Not feeling it ...

11 days to Christmas and I've not even started my shopping. Forget the Christmas cards, I have not even made my list. It's NOT the most wonderful time of the year, it's the most STRESSFUL time of the year!

BAH HAMBUG!!!

Apicoectomy

I discovered during my last dental check up that I have an abscessed tooth and that I will have to see an endodontist for an apicoectomy. I found this description when I googled the word.

An Apicoectomy is the removal of the root tip and the surrounding infected tissue of an abscessed tooth. ... After the tooth is "numbed", the gum is lifted to uncover the underlying bone and the root end of the tooth. The root-end is removed with all the surrounding infected tissue. ... root-end filling is placed to seal the end of the root canal, the gum is repositioned, and a few dissolvable stitches are placed to hold the gum tissue back in its place until healing occurs. ... After a few months, the bone around the root-end has healed, and all symptoms are gone.

I had the procedure done on Thursday afternoon. Once the numbing wore off, it was pretty painful. Thankfully, I got some pretty good pain killers prescribed to me and I can now see why they are "controlled substance". I didn't know how the pills would affect me so I only took a half and it knocked me out cold clear into the morning. I woke up and notice that there was some blood on my pillow and I was in a bit of pain, so I took the other half of a prescribed pain killer again that morning and stayed home from work. It is now Saturday afternoon and the pain had considerably subsided. My upper lip area is still swollen, but it's no longer as tender to the touch as it was yesterday morning. Drinking my meals got old pretty fast, but I was able to have some scrambled eggs last night and this morning. I'm on the mend and planning on taking it easy the rest of the weekend so I can go back to work on Monday.

Next on the list, fix that chipped tooth I went in to see the dentist for in the first place ...

Black Friday

Saw this cartoon on Pinky's blog and I whole-heartedly agree. I just don't understand those people who has to go and shop 'til they drop on the day after Thanksgiving. I'm getting some extra zzz's ...

What's the worst accident you've seen?

Recalling to a co-worker ("CW") a terrible accident while on my mission in Malaysia where a man on a bicycle was hit by a bus.

Me: ... the scene was so gruesome that they had to cover his head because it was cracked.

CW: Oh, my ... was he alright?

Me: Yes, he's now practicing law in Malaysia ... DUH!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be grateful for, but most of all ...

I'm grateful that I'm not a turkey this weekend.

Things I'm grateful for

All month long, I've been seeing daily postings on facebook of things friends are grateful for. Thanksgiving is on the 26th this year and I decided to create a gratitude list, just not share it on facebook. So, by date this month, I've been grateful for:

1. An extra hour of sleep
2. Catchy tunes that make me smile (in this case "That's All" by Phil Collins)
3. Naps
4. Endodontists and not having to have a root canal today
5. Appreciation for fine art I can't afford
6. Friends who invite me to do things with them
7. Good meatloaf
8. Good movies that make me bawl (in this case, "The Green Mile")
9. AARP for sending me a membership solicitation and giving me a good laugh
10. People who think they can handle home birth
11. Piggy banks and Trapper Monastery honeys
12. People I can have great conversations with
13. My job and its benefits
14. Pajama days
15. People who inspire
16. Sweet potato fries and friends to laugh with at funny movies
17. Meetings with free food and health insurance fully paid for by employers
18. Friends helping friends
19. Kind and courteous people
20. Check lists that make busy productive days
21. Modern technology from the washer and dryer, dishwasher, cell phones to the Wii
22. Friends who carpool with me to church
23. The ward mostly-carbohydrate turkey dinner -- half a scoop of mashed potatoes, yams, stuffing, half a slice of turkey with a drizzle of gravy ... however, we could have all the dessert we want.
24. The ability to buy my own turkey dinner.
25. Over the counter drugs to help me get over whatever this coughing and achiness is.

