The Visitor

Guess who is coming this week!!!!!!!!!!! Bah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perfectly timed with Boston Fall and it's Beautiful Perfection!

Highlights

Ok, clearly it has been some time since my last post...I'm sorry, I've been having a little too much fun! Here's what you've missed since I moved away from Provo...

1. I started another blog for past roommates, some friends, and my sisters to keep us all in touch-it's kind of cute and I'm really proud of the title-it really fits us

2. I spent about a month in transit from Utah to Boston...here's what that consisted of...

-Carly & Dede helping me on the drive from Provo to St. Louis-Carly was the moral support/DJ/chef/talent since she can't drive a manual...

-Spent a few days around there to show Deeds around my hometown: Zoo, Ted Drewes, Science Center, steak dinner with Pompa & Grandma Jo, shopping...duh, the Arch, and...yeah...I think that's all

-Met up with the Fam in Nashville and spent some time there-Deeds and I tracked down Dolly Parton's house for her mom, good quality pizza, crafting, church and Sweet Cece's time with the Hissongs, Opryland Hotel, shopping (again on Franklin square), picture time with Mama Frazier for Deeds, good food and movie time in the apartment there...p.s. I think Dede fell in love with ourdogs...seriously, so funny to watch

(side note: I was actually concerned that I was losing Dede to my Mom...no joke...I would watch them andthey seemed like they were already best friends-fortunately it is only more of a testimony to me how great my mom and Dede are! Very entertaining!)

-Spent just over a week in Memphis & LOVED it! It's been a while since I've been to my "other home." That involved time with Blake and his friends, pick ups and school stuff with TJ, movie & laugh time with the whole family after Laury would come home from work, lunch with Reed and Meggie, talk time with Meggie, lots of play time with Sage (she is so freakinggggggg cute!), tv and talk time with Allie Beth, errands, dog time, craft time, bake time, talk time, lunch time, shopping time, drink time, laugh time and lots more with Jonsi! I also got to see my dad's family one day, and spent some time with Janiel, Jackson, Kathy and Mike. Jackson was at practice for a tournament he was going to be in that weekend for karate and it was so fun to watch him. He's growing up so fast!

-Went back to St. Louis from there and spent time at home with my Mom getting lost one day in Queeny park, shopping (ok, maybe Carly and Jenna are right about me having a slight problem...no, I don't it was for my birthday!), taking pictures, going to Cassie Lou's volleyball games, playing Mommy for a few days while my mom drove to Nashville to pick up my dad post ACL surgery to bring him home, painting Pompa & Grandma Jo's bathroom, The Missouri Botanical Gardens (one of my favorite places in the world!)

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Disclaimer: I know I have forgotten things because it was a very busy, but relaxing month of vacation

-Labor Day weekend I started my trek: In order to alleviate my mother's fears of driving on the busiest driving weekend of the year, I broke up the trip to see people I loved along the way...again, the Hissongs-Stacey set me up very well for snacks along the way! After a night in Nashville, I got to spend almost a full day with Lizzi in D.C. We took the train to Georgetown, another one of myfavorite places, went to a famous cupcake place, walked around, and headed back so I could get on the road again.

3. And finally...30 days after leaving Provo, I made it to Boston! That has consisted of...

-Living in Kathleen's childhood home with her family (Mark, Nancy, & Jackson-they are wonderful)

-Looking for jobs and apartments...realized we need stable jobs before we are EVER going to be able to afford an apartment downtown

-In the mean time, we commute downtown to 1 of 4 single's wards in the Boston area

-I have interviewed at a few places: job offer at J. Crew (have not started yet), interview set up for running Gymboree store, interview at Winston's flowers which was followed the next week by a two day trial that I am waiting to hear the verdict on (another side note: this was very intense! The set up of this company is incredible, totally different than what I'm used to, but they have a million resources, an amazing clientele, a Garden Design team where I could use some of my schooling, very highstyle, rich and the famous style and I LOVED IT!)

-I have been doing lots of babysitting, which we all know I love!

-Cheers appreciation time-I have always loved that show, but now that I'm in the city where the bar is, I fully plan on visiting, in the mean time, I've been watching it on Netflix

-Red Sox game, played host at home for a wine tasting party (very fancy!), Colbie Calliat and Andy Grammer concert at The House of Blues...

