The Windy City

I am so happy at this moment! I just booked my tickets for Chicago!!! Watch out Steph -- here I come!!!! I miss my Steph terribly! Yes I did just see her a month ago, but by the time I get out there it will be 2 months almost to the day! We already have amazing plans laid out, all of which will center around brunch at the Bongo Room :) Love Love Love! Then to burn off the cals we are going to do a 5K -- I better be more consistent with my training! 4 weeks! We'll mix a Cubs game in there, along with a trip to the "bean". Wooo Hooo!!!! I am the happiest lady in the world today!

xoxo - the Chicago Lover

The Host

I loved this book. At the very beginning I was a little unsure of what I thought. It was a little weird, not something I was used to reading normally. But Stephenie Meyer is one of my favorite authors so I had faith -- and I was not disappointed! She has this amazing way of making you fall in love with the characters -- and I was sad to have it end. I would highly recommend picking it up if you haven't already!

Bachelorette

I will make it short and sweet -- I love Jason -- if she doesn't pick him -- she is an idiot! Graham is a player, he is trying to manipulate her by trying to turn things around...and he looks like a druggie to me. And the fact that he is an athlete scares me, they always cheat! Jeremy is sweet, but the connection seems to be weaker. (Becky and I discussed this, and I agree with her) I guess it could potentially grow...guess we'll just have to see.

Off Leash Dog Park

South Ogden City just opened a new off leash dog park yesterday! So of course I loaded up the dogs and met my mom and Mike. It was so fun to let the dogs run around with a whole bunch of new friends. They had a blast! Even Syd was running around with all the big dogs, that little girl is fearless!

Bode in the front seat excited to go to the dog park

Kate and I -- I seriously need a tan!

The Golden's playing with all their new friends

Syd being a big dog with her head out the window

Bode so happy after leaving the dog park, I was trying to get a creative shot --

Weekend Rundown

Another fabulous weekend has come and gone -- it's back to early mornings and long days.

This weekend I went up to Weston again to see my grandma and grandpa. It was my grandpa's birthday a couple weeks ago, so his kids got him one of those photo frames. They didn't know how to set it up so my grandma asked if I would come up and help them out. I love spending time with G&G so after work on Friday I headed North. Friday night we ate dinner and vegged out and watched TV. Syd loves grandma, so she was in heaven! We went to bed a decent time so we could be up early. Saturday morning grandma made breakfast and Syd and I got to work on setting the picture frame up. Once we got all the pictures loaded grandpa came in and gave us the details on the photos. It was fun to see all the places they have gone, and see the way grandpa would perk up telling us the stories.

Late Saturday afternoon I headed into Logan to see some old friends. I called Justin and met up with him and some of his friends. We ended up going over to my old friend Mergs house -- I haven't seen him in years, so it was so great to see him and catch up! We all went out to dinner at my favorite "Logan Place" Juniper Take Out -- delicious!!! Then went and watched "No Country for Old Men" I was not a huge fan...kind of bloody for my taste. But It was a good night with great friends -- hopefully we can do it again soon!

Liberated

Okay my "secret" which wasn't too much of a secret to most of you that know me...but I didn't want to tell too many people in case I chickened out...I cut my hair off.

This was so much more then just a hair cut, it was almost symbolic for me. I have changed so much over the past 6 years, and had my hair basically the same the whole time. Sure the bangs came and went, and my hair color changed mildly, but still was basically the same. I think as women we form an emotional attachment to our hair -- so to cut it off, it's a big deal. Well I decided it was time to cut off all those old memories and who I used to be, so I could begin to grow into who I am now :) Starting fresh and maybe a little blonder...I feel completely liberated, who knew that cutting your hair could make you feel so free? More pictures to come later -- I just had these on my phone and don't want to look like too much of a dork at work by having a photo session at my desk...

Before -- little cheesy

After --

I Heart

I heart my new shoes --

Bored

I am sitting at work -- it has been an incredibly long day. I have been super busy the whole time, so you think the day would go by faster -- but it's not. When did the days get so long?? I guess they generally are only like this when I have things I would like to get home and do.

I would like everyone to know I did get a new email address though, I am trying to get away from my old one -- I've had it since like 6 grade I think. The new one is Sammy4041@gmail.com. I'll still have my old one set up to my StrawBerry (BlackBerry) as well -- so I'll still get your emails regardless.

And because I have time I will post some cute pictures of my gorgeous friends! Kind of random -- I know! But I love these girls :) And a tribute to what was -- I'll explain that comment on Friday -- it's a secret!!!

Becky, Steph and I at Becky's Boise Baby Shower

Still at the shower -- I love this picture because of all our eyes :)

Mindy and I at Romp to Stomp this winter, we had such a great time!

