Life Gets Crazy In Utah

I was in Utah for 17 jam-packed days. It was fun and tiring all at the same time. I am so glad that I was able to go and spend time with family and friends. I was especially glad to be able to be with my dad while he recovers. Aside from the 2 previous posts about the game and Rumbi, here are some highlights from the trip.

We went to the Alta/Bingham State Championship football game. It was FREEZING and I thought my toes were going to fall off. Bryce used to play for Alta so it was fun for him to see his old high school win the state championship. Ashley D and I went shopping and 2 hilarious things happened... first while we were trying on shoes Isaac thought he should join in. I think these go perfect with his outfit! Second, we left the mall only to find that Ashley had accidentally locked her keys in the car. This turned into my fault because I had left my coat in the car which had prompted Ashley to lock the doors. Brett (Ashley's husband) had to come rescue us to which he said, "When you two get together do you forget to bring your brains?" Yes, actually I think we did.

I was so excited to be able to go to a Jazz game while I was in town! Bryce and I saw the Jazz kick some booty! This year at the games they are introducing the Jazz starting line up in the dark... It makes it feel like a playoff game mid season! Also, while we were at the Jazz game Bryce insists that I almost got into a fight. But what really happened is 2 of the fans were arguing because one was taking forever to sit down. This young girl in the front was being very rude to the older guy and his wife sitting next to me. After I had heard enough I said, "OK,OK!" Bryce thinks I should have minded my own business, but they didn't say a word after that and I couldn't just sit there and let the young girl be rude!

Thanksgiving was a packed full day of fun! I was able to eat with Bryce and his family and then go to my parents house for dinner. Normally my family celebrates Thanksgiving with my mom's brothers and sister. This year since my dad was still in 'healing stage' we stayed at home. We had a nice quiet dinner, it was a welcomed change for this year. I am really thankful that I was able to spend this time with my family! I wish however, that I would have gotten more pictures than just this one of my mom and I!
The day after Thanksgiving Mandy, Tami and I got up at 5am and went shopping! We found some great deals - well actually Mandy didn't because everything she wanted was sold out! But, we found some fun stuff nonetheless. After the early morning shopping we finished the day at Honk's and Big Lots with Alisha, Jada and Pat. It was a full day of shopping that didn't end until about 8pm! Tami and I had a couple favorite purchases for ourselves. We found these boots and shirts and figured we could buy the same clothes since I live in Oregon and she in Nevada. We found the boots at our first store and wore them the rest of the day!
Bryce was able to have his first Taco Amigo experience. Taco Amigo is a local PG restaurant. I was so excited to eat there that I had it twice while I was in town! Bryce rated it a C+ for the following reasons: Pros - good tortillas, good nacho cheese, good chips, good ice. Cons - dry meat and it's weird to each french fries with tacos. I don't care though, Taco Amigo has an A+ in my book.
We had a rockband party with my friends from high school. Ashley and Casey were so sweet to host us and let me just say that Heidi is a rockband star on the vocals! Even the neighbors 2 blocks away thought so!
The day I left I was able to get together with my college roommates and catch up. It was so fun to see everyone and catch up on their lives - We were just missing Shannon! I am so glad I was able to live with these girls and I love to see them doing so well!
I also have to include this video that I took of Camden right before I left. He was dancing for us. This kid has such a fun personality. No one teaches him his dance moves - this is all Camden!

Thanks everyone for such a fun time!

It Was A Sad Weekend For the Cougs...

As much as I really am not trying to rub the perfect (12-0) Utah season into any unsuspecting BUY fan's face... we took these cute pictures on game day and I figured I should post them. Couple things about the game - it's about time Utah took a 'W' from the U - Y rivalry. The last 2 years last minute BYU wins have really taken a toll on the Utah fans. And, although I have become a little bit softer toward BYU and respect their whole organization when it comes to Utah vs. BYU I will always cheer for my alma mater. So, I am happy about the win. However, since so many people I love are die hard BYU fans... I will leave it at - HELLO BCS #2 - GO UTES!

Bryce and I took this picture before the game. Mandy and Pat bought us these Utah/BYU pez candies. They are so cute! Bryce and I went out that day in our conflicting collegiate gear, which was actually really fun. We didn't however, watch the game together. Bryce watched it at his parents house where only cheering for BYU is allowed and I watched it at my parents house where only cheering for Utah is allowed. With the turnout of the game, I am sure glad we did it that way! :)

I also have to include this picture of Bryce with his pride and joy - the turkey fryer. He was so excited to deep fry a turkey for Thanksgiving that he decided to do a test run for the game which also happened to be his dad's birthday. The turkey took 3 gallons of oil and only 45 mins and turned out really moist and yummy! Good thinking Bryce! Happy Birthday Lynn! And one more time, Go Utes!

Rumbi Will Always Be My #1

I try not to choose favorites. When I list my favorite movies or books I choose a top 5 in no particular order because when my mood changes so does my #1. However, when it comes to a favorite salad -- the BBQ chicken salad from Rumbi Island Grill will always be my #1. Unfortunately, there are not any Rumbi's in Oregon and in the last few months I have been searching high and low for a yummy BBQ chicken salad. I tried everywhere and for a while I thought Claim Jumper had one that may be able to overtake the infamous Rumbi.... Oh was I wrong. Last night Bryce, Ashley and I made a quick stop at Rumbi and my salad was nothing less than AMAZING! A lot of people don't love this place and I don't understand why?! Their salad is perfect and their Rumbi fries have half regular and half sweet potato fries! It does not get better than that. MMMMM... I loved every bite! Thank you Utah for having Rumbi Island Grill!!

Also, thank you everyone for your sweet notes and calls about my dad! I appreciate all your love. He is looking and feeling better every day and will hopefully be able to come home soon.