Seriously, I have been sooo busy...and I don't even have a full time job yet...still hunting for an apartment, but I think we found one that would be really close to work for Kath and me! Wish me luck as the final pieces of the puzzle start falling in to place.

I really feel like that was a lot of word vomiting and I know I missed some things I've done...I'll keep everyone posted, though!

Revelation

Already shared this with Liz...but almost 2 years later-it happened. Huge lightbulb, huge revelation...remember that one time Lowell told me I looked like a mix of Princess Di and Fergie and I was slightly flattered, slightly insulted, slightly confused as to why he would know what Fergie looked like and how you could ever combine her with Princess Di---well this may be obvious to people reading this, but I am happy to declare with all the hype that has continued from the royal wedding, that I figured it out! Fergie a.k.a Sarah Ferguson-a.k.a. previous princess, past sister-in-law of Diana, actual redhead, and despite all her drama now...actually pretty back in her day...wow...again...wow-the world makes sense again.

Patch Power

So...today is my last full day at the Flower Patch. It's all starting to sink in...really...

You're the inspiration

So, the girls (Deeds, SJ, Mills, Jenn) and I have been working on this mini summer project. I am about half way done (just have to put it together but I gots the info) but it has made me reflect on absolute musical genius...or lack thereof. The project lets us choose 30 artists and then select our favorite phrase-whether for sentimental reasons, inspirational motivation, pure enjoyment, or guilty pleasure. I am loving it! I get to go through some of the songs I love the most and really pin down why I love them. Some are from my childhood, some remind me of friends who first introduced them to me, some pinpoint a very specific memory, some are my favorite artists, some just have some of the most poetic lyrics. You want a sampling...ok! Kind of sums me up in a funny way about all of my interests, loves, and thoughts!



1. Natascha Beddingfield (Strip Me) If you strip me, strip it all away...I'm still the same.
2. James Morrison (Please Don't Stop the Rain) I can be your shelter til its done, we can make this last forever so please don't stop the rain
3. Usher (Something Special) I'm so proud of how you represent me baby, Better rock in the money Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli or Gucci Girl
4. Jason Mraz (1000 Things) Well I've seen a 1000 things in one place but I stopped my counting when I saw your face...now suddenly the 1000 things I've seen were nothing more than dreams of you and me
5. Benton Paul (Run) Breaking the barrier of common yesterday, not looking back
6. Chris Brown (Dueces) I know you mad but so what, I wish you best of luck, and now I'm bout to throw those dueces up!

Put it all together and it's gonna be awesome!!!!!!!! If you see the final project, it's all gonna make sense.
P.S. Evidence that my life has been insane-I started this post 3 weeks ago...just now finishing it...I know...what else is new?

My Valentine

After a week of recovery...I've had some time to reflect, rest, and relax...a little. The aftermath of the Valentine's is mostly over. The state of my store no longer looks like it has been covered in Pepto Bismol and plastered with chocolates, balloons, and enough rose petals to cover most of Provo...ok, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, not much but a little. Going in to this Valentine's I wanted to do 2 things...

1. Survive (as I had half the staff I did last year and projections of doing much more than we did last year...)
2. Have a Valentine of my own to help soften the stress of this holiday for me...

I am happy to say that I have survived...I am also happy to say that I had many Valentine's of my own! Before you go thinking that I think too much of myself or that I'm spreading my way all over Provo...my Valentine's were not conventional, but Valentine's nonetheless and they were spread over the period of 2 weeks, as my Valentine's prep and execution takes about that long or a little longer. I want to publicly thank and tell of the most genuine, heartfelt Valentine's I have ever received...it is incredibly touching to receive so much love and realize how many people think about me during this time and are willing to help out or send little tokens that they know who I am and care about me!

