Sorensen's Christmas 2008

As promised, here is an update on our Christmas Holiday in California with the Sumsions. Warning: tons of photos follow. I'm not kidding, there are a lot. No, seriously.

There was some major Catan playing. Note: I suck now. I was crushed repeatedly.

Christmas Vest '08. Mom keeps gluing and sewing new glittery additions every year. Don't be jealous, I'm sure she will make you one too.

Christmas Caroling, complete with festive holiday hats, courtesy of Mrs. Francie Parr.

Is this a reenactment or the REAL THING? We look so authentic!

Surprise visit from Leigh aka Shepherd #2. And yes, Jazz is wearing a cape and a ski hat.

Ferocious playing of Jazz's new Guitar Hero World Tour. Note Scott's intense face and fancy drumming hands. Also, please-- check out the coolness of my mother. Really, could she be any more awesome?

And then there is Madilyn. Madi was born in May to my brother Scott and his wife JaNae and she is the happiest baby I have ever seen. She also consistently came out #1 in the cutest outfit competition.

I mean, cmon? Don't you want to just get out some BBQ sauce to dip her cheeks in?

Baby and Grandpa

She is obsessed with her tongue. Ok, I promise I'm almost done with the baby pictures but I can't help it. I swear I took 100 photos of just this little child.

Santa Outfit! On Christmas! By the Christmas tree! Hey fluffs.

Jazz is cute. Jazz holding a baby is IRRESISTIBLE.

Me and Sabrina aka Zeus

Morgan and BEARDY JAZZ. I pleaded and begged for the beard to stay. So far so good. Isn't he so incredibly handsome? I know!

And so we return, back to work and laundry and alarm clocks. It was a fantastic first Christmas as a married couple. I gave Jazz a Garmin GPS unit, I think I actually surprised him for once. He bought me a *gasp* grey leather handbag that is so perfect that I sometimes sleep with it under my pillow. He also got me the Wilton Cake Decorating set that was on my wish list. I mentioned before that I was gifted the Nikon D60 by my parents and I can't thank them enough for this wonderful new camera. A lot of these pictures were taken after I got my new toy and I can really tell a difference in the quality of the pictures.

Most if all I loved spending time with my husband. We were together almost every hour for ten whole days and I am constantly reminded why he is my best friend. He takes such good care of me and fits in to our family so well, I am incredibly lucky to be married to him. I hope every Christmas we have will be as wonderful as the one that we just spent together- full of laughter and children and food and family.

After all, what is more Christmassy than being in love.

12/29/08

Dear Blog,

I am very sorry that I have neglected you the past few weeks. We are very close friends and I know I would be sad if you abandoned me, so thanks for hanging in there. But guess what blog! I have so much new stuff for you to gobble up, it's ridiculous. You see, I have been a very busy girl traveling to California and playing the Favorite Aunt and celebrating Christmas and all. These things are exhausting.

But now I am back in Utah where it is frigid and snowy. Everything is semi back to normal and in no time I will present you with a feast of delicious literary snacks. And blog- I have a huge surprise for you. You know those photos I give you? The ones that are kinda fuzzy and sad looking? You will never believe this but Santa brought me a Nikon D60. I know you know what I'm talking about because you and I have totally discussed it's brilliance before. When she was born I cried just a little tiny bit because, well, I cry over everything. And blog- because I feel Christmas cheer and all that crap, I am going to share my 10.2 mega pixels with you. Did I just blow your mind? It's okay, you can cry too.

So do you forgive me? You should know that I really enjoyed my time off of work, and especially enjoyed the time I spent at home with my family. I will tell you all about it, I promise.

Me and you- date tomorrow? Sounds great. Thanks for understanding, you are the best.

Love,

Micci

Pleasantly Surprised

Convo with my mother via phone earlier this week:

Mom: You know, Mic, you've really surprised me with your domesticity and your little creative ways. Because when you were growing up I really didn't think...I mean, I didn't see it coming.

Me: What? really? what does that even mean?

Mom: Well, you know, like the house stuff and the crafty stuff. Just didn't see it coming, that's all. For awhile there, you just... you know.

Me: Ummm, I am so writing this down.

Mom: What? Don't you dare! You are NOT writing this down!

Me: Yes, yes I am. I'm typing it right now. And I'm going to blog about it.

Mom: Oh NO-YOU-WILL-NOT! you can NOT blog about me behind my back. I MEAN IT!