This Little Horoscope Couldn't Have Been More True

Today's Virgo Horoscope:
Nov 11, 2008
Why does being patient have to take so long? quipped one frustrated soul. Could it have been you, dear Virgo? Waiting has never been your strong suit, there's no question about it. You will get through today best if you concentrate on finding an outlet for your pent-up frustration. A visit to the gym, or a vigorous cleaning of the house, would help.

So I am feeling like a little "complain Jane" the last couple days and right this second I am calling it quits with that! Let me explain, last week my Dad was in an awful motorcycle accident while on his way to Mexico with some friends. He will be okay, but the last few days have been more than terrifying. Although he is still in the hospital and unsure when he will be released, he is progressing a little more each day and practically begging for them to let him go home. Yesterday, we got news that our family dog, Screetch, has cancer. The vet gave him 3 or 4 more months to live. Luckily he is not showing signs and is still being very active and happy. I have been stressing and when I stress I get controlling and obsessed with little details (of anything) and how fix it - most of which are out of my control. But along with my stressed, controlling, impatient and obsessed nature I feel like I have been complaining - and that is not who I want to be. So, amongst all the havoc I would like to post my top ten things that I am grateful for right now.

- Family, they stick by your side. They call you to tell you things will be ok, even when they're not sure. They pull together to fix problems. They tell you they love you even when you already know. They are willing to do anything they can to make you feel better - cause they know, family is most important. Best of all, family doesn't have to be related, some people you love as if they were family.

- My parents. My Dad who is laying in a hospital bed trying to get strong. You would never hear, "I can't" or "I won't" out of his mouth cause he knows he can and will and that's how he taught us to be. My Mom who sits by his side no matter what. She will be his rock, or my rock, or your rock if you need it cause she doesn't want anyone to feel pain, cause she's a mom.

- Friends. Who let me complain and then let me talk and talk and sort through my thoughts because they know that's what I do. I am not naming names, but thank you!

- My robe. Cause walking around with a robe over my clothes is like walking around with a warm blanket wrapped around me and I love that. (I love it so much I seriously considered leaving my house in it the other day... problem?)

- Exercising. When I exercise everything else in my head leaves and I only focus on one goal. Sometimes I need that.

- Chapstick. My lips are really dry.

- Working. As much as work is, well work. I have a good job while others search for one and being paid is a nice bonus.

- Planes. Because even though they charge $30 for an additional bag and $90 if your bag is over 50lbs, they take you home which is really most important.

- Doctors (nurses, vets, etc). They are smart, they are compassionate, they work long hours, went to a lot of school and help fix and take care of people who are important to me.

- Prayer. Because it comforts me and if I couldn't pray, I couldn't thank God for all these blessings, and more, for which I really truly am grateful.

Poor Sad Plant

This is my plant. It is dying. I have had this plant for 2 years and 2 months and through no skill of my own, has it lasted this long. This plant was a gift from my friends Khrystie and Traci. The three of us worked together and the plant stayed at work. Knowing I knew only how to kill plants, Khrystie helped me keep it alive by reminding me to water it and bringing plant food in on a regular basis. Soon I moved departments and the plant came with me. The plant started dying. My friend Susan noticed the sad leaves and took on the project of helping me keep it alive. She would remind me to water it and when I would forget even after she reminded me, she would do it herself. Eventually she just watered my plant and left me out of the loop altogether. One day I looked at my plant and noticed how green and big it was getting (it looked nothing like it does now) and said to Sus, "WOW, my plant looks so great! I can't even remember the last time I watered it?!" She said, "Amber, that is because I have been taking care of it." Ha! When I moved to Oregon Susan offered to keep my plant and warned me that I might kill it, but I insisted on moving it 800 miles because it was a gift, and I NEEDED it in my office! The day I had my car packed and ready to head to Oregon I showed up and Bryce's house with the plant in the front seat - thinking he could hold it in his lap of course! He quickly told me there was no way he was holding my plant for 13 hours and Pat graciously found a safe place in my car for it to ride. It made it to Oregon, it has lasted 4 months, and now it is dying. I have tried to keep it from getting too dry. It sits by the window with plenty of sunlight. Why is my plant dying? Leaves are falling from it right and left, even the ivy is dying and I hear ivy is hard to kill. How is it possible that my mom has a plant business, a BRIGHT green thumb, and about 40 plants in her house and I can't even keep one alive? Poor sad plant.

I Love Just Because...

Don't you love it when someone does something, just because? I certainly do and Bryce is the king of just because gifts. No, this won't be gushy, but it is a little shout out to him! Yesterday a sweet lady showed up at my door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. As she handed them to me while confirming that I was in fact Amber, I thought... birthday? No. holiday? No. anniversary? Obviously No. Just because? Yes! Bryce sent me flowers and enclosed a cute little note saying, have a good day and that he would see me soon. They are beautiful and that was so thoughtful! This isn't the first time he has 'just becaused' me, but that sweet lady probably thought I had never seen a flower before because of the huge smile on my face. I love flowers, but more than flowers it means a lot to know that someone is thinking of me. So, Bryce teaches us all a good lesson - and no, you don't have to buy flowers - but you can give someone just a little more of you, just because. Thanks Bryce!

Howl-O-Ween

A Senorita, Cat Woman and Minnie Mouse took on downtown Portland Halloween night... along with about 14 billion other people. The day before Halloween Shannon, Deneal and I were at the mall trying to decide what I would dress up as. We found a great bumble bee costume that I decided was 'the one'. For some reason on Halloween night I just couldn't get the bee costume to work right, so I made a last minute Minnie Mouse change. We'll try the bumble bee next year!

No matter what costume I chose, one thing was for sure... The fake eyelashes were going with anything!




Happy Halloween everyone!