Common Courtesy

A few nights ago, some friends and I went to see a movie a few hours prior to the official public opening show. After waiting in line for about 90 minutes, we saw three girls cut in line as we were entered the theater, proceeded into the theater and saved two rows of seats for their party. We were quite obvious with our displeasure and it really got our goats when one particular girl got cheeky and just shrugged her shoulders when we told her that she was being rude. Obviously, common courtesy is lost on some her. SOME PEOPLE'S CHILDREN!

Miche Bag

Julie hosted a Fall Boutique at her place over the weekend and I've been saving up to get these Miche Purse and an assortment of shells. If you've not heard, basically you have a purse (comes in black or brown) with magnetic outer "shells" to change the look without having to change purses. It comes in a small or large size, what we all wanted was a size in between, but oh well ... the large size barely came out, so there's not a large selection of shells. I opted for the small solely because there's more shells to choose from. I'm so excited!

The basic black for the more formal events.

The giraffe print to bring out the wild side?

Circles! How fun is this? Especially, for the warm weather ...
This picture doesn't do it justice,
but the orange is very pretty ... very autumnal.
Tan courderoy ... for the casual days and I love the pockets!

Look at that Christmas tree!

Puts me in the holiday spirit just looking at it.

I won the drawing for a free skin and this is the one I chose ...

can't wait to get it!

Chicken feet and spaghetti noodles

I met up with some friends for dinner at Cafe Ahn Hong Friday night. Sunnie, Wendy and Handi LOVE their chicken feet. Yeah, no thanks -- I'll just take their words on that one ... I'm so boring compared to them when it comes to things like that. I wasn't so happy with my food. Things I didn't care for:

• Wonton soup ... what in the world was that broth? Was it out of a Swenson can? FAIL!


• Spaghetti noodles ... I ordered the House Lo Mein expecting that they'll make it with egg noodles, but oh no, it was spaghetti noodles. Are you kidding me? The owners were talking to the rest of my table in Chinese and they think they can pass spaghetti noodles on us? FAIL!

At least the Chinese Brocolli with shrimp cake was good. 1 out of 3 ... not a good record. I should just stick to their weekend dim sum ... I'd highly recommend their charsiu bao, pork shiumai, turnip cake ... just not the lo mein or wonton soup.

Reminder to be nice-er ...

Do you have someone in your life who tries your patience because you think they are socially inept? So, I've been civil but 'cool' towards this person to avoid any aggravation. I just can't talk to the guy because he's so out there. He called me on it today and apologized for 'whatever' he might have done to offend me ... I feel small.

Really? AARP?

EXCUSE ME! Why is there as solitation from AARP in my mailbox?
I turned 40 this year, not 60! Can't this wait a couple of decades?

Introducing Inge as Inga!

"Ja, ja, itz me, Inga, ze German barmaid!"

"Wit ze pretty Pink Princezz, Pinky."

"Itz ze mohawk, don't you know?"

"Wit ze scariezt zombie, Zerry."

A Halloween Story ...

Bob Hill and his new wife, Betty, were vacationing in Europe ... as it happens, near Transylvania. They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.

Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance.

Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks.

A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door and Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife, Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?"

"I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in and I will get him!"

Bob brings his wife in. An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."

With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.

After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.

The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.

Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music.. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight!

Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory.

He bursts in and shouts to his master:

"Master, Master! The Hills are alive ... with the sound of music!"

(Honestly, how many of you actually saw that coming?)

Autumn Poetry

I think I had mentioned how autumn makes me feel "artistic". So I found this short poem I wrote a few years ago when I was feeling a bit melancholy based on a quote by Victor Hugo.

"Tears are the drops of the soul." ~ Victor Hugo

My tears
drop
emptying
my soul.

Fall

Fall.
Heaven's
tears
fall.
Golden
leaves
fall.
Fall.

First Day of Autumn

I love this season. I love the word "autumn" and prefer it to "fall". Fall paints in my mind something depressing, a death of the seasons, makes me want to cry. Autumn, however, paints reds, oranges and yellows, I feel warmth in the soul and makes me want to write and read poetry. With that in mind, I've gathered a few quotes on autumn. Enjoy!

