My Husband Treats Me Like A Princess

Have I told you lately about how GREAT my husband is to me?!?

(sounding shocked) I HAVEN'T? :-o

Here's a little synopsys at midnight thirty, well past the time I should've been in bed...

For Christmas, we discussed that we didn't need to buy each other presents (except for the red enamel cooking pot I would've bought for myself at Costco and gorgeous silver and red earrings, that I happen to be wearing at this moment, that I told him to buy for me while at Pike Place Market last month; and he said he'd like new underwear, ooh - exciting gift).

But he lied.

Yes, I'd like to announce my husband is a liar.

But, I forgive him. Know why? Because I am spoiled, that's why! It's not like we're loaded with cash (far from it, like a lot of people out there), but he treats me like a princess in non-monetary ways and I can get what ever I want (honestly, and I speak this from the heart, I try REEEEALLY hard not to pull the I-know-you'll-let-me-because-I-can-get-whatever-I-want card).

So I got him a bunch of underwear (woo hoo) and made him a double-layered flannel blanket.

(Want some more honesty? The blanket... I sewed two rectangle pieces of flannel together about 1/2" from the edge all the way around.)

What'd that liar *snerk* get ME (you ask, since this is the POINT of the post)?!? A new (refurbished, that's ok) computer that can handle my photography business (you know, the one I've been meaning to start, FOR YEARS) and some lighting equipment that Glazer's recommended I might need (yes, he drove DOWN to their store, talked with the sales guys and decided on 3 items he thought I could use to better my biz).

Me ... underwear and two pieces of fabric stuck together (no stocking... I thought we weren't doing them)

Him ... new computer, lighting equipment and a pop-up reflector (as well as stocking stuffers of goodies)

There's more good news...

Was it today, or maybe yesterday? I don't remember, the days have been a blur. Ben looked me in the eye (now I think I remember it was yesterday, but that's beside the point... back to my point), and told me that he'll do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help me to make my photography business a success! He explained that I could make appointments whenever I want to and he would be home from work by the time the kids get off the bus so I don't have to work around their school schedule (not that I'd do that every DAY, or very often, but it sure was a HUGE relief to feel that obstacle shatter in my favor). I've got free reign to use my Saturday's for wedding and portrait shoots (however, I'm still a mom and wouldn't just spend every Saturday away from my kids/family, but that helps me to better coordinate my schedule to maximize my time to benefit both my family and clients... win/win!)

So there's my mini-shout about my great hubby ("Hi, hubby!") It's just about 1am so I should scoot off to bed. Ben's at his folks house watching a movie with his brother's and BIL, so I know he won't want to wake up too early tomorrow with the kids either ;)

Awe, teamwork... isn't that nice?

I love you, Ben! Thanks for my GREAT Christmas! Hopefully I'll make your birthday special than Christmas (more underwear?).

Drea's Going to Mexico!

As you can tell (by the title of this post), Drea is going to be in Mexico for the holidays (she left 15 minutes ago, wah!) In hopes of safe travels for her and her family, I dedicate today's post to her FIRST date dance that happened a couple weeks ago. (Psst... I miss you already! Thanks for my Christmas clock.)

Sometimes I get a wild hair and take on projects I don't even know how to do. Case in point: I told her I would make a fascinator (fancy hair clip with feathers) to match her dress and since I was doing that I should go ahead and whip up some matching earrings and necklace. I'm crazy, I know, but I think they turned out pretty fantastic :D

Warning: These images were taken with a lame point-n-shoot that I don't really like using. Carry on.

Here's the "fascinator" hair clip...

The earrings and necklace...

Her cute smile and the necklace up close (and blurry)...

Her friend, and date, Reid...

Reid cooking the meat for spaghetti sauce...

Aren't these brown eyes TO DIE FOR?!?

Drea with our friend, Bella, and Glen like a monkey on her back

Glen (my partner in crime, and by crime I mean board/table games like Wackee 6)
with his date, Dom(inique), and their perfectly hued outfits!

Drea, hurry back!

My 30th Birthday - again!

