Two Words...

TEAM EDWARD!!!!

R.I.P. Our Trip

I'm so sad my girls trip is over. I seriously got my world rocked! Great Music, Great Locations, Great Company. The only way it could've been better is if it was longer. Best part was that I was DAMN funny. Hardly a "Lamey" moment...just ask the girls! It wasn't just Mare and I laughing at my jokes. No, really....I'M FUNNY. SOME highlights.... - Multnomah Falls...where Michelle "poked a badger with a spoon". (Okay, it was a spider with a stick...we screamed nonetheless.) - Gummy Bears. - Lead singer of 'People In Planes'...nearly falling off the stage onto Uyen and I. He recovered, just in time to knock the lead microphone over on top of Michelle, Mare and Lowder. Michelle caught it and saved their lives. Typical Michelle heroin skills. - B.J.'s (mmmmmmmmmm) Bar & Grill. - Seeing Lowder "speechless" for the first time ever...at the sight of Kelly Jones (see how close we were!) - Making fun of "sassy" Uyen .... endlessly! - Voodoo Doughnuts "The Magic is in the Hole". Seriously the weirdest donuts I've ever seen and they are GOO-OD! Flavors like Tang, Coco Pebbles, maple and bacon, etc. Check them out www.voodoodoughnuts.com. - The rain and the very green trees. - "Car"oke. - Crazy homeless people. Why is this a highlight? We had so many laughs at the things that insane things that came out of their mouths. - Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shopping. (Not to be confused with "jogging, jogging..."). - Just 2 hours from Forks...very surreal especially when reading about vampires in Seattle while actually IN Seattle. - and last but not least...Stereophonics!!!!!! Worse thing about our trip...damn tuberlance and that our trip is over. I love my girls!! I miss my girls...

TRIBUTE OF THE WEEK: Bono and Ms. Lowder

What? Okay, stay with me. So, Bono (and the boyz) introduced Michelle and I to a little British band called STEREOPHONICS. We were attending a few U2 shows at Madison Square Garden in 2001 and Stereophonics was the opening act. We were instantly fans!!!!

How does this relate to Lowder? Well, we introduced Lowder to their music and it was love at first listen. (It didn't hurt that she thought the lead was the hottest thing since Val Kilmer. ) Stereophonics made a stop here a few years...and Lowder was so excited to go with us to the show until she learned that she would be in Italy. Oops.

So, several years later, Stereophonics are finally back in the states, but not coming to Utah. So we MUST take Lowder to finally see them this weekend and that is exactly what we are going to do....in Portland AND Seattle. I'm quite excited because
1) I've always wanted to go to the Northwest...I've never been
2) A girls trip is always fun
3) I can't wait to see Lowder's face when she gets to lay her eyes on Stereophonics
....and well, a good concert is never to be missed!

So....thanks Bono and Lowder for having good taste in music...at least this time.... (Kanye, Kelis and Air Supply, Rascal Flatts are VERY questionable).

SIDE NOTE: Though we met Mare just last March, turns out she was at the two of the same Stereophonics shows that Michelle and I were at in the last 8 years. What a small freakin' world!!!! I think we were "nent to dee". Mare, I'm happy that we actually get to see them together.

"It Was the Event of the Year!" - says E!

Lori's b-day prom FREAKIN' ROCKED!!!!!!!

The prom planning committee really out did themselves. (Michelle, Uyen, Lowder, Mare). I know there was much blood, sweat and tears along with a lot of sleepless nights. WOW WOW WOW! Some highlights of the evening:

- Lori marching the dance floor yelling "hey" when couples paired off for a slow dance and her date was found dancing with someone else (Frew).
- Michelle's parents gettin' down to AC/DC with huge smiles.
- Jason "Crockett" Mayes showing his Miami Vice chest hair.
- The mass fascination with dance pictures....multiple pictures.
- Steve and Liz....nuff said!
- "Hammer Time" aka "Carrie Hanson".
- Lowder MC...Bob Saget has nothing on you.

Too bad real prom wasn't really that fun! Lori, thanks for cutting out on prom 14 years earlier so we could party like it was 1989.

Can't wait to see what the yearbook staff put together.

TRIBUTE OF THE WEEK: Britta (the Vixen) Vaughn

Where do I start? I seriously think that BV walks on water! Over the last few years, I have become better acquainted with this little gem. For the longest time I knew so much about her, but had never met her. It was upon meeting her that I felt like I had already known her a lifetime. I know she wasn't too sure about me at first because the only thing she knew (or could remember) about me is that I gave Spencer an arse kicking via email (Is it wrong that I am sorry AND still not sorry for writing him that?) Anyway, I believe I scared the crap out of her initially but I hope she's seen the real me and as long as she doesn't crosses me I won't need to pull out the big guns on her. (I kid).

Just a few things about my friend Britta:

- She is so amazingly beautiful! Her eyes are so genuine (How YOU doin'?) and she has the ability to tear down walls instantly and draw you in.

- Her kids are freakin' adorable! That little Elle (mini-Michelle) makes me laugh so hard!

- She has priceless perspective and wisdom beyond her years, for which she freely shares for the benefit others. I know that my life has personally been enlightened by her advice and knowledge.

- She's amazingly self-less. BV oozes genuine love, she's compassionate and cares for those she comes in contact with.

