I've been....TO DINNER

In March my mom had the great opportunity to go to Hawaii with a couple of her step children.  My sisters and I were really excited for her.  But, at the same time we were wishing we were there too! So to make it up to ourselves we decided to go to dinner and pretend that we were in Hawaii instead of Orem.

Since it was such a fun evening of getting together to visit, laugh and eat, we decided to make it an every-other-month event.  I was the one who instigated that particular evening and so we decided to just go down the line (age wise) and that person will select the time and place that we will meet.  The date is already decided and set in stone, the first Thursday of the odd months.

DeAnn was in charge of May's sister dinner, which happened to fall on May, 5th, Cinco De Mayo. We were quite sure we'd be enjoying some delicious Mexican flare somewhere.  We kept trying to get information out of her but it was all in vain.  The only thing we knew is the time that we were leaving. 

The mystery started to unravel in the Home Depot parking lot.  DeAnn had prepared

some Cinco De Mayo trivia for us.  The winners won the privilage of being able to eat that particular course in the correct and standard order; appetizer/salad, main dish, dessert.  Those of us who didn't answer correctly had to draw to determine which course we would be eating at each location. Oh ya, the winner also got to draw where we would be eating at.

We were shocked and dismayed when we realized that we would be eating our first courses at non other than MAVERICK! 

 Luckily my first course was to be dessert, so I was feeling happy that at least I would have to waste my main dish at a convenience store. 

I tried my first ever yogurt cone from Maverick.  It was Acai Berry and it was DELICIOUS!  I'm addicted!

After the first course, we went back to the car for another round of trivia.  I lost that round too!  The routine was the same, and as the winning sister (I don't remember who) drew out the little slip of paper telling us where we would be going for the REAL meal our hearts were pounding.  When she unraveled the paper we were all ready to boycott when she read MAVERICK! 

We were all thinking, 'joke's up, we're hungry for some good food!'  But DeAnn didn't let down.  We had to draw to see what course we would be eating this time around.  I drew out my main course.  The only thing I could think, is that George would be so proud of me for humbling myself to eat FOOD at a convenience store.

The pickings were slim, but in the end I chose a  TORPEDO.  It was a cream cheese and habanna pepper Torpedo, and once again I actually really liked it!

Kristy, Melinda & RaNae were splitting an appetizer

Mom had a FRESH hot dog as her main course

At this point we were all wondering what would be in store for us.  Surely we'd end with our last course at somewhere like Ruby River, which was right across the street.  Well, once again after the trivia questions were answered and a bit of history of the Cinco De Mayo holiday read to us, the winner selected our final place.  After eating two courses at Maverick we were actually fairly pleased when it was McDONALD'S.  The course I was supposed to have there was my appetizer/salad.  I chose a grilled chicken wrap as an appetizer.  Even it was pretty good!

After we had stuffed ourselves, DeAnn informed us that we had another treat ahead.  She directed us to Fat Cat's Bowling Alley where we played a 'not so typical' game of bowling.  She had us draw out Skittles.  Each color had a different challenge associated with it.  For example; red-bowl with your opposite hand, yellow-bowl with your eyes closed etc. 

We had a great evening, and we've got DeAnn to thank for it!  It sounds like our little sister outtings are going to be anything but boring from here on out.  I'm excited for the next one in July where Kristy will be our hostess.

I've been... ON A BUSINESS TRIP!

Yes, that's right, I've been on a so called business trip.  Luckily there was a little pleasure involved too.  It kind of reminds me of a mullet, business in front, party in back!

The business part of the trip was serious stuff!  This year Sue Ann, Ann & I took the plunge and was able to secure us a spot in the St. George Runner's Series.  This in turn secures us a spot in the St. George Marathon if we "take care of business" and fulfill the requirements.  The requirements are actually pretty simple, run in two Runner's Series races in and around Washington County.  It doesn't ever seem too hard to take a required trip to sunny St.George. 
The first race we ran was the Painter Motor Half Marathon in February.  George came with me and we had a great time.  He was a great support and fun to be with.  We had a really fun weekend, but there was one thing lacking, SHOPPING!  Since we knew we had another race to complete, we knew we'd have to make it a "girls trip."
We decided that since we had a choice of either doing the Hurricane Half or 5K, we would do the 5K so that we had more time to "take care of business" in the retail shops. 
Our weekend started out on official business when we had a Pantry Secret's Bread Class at Josie Jones Bell's house.  Since she knew we were coming, she asked us if we would do a class at her house while we were in town. It turned out great.  See it was a business trip!
The next morning we arose early and kept trying hard to convince ourselves that the race we were about to run was going to be a piece of cake.  We run more on our typical runs so it really shouldn't be a big deal at all, right?  It's funny how just the word RACE can stress and physc you out, but it does! 
However it turned out to be quite a fun race and not too stressful at all.  It was cold, but we're used to that, the wind was blowing, but we're used to that too!  We all ran our personal bests and even took 1st place in our age divisions.  It was fun that this year we are all in different age catagories so we were all winners.

I even won 2nd place overall in the woman's master group.  I'm yet to find out what it means to be a master!  They awarded me that prize first, I received $45 in gift certificates and a silver medal.  Sadly because I had won that they wouldn't let me win the gold medal in my age catagory too.  I kind of felt slighted since Ann and Sue Ann were sporting their pure gold medals and I only got to sport a faux silver. 

