I Wish My Ex Was As Cool As Pink's

Carey Hart is in this video with Pink. I love Pink. And I like Carey Hart...even more, now.

Why can't the EHFH be like this guy? Oh, because his heart is black & cold. Never mind.

Oh, and as of today I would have had suffered through 23 years of hell if I'd stayed with him. Thank goodness for genetics (which made me emotionally intelligent) that pointed out to me that almost 9 was plenty. I guess you could say this is my happy un-anniversary!

(Cousin D, I'm still glad you were my flower girl!)

Watch and enjoy.

Idaho News - and - A Wedding

First, before the meat of this post, I must say (and please note that 90% of my paternal family that's attended college went to the University of Idaho and that was my unfulfilled desire, so I'M JOKING ABOUT MOST OF THIS) - the fact that a Vice Presidential candidate for this year's election graduated from the University of Idaho is INTERESTING.

Although she attended said school at the same time as TH, it does not mean they dated (future Idaho Statesman inquirers, please note). I've already fended off that question and a request for the VIP tour of the White House from friend Steve the attorney today. (He was kidding, and he offered up gratitude that McCain picked a woman, although one as a gratuitous grab at Hillary votes. I agree. Then again, we're for Obama so if you don't agree with us, you will discount anything we say as totally biased anyway).

Considering the sorry state of the Vandal football team, and if that lends any meaning to this election (i.e. they lose a lot) I fear that any opportunity for a VIP tour would be out anyhoo. I also think that as it seems also that no one the Statesman could find so far that was at U of I at the same time as Ms. Palin remembers her is kind of weird. Heck, even Larry Craig gets remembered...oh, never mind.

I will note that back in the day there was a proper football team for the Vandals and they had an awesome QB named John Friesz, who could have been Brett Favre, except he played for a sucky team once he got to the pros and it turned out in that situation he was fragile. So maybe she's a winner because she's from that era. Obviously, I hope not.

Off the diversion to the real important stuff - The Wedding.

I'd said I would post about the wedding I went to during our last Weekend at Willie's. My cousin on my mom's side, "Gertrude", (my dad's pet name for her as a girl) has 23 year old twins (as of mid-August), and one of them, Z, was getting married at the Rose Garden in Julia Davis Park and while it meant we didn't leave for Utah until late Sunday afternoon, I really wanted to stick around for the nuptials.

Two reasons:

It meant we could stay "home" longer, got to sleep in (and we did), run a few more hurried errands, have lunch (I will not say where we went, because it's a chain, not even one that's local to Boise, but it's good and I was HUNGRY) and then get to go to the park for the wedding.

The other reason? Getrude and her (slightly) younger sister are the closest things I have to older sisters, even though we don't see each other as often as I'd like or stay as plugged in as I'd like. I lived 5 minutes from my cousin for years in Idaho, and we just didn't always keep in touch. Stupid.

The Rose Garden is where I would have gotten married to TH, except it ended up we got married on New Year's Eve, thusly that venue was a little cold and we ended up in Lake Tahoe. Maybe we can renew our vows or something later, at this place.

It is so pretty this time of year:






I don't have really any pics of the ceremony, because we ran over from parking on 8th Street and forgot the camera. However, we brought the car and the camera to the reception, also in the park.

Some pictures...first, of the groom and his groomsmen including his twin. Here's why they make me feel old. The week they were born, their aunt (who I shall dub "The Godmother or TG", since she is Big Big's godmother was getting married for the first time (of two), as was I. Gertrude made it to her sister's wedding, but not mine. Understandable, but as this wedding occurred 23 years almost to the week of her son's...I feel OLD. TG was in denial, I had to point out to her that those kids were the reason that her sister almost didn't make it to her wedding. She looked kind of shocked, then started to laugh. It sucks to get old, right Godmother?

The groom is kneeling. His twin is to the left with the green bottle in his hand. Beer, I ask you? Perhaps. Duh....

A few more snaps. Here's Gertrude. To end the mystery for my other pregnant cousins (at least two of whom lurk here from time to time), this is the fourth pregnant one. She's way ahead of you all though, she's due in about two weeks from now.