- Britta (and my sister Ann) are the most courageous mothers I know. How does BV make the chaos into magic? She gives me hope that one day I can take on work, children, husband, serving others, and the ups and downs of life and still survive...AND look so good doing it?

- What a unique personality! She has one of the most clever sense of humors I've ever encountered. I swear...the things that come out of her mouth some times...

- She and I don't have to be the bestest of bff's for her to be willing to be there for me and she has been.

- She is one of the most amazing women that I know and I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

The morale of the story: I hope I can always be on the "B-Side". Britta, thank you for what you've done for me and for just being so damn cool.

Fun With Lingy!!!

Lingwall and I had a good laugh over some internet t-shirts today. Here are some of my favs...(WARNING: Most likely to be lame but I laughed none the less. PS, Lingwall did too.)

I had an amazing weekend. It was just so fun and packed with entertainment...

1. SEPTEMBER. Need I say more?

2. LOWDER'S B-DAY DINNER. I love that Lowder and I love all my girls (those present and not present). They are all strong, amazing, beautiful and talented girls. They really do mean the world to me. I need their companionship and their lust for life. We are a dynamic group that cannot be duplicated.

3. MONTE TO PICASSO. I went to the this art exhibit at the U. I'm not an 'artsy' person but I could truly appreciate how amazing it is to have 70 masterpieces from some of the most amazing artists that have ever lived... and they are right here in Utah. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity! It would seem I was not the only one who thought that as it was PACKED! We stood in line for 30 minutes. There were yuppies and preppies, students, tattooed folks, seniors, families and even a few emos. It seems everyone was excited to see the works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Rodin, Modigliani, Gauguin, and Salvador Dali (my favorite of the exhibit). I have to admit...I felt pretty "sophisticated" for attending an art showing...though I did so in jeans. Oopsie. Carrie Bradshaw would be ashamed.

4. HOGEL ZOO. After some art, we went to the zoo. What a weird cultural mixing, but it was great! I hadn't been in years and the weather was perfect, the company was great....and the animals adorable (despite their smells)!

5. BRITTA'S. From what I hear, Britta's house is turning into "Cheers". People hang out there regularly, at all hours of the day/night, and "everybody knows your name". I think that makes Britta "Sam Malone". Does that make Lori "Cliff"?

6. NEW MOON. Yep, I finished New Moon. People that know me understand that this is monumental. Because it was the largest book I've ever read, I can't help but be inundated with thoughts of vampires and werewolves on a regular basis. In fact, I leaned over to Fletcher in sacrament meeting and whispered "I'm so glad you aren't a vampire." I was freezing from too much A/C and was pleased he wasn't adding to my chill with the lack of body heat.

7. SCRABBLE. After loosing about fifteen games of Scrabble in a row, I FINALLY WON! Me not stupid after all.

8. PALIN. After Romney lost the nomination, I have to say that I was a hopeless and not looking forward to this election at all. Enter Palin. She has re-energized me and woken me from my depressed electional state. I'm happy to actually to be passionate about this election once again.

Lookout Mo-Tab

So, I've decided to tap into my musical roots (I come from a very musically talented familia, though I am merely average) and I joined the UofU Institute Choir. Though this move could ultimately solidify my geek-dom, I feel obligated to my heritage to press on anyway. Okay, not really...I just love Christmas and I want to be able to sing Christmas carols in September. I could just follow my mother's lead and do it in the car and home all year long, but I don't want to climb that high up on the crazy tree. Just saying. And no, I am not the oldest in the class...just second oldest. :)

SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a speech!!!! What a speech.

Obama made a brilliant move when he chose Biden as I understand that Biden is an AMAZING debater...totally cutthroat!! But then McCain one up'd him. He made a move that would suffocate Biden's strongest attribute...he chose Sarah Palin. Now if Biden goes Kung Fu on Palin (though, after last night's performance, she seems like she could withstand such an attack), Biden will look like he's "attacking a woman" or "women bashing" and it could back fire on Obama and Biden. THIS, only adds to what just became a very unique election. For me, it just got real interesting.

Atomic Bombs

For someone that listens to the news too much and worries to much about what might be...I heard the most amazing quote that satisfies my inner optimist:


"If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things -- praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts -- not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They might break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds." - C.S. Lewis

Brilliant!

Labor Day Weekend Winners & Losers

Winner: 3 day weekend. Score!

Winner: September...my favorite month rolled in the most amazing storm. I loved it!

Loser: My electric toothbrush seems to be possessed by an evil spirit. It turns itself on but it cannot be turned off. It just runs and runs til its dead.

Winner: Obama. I can now say that Obama and I agree on at least one thing. In a statement, he stated "I think people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits." I agree with the later part of his statement about "children" being "off limits". Too bad his fellow liberal media fans didn't get his point.

Winner: New Orleans. Phew, that was a close one.

Winner: Me. I spent my Labor Day being laborious. I painted a room for the first time in my life and I did it all by myself. I decided to paint my bedroom "Soulful Music" which really is a midnight purple/blue...and I love it. I just high-fived myself.

Winner: Me again for having the most amazing family ever. I spent Sunday night with them and they are just so great. I love and miss them so much and need to make more time for them.