I did get to go shopping at Classic Sports in Hurricane and spend my $30 gift certificate.  I bought me a pair of sandals.  That was fun! The rest of the day, we got down to business doing what we do best, eating and shopping.

So with the preliminary business taken care of we are getting ready to get down to the real business are start our official training for the marathon.  I'm still asking myself, "what the heck are you thinking?" but I figure it's now or never.  Thankfully I have such great friends/business partners.  I couldn't nor wouldn't do it without my running buddies! (ALL OF THEM)



I've been...AFLOAT!

And because "I've been...AFLOAT"  my unfinished projects are still unfinished!  But, I do have to say it has been worth it!
George and I plus sixteen other friends just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise.  It was great!  The weather was pretty much perfect and I tried really really hard to bring it back with us, but it must have slipped through my fingers.
We had a fun mix of friends, most who didn't know one another at all.  It was fun to see everyone become familiar with each other and become fast friends.  I feel blessed to have SO MANY friends in our lives.
                                
Our Itinerary:

We sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale, FA.  We all flew in on different flights, but luckily Mike and Casie were there a couple of days earlier so they shuttled most everyone from the airport to the ship (Thanks Mike!)

 After boarding the ship it was only a matter of minutes before we found ourselves filling our plates in an attempt to get our stomachs stretched out for the coming week.  I had been trying hard prior to our cruise to lose a few pounds and I vowed to myself that I would maintain control.  Sadly I broke the vow within the first 15 minutes on the ship!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but our first night was the night of  "the big moon."  I know it had a specific title but I don't remember what it was exactly, anyway it was soooo pretty!

Our first port of call was Grand Cayman.  We had made prior arrangements to take a private boat to Sting Ray City.  Our guide, Tina, enthusiastically welcomed us or at least Terry!

    

Jeff and Natalie making friends with a star fish

Omar, preparing us some VERY fresh conch, the "catch of the moment."  I couldn't believe that I was actually brave enough to try it.  However I'll admit I didn't realize it was raw when I did. Had I known that I probably would have chickened out.  After he cut it all up, he mixed up a really good marinade and served it with crackers.

This is Esther.  She was a professional diver and so accomodating and helpful.  The crew made us feel so safe and comfortable.  The swells were a bit high and so the park service wasn't allowing boats to go to the sand bar so instead they took us to the open waters near there and let us out to snorkel.  The waters were amazing!  They were so pretty and clear.  They caught some sting rays for us to hold and even kiss.  It was awesome!

Mike & Casie

The next stop was in Roatan, Hondorus.  The area we docked at was so pretty and inviting.  We couldn't believe how clean everything was.  On this day we had scheduled a zip lining trip. It was a lot of fun!  We all wanted to do it again.

After we got finished ZIPPING through the jungle we found us a couple of vans and drivers to take us on a tour of the island.  I always like to see how people live in an area.  Roatan is such a pretty island. 

 While on our little tour we wanted to see monkeys in the jungle but instead we got to see them at a cute little petting zoo.

 Our drivers then took us to a cool little beach called, Half Moon Bay.  It was a cozy little area in the jungle with little bungalos that people could rent equiped with hamocks hanging on the porches.  It was a great snorkeling and dive spot too!

Cute little girls selling their goods

Jeff, testing the waters

Terry & Tammy, aah sweet!

Third port of call, Cozumel, Mexico.  We were feeling adventurous and so decided upon renting some Dune Buggy hot rods to tour the island.

Our first stop was at some Mayan ruins.  We had a tour guide that was passionate about his job.  It made it really interesting, and he assured us that 2012 is not the end of the world, it's just the end of an era in the Mayan calendar!

After we left the ruins we drove around the island.  The bright blue water was once again, amazing! 

We found a open air restaurant to have some delicious nachos at and another beach to do some snorkeling.

After another day at relaxing at sea, we enjoyed our last and final stop at Princess Cays in the Bahamas. It was a perfect way to end the trip.



Great times!  Thanks to all our friends who joined us in the fun; Mike & Casie, Natalie & Jeff, Terry & Tammy, Charlie & Darlene, Wayne & Annette, Bob & Janet, Burt & Sue and Randall & Paige.

I've Been...LAZY

I have a good idea for my blog!  Each of my posts are going to begin with, "I've Been...."  I figured this would give me a starting point for each entry.  But, sadly since I came up with the idea I've been racking my brain to figure out what "I've Been...up to."  It occured to me that "I've Been...LAZY!" 

You would think that since Spring is around the corner I could motivate myself to do something productive, but it's just not happening. For some reason my motivation seems to come in the Fall.

I do have many things I want to do (and need to do) however.  I've even started a list!

1. Finish Mya's bed skirt
2. Take Tanner shopping for fabric for a new quilt (his is turning to rags and up until recently he has refused to even think of me making a new one.  The other day he told me that it would be okay as long as I made it exactly like his "little blankie." )

3. This and other pillows



4. Do some painting touch-ups on my baseboards, YUK!

5. Finish at least two of my UNFINISHED quilts.

Okay I'm I think that's good for now.  Just think if I get these five things checked off my list I'll have a pretty good "I've Been...PRODUCTIVE"  blog post to do.