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. ~ P. D. James

Autumn is the bite of the harvest apple. ~ Christina Petrowsky

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. ~ John Muir (1838 - 1914)

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air. ~ Eric Sloane

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~ Edwin Teale

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before. ~ Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

There is a harmony
In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,
Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 - 1822)

In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November. ~ Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden, 1905

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

When the bold branches
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves -
Welcome wool sweaters.
~ B. Cybrill

Fall is my favorite season in Los Angeles, watching the birds change color and fall from the trees. David Letterman (1947 - )

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools. ~ Henry Beston, Northern Farm

Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds. Fall is the artist. ~ Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

Flu Shots

Summer's Over!

$$$

A few people I know got married this month and I was invited to a couple of bridal showers. As I'm going through my expenses for the month, I'm seeing a HUGE increase in my spending on gifts and it's not even Christmas yet. So, here is my question, do men spend money on gifts and showers for the grooms to be? Of course, I don't mind shelling out the money for a shower and gifts for good friends or family, but when I've not done anything with them or heard from them in years, am I obligated to spend my money just because I got invited? With the money I've spent over the years on gifts and showers for mere acquaintances and I'm sure I could have a really nice something or other. Do I sound bitter that I've not had a bridal shower? Should we make it so that any woman over a certain age be thrown a shower and get her share of gifts if she's not married yet? I think it's only fair ...

Bookworm in a bar

The story of my life, I swear ...

Stupid kid ...

A Steady Rain

My dreams come true. If I get to see this, I think I can die and go to heaven. Too bad there isn't a "chest off" involved in the play ...

Remembering 09-11-2001

I awoke that morning to various NPR reporters reporting planes crashing into the Twin Towers in NYC. I thought I must have been dreaming. I got out of bed and turned on the TV and sure enough the horrific images were on every channel I turned to. Panic rose, my family, where are they? Dad works the grave yard shift in Manhattan. Mom and Harry, where do they work? I can't remember ... are they anywhere near those buildings? I called every number I had for them and it would either ring on forever (I still don't understand why they don't have an answering machine?) or couldn't get connected at all. As I got ready for work, the coverage continued on the other attacks at the Pentagon and in PA. It boggles the mind that anyone could do something so horrific in the name of God. I went to work and by mid-morning, I managed to reach dad. He had gone straight home after work that day and didn't linger in Manhattan as he had done so many times. Mom and Harry were working in Queens, so they too were safe. Thank God!

I looked at my schedule for the day. I had an appointment with oral surgeon to get my two remaining wisdom teeth removed that afternoon. I couldn't possibly reschedule ... considering how much pain I had been in the last few days leading to this appointment. I must have been one of the few in America that night who slept (thanks to the drugs that the doctor gave me).

Within the next few days and weeks, replies came in from friends in NYC with news that they were safe and so were their loved ones. I love that America came together in the days, weeks and months that followed. I worried that there would be a backlash against the middle-eastern and Muslim communities (which did happen). I cried a lot. Despite the tragedies of that day, I think we are a stronger people and nation. The only phrase I can think of to describe my feelings for the day is the prayer I often utter, "God bless America!"

DDD: 2009 Salts, Slots, AstroTurf Van and Hula Hoops Tour

Can you believe it? We've lived here for years and have never been to the famed Salt Flats. On Monday (Labor Day), Tracie, Angel, Janeen and I made the pilgrimage to go there so now we can say, "Been there! Done that!"

A google search on this hideous monument on I-80 near Wendover yielded the following on roadsideamerica.com:

We give some credit to the State of Utah for at least tolerating experiments with environmental comedy. "Metaphor: The Tree of Utah" can't be serious. Metaphor is an 87-foot tall sculpture poking up out of the white plains of the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Tree was created in the early 1980s by European artist Karl Momen. It is also known as "Metaphor: The Tree of Life." It was dedicated in 1986 as "A hymn to our universe whose glory and dimension is beyond all myth and imagination." We guess the Mormons like this sort of thing, or it wouldn't be here (though it is pretty far from Salt Lake City...). Artist Momen doesn't have to look at it; he bought patch of land, built the thing, and went back to Sweden.