Steph and I in LA Hills, with as many pictures as we have together you would never guess she lives in Chicago...

Last but not least, my Jessie. I miss her terribly! I see Steph more then Jess, and she only lives in Lehi -- pretty sad :(

Miss Priss

Miss. Priss fell asleep during Bachelorette last night -- what a strange dog...

Depression

Today I am depressed -- you want to know why?? Because I want to be here

This is a problem because the ski season is over :(

Greatest Invention EVER

So my bestie Steph in Chicago introduced me to Google Reader -- can I just tell you it is the greatest invention EVER!!! So convenient! Instead of telling you about it, just click here and you can read her blog to learn all about it! I am so lazy :)

Okay this brings me on to another point, blog stalking...We all have people that we blog stalk right? Well I have found one of the funniest blogs ever! It is written my a nurse that works in labor and delivery -- so many funny stories -- click here for the link to her blog.

Yesterday I went shopping, why is it when you go to shop you can't find anything to save your life...but when you have zero money there are all sorts of things that you "need"?? Yesterday I went shopping with a simple goal of getting some new jeans -- should be easy right? Usually I can walk in Buckle, tell them my size and that I need extra long and they pull them out, I try them on and I walk out. Not so easy yesterday. After a million pairs of jeans NON of them fit -- all too short. Yes they would fine if I wore flats, but for heels, no I would look like a dork. I left the store unsatisfied and frustrated. I am one for instant gratification -- I hate to be disappointed.

That has to be all for today -- I really should get some work done. And although I love signing my co-workers up for Facebook and ranting about jeans, I don't think that qualifies as work...

Baby Addi

This weekend I went up to my grandmas house in Weston again to see my cousin Natalie and her husband Eric. They had gone to stay with grandma for the holiday weekend, and give grandma a chance to see their sweet little 2 month old baby Addilyn. . She is so adorable! I forgot to take pictures -- imagine that -- so I stole a couple from Nat's blog :) Nat's sister Jen is going to be coming in town in the next couple of weeks, so we are all going to get together for a girls weekend! I am so excited to spend more time with them -- and sweet little Addi!

Back to Work

So things got a little screwed up with my return to work stuff -- so today is my official first day back to work in two weeks...can I just tell you it is sooooo hard to come back to work after 10 days off! And what makes it worse, the fact that it is a three day weekend. If I had today off I could have had 2 whole weeks off :) lol -- and I could have gone to the Lake for the weekend. Bummer. But with that said, I am very happy to be back among the "living" human interaction is always a good thing! And I did miss a lot of my co-workers -- so I guess I really can't complain!

Gossip Girl/ One Tree Hill/ Bachelorette

Monday nights are a crazy night of TV for me. It seems everything I want to watch is on Monday night -- but after this week there will only be one left the Bachelorette...Season final means two things to me, I am going to go crazy all summer wondering what is going to happen next fall, but it is also a relief because it means summer is here and I don't have to worry about missing my favorite shows :)

First one the final list was Gossip Girl. I started watching this show on accident, I was flipping through the channels one night and got stuck on watching it. At first I kind of thought I can't believe I am watching this -- but by that point I was already addicted. The season final was not too big of a "cliff hanger" for me -- although that isn't to say that I didn't LOVE it!!! Chuck kind of pissed me off -- I was really starting to love him. Maybe that is because I like the "bad boys" I always like it when "love" makes them be nice guys. I guess I should have known there was no hope. I think S and Nate should hook up, I am so over Dan...I wouldn't mind if he didn't come back for next season -- unless he got V pregnant or something -- that could be interesting.

Second on the agenda was One Tree Hill -- I have watched this show since it started, and completely love it! This season has been a little more relatable, because they skipped ahead 4 years, so they are all about my age now. This left me with a major "cliff hanger". I was so happy when Lucas and Payton were together, I think they are one of those destiny couples. So when Lucas got engaged to Lindsay I was not very happy. But then when she left him at the alter I thought there was hope! This is why when I am so upset that I have to wait till the fall to find out who he called at the end of the episode. For all you non-Tree Hillers, at the end of the episode Lucas makes a call to one of the girls (Payton, Brooke, Lindsay) and asks her if she wants to go to Vegas tonight to get married...

Third was the Bachelorette, DeAnna was on the Bachelor with Brad, he was a jerk and turned down both girls at the end of the season. So DeAnna is back as the Bachelorette, from the first night my personal pick is Jason. He is 31 lives in Washington and has a son. He is freaking hot and one of the nicest most sincere guys -- if he didn't win I would date him :)

Recovery

So I have been a blogger slacker! I like to use surgery and pain meds as my excuse...As most of you know I had surgery last Tuesday for my Endometriosis. The surgery went great and thanks to the pain meds the days pasted very quickly. I would post some pictures of my "battle wounds" but to be frank I don't want pictures of my tummy floating around the Internet, plus they aren't that pretty. My belly button is all bruised and looked like a prego button for a few days. Thankfully the "air" they put in your stomach and the swelling went down rather quickly.

