Sometimes I talk to strangers...

...but only because they start talking to me.

Right before Christmas, 

I was on my way to a celebration 

with some good friends,

and I had to make a quick stop.

I had the following very strange conversation

with an older gentleman and his friend

at the local Dick's Market

as I was finishing up my purchase.

*****

(I'm pretty sure I was laughing the whole time!)

Older Man: Excuse me, can we talk to you for a second?

Me: I suppose.  

OM: My friend and I were just noticing 

that you have a presence about you. 

(That would be my yellow boots talking.)

I would be willing to bet that you play

at least one, possibly two, musical instruments.

M: No sir, I do not.

OM:  No piano?  Violin?  Do you sing?

M:  I don't sing or play the violin.

I did take piano lessons for a short time,

but that was years ago.

I just never took the time to practice...

(and we didn't have a piano...

but that's besides the point...)

OM: Oh, well, then I bet you were a 

straight-A student in school.

M: Actually, no, I was an awful student.

I never did my homework...

(and sometimes I didn't go to class...)

OM: I bet you made your mother cry.

M: That is definitely possible,

but I hope she's over it by now!

(It was a long time ago!)

OM: Did you participate in any school activities?

M: I was in Debate for a while 

and I was pretty good at that.

(Arguing can be fun! - especially when I win!)

OM:  I would never have guessed that...

Hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.

M: Yes sir, you too!

(I really called him sir...)

*****

The moral of the story:

You just never know when someone

is going to call you out on your accomplishments.

(or extreme lack thereof!)

I'm working...

 

...on making a comeback.

To my blog.

It's been far too long

since I've subjected you to 

my ramblings.

So be on the lookout.

Funny things are on the way.

You've been warned.

I've made a new friend...

...and it's name is Pina Colada Slurpee.

Life can be filled with challenges.

Some days are just rough and

occasionally we 

suffer disappointments.

When this happens,

you have to find joy 

in the simple things.

Jen and I went to 7-Eleven 

on Friday night and got

Pina Colada Slurpees.

Oh boy.

That is a tasty 

and refreshing treat!

In fact,

my very first thought 

when I woke up 

the next morning was

"I want a Pina Colada Slurpee!"

We had inventory this weekend at work,

and my treat to myself after working 

12 hours on a Saturday 

was my new favorite treat.

You guessed it:

a Pina Colada Slurpee!  

So so so yummo!

If you haven't tried it,

you should go as soon as possible. 

Let me know when you are going,

and I will come with you!

Please!  And thank you!!

Getting ready for...

...Match Day!!

Soccer season is here!

Finally!!

Today is the home opener for

ReAL Salt Lake.

They are facing 

David Beckham and 

the LA Galaxy.

I am so excited :)

I think it's gonna be a sold-out game!

Definitely a bonus to being a

season ticket holder

is not having to worry about 

being able to get good tickets!

The only problem with soccer matches

is that sometimes the weather

is not very co-operative.

Because the weather 

can be so unpredictable,

I have a large checklist of things

I need for the game:

Ticket - check.

Poncho - check.

Leggings for under my jeans - check.

Long-sleeve tee - check.

ReAL shirt - check.

ReAL pullover - check.

ReAL cap - check.

ReAL scarf - check.

Soccer bracelet - check.

Gloves - check.

Blanket - check.

Jacket - check.

Little hotties - check.

This list should also include 

a healthy dose of team spirit - check!!

Andrew brings the cowbell,

to signify our joy when we score!

Hopefully we will use it tonight - often!

Tonight's game also features 

an announcement of a winner

for the Food challenge.

The stadium is looking for a 

new food item to sell

and they requested

game favorite recipes from fans.

Andrew and Elise 

make this yummy treat

with tortillas, hashbrowns, 

bacon, and sour cream,

and I convinced Andrew to enter.

He is one of three finalists!

I am keeping my fingers crossed

that he is named the winner!

How cool would that be?!

And if he does, 

you are welcome!

Now - bring on the game!

Ole, ole, ole, ole,

ReAL Salt Lake!!

There is nothing boring...

 

 ...about board games.

With the right group of people,

games are just about as fun as it gets!

Last night was one of those nights.

It was so much fun hanging out with 

Matt, Katherine, Richard, Sharifa and Steve.
My face hurt from laughing so much!

