#191's

Okay well today was an eventful day and of course I have no pictures to show for it. :(  My moms birthday was yesterday and the sisters took her to get pedicures and out to dinner. It was really nice, we all got along and shared some interesting stories! But do I have any pictures of that? Nope! I was really slacking today!!

Joe and I did spent the afternoon shopping - my favorite thing - not his. We don't shop for Joe often, because first off, he hates it and second because he only wears the same 6 outfits each week and there are brand new clothes still in his closet!!! We had a shopping spree for him about this time last year...I think it was in May or June 2010 and we bought him a bunch of new shorts, t-shirts and nice button up shirts and we haven't shopped for him since! So today we had the idea to venture out and get him a few new things for our trip coming up next week.

Once we brought home 4 bags of new clothes, we decided...okay I decided...that his closet needed to be cleaned out AND the shirts needed to be cycled through. Like I said he wears the same things over and over again, so all the clothes at the back of his closet haven't been worn hardly at all. In fact we discovered a few t-shirts he has NEVER worn! Ugh it makes my head hurt thinking of all the clothes in there I've never washed or I paid money for and its gone to waste....err!!

When we started this closet clean out, Joe's side of the closet was completely full! If all his clothes are clean, there is literally no wiggle room for the hangers. I was impressed to find quite a gap once we finished cleaning it out. I was so proud of him for losing 6, yes 6 Oakland Raiders shirts that he hasn't worn in years. (I let him keep one, so that means he actually had 7!!!) We got rid of many 'gamer' shirts, like Mario, Zelda and Nintendo shirts...he really isn't into that kind of gaming anymore. Plus we got rid of MANY over worn shirts that I've been trying to get rid of for years. THANK YOU JOE!

Plus once I saw all the new space on his side, I decided to clean out my side of the closet as well!! I wasn't able to get as much room as Joe, but I am proud of myself. I buy clothes for myself ALL THE TIME, so I'm also getting rid of clothes all the time. I have to stay on top of it or I literally have no where to put things.  I now actually have wiggle room too!!

#191's - CLOSET SPACE!! Yay for spring...er summer...cleaning!!

Here is Joe's new 'free space!'

And here is my new 'free space!' 

#190's

Remember when I talked about 'surprises?' Well my post today it yet another surprise gift! While at work today, my husband Joe showed up unannounced, with a sweet gift of love & appreciation. Actually it was a gift of truce, but I like the other reason better! :)

#190's - Not only did Joe think of me, but he though of my salon girls as well!  Thank you Joe!! And you are forgiven - ;)

Isn't watermelon the best summer treat? My household has been obsessed with watermelon lately and we can't get enough. Joe cut up this delectable watermelon and brought it in for me and my girls to snack on. I'm not going to lie, I think I had 7 pieces!!! Seriously I wasn't lying when I said we were obsessed!!!

#189

I know you've heard it, I've said it before, but its worth repeating; I love my job!

Today was rough. Slammed busy for 8 straight hours, no break, no lunch, no time to sit & rejuvenate. Nothing, just work, work and more work. I can't complain much because the money is good and the creativity and interaction part is so rewarding...but man I'm getting old. It was a long day, my feet hurt, my legs ache, the back is cramping, my arms are sore and I'm exhausted! Phew!

However, like I said, only the chaotic days make me crazy. Everything else about my job is completely awesome!! In fact after my rough day today, I came home, got reacquainted with facebook & my news feed and found this wonderful status update my sister posted: My #189 - Just what I needed to see after a day like today!

(Sorry for the bad photo - I had to take a picture of my laptop screen!)

My sister is so sweet - as are the wonderful people who commented on this. I enjoy being creative and making people feel better about themselves. I love the confidence boost people get as they leave my chair and I LOVE all the feedback and referrals I get as well! On rough days like today, its nice to get a happy reminder on why I love my job so much. Thank you Andee for posting this and I'm so glad you get all those compliments. I know it makes you feel good about yourself and it definitely makes me proud of all the hard work (and rough days) I've done & gone through. Everyone needs a reminder every now and then and I'm blessed my reminders can come with the happiness of my sister!

