sayonara 2013

I couldn't let today pass without the obligatory New Year's post. Overall 2013 was a pretty great year. I'm taking a page from my sweet friend Larissa and I'm doing a past year's resolution list, and because I can't blatantly rip her off, I'm making a few tweaks at the end.

So here you go, in no particular order, past year's resolutions:

1. Get engaged!
2. Get married! The best, happiest, hardest thing I have ever done (and planning it in seven weeks was the easy part).
3. Play a bucket-list role (Shelby in Steel Magnolias)
4. Play a wicked Queen
5. Survive an Ice Rain storm
6. Become a Mary Kay consultant and end the fiscal year in the top ten for my Unit. 
7. Have my picture taken with a real-life Iron Man.
8. Have lots of bestie time with Sparky.
9. Help build a 9' Hulk out of Legos. 
10. See lots of plays like The Odd Couple, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Forever Plaid.
11. See Boybandpalooza in Vegas with my two gals Steph and Mel. Let inner 16-year old out. 
12. Participate in a Las Vegas "wedding" 
13.  Experience Steph's first viewing of the 'Red Solo Cup' music video at I love this bar and grill.
14. See lots of concerts like Brad Paisley, Plain White T's, Boybandpalooza (NKOTB, Boyz II Men, 98* Degrees), and P!nk (well, until P!nk rescheduled for January 20) 
15. Sing with the Heritage Carolers 
16. Participate in the first ever Heritage Caroler's World Tour.
17. Get stuck on I-15 for three hours on the way to St George. Witness Ashley try to pee in the snow-and fail. (She succeeded in getting snow in places one shouldn't though!) 
18. Take a six-month break from the stage. 
19. Have an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding shower complete with lip sync-off ala Jimmy Fallon.
20. Have a karoke bachelorette party and sing 'Touch-a touch-a touch me"  
21. See the Famous Idaho Potato Tour.
22. Accept a new position at work and gain the ability to work from home.
23. Make trips to St George to see my family and celebrate niece's birthdays.
24. Watch Chef in the Making's stage debut as Snow White in Into the Woods. 
25. Be able to follow the Spirit and Pay it Forward to a stranger during Christmas.

Every year I say I'm not going to make any resolutions, but every year I do anyway. I try to keep them realistic so I don't get overwhelmed. I usually keep them to myself but this year I decided I needed a little more accountability so I'm posting here.

1. Read 30 new books along with re-reading Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. 
2. Work on my patience. 
3. Finish the #bofm365 challenge
4. Blog more.
5. Visit my first love with my new love on our anniversary. (Disneyland & Mr. Wonderful)
6. Love me for me.
7. Work on being happier-accentuate the positive and stop dwelling on the negative. 
8. Be a better friend/wife/sister/daughter/aunt 

Well friends I hope your 2013 was great and your 2014 is everything you want it to be.

Because there were just too many photos this year (and not at all because I'm obsessed with this app), here is a highlight reel. Thanks Lady Gaga for the music and flipagram for the app! 

things that must go

I will freely admit that for reasons unknown to me I was a complete and utter Grinch this Christmas. You would think I would have been ecstatic because it was the first Christmas I spent up here with Mr. Wonderful and his family. I was-at first, but as the day got closer I just became sadder which I then allowed to turn into anger over what I was missing down south.  Allow me to clarify and say this was not the first Christmas I had ever spent away from my own family, so I still don’t understand what my deal was. Although this was not foreign territory to me all I could focus on was the fact I was missing them something fierce.

I feel  bad for Mr. Wonderful and his family-they have convinced themselves that I didn’t have a good time and I don’t like their traditions-I did, and I do-and I am so thankful that they welcomed me with loving and open arms. I just missed my family and our traditions.

In an effort to get rid of my Grinchiness and have a better outlook for the impending New Year I feel it’s necessary to perform an exorcism of sorts. I present here for your reading enjoyment my  most recent list of things that must go-if you want butterflies and rainbows you need to stop reading now because this ain’t gonna be pretty:

Announcing huge life events via updating your status. I get that you’re happy. I get that you want to share your good news with everyone in the quickest way possible. What I don’t get is how the second you get the ring on your finger or the baby in your belly you are too quick to forget the people in your life who want that very thing but keep falling short. You may not think it’s a big deal, but it stings. A LOT. Maybe you should check your empathy button before you go off on how you are so happy and how you can’t believe your wait is finally over, and how it’s everything you want it to be and MORE, and how lucky in love you are—ESPECIALLY when the platform you are proclaiming this from gives the recipient no warning, and no ability to filter it until AFTER it’s been read. I get you’re happy, but your insensitivity is breaking a lot of hearts.