1.Liz, Marci, Deeds-as usual they pitched in to help-Liz has done this for 3 years running, Marci & Deeds for two-and can I say, I have no idea what I'd do without their help...their "lying skills," when people say, "You're the professional, do what you think is best..." At this point, I believe they are really becoming professionals.
2. A general Valentine of roommates, friends, and family that realize after working 13-15 hour days for 2 weeks, that I need help, and even though I have trouble asking for it, they excuse my tired appearance, lack of energy and interaction, and provide, without being asked, meals, witch doctoring, and compliments to appearance, which I KNOW are false! Carly also provided several meals even though her head was bothering her. She takes such good care of Jenna and I.
3. Super/Emergency Friends-Sam and Raegan...both former employees, and much more than that...AMAZING friends. Sam is getting ready to take the DAT and Raegan has her hands full with an elementary school class and the politics of being a teacher. However, both came in to help out the whole time which literally strengthened me. I miss seeing my "sister" on a regular basis so it was a good excuse for us to spend time together, even if that time involved running around and just standing next to each other because we were both tired. And Sam...is just my misc guy...he fills any and every role he needs to at work and does it with a happy spirit and sometimes a bow tie :)
4. The many treats I received- La came in early in the week with some favorites, Katy and Kath brought a V-day survival kit which included Selena Gomez valentines (!), fav drinks, treats, cute pens, clips...and maybe some cute unmentionables (haha). Danielle and Steph dropped by on the nights of with a similar survival kit with Hot Tamales, a cute pic with me and my Dani Jane and an essential Vanity Fair magazine featuring Justin Bieber! Mills dropped by with my favorite drink, David and Kath brought me food on Vday, which I struggled to eat because I was SO busy, but had they not, I might have passed out from all the running around (this blog kind of makes me sound like a crazy person, however until you have experienced a Valentine's Day in Provo, UT, you cannot understand. I somehow manage to make it the most organized chaos possible and keep Provo full of love!) Kyshel also brought me a Jamba and one of the most heartfelt Vday cards I have ever recieved...it is obviously hanging on the boards in my room.
5. My regular staff was incredible. Despite being down in numbers and some of them being new-they rocked it! The combo of Kayleen and Kamien (the owner's daughter-who helps me out every year, don't know what I'd do without her) was so great that I got to go home on time one day and sleep in one morning-a totally new experience for me during regular times, much less during a holiday! We held a few contests for which they all stepped up for-I need to hand out those prizes!
6. Todd and Andrew to the rescue! The boys had been telling me they'd help out all week if I needed them. All were so supportive of me all week, which really helped and on the day of-I had way more deliveries than anticipated (a good thing but enough to put me a little on edge-I called for help and they were here within record time to take some out and offers to bring me anything I needed)
7. Post V-day: many hugs, laughs, reviews, and a few tears-I came home ready to fall in to bed and got a call from Jeffrey-followed by a visit from him, Bjorn, and Andrew. Ice cream from the creamery (first time I'd ever had it actually...), lots of laughing, a poem from Andrew and Jeffrey (also posted on my boards), and a classy Bolivian commercial viewed on youtube from Bjorn.
8. Lots of check-ins and support from my parents, aunts, cousins, former employees, friends and full support, gratitude, and backing from my owner and his family, which I consider a great blessing. I must be doing something right :)
9. Side note-I really miss Lara-not just because it is Valentine's Day and she was my greatest supporter this year, but because she was always providing this kind of support year round for me at work and out of work. Her emails bring me lots of laughs and tears and strength, especially during this time.

I am forever thankful for a job that pays the rent, my school loans, for a car I love, and for me to be able to take care of the people that I love. And for the people I love, thank you for all of the support you give to me not only just when I'm in Valentine's Day Zombie mode, but always!

Dani Jane

Today is dedicated to one of my very best friends...Miss Danielle Jane Magleby. This is going to be like a Thanksgiving post because on today, her birthday, I think it only appropriate to go through some of our ridiculous and wonderful memories and all of the things I love about her, even though there are too many to name.

She is/has...

1. One of the most caring hearts of anyone I have ever met
2. Totally addicted to Sonic
3. Loves loves loves Vera Bradley
4. Great taste in perfume (and even lets me steal her scents and make them my own)
5. A great sister and friend and friend to my sisters
6. Always up for dressing up and going out-only my favorite thing!
7. Wakes up in the middle of the night to take me to the E.R. :)
8. Always says she loves me most...even though I love her more
9. Is so much fun to dance with!!!!!!!!
10. Singing in the car-we have been caught on many occasions and yet we go on, not caring, singing at the top of our lungs to brighten a gloomy day, to end a trip right, or just because we love to do it.

I love you Dani Jane!