We started out by enjoying a 

delicious dinner at Kneader's.

I love the Turkey Avocado Bacon 

on Focaccia bread.

I also love that I eat the leftovers

for breakfast the next day.

Yummo!
We went back to Steve's and
played a couple of really fun games.
 Smart Ass is a trivia game,
Sometimes you just feel dumb
while playing, but it's still loads of fun :)
Loaded questions is the
classic game of "Who Said What?"
There is a lot of laughter involved
while trying to guess
how everyone answered the question,
and as we learned last night,
sometimes finding out how people
really feel might be a deal breaker...
I'm glad Matt and Sharifa could bond over winter,
so the "Grateful effing Dead" comment
doesn't have to be the end of their friendship!
Good food + fun friends = great night!
Next on my list of games
I want to play is Mad Gab.
Any takers?!

Pictures from...

...Color Me Mine.

These are my latest creations.

Aren't they cute?

I definitely think so.

And thanks to Sabrina

for the awesome stand

so I can show them off  :)

Color me happy...

...at Color Me Mine!

I definitely am not, 

nor will I ever be,

very artistic.

Let's face it:

drawing stick figures 

is a stretch for me.

 But I have found a way

to let my inner artist

be expressed.

Color Me Mine 

is my favorite form of therapy,

and a little therapy never hurts!

I have been several times now

and each time I leave

I feel happy and content.

I was able to go yesterday with

Cindi, Jen, Stacie, and Steve.

It was the end of a long week, 

and being able to sit and chat, 

sometimes quietly, 

sometimes not so much,

while working on our pieces

was just what the doctor ordered.

The first time I painted a 

mini round chip and dip bowl,

the second time I painted a 

mini square chip and dip plate, 

but I'm most excited about

what I made last night.

I made a chip and dip platter, 

and a small square plate.

I planned out the colors to use

on the chip and dip platter

very carefully, and then,

with a helpful suggestion from Steve,

I added a few colors,

and some polka dots :)

When I was all done with that

I used reckless abandon

to paint the small square plate

with the same colors.

I can't wait for the platter,

and the plate will just be an added bonus,

no matter how it turns out.

I might even throw a party

to celebrate :)

It's my party...

...and I'll cry if I want to.

Birthdays are fun.

And I celebrated one this week.

I spent the first few days of February

doing things just for me.

On Tuesday, I renewed 

my drivers license.

What a hassle that turned out to be.

Except for the fact that it's 

the worst picture ever,

I'm really glad I don't have to 

do that again for a while!

On Wednesday, I used a gift certificate

that I got for a Christmas, 

and treated myself to a pedicure.

I'm so glad Josselyn got to come too!!

Thursday turned out to be really great.

My office was decorated,

lots of people said Happy Birthday,

everyone was so kind about 

saying how I young I still look,

and we had cheesecake for breakfast.

Yummm, yummm, yummm!

I received oodles of messages on Facebook, 

and lots of birthday phone calls.

Josselyn was kind enough to make me

a special birthday dinner,

complete with a Tiara.

I was, after all, the birthday Princess :)

Dinner was fabulous, and so was dessert.

Confession: I have eaten leftover

pineapple-upside-down cake 

for breakfast every day since then.

I took Friday off from work so I could 

treat myself to a sleep-in morning.

It was well worth it!

I went with some friends:

Josselyn, Damien, Jen, Cindi and Steve,

to lunch at my favorite sushi place,

Ahh Sushi.

I have received some really good gifts, 

but the one that made me cry was given to me

by Jen, Cindi, and Steve.

I am eligible to apply for American Citizenship

this year, but I have to save up some $$$.

My friends got together and started 

a little American fund for me.

I am one lucky girl! 

*The fund will remain open for donations,

if anyone else is interested :)*

After lunch, Josselyn and I went shopping.

I got some great deals.

I went to Kohl's and used another

gift card I was given for Christmas.

For only $20.73

I got 2 shirts, and 2 skirts,

and saved $92.42.

And I still have some money left on the card.

That's what I call good shopping!

I finished off my birthday week 

by getting my hair done on Saturday.

Nothing beats being pampered!

The best part of all this is that

I still have a family birthday party

next weekend to look forward to.

Thanks to everyone 

for helping make this

my best birthday yet!

I love you all!