Sending mass texts about said life event AFTER you’ve posted on Facebook. I already was blindsided on facebook. I don’t need you to add insult to injury via text. If I can muster my fake mommy smile long enough to be polite I’ll pass along congratulations. If you go fishin for congratulations before I’m ready to play nice you won’t like the results.  

Face-boxing. If I want a steady stream of political bashing I will join a political site. If I want to read your latest dramatic diatribe I’ll subscribe to your blog. I’m on Facebook to keep in touch and because it’s mindless fun. Facebook is not your personal soap box. Let’s keep it light and fun, people!

Facebook over-shares. On that same note Facebook is not a place to over share. I don’t need to know about your cramps, or how you’ve been puking your guts out the last three days, or how your sister’s labor is progressing (*guilty* and lesson learned within 30 seconds of hitting ‘send’).  I don’t log in to be made uncomfortable or grossed out. Save the gross stuff for your doctor and give me the funny you tube videos and picture parodies.

Repeats on FoodNetwork. It’s bad enough that I have to have you on and be tormented by your deliciousness all day, but come on. You are an older station with quite the archive of shows. I shouldn’t be seeing the same episodes of Paula Deen, Gi-a-DUH, and Rachel Ray all week. It’s ok to mix it up peeps.

Giada. If her necklines get any lower or her hairstyles any higher she’s a gold chain away from being a bad Italian stereotype. It’s bad enough you named your kid the English translation of your OWN name, but if  I have to hear you over pronounce ‘Riz-oh-TOE’, ‘pah-st-AH’, ‘mas-ca-PONY cheese’, ‘pan-chain-TAH’, ‘CRRReamy’, ‘CRRRunchy’, or ‘CRRRust’ again I might just need to put my head through a wall.

People who should be riding on the short bus rather than driving it. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Do us all a favor, pull your head out of your ass, and quit driving like you own the road. You don’t, and I’m tired of having to up my defensive driving game because you don’t understand how a merge works.

Doing all the work so someone else gets all the credit. You didn’t do it all on your own. Recognize that. Makes it easier for me to WANT to help you next time.

People shortening my name. It still isn’t cute, and it still bugs the hell out of me. STOP.

Forcing me to repeat myself.  Making me say the same thing over and over again only confirms your stupidity and irritates the hell out of me. You won’t get a different answer no matter how many times you re-word your question. Shut you mouth, open your ears, and we’ll all get along great.

Drama Queens. I have enough drama in my own life. I don’t need you trying to suck me into yours.

The Inversion. I miss sounding like a girl, not an 80-year old chain smoker. And breathing. The non-smoker smoker’s hack has got to go too.

Finding a place to move/moving. I hate where I live. I think I hate trying to find a place to live more. Although I have a few options available to me I don’t want to make the same mistake I made two years ago by not looking and blindly jumping into the first option presented to me. I’m down to three weeks, no time to look, and stress levels rising. Not to mention finding time to actually pack and GET moved once I figure out where.

And that is my list of things that must go, and I am already feeling better. Whoda thunk it?

10 things I hate about you...

Ok, not really. I just couldn't come up with a more clever title.

I was tagged through proxy to list ten things that make me happy. Since I have been quite the Debbie Downer as of late it will benefit me I think to list things that make me happy. In an effort to stretch myself I’m going to forgo the “Thanksgiving Table” happies-Gospel, family, friends, and loved ones- as my friend Emmalee called it and list some little known (and not so little known things that make me happy.) So here they are in no particular order:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Most Wonderful Man (MWM): Ok, so he’s my number one, but I promise the rest will be in NPO. It’s funny how when you lose something so wonderful you’re convinced you’ll never find anything that compares to that wonderful again. Then you do. MWM is that wonderful I never thought I would have again. He makes me happy every single day. He is everything I want, could hope for, or need, and he compliments my crazy personality so well. He is my best friend and is always so supportive of everything I do-no matter how hair brained or crazy he thinks it is. He is patient with my moodiness and is always trying to make me happy. Just seeing him smile at my craziness is enough to make any terrible day bearable. I definitely don’t deserve him but I sure am happy he chose me!!

