Happy Birthday to Me

Thanks to everyone for the birthday calls, texts, emails and thoughts. I had a great one thanks to my trip to California and a great meal with Steph and my brothers.

It's been one hell of a year. I don't think my life has changed this much since the year I moved out of my parents place and started college. As I look back at this past year it makes me smile as I grew leaps and bounds as a person.

1. Went to a million concerts
2. Sold my first house
3. Quit my first post college job
4. Moved back to Washington
5. Lived with my brother for a few months
6. Learned to play the guitar
7. Met Brandi Carlile
8. Gained 2 new nieces
9. Lost 20 lbs
10. Sadly left some of the greatest friends behind in Utah
11. Made lots of pretend boyfriends
12. Saw my first Brandi Carlile concert
13. Danced with Ellen
14. Got a random bloody eye
15. Had the greatest moving party ever!
16. Went from blond to brunette
17. Laughed every single day
18. Sundanced
19. Flew to NY with Kevin and Kyra
20. Met a million new friends
21. Stopped kissing boys I was not dating
22. Gained more faith
23. Caught up with old friends
24. Started a great new job with another great client
25. Took up running
26. Got my life back in balance
27. Had a great wedding weekend with my former college roommates
28. Learned that all you need is Love

Looking back at my 27th birthday, I would have never guessed I would be living in Seattle and be more happy then I've been in a few years. Makes a girl wonder what the next year holds?

Moore Please

This weekend I went down to California to spend some time with the Moores because as you can see, they are to cute to pass up the chance to visit.



Ike learned how to use PhotoBooth on my Mac and loved it. We even let Macy get in on the action.









Saturday we got up early, watched Cars for the 10th time, went to the park, and picked up Nemo to try and get Ike hooked on a different movie...which I think worked by the way. The highlight of Saturday was the Neil Diamond impersonator. Jake and Jody new how much I loved concerts so they treated me to a little free mall entertainment.

Sunday I got big birthday hugs, a delicious breakfast, the change to hear my sister teach sunday school while keeping this little one entertained out in the hall and chocolate cake before I headed off to the airport.


All in all it was a great weekend.....now we all just need to live closer to each other.

BWV

Actual conversation while Steph and I are beep-boobing in the living room:

Linds: I love JoJo. Is this a remix of "weak"
Steph: Sure is
(both Steph and I then proceed to sing the entire song)
Linds: I am so proud of you know all of the words too
Steph: How could you not? Annie had the tape
Linds: I've got it! Sisters with voices...that is the name of our band
Steph: It's already taken
Linds: No, SWV is take....How about Bitches with voices?
Steph: That could work

.

Take Me Down To The Paradise City

Last night my friend Jen and I ventured down to the Puyallup fair and I forgot how much I love the fair. Generally speaking, they pull the craziest people who should probably not be spending their money at such a place. I was a little surprised that the Puyallup fair pulls a much classier crowd then the Utah Sate fair....who would have thought.


We had tickets to the Carrie Underwood concerts and I was ecstatic to daybut my new boots. We sat down right as the drunk old guy sitting next to me stood up and yelled to his granddaughter a few rows away, "Get er done." No lie...Jen and I knew we were in for a treat. The guy struck up a conversation with me as he continued to tell his wife he could scoot down (we were on benches....come on, it was at the fair) closer to these two pretty ladies. Ha ha....great, I had a boyfriend for the night and he was a little creepy.

Next came the singly guy who had to be in his early twenties that sat by Jen. He looked painfully awkward, but guessing by his bag full of Carrie swag he was a big fan and did not mind going to the show by himself. Strangely he just sat through the entire show without much emotion while holding onto his bag of goodies.

Carrie won me over as she walked on stage in her bedazzled onesie and sparkly bracelets and earrings. And yes, it was a vest (Stephanie!). Since she became famous by singing live, she can sing live which sadly is not the case with all musicians. My boyfriend next to me kept say, "Who ever would cheat on that is an idiot. That Tony Roma is a dumb ass." Good times. For her encore she and Paradise City. Who would have thought such a innocent little thing could rock out to a little G&R.

(This video is not from the concert I went to, but you get the point)


The show ended and I enjoyed one of the best tasting Elephant Ears I had been dreaming about while running on the treadmill earlier in the day. We walked through one of the barns (come on, I was in my boot and had to make them authentic) but when I saw this it made me want to cry and never eat lamb again.


I had so much fun, I think I am dragging Steph out tonight. :)

"We're Growing Up" or Are We?

I had the house to myself and some time before my appointment at the gym so I did one of my favorite things ever and had a killer jam session. I like to sing and play loudly and in my head, there is a large audience that is singing along. I think Max and the neighbors really liked it as well.

And because it has been about a week since I posted about Brandi Carlile, here is a video of her singing my favorite song, Turpentine:



You can't really hear the audience singing, but if you ever get the change to see her live, singing along to this part of the song is an amazing experience everyone should have.

This reminds me, I have been pondering a few things about concerts:

1. Why do people call their friends and hold up their phone during certain songs. The music is so loud the person on the other end can never make anything of it and then you usually scream something into the phone and hang up. Ya, that's real nice....call you friends and basically say "I am at a cool concert and you are not." I just think it is rude, plus you end up missing the song because you are calling your friend.

2. Why does every audience at every concert cheer whenever the singer throws the F word into a song. Really? Do you cheer for people at work that use the F word? What about in movies? Do you get all excited when an actor says it? I just don't get it. What makes it so cool during a song that you scream and clap?

Mystery Seat Cover

It happens multiple times a day without much thought. I walk into the restroom, pull off a seat cover (kindly provided to me by the management), lay it on the toilet, sit on it, pee, wipe, wash and walk back to my desk.