Without divulging her age, I'll just say she's a hair older than me. She and her SO are thrilled and she will be a great mom, since she already is. I'm in awe. I just couldn't deal with sleep deprivation anymore, so I'm looking forward to grandchildren in 15 years or so.

She looks great though! Here she is dancing with the groom.

What else...oh, yes, one of my many uncles was up from Arizona and he and my mom had a lot of fun. Love you Mom and Uncle Larry!



Don't get pictures of Grandma and the Bits very often, I realize this isn't the best picture in some ways, but it does illustrate why I kept calling Big Bit "P Diddy" all day...



Here's The Godmother and her husband. He rocks and she is cool. Man, I feel like a commercial for Bud Light around here! Count the cans in this post!


Another pic of "Diddy":

Last, and definitely not least, this day was about Z & K, the happy couple. Congratulations, and Z, I forgive you for your mom not making it to my first wedding. As things turned out, I wish I hadn't made it to the event either(!) in most respects (other than Big Bit). You guys, however, have a good relationship, good prospects and my prayers go out to you for a long and happy marriage.

They are cute, aren't they?

Happy Labor Day,

lostinutah

Just Because The World Needs a Good Old Song

TH and I got to see "Spamalot" last year here in SLC. It was great, but I sure wish I could have seen Tim Curry in it - LOVE HIM! At any rate, since I've not had time to do the Idaho wedding post (yet), since Sybil's running amok in her last few weeks trying to fire people, screw people out of raises, etc. etc. - since Big Bit's stuck in Hell2, I mean Reno, since our Mom Company (or is it Dad, I can never decide, our company, as with all of us, has two parents and as with many of us they're fighting) is trying to ruin our lives as always due to his/her own bad brand of decisions they can take out on us; etc. etc.

Because of all this I've posted this happy thought, as I do need to remember to always look on the bright side of life. Cheers!

Yeah!!!

Must thank Bonnie, who works in my department, because she, bless her heart, went to Bristol, Tennesee this weekend, specifically to support my favorite driver in NASCAR (hers too, she was afraid to admit it to me until I disclosed my preference) - he may be unpopular with some fans because he is a winner, but this season has been rough for him, and I was glad to see him do well. I think it's because he had a loyal fan in the audience, and the backing of another - I "ordered" her to make him do well!

He is pretty darned cute, one must admit.

Go Jeff! Go DuPont Chevrolet #24!

Who's Got the #28 Album In The Nation?

That guy whose body (not butt) I touched this spring.

Just sayin'. 59 is the new 40.

Just When I Think I've Got It Together

Then the last 10 days happen. (Actually I never think I have things together, but sometimes I do like to dream).

Let's see...in order of things happening (though not of importance) we had our Weekend at Willie's and the official Golden Mallet Tournament.

Before all that started though, we found out the horse races were going at Les Bois Park. Yes!!! We've actually gotten to go twice in a year. We got to go for an hour between getting up and having lunch; then attending the Golden Mallet Tournament. So, when I said it was busy, it was. This was our one hour of taking a deep breath.

Love Les Bois. It is pretty in its own Idaho way. And we saw Rod Stewart. Sort Of. Big Bit played paparazzi and stalked him.

"Rod" is apparently a limo driver in Boise who dresses up for his clients (I found out from my cousin Dan the next day). I guess he's been around for years but we'd never laid eyes on him. Now, we have. And who says you can't see interesting things in Idaho?

Pics of the track and environs - I sure miss this place. All of it.

We even picked one winner before we had to go. I think we cleared exactly nothing if you add in the cost of beer. Maybe less, since we picked the winner to show so I think we made a whopping $4 on a $2 bet. We won a few others but nothing of distinction.

Did I mention it's pretty? I think I did, but bear with me, here's some proof.

Then...it was on to THE TOURNAMENT.

Our friend Steve (well, TH's friend Steve, since he was the ERISA attorney for our department at the old Mother Ship he probably wishes he'd never met me other than because of that he got to meet TH) hosts a croquet tournament annually. The first time he invited us was I think four years ago. Steve has an expensive croquet set he bought from a Wall Street Journal ad back when the Mother Ship actually paid profit sharing because there were profits. He's gotten a lot of fun out of it over the years. I note that it's expensive, because if you look at the pictures, you will see it is NOTHING like any croquet set you or I grew up with.