Yay! I've made it through another birthday (you should be reading that with the same sarcasm that I'm intending) and getting older (now I'm feeling a little grumpy and less sarcastic). The BEST part (here's where I stop being sarcastic and grumpy and instead be completely sincere) about having my birthday (especially if it's during the week so I can spread out the celebration over 9 days --- p.s. What's with all my parenthasis obsession?) is making an excuse to see my friends and get in some extra squeezies!

I LOVE squeezies!

Especially the little bit longer than you think a squeeze should be kind ;) They are even better when you wag your tail (trust me, try it)!

So this birthday week (my bday was yesterday, Thursday the 28th, mark that on your calendar for NEXT year) started last Saturday with a BBQ at our place with some photographer friend families (no pictures... ironic, no?) Monday we had some area friends (mostly friends from church, but not all) here for a BBQ (mmm... Cowboy Salsa and Elisa's homemade Oreo's were a hit), Tuesday we had family over for a BBQ and Wednesday Amanda had me and some girlfriends over for Ponderosa Banana Cake (hot out of the oven, very impressive). Thursday, yesterday, my actual birthDAY, I awoke to a freshly made omelet, hugs n' kisses from my kidlets (Piper's peepers were barely opened as she layed in bed and said, "Happy Birthday, mommy." -- ugh, die) and a Harley Davidson gift bag! The gift was a surprise because we combined my Mother's Day gift with birthday (so I thought), but I was HAPPILY surprised with plug-in heated riding gloves :) Even though the weather is nice right now, it's not always (welcome to the NW) and my hands are the first to get chilly. Eventually I'll get the rest of the plug-in warming gear (jacket, pants and, I hope, socks) and extend my riding season. I had several good choices for the day: Taco Thursday Ride at 3, photography meeting at 6:30 or Quilting Group at 7. Ben came home early and I went R I D I N G and it was JUST RIGHT :) I left at 3, met up with 2 bikers in Redmond (Tad and Dan), met up with 6 more in West Seattle at Endolyne Joe's (Tim, Pat, Big K, DeAnn, Mark, Beth), 2 more at a park (Matt & Sheena, with Tiger Lucy with her pink thong on back) then 10 more in Tacoma for $1 Tacos at The Cliffhouse. We rode along the coast, went around a couple round-abouts 2 or 3 times while cars waited (only one car got a little ticked) with the last stop at DQ for some birthday dessert (substituting pecans for peanuts), thanks Mark, and joyous singing of the traditional birthday song! Wanna know something weird and kinda disturbing? If you don't, then don't continue reading this paragraph and move on to the next instead. When you ride, you should stay hydrated so I kept guzzling water with my tacos. I pottied at the restaurant before we left. About 30 minutes later when we stopped in Point Defiance Park along the 5 Mile Drive I went into the forest for another potty break (no bathrooms, great, I hope I didn't get a tick, ESPECIALLY down THERE; thanks, K, for keeping guard). Then at the golf course on the ocean where we stopped for a group photo, I had to go AGAIN and the public bathrooms were locked (so I went over a berm out of eyesight)! Mind you, stripping down with leather chaps, jeans and a hefty belt ain't so graceful). Even went again after dessert (but at least there was indoor plumbing that time). What the HECK?!? Typing the story makes me need to go again... Alright, I'm back. So I left home at 3pm and rolled back in at 11pm. A full day of romping across the coastline with other biker enthusiasts in the PERFECT weather (not too hot, not too cold). The views were magnificent... Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, the ocean, quaint neighborhoods with meticulously trimmed hedges and blooming foliage of all shapes, colors and smells (oh! the smells while riding --- except when we dropped into Tacoma, then there were patches of STINKY STANK). The NW on a beautiful day is a treat! Here are some pics of birthday friends at Amanda's and some of our ride yesterday (I've noted the one's that I borrowed from Pat's camera).

The following image needs an explanation. Lisa gave me a bag of her old jewelry to tear apart and remake into something fun, so Amanda thought it'd be hilarious to put them all on me at once and take a picture of me looking like Mr. T. Not the most flattering, sure, but my waist looks good (I promise, no photoshop) so I couldn't resist :)

From Pat's camera of us picking up Matt & Sheena. I'm kinda in the middle by myself (4th person from right). From Pat's camera of Mt. Rainier. From Pat's camera riding through Point Defiance Park. From Pat's camera when we were stuck in traffic. From Pat's camera (is that Tacoma Narrows Bridge?)

