*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, today was a holiday (MLK day) and so McKay was home.  Yay!  Taylor went snowboarding.  Not sure how, because we haven't had hardly any snow this year! I am so grateful for that!  Makes running much easier!  It was really chilly this morning  and so I waited a bit before running.  I headed to the track and found 93 cents in the parking lot.  Much easier when there are no cars there. I only got in four miles, but I was still a bit sore.  I should have probably pushed it more. 

I counted the money left in my Pennies From Heaven jar and got about $16.  I wish I could remember how many times I filled it up this year.  Next year I am going to keep better track. 

I have been waiting for this ↑ Boston jacket to go on clearance but it never has.  When I was looking, I found some Boston Marathon 2017 shirts on Ebay and so I ordered one.  The seller messaged me and told me they had another shirt in a different color (that I really liked) and they also had the exact jacket I wanted (even though they had no idea I was looking for one) and they told me if I was interested they would sell those to me as well as the other shirt for $52 total.  Considering the jacket alone is still going for $100 online, I jumped at the offer.  And all were in my size!  I scored big time!  Best part is I can run in the jacket as well as wear it normally.  I love it when I get good deals!  You would think 2017 stuff would be on clearance by now, but nope!

I practiced the harp for quite a while.  My goal for the day was to get my Mom's calendar done.  No. Matter. What.  Karen called me when I was running and invited me to Rainbow Garden's to eat lunch with her and Mickey.  I was so tempted.  If McKay hadn't been home, I am sure I would have gone.  Lunch will always be there, he won't.  Taylor also showed up after snowboarding.  He brought me a Swig cookie.  Ahhh!  He gets Son of the Year award!  Love those things! 

I worked on my Mom's calendar like my life depended on it.  Dave went and got Golden Spike for dinner so I could keep working on it.  I just got a salad and realized after trying Taylor's and Dave's burgers that I should have got one of those because those things are good unbelievable!  I would never eat a whole one (they are huge!), but heck, I would have at least ate half.  Next time.  Gotta love the aging metabolism. Not!  I feel like the amount of running I do, I should be able to eat whatever I want.  Who said life was fair?  Sigh...  I kept on working on the calendar and hit publish at 12:30 am.  I had until 1:00 a.m. our time to get the discount. What a relief!  Feels like I lost 50 lbs just knowing that is done!  I ended up paying twice as much as I would have if I had got it done around Christmas when shipping was free.  They charged me $25 for shipping!  The calendars were 50% off and I ordered two but ended up paying more than if they weren't on sale and had free shipping.  Ticks me off.  $25 to ship two calendars?  Hmm....  BUT....it's worth it to have it done!  Celebrate!  I did that by going to bed! I was beat.

 I got two free gifts (guess that's how they justify $25 in shipping!) so I ordered some coasters and two 8x10's.  Sorry so blurry.

dear tuesday, I got up about 5:30 a.m. after only four hours sleep.  I need to figure out how to go back to sleep if I wake up.  I try lavender oil but it hasn't been working as well as it used to. Sigh....   I practiced the harp and then headed to my lesson.  I was a bit late, but got to listen to the announcement of the new President of the Church press conference on the way.  President Russell M. Nelson is our new prophet.  He will be great.  Elder Oaks and Pres. Eyring are his counselors. I will miss Pres. Uchtdorf as a counselor.  I have learned so much about Pres. Nelson.  He may be the most amazing man I have ever known.  He speaks five languages, has 9 daughters and one son, is 93 but acts like he's 60, his daughter's all say he is perfect, he is a world renowned heart surgeon, he helped invent the artificial heart, he eats very healthy, he takes the stairs instead of elevator, etc. etc.  He is amazing.  I look so forward to this presidency.  They are all going to be great. And he is going to be a go getter.  

My lesson was okay.  I feel like I need to really focus on my technique so I can move forward faster.  I went to Downeast and to some stores in Ogden. I was trying to find two baby shower gifts and two birthday presents.  Dave had meetings tonight and I went visiting teaching.  I was so excited I got my new partner Megan to come this time.  She is darling.  We visited Brenda. Her house is so cute.  They bought Sister Hepworth's but have remodeled the kitchen and painted the house in 50's colors.  She loves retro 50's and it does not look anything like it did before.  We will catch Kim next week.  We also tried to get another lady I have never been able to meet after only stopping by 100 times so far.  I've met the husband, mother, child, and dog, but not her.  And tonight she still was not home.  

dear wednesday, I did hill repeats today.  