TH won the first year we went. Then, incredibly, he won the next two years as well. The prize? The total discomfiture of attorneys, college professors and human resource professionals everywhere who really shouldn't be this competitive; and a beautiful gold spray painted croquet mallet (the kind we all have that paid $15 bucks for our sets at Target) with the names engraved. Steve REALLY wanted that mallet out of Utah and we'd heard there was a plot afoot to reclaim it at any costs. There wasn't, and TH almost won AGAIN, but a last minute ploy by Jim the professor killed TH's ball and it was all over. It was almost more fun this year not winning because last year when TH won I thought some people were going to lose their tempers, so now they're all happy.

Here's (from left) Steve, Jim and TH plotting their strategies:

I got to see my friend the Donna-lama (kind of like the Dalai Lama, she is very peaceful and calm). It was good to see her and we will have our final Weekend at Willie's with her in September. Yay!

TH and friend Shawn got to visit some. Shawn is interesting - he lived in Nevada in the same town as my ex in-laws at the same time I lived in Nevada and knew many of the same people I did. But we didn't meet until he interviewed for a job in my department at the old Mother Ship. It is a small world, but I wish I would have met Shawn in Nevada. It would have made it more bearable. He's born and bred Utahn (he is a Utah man, if you know the Ute's fight song) and he won't live here, either.

Shakespeare for that weekend was MacBeth and I really was disappointed in it, though the Green Show was probably one of the best ever. I can't wait to see Tom and Joe in "Greater Tuna" which is the last play of the season. Right now, I really need a dose of Joe and Tom, the Fool Squad, available for parties (www.foolsquad.com). I think the problem was it reminded me of MacBeth when we saw it in Ashland with Cousin Steve with its Asian theme (fun weekend with him, but didn't like the presentation of the play) and we'd just seen it I think two/three years ago at the Festival in a different setting. Plus Mr. Dan P. wasn't there. It made for a cloud.

But here's Tom and Joe being Tom and Joe! (Oh, Big Bit is REALLY talking College of Idaho, he even said it to Grandma. Must make plans to be home in 2 years, but I think it will be sooner given what's going on at work).



Wanted to get this out there - the Sunday, 2nd half of the weekend involving a wedding that made me feel really old and ANOTHER pregnant cousin (I currently have four and counting) - that post is yet to come.

Cheers.

Only In Utah

Both of the following things occurred naturally in Utah.

More update later, but things actually went well with Dad's investigative surgery (not at all invasive) and he'll be back in a couple of weeks to get things taken care of. If you saw my irritated, no, make that very angry rant I posted Friday, I took it down later that night because he came to his senses and did what the doctors told him to do...men...especially of that variety (i.e. irrational) drive me crazy. Big Bit is right, Grandpa and Little Bit are exactly alike. Which is scary.

Now, on to the fun photo fact Big Bit took last night at the grocery store. Only in Utah would this sign be posed next to a stack of Corona. 'Cause that way you couldn't tell your Stake President that you had NO IDEA THERE WAS ALCOHOL IN IT.

Dear God, let my people go.

Fond Memory and a Good Song

This has not been the best week ever - Sybil is going down in full roar so work has been a blast - and Big Bit has decided that protecting his Mom from the EHFH is very important...and he's afraid of standing his ground and handling conflict. So back to Nevada he goes. A backbone is the one thing I've apparently deprived him of whether through living conditions or genetics (I doubt the latter) - but it is what it is and he does seem to be genuinely reveling in the real family life we have as he always has. I figured out a long time ago being afraid of the EHFH is the biggest mistake you can make. I hope he does too.

As if to counteract these lovely thoughts, at least minimally, I happened across this video. I did not have an idea it existed, but as you see the "cameraman" pan through, the middle two of the six heads you see are The Husband and myself. Shot at the Nugget in Sparks, Nevada in April. So I'm on YouTube, thankfully it's anonymous but I about died when I saw the back of my head. Funny how life is.