Me: *silent with typing noises in the background*

Mom: MICCOLENE---You are gonna get it, that's all! I'm gonna come get you in the night! No, I'm gonna start my OWN blog and then you'll be really sorry!

Me: Yeah, still typing. This is good stuff.

Over the river and through the woods...

Tomorrow we will travel to see our family in California. We will arrive at night in the darkness, and pull up to a brightly lit house with a big Christmas tree in the front window. Fluffs will bark and get so overly excited he will start running around in circles until we can catch him and smother him in hugs.

My mom will have my downstairs room all ready for us. She will have put fresh clean linens on the bed, put out the best pillows, and placed a treat on the nightstand. Everything in the house will be vacuumed and polished and shined until it is gleaming. She is very fancy.

We will unload all of our luggage and Christmas presents and then we will sit at the kitchen table and talk. We will talk about the day and the week and the six months since we were home last. We will talk about all the new things in the house and the little changes in the town. We will talk about who is coming over and what our fantastic plans are for the next week and where we will go and what we will do. She will show me some new costumes she has worked on and I will show her pictures of my new Christmas crafts. My dad will tell me about a crazy bike ride he went on last week when it was only one degree at the top of the mountain and how he almost froze to death but how it was still so awesome.

And soon we will be tired and we will put on our jammies and gather around the ottoman for family prayer. Mom made this ginormous ottoman out of an old table a long time ago, and it is so useful for kneeling around. Our numbers are getting so great that we need a bigger one. We will kneel around this big circle and laugh and giggle and for ten minutes or maybe fifteen before sitting still and reverent.

And then of us will pray and thank our Heavenly Father for our many blessings, because we have so much to be thankful for- especially at this time of year.

And it will be a perfect day.

12/15/08

So. It's Saturday. I'm at the grocery store. It's snowing. I'm in sweatpants and a hat. (Sorry mom...desperate times..desperate measures.)

My phone rings. I answer it, stupidly. It's the 1st counselor in our ward bishopric. He would like to talk to me. Today. Soon. Now. Half hour? okay. wait, not okay. My house looks like trailer trash.

I race home. It's a good thing we have that spare bedroom because it is perfect for throwing random crap into when people are on their way over. I put on normal pants. I mean, I have some dignity left, don't I? Eh.

1st counselor comes and wastes no time.

"We would like to extend an ADDITIONAL calling to you to be the Secretary to the Young Women."

What. This is impossible. I'm basically still a Laurel and Morgan hasn't even gone through the program yet. Are you sure it isn't the other Sister Sorensen? Its -EN you know, -EN.

Fast forward: Church, third hour. Holy army of teenagers batman. There must be 25 of them posed and ready to attack the feeble adults in the room. Crap, the theme...like the Pledge of Allegiance only more robotic. Double crap, they put in a new phrase! I will never ever remember that.

And then I felt old. Winter formal was last night. My hair! You looked cute! The music was so totally lame! I went with Conner! Our day activity was sledding! (what the hell is a day activity) omg you guys finalssssss.

But--I liked it. And I am going mostly going to be the Fun Leader (because I'm the secretary, duh) But sometimes I will have to be the Spiritual Leader and also if it gets out of control the Strict Shhh Leader. And also---I'm excited.

Tis the Season

There is something about the ballet that makes me feel like a kid again. I don't know if its the music or being all fancy or what, but I love it. My parents used to take us when we were growing up and it was always a treat. We would fight to sit next to Mom because she had the binoculars and chocolate and also because she knows e v e r y t h i n g about ballet.

If I was lucky, between the dances she would whisper her ballet secrets to me. She would tell me of painful point shoes and sparkling tiaras, the butterflies of pre-show jitters. We would watch the show together, she and I, and she would point out the best dancers. She would show me the girls with beautiful extension and the men with excellent partnering skills. I remember the way her warm breath felt on my ear as she would explain to me how Clara was just dreaming of the Mouse King and her heroic Nutcracker. I always wanted to play Clara, just once. I mean, how lucky is she? A sleigh! And a tutu! I could have rocked that part.

Tonight, the sisters and I went to the ballet. We were missing our mother, but it felt like she was there. The show was wonderful and it never fails to make me cry but just a LITTLE bit because it is so beautiful to watch. These dancers are seriously athletes, they always make it look so easy. I never see them even breathing heavy. Maybe the don't even breathe-- maybe they are so in shape and tiny that they have evolved to higher beings and they no longer need oxygen, I don't know.