Near the base of the Tree, there are several fallen "leaves" -- large spherical segments intentionally scattered on the salty ground. It's where your traveling companions would pose if this were a tourist attraction instead of a work of art. As dumb as it is, Metaphor is the only thing for hours worth photographing.

Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats!

I love this picture for the bright blue sky contrasting the stark white salt flats ... not to mention the beautiful women and mountain range ...

Strike a pose!

Ta-da!

At the flats ...

Moving? Don't forget the hula hoops!

You too? Hula hoops and a tandem bike? What are you, circus people?

Got to the Saltair, just in time for closing. See ya next time ...

AstroTurf Van

We passed this car on the way back home and couldn't believe our eyes! What in the world? It's a car covered in astro turf! Of course, we pulled over to a rest stop to allow the slow moving vehicle to get ahead and then catch up to them again to take this video.

Desperado

I need a nap!

With only two hours of sleep last night (I’m blaming it on allergies), I need an afternoon nap right now …

bayleaf cafe

Tried out the bayleaf cafe on Main Street and met one of the owners, Seth ... so excited to try out these comfort foods!

Loved the drinks served in large mason jars ...

I had the Chicken Adobo rice bowl and Marcy tried the Chicken Fried Chicken with their hoppin john and the cheese grits.

Semi Nordic Walking

I see this lady waking just about every morning on Main Street. Why is she Nordic walking with only one pole?

Accents and such ...

This is one of my favorite stories to tell about accents … and no lie, this really happened. Now, the story sounds a lot better when I tell it because, well … how do you do accents in writing, right? So, the accented words will be written out as what it sounded like when it was said. Anyway …

I was on my way to a party at Brenda’s house with a couple of friends (one of which was “M” who is a native of Mexico), when I got a phone call from the "hostess with the most-est" asking if we would stop at a store and pick up a few things before coming to the party. She needed three things: 1) drinks, 2) ice cream, and 3) toilet paper (she was running low and didn't want to be without with guests coming over).

As there were three of us, we divvied up the items and agreed to meet at a cash register in a few minutes. Five minutes later, we were at the appointed register except for "M" who had to get toilet paper. So, we went to find "M" in the toilet paper isle. There stood "M" looking overwhelmed by the choices of toilet paper. Basically, "M" believed that people are really picky when it comes to certain products and didn't know what brand Brenda would prefer. So, to get it over and done with I whip out my cell phone and called Brenda.

Inge: Brenda, "M" wants to know what kind of toilet paper you want us to buy.
Brenda: I don't care, just get me a small 4-pack.
"M": Tell her that there's Charmin, Quilted Northern ...
Inge: (repeats the choices to Brenda)
Brenda: Charmin!
Inge: Grab a 4-pack of Charmin.
"M": Well, which kind? There's the single-ply, double-ply, triple ...
Inge: (repeats the choices to Brenda)
"M": Tell her that the triple have more "shits"

We (except for "M") laughed so hard, tears were in our eyes ... "M" didn't talk to us the rest of the night ... but when he did finally talk to us again, "M" told us that he will also not say "beach" and uses the word "seashore" instead.

The wonder that is me ...

I've been thinking about not going to church. I'm burnt out in this singles ward. The few rotten apples have really spoiled the bunch for me. I've no plans on attending my home ward either, though ... I'm just tired. So much is asked of me and I'm not feeling like I'm getting anything out of it. I don't want to feel guilty for not going to church, eating out or shopping on Sundays, not praying or reading my scriptures. I just want to live my life as a good person without the pressure of being "perfect".

I'm certainly not meeting any men to date in this ward and at this point I'd rather find a good non-LDS man, who doesn't drink or smoke, who is true to himself than an LDS man who is a hypocrite.