I also added lyrics from one of my favorite Gin Blossoms songs below, the music makes the song, it's hauntingly beautiful - it's how I feel this week. Thank God we're going to Boise for Weekend at Willie's - hope to see family along the way that aren't involved in the two weddings we have to attend....




Not Only Numb - from Congratulations I'm Sorry

Looking all around the room I see the clutter in the gloom
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
Changing shades within the evening
In a day then I’ll be leaving
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
When the air at home is thin
Getting out then looking in
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
It ain’t awful hard to tell
What it’s like, my little hell
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
I’m now familiar with the tone I hear in bed when I’m alone
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
In the shade below the eaves
Think I could chain smoke anything
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
When the air at home is thin
Getting out, then looking in
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
It ain’t awful hard to tell
What it’s like, my little hell
Yeah she knows, she knows, she knows
She knows, she knows, she knows
She sees all the cars around the parking lots of bars we’ve played and stayed
Started laughing, looking down upon the bed that we’ve made
We’ve made, we’ve made, we’ve made
She sees all the cars around the parking lots of bars we’ve played and stayed
Started laughing, looking falling down across the bed that we’ve made
We’ve made, we’ve made, we’ve made
The air at home is thin
When getting out, then looking in
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb
Changing shades within the evening
In a day, then I’ll be leaving
I’m not only back, I’m not only numb...

Aw Frack

Brett, Take Your Ball and Go Home.

Let's move on.

Go Pack.

Sunday Wrap-Up

A couple of posts ago, I said that I hoped the Packers would welcome Brett with open arms if he came into camp and it was my blog so I could say so. Oddly enough, that seems to be happening.
Go Pack. And, I may get to see this very scene again, as I did last December:



We met some people through the blogosphere Friday - "Mr. and Mrs. S" - they are funny and entertaining to talk with). Looking forward to being able to get together again soon to discuss gaming, brewing beer and the oddity that is living in Utah. Among other topics...

Little Bit did his final requirement for getting his Bear badge for Scouts. Now, it's on to deciding if he should go on to Webelos (and yes, still leaning towards a different Pack to eliminate the minority issue), or him staying in the Ward - and I'm getting tired of getting hit up on Fast Offering Sundays because our name is on the list - can they please mark us as "Heathen"? - or if he's ready to quit. But he's done a great job and will look cool in his Cub uniform with his additional Bear patch - pictures will be coming later in August.

My Dad's cancer is back (and this, specifically for the cousins or aunts, please don't tell anyone ESPECIALLY Dad you saw it here if he hasn't told anyone but me. I suspect he hasn't -and please don't tell Grandma, he will if he wants to) - but it's back in a very limited scope, and it looks like he'll be coming here for treatment, at least surgery. He's optimistic and it sounds like he has every reason for being so. Please throw a prayer upwards if that is your kind of thing. I'm very attached to him.

Jumping into the week to come - things seem to be moving forward on the job front as far as Sybil's replacement, we have another "Weekend at Willie's" coming up next weekend along with TWO weddings (no Funeral, thankfully!) AND the Golden Mallet Tournament (more to come on that). We have to move back home so we can afford this social whirl, given the price of gas.

Have a great week!

Damn Voles

Okay, so Mr. Katt is about to be fired as our official vole killer. He did well earlier this year, but has slacked and now the voles have made off with two pepper plants. One with many Cayenne peppers on it and all! Stupid voles.

I have sprinkled pepper flakes all over our boxes (this is supposed to work, but please note the damn voles ate a CAYENNE PLANT WITH CAYENNE PEPPERS ON IT).

I may be resorting to mouse traps or coyote urine (I KNOW!) soon to get rid of these evil garden raiders.

And I don't care what you say...they are not cute!!!

Things I Got From My Mom

Again, not a complete list:

• My ability to be a very loyal friend
• My love of Labrador Retreivers (much against my will, might I add)
• Being able to tell my kids I love them openly and often
• My klutziness
• A good work ethic
• A fundamental feeling that my life has value - from day one
• Unwavering support - no matter what the personal opinion of my thoughts or shenanigans

Thanks Mom!