#188

BEACH BUMS! - Okay not really, but Joe and I got to swim for the first time this summer!!!  We were invited to yet another birthday party with my friend Misti and her family. Misti's parents have a pool in their backyard and last week we were completely fascinated with it. This week - even with a slight sprinkle from above - we HAD to swim!! The pool is heated [heck yes!] and there is this really cool padding on the sides and the bottom, so its super soft of your feet. Plus they don't use chlorine to keep it clean, they use a salt system. It doesn't dry your skin out as much, my eyes aren't stinging and actually my hair felt like I had just got out of the ocean. We had great fun playing with the kids and using multiple beach balls, played a crazy came of volleyball!  It was a fun night and we're so happy Tayvin invited us to his 5th birthday!! And thank you Steve and Charlene for letting us take advantage of your awesome pool!!!

#188 - First swim of the summer and many more to come I'm sure! LOVED IT!! (sorry its a self portrait, I just couldn't resist! Joe cracks me up)

#187

I love receiving packages. Who doesn't?  I especially love packages that are unexpected. Either because I forgot I ordered them or someone decides to surprise me with something special! Haha!! Todays photo is actually both of those. I forgot I ordered this (just yesterday actually) and I was surprised when my friend Jackie showed up at my work today with it! Thank you Jackie for getting it to me so soon!! You're awesome!!

I'm not the biggest fan of Mary Kay. I mean I've liked all the things I've ordered, it just isn't ever my 'must have - go to' catalog. I have a perfume I like, I have makeup I already like, I have skin care products that I already love. So there isn't really anything in the catalog that rocks my world above anything else....EXCEPT their eye make-up remover!! Seriously there isn't anything better. Its 'oil free,' doesn't sting my eyes, gets waterproof gunk off with no problem, plus it soothes my sensitive skin. Anything else I've ever used before hurts my eyes, dries out my skin and takes many washes to get it all off.

This is my MUST HAVE item from Mary Kay and I'm so lucky I have Jackie at my quick convenience.

#187 - You gotta try this stuff man!

#186

I'm loving summer. Just like I was loving spring. Yes its been hot, but I have to say, I'M LOVING IT! I love driving with my windows down (I love having hair long enough to blow in the wind.) I love sitting outside until 10pm and its still warm. I love all my different sunglasses. I love having a tan so I can wear skirts and no sleeve shirts with more confidence. I love hearing/seeing all the kids playing in their front yards. I love Popsicles and ice cream cones and I love a good iced tea as I sit in the shade and read a magazine.

I'm loving summer.

#186 - I'm also loving these. They are popping up all over!!

#185

The theme to this post is 'Oh to be a kid again!'  We had a BBQ at my mom's tonight even with the on and off sprinkling rain. My mom has this blow-up slide/pool for the grandkids and they just love it! When Joe and I got there, only my nephew Jesse was in the pool and he wanted someone to get in with him. Joe was playing with him outside of the pool for a bit, then decided he had to play on the slide as well...without a swimming suit!  Now the hilarious part is that the slide 'steps' in back only support about 200lbs max...and even that is pushing it. Since Joe was unable to climb up - he had to take a running start and jump up to the top, then in that same motion, slide down into the pool. He did only about 3 or 4 times before he wore himself out, but the rest of us just loved laughing at his attempts!! :)  What a great sport!

Then once the other grandkids arrived, the adults had fun watching them soak up the [slight] warm weather and have a good time. There is just something about watching kids play with a smiles from ear to ear. They always have so much...even when there is a little whining, arguing and pushing involved. Oh kids!

#185 - Oh to be a kid again. Joe's inner child came out to play tonight! (I added a few other photos as well to show you how much fun they had!)

This photo is my 'actual' photo for today - it inspired my theme. 

Joe was 'frolicking' while trying to catch bugs with the pool net. 

Seriously he is a kid at heart.

And then here are some action shots for fun. The first 2 are Joe's sliding action, then the rest are of Jesse, Caleb & Lauren. Caleb has no fear when it comes to this slide; he was literally jumping off the top. Too funny! Plus I loved the 'SPLASH' photos - loved capturing the spray of water!