And don't worry mom, we counted all the pirouettes and fouettes during the grand pas de deux and they still got it.

Hold the phone-

So I work at a travel agency where a lot of my time is spent on the phone answering questions and talking to clients. Well, right now most of my time is spent on facebook- but in the busy season, most of my time is spent on the phone.

Today I spent a good fifteen minutes talking to a woman about a trip to Lake Powell. She is planning this big trip next year with her kids and grand kids blah blah that's all fine and great. Anyway, I'm wrapping up the call and she says "Um, are you from Utah? I can just tell by the way you talk. I live in Ogden."

And then I jumped out of my third story window with the phone still in my hand.

Just to clarify, I do NOT have a Utah Accent. I don't know what kind of drugs this woman was on to think that I can be classified in that group, but I do not. have. a Utah. Accent.

And she is from Ogden? That is the ground zero of the Utah Accent! If Angelina Jolie had to go in search for the birthplace of the Utah accent, she would end up in Ogden! Surely this woman must be totally insane to think I even had a whiff of Utah Accent in me.

Some out of state-ers may say "what is this accent you speak of?" Well, it sounds kind of like your mother never taught you to enunciate or properly form sentences. Mountain becomes meow-in. Pillow becomes pell-ow. Satan becomes say-in. Words become horrifically chopped up, extra syllables are added in just for fun. Are you terrified yet? These are GROWN ADULTS.

I'm going to go ahead and give this woman the benefit of the doubt here and say her phone was being crazy and also she is old and probably in a a mental institution and has no idea what she is saying.

That, or charge her double for her Lake Powell trip.

Marital Secrets

Last night we had the sister missionaries over for treats. They are some of our favorite people and sometimes we do more laughing than we do learning.

We got sidetracked a little bit...I was babbling about my love of food. (What, you didn't know? Seriously? See here and here and here and here.) Those Cadbury solid milk chocolate candies are back in season and holy decorative yarn balls if those things aren't sinful.

As I was droning on about how I could eat Pillsbury crescent rolls indefinitely, Jazz piped up and said,"Yeah, and sometimes, when she is eating the last bite of her favorite thing, she holds it up to her face and sings a song to it." And then he proceeded to croon James Blunt's "Goodbye my lover....goodbye my friend. you have been the one, you have been the one forrrr me" with his eyes shut and his hand up to his face like he was was saying farewell to a soul mate.

Um....I really didn't think you knew I did that...and also...

Thanks for ratting me out.

12/9/08

Dear Feet,

Welcome to winter. You have probably forgotten what it feels like to be perpetually cold all the time. Do you remember now? I just wanted to remind you what the next six months will be like. You will be wearing Uggs everyday. No exceptions. You will wear them to work and to church and also in the bathtub. You will be sleeping in them.

I am sorry that the rest of the body is anemic and has poor circulation. This results in you being starved for the delicious blood supply that you so enjoy. But when you turn purple and fall off I will be very sad and I don't want to pan handle on the street sitting on a card board box. So please feet, follow the rules. Wear the boots.

Please know though I can't see you, I am thinking of you often. When summer returns and the glorious rays of sun can shine brightly on your pale little flesh, I will unlock you from your prison cell of fur and grant you a heavenly pedicure from that Asian place across the street.

And listen feet, I don't really want to hear any complaints. You are basically staying in the Grand Luxury Suite of all boots. Soft and fluffy, fur-lined and warm, we both know this is the only way to keep you from turning into one solid ice block and supplying a Christmas party with cold beverages.

You are my favorite feet ever, this really is for the best. See you around May.

Love,

Micci

bfffffs

Let me tell you about these friends of mine.

These are the kind of friends the fly to Utah twice a year- just to see you for the weekend.

They make the long journey to Salt Lake for your wedding- and then throw you a surprise bachelorette party.

When you are in Sacramento and your car breaks down- they will zip over and pick you up and let you stay the night at their house.

They make you laugh so hard you literally fall to the ground out of breath.

Leigh and Mexi came to Utah to visit for the weekend. Mexi's name is really Lorena, but we don't call her that. We call her Mexi because she is Mexican and also because its funny. Friday we took the tram up to the top of Snowbird ski resort.