 The shadow...  the one below looks like some kind of super hero.  Batman or something with a long cape.  It was really just my jacket tied around my waist.  I know, I know.... but I need some kind of photo so my running posts don't completely put you to Zzzzzz.....

In the middle of my hill repeats I realized that I forgot to sign my boys up for the Boston 5K.  Luckily, Taylor had text me about it or I would never have remembered!  I got them signed up (with a little persuasion for Bryce) and I was so excited!  I was thinking that they get to cross the actual Boston Marathon finish line, but now I think that info is wrong.  Either way, it will be an experience they will not forget!  And, of course, they get a medal and a shirt.  It will be a once in a lifetime experience for them.  

Dave was off.  Carson came while Sarah was at the dentist. Dave watched him while I finished my run.  Then we played in the playroom.  I checked out a bit of Boston lodging rates and it's so frustrating. I can't hardly make myself do it but I need to get it done asap!  When Sarah got back we went to lunch at the new Chinese place.  It was really good.  We then said goodbye and ran some errands.  Dave had meetings as usual.  I practiced the harp for a good 90 minutes or more, made lemon bars,  and then tried to catch up this blog! I am so behind!  I do this, WHY?  

I am going to add my lemon bar recipe because it truly is TO DIE FOR!  Well, that is only if you like your lemon bars deliciously gooey!  Seriously, go make some!  You will thank me with each bite you take!  And, just a warning... be aware it's VERY HARD to not eat a bite here and a bite there and before you know it, you have eaten half the pan!  You have been warned! ☺

Lemon Bars

2 c. flour

1 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

4 T. lemon juice

1 t. baking powder

Heat oven to 350°.  Mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar.  Press into sprayed 9x13 pan, building up 1/2" edges. Bake 20 minutes.  Beat remaining ingredients until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.   Pour over slightly cooled crust.  Bake 25 minutes.

dear thursday, I got in my long run today. A 10 miler.  Thankfully, it was the cut back week.  I am tending Carson all weekend and so I knew I couldn't do it tomorrow and Saturday's out because I have a women's conference.  The run wasn't too bad.  I found some cute cowies and coins which always helps!  Hah  

I headed to Ogden to get some gifts and then to pick up Carson. I met Sarah at Hobby Lobby in Layton.  I also had to pick up a leather jacket for Dave that Sarah found online but the lady wasn't home so I had to stall and wait for her to respond.  After I got Carson, we went to Hooper to get it. I had to hurry because I had Stake YW basketball. I was late and I still had to make the medals.  I took Carson and he was so cute. I think he had fun but after two games he wanted Dave to come get him, luckily he was done with his church stuff, so he rescued him.  

We had a hoop shoot after the games were over for the 24th ward, who couldn't make it last week but only two girls showed up.  Oh well.  I got home and played with Carson for awhile.  He made Grammy a card.  We watched Dalmatians and he fell asleep about 10:30. Way past my bedtime!  haha 

dear friday, I got up and headed out on my run at 7:30 a.m.  It was about 45-48 degrees while I was out!  Yep, in January.  In Utah!  Felt so good!  No jacket. No gloves. No hat.  No ear muffs.  Loved it!  I saw Linda and Tanae walking but they were bundled up like it was 20 below. Hah  I told them they were going to be sweating up a storm soon.  I had to get home before McKay left so Carson wouldn't be alone.  After he woke up I practiced the harp while he played in the playroom.   Grammy came and we headed to see Tyson's friend Brooke's new baby.  He is adorbs!  