#184's

I wanted to save a picture of fireworks for the actual 4th of July, but I just can't help myself. We got together with my dads family tonight for a BBQ, S'mores and fireworks, but tomorrow we are doing the same thing with at my mom's AND we might catch a 'city' firework show afterwards. So since the bigger city show tomorrow would have a better display, I thought I would "practice" taking pictures of fireworks at my dads tonight because taking pictures at night [without] a flash is really hard and I haven't mastered it yet. I ended up catching some great photos and I HAVE to post them!! (I talked to my dad about the shutter speed with taking pictures in the dark - he recommended a tripod, but I ended up just propping my camera up on the curb and was able to get some great shots!)

So Happy [early] Independence Day everyone! Since the 4th is on a Monday, there have been many celebrations all weekend. I know of a few parades and firework shows that were over the weekend - not to mention all the other celebrations that will happen tomorrow. Its been one crazy weekend!!

#184's - Love me some fireworks!!

#183

Again, I'm super stoked this is my 2nd halfway day. Its all downhill from here, right? Looking back at all my silly posts, funny pictures and all the long/descriptive stories, I must say I'm a complete dork! Haha!! A few of the l.o.n.g. stories I re-read tonight, I actually found myself laughing out loud. Remembering the day and the reason for taking the picture AND just because I was making fun of myself. I take this challenge way to seriously sometimes and then other time its like I'll post a picture of ANYTHING just to get a photo up here.

These last 6 months have taken me through plenty of birthdays, all the excitement surrounding my sister Jessica's wedding, my awesome family and my wonderful & caring friends. Not only is this blog a visual of my life for others to see, but a great journal of recollection for me. All the good times, the funny jokes, my husbands quirks, my loving family and the silly nothings that don't mean much now, but meant sometime the day I snapped the photo. Aww...this blog makes me so happy!!! What a great 6 months it has been. I'm excited for all the pictures yet to come!!

Okay enough about my halfway point. Today was a beautiful and HOT summer day in Utah. I unfortunately had to work this evening, but my day started off so great, just hanging with Joe. We spent the entire morning together - starting off early picking up our Bountiful Basket, then getting a quick nap in before heading to lunch and the music store.

Joe has taught himself how to play the harmonica. He's always been fascinated with the music and the Blues genre. After running across a cheap one at Cracker Barrels gift shop months ago and just last week receiving another as a souvenir from our good friends Lynda and Paul when they visited the 'Grand Ole Opry' in Tennessee, he's now obsessed. (You would think the 'practicing' would be quite annoying but I'm surprised to feel quite soothed as he plays. Its very relaxing!) Now that he has taught himself a few songs (i.e. Amazing Grace, theme song from The Good, the Bad & the Ugly, that silly Olè song...and a few others.) he realized the cheap gift shop one he was using, just wasn't sounding right and he didn't want to ruin the souvenir one. I was okay with the decision to buy a nice, fancier one. We were at the Guitar Center for about 30 minutes and ended up with a new harmonica and a few song books. Joe is excited to play for everyone while were on vacation in Pine Valley, Utah later this month!!

So without further adieu, here is Joe's newest hobby, my #183 - whatever gets him away from Call of Duty every now and then is an answer to many prayers. Keep it up Joe!! :)

#182

Let's CELEBRATE!! Today is my 182nd day of this photo challenge - which marks 

MY HALFWAY POINT!!

(Technically half of 365 is 182.5, so I guess today AND tomorrow will be considered half way!)

So YAY for me - its all downhill from here! Have a drink for me in celebration, aye?

I'm extremely proud of myself for making it this far and for staying so dedicated. I don't know anyone else who has taken a daily challenge as serious as I have. If I could only be [this] dedicated in other areas of my life. Wha-waah! Thank you readers, followers and stalkers. I appreciate you sharing in this journey with me. Cheers to another 183 more days!

Now for my #182.

Tonight we celebrated yet another significant birthday with a friend. Our friend Trish celebrated her 40th birthday with her family and friends. (We were so happy to be included!!) There was yummy food, great conversations and good tunes! Loved all the 80's music!!

We had to leave the party early.. :(  even before the sun went down..  but we were happy we got to go and celebrate with some funny people. Plus we got to pack up a little goodie bag as a favor from the party. Trish's sister put together a candy bar that had some great treats to choose from! #182 - Check out my stash!!

Some yummy gum balls, Blow-pops, Razzles, Sixlets, Zotz sour candies, some Fun Dip packages and YES, Sheet candy!!! Mmmm...I'm having a sugar high right now.

Happy Birthday Trish!! And happy HALFWAY to me!