I thought Mex was going to lose her Marshmallow Mateys on the way up.

But she didn't.

We went to dinner with the Provo girls:

and participated in the Ward Christmas Party

where Jazz learned some new gang signs:

*Nice Try, but your face totally gives you away.

But Sunday came, and the girls had to return to San Francisco. And true to tradition, we took a selfie at the airport. If you look closely, you might spy a BEARDY JAZZ in the background!


And now my spare room is empty, my kitchen table set for two. They are the bestest of friends and I am very lucky to count them as mine. I miss them already, and can't wait for the next time they make the trek to the 'Tah.

Me and My Santa Baby

Saturday night was the annual ward Christmas Party. Jazz and I are on the activities committee (ha!) and therefore played some part in this night of holiday fun. I played a little ditty on the harp for the program and I also volunteered Jazz to bust out his acting chops and don a Santa suit. This was by far the highlight of my entire life. With a big "Ho Ho Ho" and a "Merry Christmas," he entered on his cue of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town."

Doesn't he look so Santa-like? Rosy cheeks? check! Twinkly blue eyes? Check! Stuffed little suit? Check! Its perfect! The kids had NO idea who he was under the beard and suit and I'm pretty sure they were convinced that he was the real deal. They were enthralled and actually wouldn't let him escape to de-suit. He finally fed them a line about reindeer on the roof- totally brilliant. I'm so proud of him for stepping outside of his warm, cozy little comfort zone and braving something new.


Does that make me Mrs. Clause? Do I get a suit and a sleigh too? Elves around my house? More shopping privileges? Yes, thats probably it. I think I'd make a pretty saucy Mrs. Clause. Well, Christmas came early for me this year--nothing can top seeing Jazzypants in full Santa attire with a zillion little kids running at him armed with questions and wanting candy canes. Priceless.

P.S. Leigh and Mex have been in town since Thursday and they are leaving today. Sadness. We've had a super fun time and I will make giant mega post about our weekend tomorrow while I am wasting time at work.

Reason Number 4,512

Many months ago, before I was a Mrs, we moved our boxed up possessions into our new shared space. I had so many expectations for our new basement apartment. I remember looking around at the 900 square feet of carpet and walls. It felt so spacious. A laundry room and a spare bedroom, master closet- my own kitchen, it really is a perfect little abode.

We weren't even married yet. Jazz was still living at his sisters, and I was still living in the death trap that is Provo. We wanted to set up the apartment as best we could, so that after the bliss of our sunshine filled honeymoon- we could return home to semi-pleasant space and spend less time cleaning out Jazz's old crap. (Fact: I do not have old crap.)

We bought a beautiful shabby chic bed. To this day I am amazed Jazz went for a white antiqued bed. I thought for sure I would be sleeping on a bulky pine hot mess for at least the first five years of our marriage. I am convinced it was likely because I posses charm up the wazoo, my eyes can bat a thousand, and also probably because it was on uber clearance.

After googling which way the sheets actually were meant to go (hey don't laugh. its a king size bed. I'm still not really sure, just that the tag goes in the bottom right corner), we successfully put the fitted sheet on. We got to the top sheet and both stopped.

I am notorious for hating the Top Sheet. Since I was a kid I have kicked it to the bottom of the bed. Neglected it. Spit on it and hated it. It is a pointless thin layer of nothingless with no purpose. My mother will quickly remind me that the Top Sheet serves to protect the duvet cover. Sorry Mom, all the duvet covers I know are washable and they have buttons and they don't mind getting dirty. In fact, they kind of like being close to you. They prefer it even.

When I got to college, I tore free of the communistic sheet rule that I had been living under for so many years. I used my Top Sheet for tent making and harp moving and wrapping up fragile things. I never slept with it once.

And here I was, at a Top Sheet crossroads. What would my other half think about Top Sheet? Did he like the Top Sheet? Maybe it was his *gasp* favorite bed accessory? How would I live? I envisioned our bed having a half Top Sheet, me getting tangled in it, throwing a fit, sleeping on a couch. Oh, the problems a Top Sheet could cause.

"Uh, so do you like this one sheet?"

"Um, not really at all, it kind of gets in the way."

Ladies and gentlemen. That is reason number 4, 512 why I know that Jazzy John Shaw Sorensen is my perfect match and soul mate. He hates Top Sheet as much as I do. And yes, that does mean we have to take the duvet off twice as often to wash it. But, it also means that I have my partner there to help me put it back on.

The Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

Today I spent eight hours at work trying to figure out how to extend the holiday from Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas. This seems like a perfectly logical solution to my Monday blues.

We had a fantastical few days full of food and family and festivities. (Hows that for alliteration?)

Here is my new hair cut and my soon to be BEARDY JAZZ

Ellie helped me finish my rolls. She is five and very cute.

I made a pie- of the fancy, pumpkin variety.

I also nibbled on pink baby cheeks. Don't be fooled. She is neither concerned nor scared.

Our nieces and nephew. And Jazz's weird Canada/Rooster hat.

AND as a BONUS: I won the wishbone.

And no, I will not tell you my wish.

Because that will ruin it, don't you know?

My Black Friday

I'm not sure why they call it Black Friday- I think it should be called GOLDEN FRIDAY OF PURE JOY.

My alarm went off this morning at 4:00. I'm not a morning person, and thats kind of an understatement. I'm not even really an afternoon person either. When Jazz heard my alarm, he rolled over and very sleepily said, "HAHA. I'm going to stay nice and warm and take up all the bed now." And then promptly went back to sleep.

After a shower and a quick application of mascara, Beyonce and I headed to Macys with a glass of orange juice. We arrived about a quarter to five, pulled up to see a small collection of people congregating at the front doors. As I waited for the last few minutes to tick away, I looked at who I was waiting with. I mean, these were my people. My bosom buddies. I felt strangely chatty and wanted to know what everyone was here for. Wait, what was I here for? I don't really even know.

Macys was spectacular. I was greeted with a bag of craisins (Ew) and a cranenergy drink (double ew) but I appreciated the gesture. After I found my super awesome bargains and purchased them using my super awesome 20% off coupons, I departed for store #2.

I was expecting a large rush at Macys-- a hoard of pushing, shoving, mob-like people ready to fight for their khaki pants and argyle sweaters. But people were friendly, orderly and polite. When I arrived at Taipan at 6:15, there were women in Victoria's Secret sweatpants lined up around the building. Me and Beyonce decided to wait in the warm car. I know where everything is in Taipan, I totally had a plan of action, plus a secret weapon: The Mailer Coupon. 10% off entire purchase, and 20% off ornaments. Suckas.

The doors were unlocked, pandemonium ensued. People had been waiting in their cars and came to freely join the line. And by freely join, I mean CUT. It was like fifth grade four square all over again.

"HEY! HEY! We have been WAITING here! You can't just GO IN!" I politely waited until the whole line had entered the building and were milling about like crazies before I headed in to attack. Never tell a bunch of Mormon women that there is a sale on chotchskies and all things Christmassy. Free Santa Cookie Jar? CHAOS!

A few more stops, a lot more purchases. I hit the fashion place mall. They had some special displays going on- like Xbox and Wii. Who's idea was it to place these in the middle of heavy traffic areas? I am sorry if I nailed you with my swinging Bath and Body bags, but you were STOPPED in the MIDDLE of the WALKWAY.

No time for bathroom breaks. Just push on.

Target at ten. Nothing is better than Target. Bed, Bath and Beyond. Costco. (whoa)

Home by noon. Not going to lie- this day ranks in my top ten of the year. I had so much fun fighting the crowds, cutting coupons, and comparing prices. I know I won't always have the freedom of leaving the house at 4 am and shopping for 8 hours, only to return home for some cheese ball and a nap. Will I go next year? Probably. Maybe? I don't know. We'll see. But for this year, my Christmas shopping is bippity, boppity, done.

The Stash

This time of year, most everyone is looking forward to turkeys and weird relatives and pie. That's all fine and everything, but there is something else I am excited for.

BEARDED JAZZ

Jazz has this tradition of growing a beard from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day. That's right, no shaving. I think its an old college ritual, spawned from laziness, groomed into a habit that he continues every year.

Last year, I invited Jazz to spend Christmas with my family. This is kind of a big deal. Christmas is like a elaborate show at my house. Its a Holiday Spectacular complete with Victorian Caroling, a Gingerbread House Contest, and a theatrical reading of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. After Jazz casually dropped the "oh bytheway I will be BEARDED JAZZ for Christmas" bomb on me, I kinda freaked out. But, this is the first time I have brought a boyfriend home! What will everyone think of my mountain man from Utah? My ward members will probably just smile and say "Nice to meet you" but really think "This guy cuts wood and drinks beer." Much like the Grinch, I plotted for ways to stop BEARDED JAZZ from coming. I begged. Pleaded. Gnashed my teeth. Nothing worked.