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Music: Music is the essence of my being. Just being able to listen to it, make it, feel it is enough to make ANYONE happy. My musicals make me ESPECIALLY happy-because where else can you break into song and not only everyone knows the words, but it has the power to make two people fall in love in a matter of minutes? Now that’s something happy. Being able to know music, appreciate music, and most importantly SING music makes me the happiest girl in the world.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Food: Not only does this have the ability to sustain life, but it brings people together and makes them happy. Even when the food is terrible you can still manage to laugh about it and have a good time. What else can do that? Honestly. The only thing that makes me happier than eating food is making food for the people I love and watching it make them happy in turn. I am so happy that my mother taught us how to cook and not to be afraid trying new things. Because of that I love searching for new recipes, making menus, going shopping, and trying new things. Plus it doesn’t hurt I’m pretty dang good at it if I do say so myself. :)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Being on stage: I have very few regrets, and most of those have stemmed from denying myself new opportunities. Being on stage at every opportunity is one of them. I didn’t discover my love for the spotlight until I was a Senior in High School and 90% of my schedule was filled with music and drama classes. It doesn’t matter if I’m singing in a choir, helping behind the scenes, or acting- I’m usually my happiest on stage. I don’t have big dreams of becoming a star, but what a wonderful outlet! Where else do you have the opportunity to do things you wouldn’t normally do-make out with a complete stranger, strip, or fight over a man (all of which I’ve done, BTW), and not feel the least bit guilty about it? Being on stage is such a great outlet for me, and although it was late in coming I sure am happy I found it.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Choice reality shows: Before you judge me let me say that I HATE the dog eat dog elimination reality shows. I’m into the feel good ones that chronicle more than stalk. I’m such a chick. I LOVE Say Yes to the Dress, Cake Boss, Man vs. Food, Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, Little People, Big World, all the “feel good” reality shows that don’t make you want to throw things at the tv. Except Mary on Cake Boss. She’s a royal bitch, that one.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6. <!--[endif]-->A car that works: This is a blessing just as much as something that makes me happy. I’ve had a car that wasn’t reliable so now I have one that is I appreciate it that much more. Being able to get where you need to be when you need to be there, and not having to count on anyone else to get you there is enough to make anyone happy. :)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->7. <!--[endif]-->Seattle, WA: It’s funny how a place that I’ve only been twice in my life can make me so happy-especially a place that rains 50 weeks a year. There’s just something about the atmosphere, the community, and the Farmer’s Market that calls to me. It’s enough to make me over look the rain. I love that place.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->8. <!--[endif]-->Disneyland: For those of you who know me well you know that I couldn’t write one of these and NOT include Disneyland! People make fun of me because I have never had the desire to travel abroad. I had the option of taking a Mexican cruise or going to Disneyland. I chose Disneyland. No joke. Aside from when I’m with Most Wonderful Man I’m happiest when I’m here. Many a memory has been made here and I can’t get enough of all the fun little details that are in the park-hidden Mickeys, Club 33, and the attention to detail in general just makes me happy. We want the Redhead! We want the Redhead!

<!--[if !supportLists]-->9. <!--[endif]-->Blog-Stalking: Since I put so much effort into mine and hope that people will read it, I HAVE to do the same for others. I typically only read the blogs of people I know-and let’s be honest-if I happen to stumble across a blog from someone I knew in High School, you BET I’m reading it. If this makes me crazy, oh well. I just love to read various blogs from friends and family. I also love reading the different writing styles that are unique to each author. Keeping in touch with loved ones is certainly enough to make ANYONE happy.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->10. <!--[endif]-->Blogging: Believe it or not I really do enjoy keeping you all posted-plus let’s face it-we’re all a little narcissist and LOVE the opportunity to talk about ourselves and not be judged as a result.

I have never been the best at journal-keeping-this fact made obvious by my three-month break between posts-but what a great way to post standpoints, feelings, as well as the standard here’s what’s happening in my boring life post. Awesome. Simply awesome.

Well this is my list. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’m stealing yet another idea from Emmalee and will be posting a Confessional. Hopefully every week,but we all know that’s not going to happen. Peace out.