Yesterday I walked into the restroom, pushed open the stall door, and went to grab the seat cover when I noticed there was already one on the toilet. We have all had times when the toilet has flushed and the cover is still on the seat, but this was not the case. The middle section was still intact.

I froze as thoughts swarmed my head. Did someone get distracted by the email they were typing on their blackberry and forget they came into the bathroom to use the toilet? Did someone lay the cover down and think, "you know what, I don't really have to go." Or was it like in the grocery store when you put the divider at the end of your items so the next person does not have to? Really, would someone put the cover on for the next person?

What ever the reason, it freaked me out and I slowly backed up and went into the next stall. I am still very baffled over this.

Ode to Jared

Thanks for letting me crash at your place for a few weeks and even stay the night with my cat.

Thanks for always thinking of others first.

Thanks for being the spiritual giant that I needed in my life.

Thanks for letting me share my secrets with you.

Thanks for sharing yours with me.

Thanks for sharing in my love of music.

Thanks for teaching me to love Depeche Mode and Erasure.

Thanks for being my brother!

Happy Birthday

Ode to Steph

We met on a cold day back in SLC,
and little did we know best friends we would be.

We moved in together and kept a clean house,
except for that time when we found the mouse.

We traveled to Hawaii, CA, and the Ellen show,
and you were always willing and excited to go.

We up and moved to a different state,
because we new in UT we would never find a mate.

We read the same books and like to pretend,
that we are those girls that get the guy in the end.

We have family jam and play the guitar,
and secretly wish that we were the rock star.

We live vicariously through different TV shows,
and one day we hope to be like those TV hoes.

We've been to a million concerts and love Brandi best,
but please don't think less of me when I wear my vest.

Thank for being there all along the way,
I hope you had a Happy Birthday.

I'm In Love

I had dinner and hung out with my brothers tonight and brought my guitar to play a few tunes for the boys. Now, keep in mind when I bought this guitar over 2 years ago, I walked into the store, said, "Ah, I want to learn to play the guitar. What should I get." I bought a very low end guitar and have been fine with it until tonight.

Ben's roommate brought out his guitar which I picked it up and instantly I felt the connection.

Taylor Big Baby one day (hopefully soon) we will be together forever.

What the Weddings

What is going on? In the last 24 hours, 2 of my friend have gotten engaged and I found out one friend has been married for a few months and I am still in shock about it.

I also think it is a sign of the time as to how everyone informed me of their big news:

Engagement #1 - Text
Engagement #2 - Email
Marriage - Facebook (come on, really....you announced it over Facebook)

Maybe when I get engaged, I will only tell people through my blog.

"Get Up, Have A Little Fun Today"

I can't tell you how excited I was to come home from work to find this on my Tivo:


Ellen I missed you this summer and am glad you are back.

Sunny and 70 in Seattle

It was an amazing weekend in Seattle. The weather was perfect! Friday night we ventured down to the pier and enjoyed some delicious food that I will regret tonight at the gym.


Saturday I slept in, went running, shopped, watched a movie and played the guitar. The highlight of Saturday, buying new jeans because the ones I own are too big!!! Of course I had to buy new shoes to go with my new jeans which then turned into new shirts to go with the new shoes. You know how it goes.


And you know I would never have an amazing weekend without a concert or two. Here we are enjoying the show at Marymoore park.


Tristan Prettyman sounds great live and does some pretty crazy shiz on that guitar of hers.


What you can't see in this picture is the "hoop" off that happened later in the night. Apparently this girl was not the only one with the bright idea to bring a hula hoop to the concert. The other girl had some better moves, but this girls hoop lights up. I'm not sure who won because I am just not up to date with my hula hoop techniques.


G Love & Special Sauce were fun, but the crowed they pull was just as entertaining. Steph went into the pit of people to get a few pictures and came out 10 minutes later high from all the second hand pot.

Made Me Laugh

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Over The Shoulder Boulder Holder

For all of you girls out there that wish your boobs were bigger, this post is for you.

As I have mentioned before, I inherited my Grandma Lyman's boobs and while I like to think my future husband will appreciate them, I still don't love them and here is just another reason why.

I have recently taken up running at the gym (do you see where this is going) and love it. Things went great for the first month. Then, last week I was extremely busy and was not able to stay on top of my laundry. As usual, I was running late for my training appointment so without really thinking, I grabbed an old sports bra from the bottom of my draw and off I went.

I lifted weights, did my brisk walk warm up, and started running. 10 minutes later, I was bleeding, yes blood. Apparently my old bra was hanging on from my neck for dear life. The ropes and pulley system was rubbing against my collar bones until they had worn through my skin. I had to stop running and let me tell you, the shower after that workout was extremely painful.

Again, future husband you had better be glad I have not cut these bad boys off.

Johnny's Getting Married

Growing up you were my best friend and taught me more life lessons then you will ever know. You shared your family, your life, and most importantly your heart.

Everyone thought we should (or were) dating, but after testing the waters late one night in your basement, we both knew there was something stronger to our relationship then some silly high school crush.

You were always my favorite "date." You were not afraid to dance with me, make me feel like the most beautiful person in the world, and be the righteous example I needed along the way.

We graduated and moved away, went months without seeing one another, but still knew each others secrets and how to be there for one another.

I always new the day would come when you would find that girl that stole your heart and became your eternal secret keeper. I am so excited for you and glad that you found her. I love how happy she makes you and that she has just enough sass to keep you in check. You will be an amazing husband and father.

I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the man you have becomes, the trials you have made it though, the obedience you have shown, the way you have grown along the way, but mostly I am proud to always call you my friend.

Congratulations! I love you.