On Thanksgiving Day, he shaved his lovely face, his skin was soft and smooth. And so it began. His stubble grew in, prickly and rough. I like his stubble. It feels manly. And then his facial hair grew some more. And then some more. It grew and grew and grew. Until Jazz was transformed into BEARDED JAZZ.

Then-- something totally unexpected and magical happened. I fell in love with BEARDED JAZZ. He was soft! He was fluffy! He was mountainous and manly! His voice became deeper and he stood up straighter and he wore flannel and said things like "Hey there little lady." I swooned in his presence.

On Christmas day we opened presents, had Christmas bread, and played some Guitar Hero. Sadly, the time came to say goodbye to BEARDED JAZZ in time for fancy Christmas dinner. Jazz went outside to shave in the grass (because who needs those little hairs everywhere!) and I stood at the window and shed some tears for my beardy love. This is how Jazz returned to the house:

STASHY JAZZ
He kind of looks like a walrus that drives a white un-marked van.

And so, tomorrow I anticipate the beginning of the return of my BEARDY JAZZ that I have been looking forward to since Christmas day of last year. And this time around, the beard and the Jazz get to cuddle with me at night. Yessss.

11/24/08

Dear Girl at the Gym,

Congratulations. We are all very impressed that you can last 45 minutes on the stair climber. That is one tough machine. Those little stairs revolve and come around over and over- they just don't quit. I know because I have tried that machine a few times. Usually I last for a few minutes until I fall off the back in a heap of exhausted wind and sweat.

But not you. Oh no, not you. You can climb on and on and on and on. You can climb every other step and easily work your hamstrings. You turn from side to side . You can even twist around and FACE BACKWARDS and climb the steps the wrong way. Naturally, this is very good practice for when there is a fire and you must flee the building by climbing up 37 flights of stairs facing the wrong direction. Kudos.

I also want to commend you on your outfit choice. That hot pink Adidas sports bra is so trendy and looks so supportive. (Those are real, right?) Plus it shows just the right amount of skin. Perfect. And who needs a shirt when you are so incredibly tiny? Those skin tight spandex shorts-- did you take those from my freshman year volleyball uniform? Because I seem to be missing those!

Well, keep up the good work. I can't wait to see you at my next workout. I'm the one in the back- in the red cut-off capri pants and sweaty grey t-shirt. I know you will see me because well, you are facing the wrong way.

Sincerely BFF's.

Micci

11/21/08

Official Sponsor of the Sorensen's Christmas 2008

Peppermint Ice Cream: Part vanilla ice cream, part candy, part crack cocaine. Delicious.

11/19/08

Last night, Husband said the most magical words to me.

"Honey. I don't think we have enough Christmas stuff. You probably need to go to Taipan."

And then I floated away on a cloud of clean laundry and rice krispy treats.

Yesterday, I opened the box of Christmas stuff to take inventory of our Combined Christmas Crap. I laid it out on our spare bed to see all it in its red and green and gold and silver glory. It looks fabulous. It is going to look even more fabulous evenly distributed around our apartment.

But not yet Charlie Brown, not yet.

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday to the Best Dad in All the Land

My dad:

• can build anything, fix anything, find anything, make anything.
• can answer any question about science or math or religion or medicine
• speaks fluent Cantonese
• has stitched up my face
• has stitched up his own face (and hand and ear and thumb...)
• sometimes cycles over 100 miles in one day
• loves the Burrito Bandito and In-n-Out
• is a father of five
• is a husband of 28 years
• taught me how to make omelettes
• sports camo and Abercombie like no ones business
• shops more than I do (is that possible)
• loves Pixar films
• one time thought he would look distinguished and regal with a mustache.
• makes the best toffee I've ever had
• is the patriarch of our family

Some special pictures:

Buckingham Palace

Vatican Museum

My cousin's wedding, fancy style

Mo's LASIK surgery. Totally got to watch.

Definitely ranks in the top 5 best moments of my life.

Happy 51st Birthday Dad, can't wait to celebrate 51 more!

11/16/08

Thank Heaven indeed.