She now has four kids and has already gone back to work.  The baby is only 8 weeks old.  Not sure how she stands that. It would rip my heart out to leave him.  We joked around that Tyson had something to do with all these babies she didn't plan on.  She only wanted two.  Maybe she will have more if Tyson has anything to do with it.  She said Lincoln (the baby) sometimes just looks up and grins and smiles. She said she is sure he is communicating with Tyson. I have no doubt.  Tyson would love him and all her cute kids.  He LOVED little kids so much and they loved him back. Carson was having so much fun playing with Zion her two year old.  We then met my Dad at the new Brigham House Restaurant.  I had lasagna. Yum.  They got the turkey and pot roast and loved it too.  I think it will do well.  We also shared a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy!  

It was raining and started to get much colder.  We said goodbye to my parents and came home and played in the playroom.  We also put together a puzzle.  Carson amazes me!  He was better at it (or at least as good) than I was!  

McKay was still here but still very sick.  I feel like I have neglected him because I have been so busy.  Carson wanted to watch Star Wars. We watched it in the family room.  Dave was working until after 8 tonight.  Troy invited us to dinner and to a movie in his new theater room.  We had to pass on the dinner because Dave was too late.   We headed to Troy's about 8:45 pm.  We were going to cancel because it was so late, but Carson wanted to go.  He loved Troy's amazing aquarium and fish.  

The theater room is unreal!  It's so cool!  Stadium seating with theater chairs that recline.  Popcorn. Treats. Blankets. You name it.  A bed for Carson.  We loved it so much!  The Moyle's were also there.  I just love them.  They are such an asset to our ward.  We watched Les Miz.  We had to fast forward through a few parts cause of Carson.  He was not tired at all!  He finally came and climbed on my lap and fell asleep about 10:00.   It was snowing when we left. And cold!  What a difference 12 hours make.    

dear saturday, I got up and played with Carson for a bit.  Taylor showed up to tend him.  How nice is that?  Seriously.  He is the best kid.  Robin picked me up and we grabbed Julie and then I got a text from Taylor saying Carson was sad I didn't hug him goodbye.  Broke my heart!  I was in a rush to leave and he was busy playing and so I didn't even think about it.  Crushed me!  I sent him lots of panda GIFS hugging.  The conference was amazing.  The speakers for the first half were Brother Hipp and Brother and Sister Lemon.  The best part for me was the musical number by a young woman who sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Wow!  Just WOW!  She was incredible!  She couldn't keep her emotions in check and so she cried while she sang which was also amazing.  The spirit was so strong.  Just beautiful.  We then broke for brunch and it was fun chatting with everyone.  We had yummy breakfast burritos.  I was starving.  My stomach had been churning in the meeting and so I was grateful for some food to shut it up!  Dave came and sat by us and then had to make the rounds, of course.  The second half was also very good.  Jen spoke about meekness and she did an amazing job.  I was taking notes so fast because she said a lot of things I hadn't thought about before considering humility and pride and self esteem etc.  Then Janica E. spoke.  Her husband was the police officer that was killed a year ago who is in our stake.  He was hit by a car while directing traffic at night.  She has since remarried his brother.  Her story was heart wrenching but she did an excellent job. It was very touching.  She had everyone in tears. We then watched a video that had everyone in tears as well. Then Dave had to get up after all that and somehow pull it altogether.  He did a great job until he told them I said that all the sisters are sad Pres. Uchtdorph is no longer in the presidency and that all of them are now old and bald.  Gee thanks!  Even though it's true, he should have stopped with the Uchtdorph comment because I know they all agreed with that.  Yeah.  Hmm...   Lovely.  Problem is I can't defend myself.  He gets the last word.  ☺

My snowmen decors.  I found the missing snowmen!  Well, Dave did actually.  But he's the one who lost them, so he should have been the one to find them!

When I got home Carson was very happy to see me.  Taylor had left because he had a basketball tourney but McKay was here. I tried to keep Carson away from him though because McKay has been so sick.  We played and then did a few things and then when I told him it was time for him to go home, he was the saddest little thing ever. I felt so bad.  I wish he could have just stayed.  