Gossip

Out of breath and with a serious look on her face, a friend came running up to me before church and said, "I need to talk to you!" Worried that something bad had happened I asked what was the matter. Turns out she had just overheard that someone I might have liked (had he not gone after a girl I can't stand and would only now get my attention if he hits me over the head with a skillet) had gotten engaged over the weekend. Oh, PUH-LEEZ!

The whole thing wouldn't have bugged me so much if the next three hours were not filled with talks about marriage. I was really bugged by the conversation and after I got home I decided to call her to ask why she did what she did. Had I given her the impression that I was "in love" with this newly-engaged man? Did she really think that I was going to get so upset or burst into tears? Did I look/act like I care? No, she admitted, but she "knew" that he had "hurt" me (I was more ticked than hurt by his choice of woman he decided to pursue) and that it was "hot" gossip and she wanted to make sure that I would hear the news from a "friend" ... just in case ... So, I asked her if she also went running to his ex-girlfriend and delivered the news to her to get the reaction she didn't get from me. No, of course not.

I SO hate my singles ward sometimes ...

He's got my back ...

This week has been horrendous at work! My boss, L, had a lot of fires to put out and was really stressed. A huge closing was scheduled for yesterday afternoon and the attorney she worked with on the loan just has a different method of working that is not very compatible to L's style of working. To begin with, L, is quite easily frazzled, and all the things that went "wrong" yesterday just made her go ballistic. Well, today my boss, B, called me into his office, closed the door (which really freaked me out -- I hate closed door meetings) and we had a little chat that went something like this:

B: Do I need to talk to L?
Me: Why?
B: I saw [the secretary] she yelled at yesterday and she was really upset. I also heard that she yelled at [the other attorney]. Did L yell at you too?
Me: No, I was in close proximity of the people she yelled at, but none of the things that went wrong were my fault, so ...
B: Well, she really fought to get you as her secretary. If she ever becomes a problem, you let me know and I'll make sure that you won't have to work for her.

Awww! B has my back and will stand up for me and protect me. No wonder he has my loyalty.

Blessed by adversity

I'm so blessed to be able to come in contact with so many inspirational people. I LOVE the chocolate-flavored Italian Ice this man sells (it reminds me of New York City). A co-worker mentioned this article yesterday, but I didn't have the time to stop and read it. So today, Marcy, Julie and I stopped at the cart to get some of this cold yummy treat after lunch. Wow! I wish I had read this article before lunch. I wouldn't have asked for the extra scoop or at least I would've paid for it. Inspirational!

Blessed by adversity: Utah man refuses to wallow in past
by Lee BensonDeseret News, Aug. 18, 2009 11:11 p.m. MDT

Life. It throws change-ups. And nobody is exempt. No one wins them all. Or were you not watching what happened to Tiger Woods on Sunday?

Gary Ceran has seen his share of ups and downs. He's lost three children to cancer. He's lost twins to premature birth. He's lost businesses to the economy. And that was before his wife Cheryl and children Ian and Julianna were killed when a drunken driver plowed into the family car on Christmas Eve in 2006.

Only Gary and son Caleb and daughter Clarissa survived — all that remains of the family that could have been, should have been, 11.

I ran into Gary Ceran this past week. Almost literally. I was walking around a downtown corner, and there he was in the middle of the sidewalk, offering me a free Italian ice sample.

I looked at the nearby street vendor cart, staffed by three teenagers.

"Skoopzz New York Italian Ice" said the sign.

"Do you have coconut?" I asked.

"Of course," came the reply.

As I was walking away I thought the thought that is never far from a newspaper columnist's mind: this could be a column.

By the time I turned back I had it sketched out in my mind: This guy was an out-of-work stockbroker putting his kids to work on the streets.

I said to the vendor, "I'll bet there's a story here."

I had no idea.

"I'm Gary Ceran," he said. "I think you've written about me before."