Gas Bill 8/28: $80.07
Gas Bill 11/07: $47.00

I'm putting the difference towards my non-existent gray purse. And also food.

Sunday Spotlight

This is Sabrina. Isn't she pretty?

Sabrina is my sister.

She is 23 years old.

We are only 14 months apart.

Her favorite color is pink.

She loves umbrellas and polka dots.

We have lived in the same house. And the same apartment. And also the same room.

We have traveled all over the world together. To San Francisco and Paris and Milan and Rome.

Sabrina lived abroad in London for five months. She walked the halls of the National Gallery and sketched trees sitting in Hyde Park. Now she says things like "flat" instead of apartment and spells favorite "favourite."

Sabrina is fancy. She likes go to the ballet every Christmas dressed to the nines.

Sabrina reads. Books and novels and magazines. She likes love stories.

Sabrina plays the piano very, very, very well.

Sabrina can wake surf.

She can also out belch the belchiest.

She has been dumpster diving.

Sabrina is kind and compassionate. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body.

Sometimes Sabrina looks like our dog Zeus.

But thats okay, because she is so pretty.

I am extra grateful that Sabrina is my sister.

I love her.

I prefer the fancy name.

First--

Don't freak out--Its not technically a "Christmas" background, okay? Take a deep breath. There is not a trace of red or green to be found. Its just a nice, winter-y blue layout. We can get through this awkward transition period....together.

Today's subject is something that is near and dear to my heart. Nay, it is sacred. It is spoken about with a soft hushed reverence. There are few things in my life I put above this very special place. I think you know what I am talking about.

Target. Or as my mother always calls it-- Tarjay. My mother likes to make things fancy. I thought this was a totally separate store until I turned 18 and moved away to college.

Last Saturday night, Husband took me on a date. We finally got a sitter for the kids and had a night on the town. (ha! see that's funny because we don't have any kids! and someday, I will actually type that sentence, and mean it. not so funny.) Husband wore his nice collared shirt. I wore something cute and purple. And we dined out at America's finest: The Red Lobster. Don't hate, its delicious. After consuming Florida's entire population of shrimp, we waddled to the car.


"Where to?" Husband asked.

With a slight smile I replied, "Target?"

"Okay, lets go."


If you are very lucky, you will score a husband like mine, who will let you shop at Target whilst (its a word.) on a date. And, as a bonus he will pretend to like it. And, if you are very, very lucky, he might even foot the bill.


"What do we need from Target?"

"Oh, I don't know, probably everything."


This is true. Usually I need one of everything from the $1 bin section.Plastic cups, dog outfits, one-sies, stickers, notepads, you name it. Bargain! I also feel like everything I see at Tarjay belongs in my house. That frame would be perfect in the hallway! That rug was totally made for our spare bedroom! That lamp! Its divine! Those weird tall flower things would be great outside on the porch! Husband is quick to point out we don't really have a porch. We live in a basement. Good point, honey. Does that mean we don't need this deluxe patio furniture? But its on sale!

After the $1 section, I hit the greeting cards. After that I peruse the movies on sale, browse the baking aisles, stock up on toiletries, and finish off with a jaunt through their clothing section. Me + Merona = Bff.

It is 100% impossible to exit Target without spending under a $100. This is called the Legend of Target. Except its not a legend. Its real. Even if you are in line, ready to check out, there will be some Trail Mix and Gum and a Lighter and some Tide On-The-Go that WILL put you over the $100 mark. Try it, I dare you.

We left Target with the following items:

1. OXO whisk
2. 2 eco friendly non-leaching reusable water bottles
   
3. toothpaste
4. diet orange soda
5. a pleather jacket, on sale.
6. black sweater
7. Advent Calendar (no, its not up yet. back off.)
8. a greeting card for someone who reads this blog therefore I can not disclose the recipient
9. baby powder, travel size
10. holiday sprinkles set

Total target bill: $105.60

Damn that legend. More like a curse.

dear mom

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry I never understood when you said, "I miss the mountains." How can you miss the mountains? We have some baby mountains in Redding, silly mother. There is nothing to miss, those large piles of dirt and trees and snow and air.

But mom, I'm sorry that I didn't understand. Because now I do. Last night I was driving home and the mountains appeared like icebergs, looming in the darkness. And I felt comforted, by these large, overprotective brothers of mine, waiting for me at my front door.