His sad face when he had to go home.  He kinda likes me! ☺

I met Sarah in Roy.  On the way I had on the video "Can't Stop the Feeling" and we both sang it.  He sings it so cute.  He was really tired and so I think he will feel better after he gets a nap.  I ran to Big Lots because Sarah gave me a coupon for 20% off the whole store.  I didn't need anything really but grabbed some things like extra toothbrushes, Dave's cookies, etc.  I practiced the piano and then we headed to the new restaurant to meet the Singletons.  There were a ton of peeps we knew...small town perks.  I got the ribs and Dave got the lasagna.  It is really one of the best lasagnas I've had.  The manager lady waited on us because she is Dave's patient.  We got really good service.  When I got on FB the next day, I saw this:

Yep, that is us.  Haha. Too funny.  

dear sunday, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. feeling sick.  I had body aches and a killer headache and head congestion.  Great.  I guess I am going to get what McKay had after all. I really hope Carson doesn't get it.  I laid in bed but could not go back to sleep.  So frustrating! I finally took some Tylenol Sinus and started to feel a bit more human again. My cute Boston friend Mitra sent me a long FB message. She just went through a divorce. She also has adrenal fatigue and so can't train hard for Boston.  She is going to try to just finish it this year.  Her doc said to not run it but she has invested too much money in it already to not to she said.  I was always in awe of her speed (she's my age) and ran it last year in a 3:30 or something crazy!  Found out she has this illness because of over training.  She said it was because she was dealing with the divorce by running (literally) it out of her.  But it took it's toll and now she has to stop running for a while.  I am glad I didn't follow her lead in her crazy training because she sent me her plan and after reading it I felt like a slacker!  She would train for over three hours a day!  She would run and then go to the gym for a couple hours.  No wonder.  I'm too old for that. hah  But I sure do love her.  She is one of the most sweetest kindest persons I have ever met.  I need to get on my Boston lodging.  Stressing me out!

dear random, a picture of McKay and his roomies.  They are all such good kids!

An oldie of Taylor with Kilo - so cute how he is sleeping on him.

I love this quote:

dear throwback, (way back!),I am adding some really oldies on here because I have had some serious PC issues and I fear I am going to lose my pix.  Sky has been working on backing it up, but I would never be able to retrieve these I am afraid.  Also, WHEN I get around to publishing this into a book form, it will be fun to have these there.  

Girl's camp (I think we were either in Jr. High or barely in high school).
(Lisa Elmer, Robin Christiansen, Jody Briggs, Me)

Trip to Lake Louise and the Calgary Stampede with the high school.

(Me, Jody Briggs, Pat Bryant, Barbara Piper) 

Same trip ↓ at a Cockroach Inn in Canada or maybe Montana with some of the other peeps from the Lakettes or band.

Trip to Park City in high school

Lisa Hales, Jody, Pam Rippon, Tarbie Trimble, Me

Tarbie, Lisa, Me, Pam

A Friday night girl's night at Pam's.

Lisa Hales (Liza McGurk the Bizurk), Pam Rippon (Ella), Me (VD), Barbara Piper, Jody Briggs (JB)

Senior Trip to Bear Lake

Patti Clatterbuck, Gina Talbot (she has since passed away a couple of years ago from breast cancer), Pat Bryant, Bonzo, some boy, me, Carla Shreck, some other boy, Jody Briggs

 Bear Lake Senior trip in condo

Me, Jody, and Lisa

 At an Institute stomp.  We were his wives.  ;)

College trip to St. George.

 Kirk Bitton, Robin, me, Lori Moore, ?, Jody, Teri, Sherrie Havertz

 Jody Briggs, me, Teri Taylor, Lori Moore, ? , Sherrie Havertz, Bonzo

 At my new house after we moved right after graduation. I was actually doing the splits but I cropped it off. 

Robin, me, Pam, Lisa, Jody

Me and Jody in our high school marching uniforms.

At a wedding...Shauna's I think.  

Sandy Gailey, me, Jody Briggs, Robin, Lisa.

 Me and Jody performing our rifle routine at Weber State College right before we left to compete in an international competition in London. 1981 I'm on the left.

Trip to London with the Weber State Marching Band. 1981

I was the majorette and Jody was in the rifleguard.

At BIG BEN

At the Heathrow Airport in London.  We were snowed in.  There was just a skiff of snow.  Hah

Can you see me (in purple sequins) twirling my baton across the Tames River Bridge in London.  It was literally below freezing and my costume was like a swimsuit!!!  Brrr....

