Something short and sweet.

We discovered our library this week. It's awesome! You can, like, get books and movies there for free! Just kidding, I know what a library is but, sadly, don't use it as often as I should. Hopefully that will change.

While there, we picked up the Richard Dutcher movie, States of Grace, and watched it last night. I don't know who of you have/have not seen it, but it was so great. I remember when it came out how critics actually liked it. Not that I base my interest in movies on what critics say, but when they like a Mormon movie (Mormovie?) it does peak my curiosity. I've always liked Dutcher's movies. He takes such an interesting approach on mormonism. I'm not going to say a whole lot about it (hoping to encourage you to see it if you haven't) but I will say it was sooo refreshing to see missionaries in such a different light. I would assume, having never been on a mission myself, that there are scenarios presented in this movie that are more true to life regarding what missionaries actually have to deal with. Especially for those serving in areas like these missionaries were.

Plus, it made me cry. Always a good sign!

Happy February 14th!

Around our house, that's what we call it anyway. We are a non-Valentine's Day celebrating couple. I think maybe it bothered me the first few years I knew S, but now I've grown to accept it is just not his kinda holiday and I'm totally okay with that. (By the way, in years past he has managed to slip something lovey in there around Valentine's Day, but swears it is only a coincidence and he is merely showing his love for me as he would any other given day of the year.)

Last night after I got off work we headed down to Chili's for a late night dinner. There was no wait and service was great which reaffirms my belief that the best time to go out to eat is after 10 p.m. Although, I admit as I am getting older, it is getting harder to do that. Twenty-four hours ago I loved Caeser Salad. Now (as I am still trying to digest it) I loathe it. Anyway, we went home, watched some more of Braveheart (never seen it before) and called it a night. And you know what? It was as good of a "holiday" celebration as I'm sure anyone else had. Sometimes it helps to not have any expectations :)

Now I, personally, love Valentines Day and find my own way to celebrate it with those who share my enthusiasm. This week at work we brought out the construction paper and glue and decorated Valentines boxes a'la 3rd grade. S called me in the process and laughed when I told him I was at work with my hands covered in paint and glitter (I think his response was something like, do you ever work when you are at work?) I had a harder time channeling my inner 10 year old than I thought I would but it ended up being a lot of fun. Most of us exchanged the cartoony "To: From:" Valentines that you get at the grocery store. We capped off our celebration by decorating sugar cookies (courtesy of S...thanks again, by the way!) Best part? I re-lived the joy of an elementary school student as I opened my Valentines box at home that night and saw an array of Valentines and goodies. What a fun holiday!

Yay, I am so proud of you!

The 5 winners (hopefully they still think they are winners when they see their custom made creation) of something fabulous made just for you by me are:

#1: Sarah

#2: Alicia

#3: Lindsay

#4: Lauren (I have to admit I am somewhat intimidated to make something for someone who works at Stampin' Up! but will accept the challenge nonetheless :) )

#5: Melissa

Thanks again for playing along!! Now it's off to craft/bake/who knows what else!

I don't mean to be mean, but...

it is pretty pathetic on my end and unfortunate on your end that no one is willing to take me up on my offer to make you something great. I also don't mean to be egotistical but I happen to be known for my amazing chocolate cookies and it is just one of the many possibilities I have been considering :) I also know that more than 4 people read my blog...but I'm officially going to "close" the offer by this Saturday and the lucky TWO (three, if you want to change your mind Sarah...you can always just draw stick figures for people or something and scan them in as an email!--same goes for you mystery commenter who withdrew their comment) people will get something great!

A few weeks ago

I sat in our breakroom at work watching the weather report.

I cringed when the meteorologist mentioned that it was 80 degrees in Los Angeles that very day. I needed a break from this miserable winter so bad! I sent S an email suggesting we go somewhere close in the mountains, just to get out of the inversion. He called back later suggesting we fly to San Diego the next day.

Within four hours we had our plane tickets purchased and hotel room reserved. As I sat in the airport the next day I thought how surreal this all was. Twenty-four hours previously I had no idea what this week was going to hold for me and here I was getting the escape I needed so badly! (One thing I love about S is his spontaneity...which is somewhat ironic because I am a very planned, methodical, organized person.)

As we exited the terminal at Lindburgh field we threw off our winter coats and stuffed them in a bag. The air temp was an amazing 75...something I had forgotten existed! We picked up our rental car and headed to our hotel on Pacific Beach.


This place was AMAZING! S happened upon it by accident, but it's going to be hard to stay anywhere else when we go back. The day just seemed to be getting better as they upgraded us to one of their suites for a minimal cost. (S was trying to barter the cost down a bit; I ruined it by giving him a goofy grin until he agreed on the set cost...he told me later he was planning on taking the suite no matter what, just wanted to see if he could talk them down. Oops.)

The next few days were spent enjoying the mild climate and FABULOUS FOOD! Our new favorite restaurant is called Gringos. Not to be confused with the pathetic fast food joint in Utah, it is this moderate/upscale fusion Mexican restaurant. (It's off Garner and Mission Bay Blvd. in case you are ever in the area.)

Also, we went to the zoo for the first time together. It had been at least 15 years since either of us had been there and something about there not being many crowds (and not being a kid) made it such a great experience. It makes me willing to give Sea World another chance sometime.

In the end, I swear that this vacation saved my life. We got out of the yucky cold inversion and into some much needed sunshine. I let the waves of the ocean lull me to sleep each night and the damp ocean air heal my cracked, dry winter skin. I forgot about all of my worries back home. And when something that was irking me did come up, S was really good to let me just vent about it.

If there was any glitches, it would be that we were stuck in the airplane in San Diego for an extra hour waiting to see if the fog would lift back in Salt Lake (it didn't...we still landed in the worst fog SL international has seen in awhile. The pilot said that the plane was equipped to be able to land itself. I questioned whether or not anyone had really TESTED this prior to this evening to make certain.) So yes, landing in zero visibility? Not so much fun; but a small price to pay for such a great vacation.

Next year I'm thinking of spending the entire month of January in SoCal!