Mom, right now our mountains are dusted with a fine powdered sugar of snow. You would love it. And the air is just cold enough to feel good in your chest, but not make it hurt. If you were here we would go up to Snowbird and try to do that dang lift again. But you are not. You are far away, by the baby mountains in California.

And Mom, you know we are thinking of joining you by those baby mountains someday. But what about my big mountains? How can I leave them behind? I feel like I belong here now.

But Mom, if you ever decide to build a grand and fabulous house on that mound of dirt that you and dad own out west, I think we would come and build a medium fabulous house next to yours. And then we could sit together at night and look at the baby mountains and tell stories about the times that we lived next the famous mountains of Utah.

Then Mom, if you want, you can whisper to me the Legend of Timpanogos and I will pretend I have never heard it before. And I will be so happy when you tell me that the lovers' spirits were united in death- and that the fair maiden forever lays at the peak of the mountain.

And mom? I understand now.

I miss you.

Love,

Me.

Plus my two front teeth.

Christmas. is. here.

OK, so its not but it is right around the corner and I am thisclose to opening my storage room and terrorizing our apartment with pine needles and twinkle lights. Its hard to express my love for Christmas. Or pinpoint my favorite part. Wrapping presents? All the shopping? Holiday treats? fancy clothes? The pretty lit houses? Snow everywhere? Scott playing Santa in the Cascade production? family family family? THE SALES! ok thats it- sales! No, but really I love Christmas so much.

Since I can't OFFICIALLY kick off Christmas until November 28th, (which, incidentally, I found out is a paid holiday for me. As in, I will be paid to shop black Friday.) I just wanted to send my Christmas Wish List to Santa so he can get a great head start.

Here is my 2008 Christmas must-haves-or-else-I-will-covet-them:

• Nikon D-60: I hope Santa has a Costco card! I have wanted a really nice camera for awhile now. I document my life regularly via photo and blog and it would GREATLY improve the quality of the images if I could please please please have this camera.
• Crocs Specialist, size 8: Yes, the are ugly. I know that. But great grapes of wrath they are so comfortable. And under pants you can't see them very much, right? Extra arch support for the ballet dancer feet my mom accidentally bred me. (Sorry mom. I did band.)
  

• Price and Prejudice, The Original Goodness, on DVD: It rained the other day and I needed this movie and it was NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. Stealy, Stealy roommates. I hope your Alias DVD is broken.
• These Adorable Cupcake Stands: If you do not pledge allegiance to Etsy, you should be very ashamed. I found these cupcake stands a few weeks ago and almost bought them ALL just so I could have them ALL to myself. Well, can I at least have one in every color?

• Non-existent Grey Leather Handbag: In my mind I have this image of a soft, charcoal, slouchy, leather handbag with a perfectly sized arm strap, a zipper (optional), and two cute front pockets with buttons or fasteners or something. Why don't you exist? Why can't I find you? We are soul mates I know it! I promise to take great care of you and love you forever. Please look for me.
• Anthroplogie Apron: I like aprons. They make me feel fancy even when I am in pajamas. Its like wearing fake clothes! Anthro has the cutest aprons. My friend/hair stylist extraordinaire Kira gave me one for our wedding and seriously I wear it every night. And sometimes day. And sometimes to work.
  
• Wilton 101 Piece Tool Caddy Collection: For my inner-baking self. No, for our future children's birthday parties. No, for our dinner parties! No, for sugar cookie decoration! Mostly so poor Mo doesn't have to come over when I call her and say "Hey, uh, do you have that food coloring that is the bright kind? and also do you have that one tip that makes grass?"

• Snapware! The more the merrier! I can't get enough of this super deluxe Tupperware. Last nights soup can go with me to work in my purse. Thats right, my PURSE. Just like that. Bam.
  
• Espresso Knightsbridge Uggs, size 8: Oh dreamy bootland! Since it snowed last week I have been wearing nothing but boots with the furrr. I love them. All I want in life is to live in the arctic tundra so I can wear them 365 days a year. And also to procreate.

Look at these babies. Smooth as chocolate. Warm as a fleece quilt. Comfortable as those 95' Old Navy pj's you are still holding on to. PLUS they have a ZIPPER in the back so the whole pant/kankle/calf-kle thing isn't an issue! Isn't that fabulous? One can never have too many boots!

Phew. Alright well there it is. Micci's list 2008. What is on your list this year?