 Robin, Jody, and me in London at our hotel in London.  We also toured Paris, Belgium (Brussels), Amsterdam, and other parts of France.

Me and Jody before our performance at Royal Albert Hall in London!
You can see my purple sequin baton costume underneath my rifle uniform.  I did double duty for the trip (rifle and majorette) and after the rifle routine I had about 10 seconds to get it off to perform my solo baton routine.  We won FIRST PLACE in the International competition we competed in while there!!!  Pretty exciting!

*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear 4th of july...Happy Birthday America!  

I got up early and Dave and I headed to Honeyville so I could run the Honeyville Freedom 5K.  I have run this race about five times I believe.  It is a crazy course...one year we hopped over hay bales and another year some of the runners got stopped by a train in the middle of the race.  The course is mostly uneven dirt roads with some really tricky spots.  Some of it is gravel and a tiny bit of pavement at the end.  I am always really concentrating on my stepping because I fear I will twist an ankle.  When we arrived, I got my timing chip and bib number on and looked around for someone I knew.  I saw Bob, Mike, and Colleen.  After warming up a bit we all lined up to start. Bob chatted with me about us being the "Senior winners" at our last race.  Today there were about 150 runners.  Pretty good size race.  

I saw some other people I knew while I was warming up but didn't talk to them.  I suddenly got really sick to my stomach.  It was almost cramping up on me.  But it was time to start and even though I wasn't sure I would make it, I jumped in and started.  As I ran past Dave, I told him I was feeling awful and wasn't sure I would be able to stick it out.  He took my picture and said, "Good luck!".  

In a race situation it is very hard for me to not run fast.  Even though I felt like crap, I still felt like crap running slow and so I thought what the heck, just go for it.  By mile two, I was feeling much better.  Sometimes you just have to run through it to get rid of it.  That has happened to me more than once.  Maybe because running is so painful that your brain can't focus on two different pains.  Ha - who knows?  I just know I was grateful I was felt better!  I was feeling like my time would be okay, though I knew I wouldn't be getting a PR due to my slower than normal start.  I passed a couple younger peeps who seemed to be struggling with leg issues.  That made me feel even more grateful I was feeling better.   I finished with a 25:20.  Not a PR.  But fast enough to place first in my age division and win me some HONEY! 

Almost to the finish line!

I actually placed first in every female age division with the exception of the 15-18 year olds and the 19-24 year olds. I came in 9th overall woman and 36th overall racer.

Winning a jar of Honeyville honey is hard to beat!  

 The honey jar lids have what place you took on them.  One lady there told me she goes home and puts them on a ribbon and hangs them as medals.  I have a few years worth of honey from this race so I guess I could do that too.  They used to give out huge bags of pancake mix and syrup to the winners.  I think I liked that better.  Time to start eating more honey!

Some of the race honey jars I've won. .

They always have great door prizes but all I won this year was last year's shirt - which I already own.  Oh well.  

We headed over for breakfast and they piled on the food.  I wasn't hungry but I did enjoy one of the sausages. They were tasty.   As we were eating, Sky's bud Jason came over.  He is home for a visit.  We got the scoop on Sky and Sarah and the fact that Sky is tending Jason's three big dogs right now.  Jason had nothing but good to say about Sky and told us how nice he is and how he treats Sarah so well.  We talked to him for about an hour.  I've always loved that kid.  He is just a good guy.  

We came home and I showered and got ready for the day.  Dave and the boys did yard work and I worked in the house.  No BBQ's today - sadly.  I ended up getting a killer headache which turned in to a migraine and I had to go lay down for a couple hours.  I really didn't want to miss the fireworks and so I finally decided I would take some Tylenol and it helped a lot.  Dave gets a bit frustrated with me because I hate to take any drugs for anything unless I am really hurting.  They are wonderful when you really need them. I ended up taking a Maxalt because it became migraine status.

We headed to the fireworks and sat by Brian and Becki.  Bryce was up on the mountain by the "I" and Taylor is still in Florida.  We had fun chatting and taking pictures and then Linda and her fam joined us also.  It was too dark to get a group photo but you can see Brian and Becki behind us in our selfies. :) 

The fireworks were amazing as always. However, I could feel the ashes landing on us the entire time because we were so close.  I had to put a blanket over me and my head because it kept getting in my eyes.  Our city's fireworks have always been outstanding and they didn't disappoint this year.