Indeed I had, along with the rest of the Salt Lake media. Gary's story took on dramatic overtones in the winter of 2006-07, and not only because of his family's tragedy on Christmas Eve. Afterward, Gary unconditionally forgave the 24-year-old man who reduced his family by half.

It was the first of a series of highly publicized acts of forgiveness that winter, arising out of tragedies from the Trolley Square shootings to the Amish schoolhouse massacre.

Gary explained that he took six months off after the car wreck as his family healed.

Then, in the spring of 2008, he remarried, instantly gaining four more children, and after that he put all the kids to work, along with himself, staffing Skoopzz.

The Italian ice business dates back to the summer of 2003 when Gary, who was working in financial management for the LDS Church, bought the cart and put his kids to work outside Salt Lake's two downtown malls.

Skoopzz was so successful it spawned an ice cream store and a pizza place in Provo.

But success hath its own pitfalls. First the downtown malls were torn down, then Gary became a victim of his own rapid expansion when the economy sagged, and then along came that drunken driver.

Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and here's Gary, in yellow T-shirt and sneakers, again hocking Italian ice with his family.

Everything has changed and nothing has changed.

Mr. Forgiveness clearly enjoys the view from street level.

"I get to make a lot of friends," he says, "and the kids get to learn how to be entrepreneurs."

From here the possibilities are, as always for one who refuses to wallow in the past, many. Gary is learning foreign currency trading, he's writing a book (working title: "Allowing Your Life To Be Blessed By Adversity"), he's considering motivational speaking, and come wintertime he might move Skoopzz into the food court as the downtown malls re-emerge.

He definitely plans to continue to keep in touch with Carlos Prieto, the man who plowed into his family on Christmas Eve. Gary visited Carlos in prison last Christmas. "It was a beautiful experience," he said. "He's got eight years left in jail, and then he'll get deported, and yet we were able to smile and talk. He's doing the same thing we all are, trying to move on in life."

Before he moved on to offer an Italian ice sample to a construction worker, Gary remembered something his father used to quote.

"He'd always say life is like a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you up, that's up to you."

Temper Tantrums

So, at what age are temper tantrums inappropriate? Several friends and I are on somebody's @#!*-list because at the last gathering, we stopped a very serious and slow, subtitled movie she loves for something a bit more light-hearted (which I brought). The funny thing is it's not like we don't know the storyline of the movie as she had painstakingly told us the full story from beginning to end some time that week prior to viewing the movie. We've gotten together since and had invited her to come along, but we've had no response from her to our phone calls, texts, etc. She will be moving out of state in the next few weeks and none of us want this friendship to end over something so trivial ... but what else can we do when we've made every effort to contact her and she has blown us off? Now we're hearing from other friends that she is bad-mouthing us over the incident. It's one thing if this friend is a teenager (somehow being a diva is expected of teenage girls), but she is in her 50s (at the very least) ... shouldn't she know how to get over not getting her way all the time? We humored her and watched the movie for about an hour, but when people are snoring and yawning and killing the party, I think it's time to change the movie to liven things up again ... but that's just my opinion.

Last night I did some shopping and got her a small gift card as a farewell gift. I'm hoping that she can use it after the move to get little things that will help her and her family settle into their new place. The debate is whether or not I should bring it to her or if I should just mail it to her. I so don't want to deal with the drama. Any thoughts?

Camera Phone

What did we ever do without a camera on our cell phones? Here are some fun pictures I found on my phone:

Pink flamingos at the San Diego Zoo

I call this one, "After the Rain", at the Utah Arts Festival in June

Nope, it's not a painting, this really was the billowy clouds after that rain storm in June

I've shared this one before while in a contemplative mood with the caption, "Life may not always be a bowl of cherries, but it's not always the pits either."

Gerber daisies one of my co-workers brought in to brighten the office one day

The fans at the Air Supply concert a few weekends ago

Keeping my eye on you

ALOHA from my desk!

A pink bike!

Here are some pictures friends have sent to my phone:

Faye's white board.

Ann's bowling pins.

Marcy took this one of the dark clouds over Temple Square today.