I'm sure I was saying something funny and that's why some heads are aimed my direction ;p

Tana's hubby, Scott, my riding buddy :) I'm showing you how helmet hair and riding does NOT make me look very attractive, and I'm happy with that because riding with cool, down to earth people ROCKS!

Cute Family Pic

(you may click on the picture to view a larger version)

May I just say that I miss my Utah friends more than I realized I would? ("Yes, yes you can since this is your blog," you say.) When we moved there 6.5 years ago, we told ourselves that we wouldn't get attached because we'd be moving back to the NW within two years (never wanted to move there in the first place, but that's another story). Well, 2 years turned into five (but I've heard similar stories from people who've been there 14 years and counting) and I think the extra three years were the nitty-gritty years that solidified my soul to Utah. Eee ghads, did I just admit that there's a place in my soul dedicated to Utah ("Yes, yes you did," you say)? Yes, yes I did. There... it's out in cyberspace for all to witness. Yikes. Anywho, the family featured in today's post is absolutely one of the reasons my mind was changed about Utah. My kids are best buds with her kids, and I adore them all (which is surprising for me because I'm famous for not liking kids --- they're just so hard to be around). (Holding up a glass of bubbling water...) here's to my Utah friends. I adore you all.

Lunch, Photographer Style

Forgive my absence in posting, especially since there are so many stories to tell! Like the ghost poop on the sidewalk, frosh art from a Burien Arts Council fundraiser (people don't normally GO to Burien), the Twilight premier (and the altercation I started with 12 women), random pictures of people, carrots I kept taking back to Costco (not really worthy of it's own post, so I'll just tell you right here that no matter the 'freshness date,' we kept getting slimy, bitter and disgusting baby carrots) and the close-minded vs. open-minded debate. In the meantime, how 'bout hop over to my friends blog to see me with cigarette butts (yes, there ARE pictures so it's worth the click).

4th of July... in November?

What the freakfreak? I assembled a 4th of July blog post of our FABULOUS time at our friend's place on Lake Sammamish (yay that we live here again because I look forward to it every summer), but somehow it didn't get published (I don't think). So here's some Independence Day goodness just in time for tomorrow's voting.

These neighbors volunteered to monitor the perimeter and keep others a specific distance from the fireworks barge.

The view of the party from the barge. Piper fishing (plastic fish). You can see how close the barge was from the dock. Check out that view... isn't it saaweeet?! Piper chillin' in the tethered inflatable island. Brett and Will... aren't they festive in their red? Jake and baby Roxie (red, white & blue). The cousins minus Owen (they arrived later) and Roxie. Um, Jack, that's for baby's ;) I ADORE this picture - that's my boy!!! Boat going out with 99.8% of people I'm related to. Ben and Piper are waving at you (lotta waving on the blog lately). Hey, Bob. I kept telling him he's a hunk (...kinda Clint Eastwoodesque). That dark blob between the docks? It's a GIANT BEAVER that comes around about dinner time to chew on trees (particularly the expensive & newly planted ones). "Heeeeeyyyyyy, I'm Brett!" Jason getting bombarded by the pipsqueaks (Will, Alice & Piper). This guy was channeling Mexico weather. What a pretty lady. Meet Bob, our host extraordinaire! This guy reminded me of Dane Sanders. Cute couple (she's got fantastic eyelashes). Ahh, backlit by delicious golden sunshine. Something was reeeeeally loud for Alice. Jake's 1/2 deaf so he didn't notice at all. Suns going down, fireworks are a comin'. My guy with the weird shadow hair :) Britanny teaches you that hydrating is important as well as sexy and hip! The Host's brother, Tedd, with his ammo (we geeked out on gear talk). Other boats starting to gather 'round for the show! Brett helping Alice, Will and Owen with sparklers. Bridgette and Owen.

PSA: Figure out where you're voting tomorrow and give yourself plenty of time to wait in line!