Unreal sunset!!!

dear bike ride, I decided to ride my bike today because I still wasn't feeling that great. My headache never really left completely.  I biked 11.5 miles.  It was a nice day and I enjoyed the ride.  Biking is so much easier for me than running.  Maybe I'm in the wrong sport!  I'm not a strong biker, but it is much less painful!  :-)

 Gotta love this sign ↓ with the construction in the background.

dear harp lesson, I headed to harp and my lesson was pretty good.  I practiced really hard this week and I felt good about it.  I did some shopping for gifts after.  I was also looking for things for the wedding cake I am doing for my niece.  Didn't have much luck with that.

dear yearly lunch, each year when Shauna comes to visit from Maine, we go out to lunch with our moms.  This year she wanted to go to Maddox.  I was okay with that since it's close.  It's nice to have peeps come this way for a change instead of me always going south.  They went and got my mom on the way so she rode with them.  When I got there I couldn't see them.  I was a little early and so I just sat down and waited.  They never came and never came. I stood up and watched out the window for a while. No sight of them.  I got on my phone to answer some text messages and there was a text from Shauna saying they arrived early and already had a table and were inside the dining room.  She sent it 5 minutes before I got there and so I waited all that time for nothing.  My phone didn't alert me to her text.  Oh well.  We had a great laugh over it.
 
We had some good laughs.  Our moms are so cute.  They crack me up.  Me and Shauna just giggle sometimes to each other as we listen to them.  Good times!  I am so grateful we both still have our moms.  We are very blessed.  They met when Shauna and I were roommates at Dixie College some 35 years ago.

dear trek, and he is off!  Dave headed for our stake trek early Thursday morning.  The rest of the group left yesterday but he had to release a missionary and so had to go a day later.   I was kind of sad he was going and I wasn't, but not sad enough to beg to go.  I enjoyed my trek experience four years ago, but with none of my boys going this year, I wasn't really too sad I wasn't going.  No FOMO for me this time.

dear corps encore, 

I met my friends at WSU football stadium to go watch the Corps Encore rehearsal.  It was free and we thought it sounded like a fun thing to do.  We got great seats and it was fun to watch them, but they weren't in uniform (in fact most of them were half naked - one was wearing only a speedo) due to the heat.  And it WAS hot!  It was fun to watch them, but unexpectedly only one corp practiced.

The rehearsal

 Silly girls - selfie

I added both of these pictures because the people sitting behind us are so humorous.  They were trying really hard to not look at the camera knowing full well they would be in our picture.  Cracks me up!

As we sat there, we all thought it would be fun to stay for the show.  I was surprised no one had any issues with having to get home to family or husbands.  I was fine because mine was at trek, but had he not been, I'm not so sure how happy he would have been if I had stayed, but none of the rest seemed too concerned about asking or even letting their hubs know. Of course, Robin wouldn't have to since she is single. Patti couldn't stay because she had plans with her family already, but the rest of us stayed.  We went and bought tickets and had to exit the stadium and re-enter about 20 minutes later.  We all got a Snowie and some cinnamon sugar almonds. I also bought a Powerade for $3.50.  In total I spent $16.50 on food and that's all I got!  I could have had a great meal for what I spent on junk!  We were told you couldn't take outside food in but everyone kept coming in with Costa Vida or Wendy's or Arbies. We just drooled and wished we had known it was allowed because then we would have got real food!

We are all Wildcat alumni!

(Sorry about the picture's issues - Blogger is on drugs again.)

We had the best time.  We were laughing so hard our tummies hurt (probably more from lack of nutritious food) and I had tears running down my face more than once, and nearly down my legs.  We had the right mix of personalities or something because we couldn't stop laughing all night.  I'm so glad we stayed because the show was amazing!  SO much talent!