Beck, Ryker and I lounging on the couch

The day after my surgery my best friend in the whole entire world came in from Chicago! Steph is the most perfect friend you could ever have!! I was so excited to see her, but having surgery kind of put a damper on "exciting adventures" for this visit. Luckily with Becky's c-section she wasn't up for much either. On the days that I was feeling like I could move I went and spent the days with Steph, Beck and Ryker on the couch. It was so much fun to hang out with the girls and pass baby Ry Ry around for snuggles. They both made my recovery wonderful, everything is better with great friends around. Please don't mind how terrible I look in the pictures, remember I was recovering :)

The goldens loved the flowers, they kept going up and sticking their noses in them to smell

While I was at home recovering the day after surgery I had a phone call from the florist asking if I would be home to accept a delivery, I was a little drugged up on pain meds so I didn't really process what they met -- until the most AMAZING bouquet of red roses and stargazer lilies showed up at my house. My amazing old boss Michael Jordan had sent them to me. He is seriously the sweetest, most genuine, caring person I have ever met! He has played many roles in my life since I met him two and a half years ago, boss, counselor, baker, florist and last but not least friend. Thank you Mike, the flowers have made my week! They are still beautiful -- I've been making my mom change the water for me! (we both know I wouldn't remember to do it)

Also my wonderful group at work sent me a gift basket full of goodies that made me and my family very happy :) They are so wonderful to work with, and I love them all so much! Thanks guys!

Syd taking care of me

Last but not least I want to thank my mom for taking care of me. I am not an easy person to take care of -- I can be a bit demanding if you can imagine that. But she put up with me, even making me homemade chicken noodle soup for my post op meal.

Tomorrow it is back to work -- I just hope I can finally wear something but sweats! So far my tummy has been way to sore to wear anything but sweats...

Mothers Day Road Trip

For mothers day we went up to my grandmas house in Weston Idaho. You are probably wondering where that is -- please see map below.

So I loaded up the Golden's, and Syd and we headed to grandmas house! Kate was my co-pilot. She insisted on riding in the middle the whole way there. Alternating between keeping watch and snuggling. Kate is not usually a snugly dog, but put her in the car and she wants to ride on your lap, snuggle your arm, or lay her head in your lap the whole way there.

Princess Syd quickly learned that with Kate in the middle hogging her mom she couldn't sit up front, but then discovered that she could just lay on top of Kate and get a great view out the front window....

Bode was feeling left out, and decided to sleep in the trunk -- I laid the seats down to give the dogs more room. Little did I know that two of them insisted on being in the front as much as they could get away with! And yes that is my ski boot you can see -- I finally decided it was time to take my skis out of the car, but didn't have the heart to take all of my ski stuff out yet :(

Okay and one last picture -- this will show you how great of a job Kate did at helping me keep an eye on the road -- she looks so intense!

Hexe

Coopers dog Hexe (Hexa) is the sweetest German Shepard I have ever met. She is a white Shepard, and so beautiful. Coop has had her in a blue color for ages, so she looked like a boy...and me being some what of a girly girl thought she needed a pink one! So I went ahead and got her one, it fits her so perfectly! She is to the point now where she remembers me, and we are quickly becoming best friends. I love to cuddle her, and she likes to try and make out with me.

This picture was taken when she kicked me off the couch...her couch...spoiled dog :)

Baby Ry Ry

Becky's baby Ryker Douglas Langford was born on May 6 at 3:14 pm. He was 7 lbs 15 oz and 21 inches! I went up to the hospital and spent some time with Becky, Doug and Ryker last night, and he is the sweetest most adorable baby EVER!!! Congrats Becky and Doug --

Surgery

So the date has been set -- looks like Tuesday will be the day at McKay-Dee.

Saturday -- Pedis and Shopping

On Thursday at ANTM night, I convinced Becky that we should go and get pedicures and manicures before she had baby Ry Ry. So Saturday we went to Amy's Nails to get beautified! It was so much fun, and we decided we need to do it more often! Becky is so stinking cute and such a chatter! It turned out to be a good thing we went on Saturday, because at Becky's doctor appointment on Monday they decided to induce her! They welcomed baby Ryker Douglas into the world Tuesday at 3:14 pm he was 7lbs 15 oz and 21 inches! Congrats Becky and Doug!!!

After pedi mani's my mom and I went over to DSW, it's a new shoe store in Layton. Oh my gosh, it is a fabulous store, kind of like heaven but with more shoes :) When Steph gets here -- we are going shoe shopping!