week's game and my hope was that we stayed with UCF and maybe even came out with a win which is exactly what we(BYU) did. Sometimes I think I am on the team and yell, "Put me in coach. I know all about Tradition, Honor, Spirit and I am ready to play."

Great Seats for the game.

UCF brought their own security. 

Go BYU!

Jimmer's All-Stars

Simon and I went to see Jimmer and the rest of the All-Stars play and they did not disappoint. A smile quickly appeared  and I felt like I was coming home as we walked to the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University. There's just something about that place. 

Now if only the NBA would get it together so I can see these rookies play again.

A New Home for the Treehouse

My sister called to let me know that today was the big day. The day the treehouse moved to its new home. Memories rushed to my mind as I recalled the time when my Grandpa Bingham built the treehouse for myself and my siblings. For me, the treehouse was and is a safe place; a refuge from the cares and worries in my life and a place where I could be free. The neighborhood children would stop to play in the treehouse on their way home from school and would often write messages inside. I may have also written notes such as Shelley likes Derek or Shelley + Deven=BFF.  I'm glad that my nieces and nephew will be able to enjoy the treehouse and I plan to join them as often as possible. 

 

Practically Perfect

Re: Martha

This just in. Martha is now wearing a dress. 

*Picture courtesy of my sister Pip. 

We All Wear Signs

Last week, I read a blog post about how we treat others and then the lessons came flooding into my life. Experience after experience provided gentle and sometimes not so gentle reminders that we should not only think but act more kindly to others. We must strive to see past what it seems and look for the internal message boards people carry and which may be filled with not only joy but also despair, grief, or pain.

To be gentle with others. And myself.

Go HERE to read the beautiful and powerful message.

Wilson Phillips with special guest Jerry Springer

There's something really great about a fair. I am biased and like the Idaho fair more than the Utah fair, but Utah does have free concerts. Pelosi and I stood in line an hour before WP tickets became available and we scored sixth row tickets and random tickets on rows 3, 4, 5, and 6. The guys below chose to sleep overnight in order to get the best tickets and ended up on the 4th row. I wonder if they regret that decision.

Onto the concert. Wilson Phillips came out and we proudly sang along with every note. There was some mass confusion as to who was a Wilson and who was a Phillips. I called in for back-up aka the lady in front of me, and she helped settle the confusion. In the picture below, please note how Wendy Wilson is doing her own thing. Chynna Phillips is taking center stage and continuously reminding us to vote for her on DWS and promoting their new reality show. Fingers crossed that I am in the Utah State Fair episode. And then there's Carnie Wilson. Her husband is in the band. Her daughter played the tambourine for a song and she is my favorite. That woman can harmonize like no other.

Wendy and Carnie are Brian Wilson's(Beach Boys) daughters and Chynna's parents are John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas. WP sang many cover songs which will be featured on their next album to be released in February. I may have enjoyed those songs more than when WP sang their own hits.

The concert was so much fun and the people watching was amazing. And then the concert turned into a scene straight from The Jerry Springer show. A man on the second row, yes second, complained to an usher about two ladies on the front standing and blocking his view. And the arguing continued.

Things appeared to calm down for three seconds and soon the guy in the red shirt had left his seat and found a different usher and we learn that the ladies on the front row are not sitting in the correct seat and must move.

And then things intensified when the ladies tossed their beer at the guy who complained and they are all escorted away from the area while screaming at one another and WP tell the crowd to settle down and hold on for one more day. Truth be told, Hold On was the encore, but they did tell the crowd to settle down.

All things considered, it was a great concert. The Jerry Springer portion was actually sad because the concert was free and they missed some great songs. As for me, I can multitask and enjoyed the two in one show.

Udderly Fantastic Fair

Sy made this poster for myself and my friends.

I love the horse races. 

Indian Relays are a must see at the fair. 

Entrance to the fair. Best way to spend Labor Day weekend. 

So many stamps. 

For as long as I can remember, Labor Day has been spent in B town with family and friends. My cousin Jackie and her family came home from New Mexico and we had a great time catching up. Some people attend their 5,10, 15 year high school reunions. Me? I go to the fair each year and have my own high school reunion. The fair began with a parade and then we spent several days eating a lot of food and attending events such as: horse races, Indian relay races, rodeo, Tractor Pull, and even an arm wrestling competition. I'm already counting down until E.I.S.F. 2012.

Martha

I remember the days when the lady statue was on display at a gas station but she was often lying on the ground due to vehicles backing into her. Some time ago, she was moved to Martha's Cafe, and naturally became known as Martha. Last summer, I posted a picture of Martha.  We were told she would soon be getting a new dress and then winter came and she was still wearing a bikini. My dad asked the owner if we could put a scarf around her neck, we were given permission, but then Martha was taken down before she could receive her scarf.
Fast forward to this weekend. I was enjoying the Eastern Idaho State Fair parade with family and friends when we saw her. Yes, Martha has returned and now dons a red bikini. I hope she gets more clothing before standing in front of the thriving metropolis of B Town. Please note the bling on her left hand. I hope I'm invited to the wedding.