 More silly selfies

When Jody, Robin and I we were at WSU, Jody was on the rifle squad and Robonzo was on the flag squad and I was the majorette but also twirled a rifle on the squad.  We competed in London in an international competition and we won 1st place internationally.  It was a pretty big deal back then.  Subsequently, we started the Corps Encore that year and we got to perform at it the very first year.  Pretty cool.  They had people stand up that had been in a corp before and so me and Bonzo stood.  We yelled to each other that we started this whole blasted thing and then died laughing once again.  The Blue Devils, the Blue Knights and the Vanguard all performed back then and they still do today.  All the groups were amazing.  Things have changed a lot though as far as the props and uniforms...one of the corps brought in a VW bus and had a hippie theme.  It was very entertaining but not what it used to be like at all.  Back in our day everything was very military and precise.  Now it was more novelty.

The rifles were throwing quints.  In our day, a quad was impressive.    I saw a couple guys throw a six!  Amazing!  There are now a TON of guys in the "weapon" squad.  They are no longer called rifles because they also twirl swords.  Things have changed in a big way.  But they are still amazingly talented.  Of course, if you practice 14 hours a day seven days a week, you should be pretty darn good! And they are!  

It was a blast!  We decided to make it a yearly tradition.  It was so fun to be with Lisa again.  We used to have the best laughs.  We have so many good memories and we kept reminiscing all night about some of the funny things we used to do.  She is a total crack up and hasn't changed at all. And, of course, Bonzo is hilarious, as is Carla.  We had a great time. 

dear flashback, I had a hard time finding these pictures so I am not collaging them on this post so that way I will have them for future use, but here are some shots of us back in the day.  Pretty sad we don't have any pictures of the whole group or our actual performance in London (the first one is us marching across the River Thames), but I am very grateful I have these.

Marching across the River Thames in London in December 1981.  It was raining I believe.  I am in the middle in the purple sparkly costume twirling baton.  Jody is on the far right twirling her rifle.

With Jody and Robin in London.  Jody is kneeling.

Ready for a rifle/baton performance (you can see my majorette costume underneath my rifle uniform) at Weber State (or we could be in London).

At Royal Albert Hall in London ready to perform.  This guy is some British guy but can't remember much about why we took this photo.

Marching at Weber State University in 1980-81

The full band including the flag twirlers  - rifle squad and me in the front with the drum major.

With Robin at the WSU football stadium before our half time performance.

Performing our London show at the Dee Events Center at WSU

Some random photos with Lisa and/or my rifle:

Doing a skit for LDSSA. Lisa is the dramatic one with the hat.  She is hilarious.  I'm holding the rifle.

I always had that thing with me it seems. Maybe I thought it would protect me.

A selfie with Lisa before "selfies" were invented.  We were ahead of our time.  We need a little practice, but back then you couldn't see yourself in the camera.  It most likely was taken with a camera with a little flashcube on top.  Not bad!  We are at the WSU stadium at a football game.

 I found this gem of me and Lisa.  We were doing our "talent" for being nominated as Sweethearts for a WSU fraternity.

Back then they nominated several girls and then those girls had to perform a talent. I can't remember what else we had to do, but then the frat voted and the winners were named the Sweethearts.  We decided to do a comedy of making a cake to "Whip It'.  As we read the recipe we would throw in a flower for the flour and the whole egg when it called for eggs, etc.  We were pretty funny if I do say so myself.  Our real talent was the final product which was a tiered cake I had decorated.  Part of it is on top of the green bowl.  They must have liked our silliness because we both were made Sweethearts of the Fraternity.  Good memories!

dear taylor home, I am glad I didn't end up having to pick him up from the airport because then I wouldn't have been able to stay for the Corp Encore real show.  Travis' mom was able to go get them.  I miraculously beat him home.  He got home about 12:30 pm. 

dear long run, you were non existent this week.  Robin's dad passed away yesterday and so she couldn't go.  I set out to go 10 but it got way too hot because I got out later than planned and so I only went five and decided to do my long run on Monday.  Good thing it's only a ten miler this week!

Saw this guy while running this week.  He liked me.  I liked him.  We're buds.

I tried so hard to get a good one of these guys crossing the road to get to the other side, but I never could.  I thought they were super cute though.  One of the best parts of running outside every day is seeing wildlife.

dear ami triathlon, I was in charge of the AMI part of the triathlon this year.  Not sure how I got roped into it because I don't even live in the city it is held in, but I said yes.  My job was to find 25 volunteers to come and stay for the whole thing....otherwise we wouldn't get our funding and what we make at this is what funds our organization for the year.  Thankfully Jenniece found some peeps from her city.  But I had a lot of pressure to find enough because if we are even one short, then we don't get a dime. I have the most amazing friends.  I had four of them come all the way from Hooper!  That is over an hour drive and since they had to arrive by 6 a.m., that means they had to get up at the crack of insanity!  Seriously!  That is a true friend!

Dawn and Carla both came and they somehow managed to get their husbands to come as well.  I also got Shannon to come but she was late and so I never got a picture of her.  I had two for sures that baled at the last minute.  I expected that and so we had extra's in case.  Luckily, we ended up with two more than we had to have and so all was well!  

I am seriously in awe of these peeps for sacrificing their Saturday morning to come and help at something they have no interest in or affiliation.  I have been blessed with the most amazing and unselfish friends.  I can never thank them enough.

I ended up doing the finish line times.  I had to tap their bib number on the screen of an iPad when they finished.  It was so hard!  First, I could barely see the #'s on it and second, sometimes several would cross at the same time and some didn't even have #'s on them!  It was a challenge.  We messed up a couple of times, but in the end we got it all right.  But we had to be on our toes the entire time. It was fun though.  

 This adorable lady I am with is our current Mother of the Year for Utah.  Her name is Renee and she is absolutely the cutest thing.  I just love her.  We worked the finish line together.  She also told me she was at Lake Powell and one of the girls with them knew my son Taylor and she told me she thought he was really nice.  They have dated several times and I found out she is one of the six sisters.  I guess she has even been to my house with him but I wasn't there to meet her.  Renee wants me to help her put together a 5K fund raiser for AMI with donations going to human trafficking.  I told her I would love to help her.  Not sure when, but I will find some time.

I found these on my phone when I got home.  Cracked me up.  The one looks like Batman was at the tri. My phone has a sense of humor.  There were actually even more but I deleted them before I thought it would make a funny collage.

III I am now thinking about doing the tri next year even though I've never done one.  We will see.  WWWWe stayed and cleaned up for about an hour.  Most of the volunteers left and so it was left to just four us to clean it all up plus the race manager.  We were so grateful for the help we had from the volunteers, that we didn't mind at all.   My legs were killing me!  I was surprised how bad they hurt.  I was standing on them from 6 a.m. until after noon.  They hurt all day.  I was so stinkin' tired too.  Getting up at 4:30 a.m. isn't my idea of fun.  

Diane gave me this cute thing to say thanks.  She always has some amazing cute idea like this.

I had to find some things for the wedding cake and so did a little shopping after. 

Dave got home in in the afternoon from trek.  He was SO dirty!  I wish I had taken before pictures of him! in the afternon 

dear mr. cat, once again I caught you laying on the side table.  If I didn't know better I would think you were being a little defiant.  Hmmm....

dear manic manikin, hard to even see this one, but trust me, it was bizarre!

dear deer, found these guys in the front yard.  Isn't that fawn the cutest thing ever?

dear throwback, I found these and decided I better post them on here because these kids now days take SO many photos on their phones but unless they post them on FB they are gone pretty much forever.  Hopefully I can save a few of them via the blog.

A friend posted this one on my FB wall.  It was when we were on TV to try and campaign to win the Sego Lily Blog contest.  It was intense!  SO. MUCH. FUN!  I won and it was an incredible year!

dear random, I wanted to post these because they bring me joy to just look at them!

dear quotes,

Actually if it DOES rain, I am out the door faster than lightning!  LOVE running in the rain unless it's a marathon!

Stole this off Nancy's blog because I LOVE IT!  I love Yoda though!

I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing women!

Pretty much!  Other than I still wake up at 5 a.m. even if I'm not planning on running that early!

***Sorry if this post has a bunch of errors.  Blogger was seriously on drugs!  It was deleting things and so I would re-write them and then they would disappear again, so I would start over and they would disappear again then later they would reappear.  It was not letting me put photos where I wanted and they were appearing in the wrong place or in duplicate.  Anyway, hopefully it will publish better, but it was a pain!