August 2nd, 2011 by Kateastrophe

So, um, my world sort of blew up (AGAIN!  How does this keep happening!) this last week and work is, as usual, craziness.  I don’t have much time to process what’s going on let alone deal with it and get my work done.  I have chosen to focus on work and baking cookies.

What’s that, you say?  Cookies?

Yes, cookies.  I took the time on Sunday to create the dough for the famous New York Times chocolate chip cookies and then spent this evening, after letting them chill for the recommended 36 hours, baking like fifty bazillion of them.   People, they are as good as the rumors.  They are also difficult to make.  And if you’re me, you’ll explode butter AND flour all over your kitchen twice.  This will cause you to panic that you now have less than the precisely measured 2 cups minus 2 TBSP of flour (or whatever complex measurement it is).  Then you’ll taste the first cookie and decide that it was all worth it.

I’m leaving for Denver straight from work tomorrow.   Our marketing team works with an amazing group of developers who are based in Denver so we’re taking a trip to meet them.  My boss is bringing the company swag and I’m bringing the cookies.  After my team leaves Thursday, I’m staying the weekend in Denver, working from our office there Friday and then spending the weekend with my best friend Anne (who some of you may know as Brillig.  Moment of silence that she’s not blogging anymore………..).  I cannot tell you how excited I am to see her.  We’re going to behave like teenagers and go to an amusement park Saturday and I’m sure we’ll spend a lot of time staying up late and talking and laughing and doing all of the things we’ve been doing for the last fifteen years.  Plus I am in much need of her wisdom and awesomeness.

I hope to come back Sunday refreshed (though tired) and ready to face life with a better attitude.

While I’m gone, do yourselves a favor and make those cookies.  You can thank me (and The New York Times) later.

April 28th, 2011 by Kateastrophe

Just a quick update so you guys don’t think I’ve jumped off a cliff or something…

I’m doing really well, all things considered.

This miscarriage was hard, and will probably continue to be so but I’m finding some small bits of silver lining.  My maternity benefits increase substantially after a full year on the job.  I get six weeks 100% paid leave, FMLA leave AND short-term disability.  Also, the VP over our department just announced she is expecting around the same time I would have been and another girl on my small three person team is getting married the same week.  Had all of us been out at the same time I sort of can’t imagine what would have happened.  Now I just have to get up to speed by October and ready to take over some extra work.  I was DREADING being in my third trimester during the hottest months of the Phoenix summer so it’s nice that I can try to avoid that.

The recovery from my D&E has been a total breeze.  I was tired for a few days but back at work the next Monday.  I got a recommendation for one of the best fertility specialists in the state and I have my first consultation a week from Monday.  He won’t start testing right away but  at least we can get a plan of action together to figure out what is going on and how to fix it.  I’m an action person and I’m really anxious to have a plan and a list of things I need to do in order to try to find out what’s causing these issues.  Even if it’s not great news, at least then I’ll KNOW and be able to process my options with all the information in place.

Work has been a big factor in keeping my mind off of things.  I’m getting busier every day and I love not having time to sit and think about what’s going on with me.  I have things like average order size to increase so I can increase my quarterly bonus.  It’s a great incentive to not wallow.

I’ve also started on an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication.  You guys, it’s awesome.  I know that there’s still a stigma around mood elevating medication but within 24 hours I had stopped crying on my 30 minute commute to and from work, at lunch and anytime I was alone.  I am sleeping well,  my appetite has stayed decent, my energy is up and I feel like my coping skills have improved significantly.  I asked for the medication because I know I suffered from some postpartum depression after the last miscarriage and I wanted to avoid that crash when it inevitably happens in a month or so.  I did not expect to feel so much better so quickly and I’m so grateful that I am.  I still feel sadness and loss and all the things that I should be feeling but they aren’t dragging me down with them.  I can process them and move past the waves of sadness without feeling like I’m drowning or trapped.  I don’t want to sound like a pill-pusher but I am truly a believer in recognizing when your body knows it’s not doing OK and doing what you need to do to get back to good.   This time I knew that was help in the form of meds.

My other form of help comes from my wonderful girlfriends.  They have truly saved me.  I can’t even begin to list the kindnesses that have taken place over the last week and a half.  I’m so so so so so lucky to have such wonderful friends all over the world.  I’ve received visits, flowers, cards and emails from friends in Virginia, Rhode Island, Canada, Australia, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Nevada, Utah and probably ten other places I can think of  and of course here in Phoenix.  One of my oldest friends called right after she woke up with a start one morning to tell me that she felt she needed to make sure I knew that I had a circle of women with me every step of this process, supporting me, suffering with me and pulling me through my darkest moments - even if they couldn’t be there in person, their prayers, light and spirits were with me.  I believe this with all my heart.   I have been blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world and I just want every single one of you to know how much I appreciate you.

My family has again been so wonderful through all of this.  My sister was once again with me every second, making sure I had everything I needed…including bowls of Easter candy waiting out for me when I got back from the clinic.  My mom, dad, brothers, stepmother and grandparents have all been checking on my daily, all with with offers to drop everything to come to my side if needed.  And of course my husband…he is my rock solid foundation and I know with him by my side I can get through anything.

Despite feeling like life kicked me in the gut again, I know that I’m one of the luckiest girls alive because of the people that surround me and love me in spite of my huge list of flaws.  I don’t ever have to worry about falling because I have so many wonderful people willing to hold me up and carry me if necessary to help keep me upright.  I cannot thank the Lord enough for sending all of you (and many not reading) into my life.  I cannot feel sorry for myself when I have such a blessed life.  Thank you for being part of it.

February 7th, 2011 by Kateastrophe

It appears that my prayers to get out of my own head and find ways to be happy and productive have paid off in a big way.  January made a diving save on day 28 and is officially forgiven for sucking so extraordinarily.  I’m so grateful it redeemed itself and it seems my prediction that 2011 will be my best year ever has already started to come true.

I just got back from a five day Disney World vacation and while I was there I got word from back here in AZ that I was offered a dream job at a dream company.  With a dream salary and dream benefits.  Downside?  I had to give my notice today exactly five minutes after returning from said Disney vacation and watch the mayhem unfold.  OK fine, that’s not really a downside.  It’s more like a little hiccup which will cause the next three weeks to be a little strained and stressful.  But it’s so worth it.  I’m giddy with excitement.

For the record, Disney World is the most magical place on earth and I want to live there.  With these girls.  Love them.

Yay for DisneyWorld and yay for new jobs.  Happy Monday and even Happier February!

January 21st, 2009 by Kateastrophe

WARNING:  THIS MIGHT BE THE LONGEST POST EVER.  Seriously. 

So, I’m a Mormon, right?  And I’m 28 (woah).  And my husband is 33 (with a beautiful baby face that makes him look not a day over 25.  Jerk.).  We’ve been married for almost four years.  And we (shhhhh) don’t have any kids.

What’s that you say?  Mormons?  Without four kids in the fourth year of marriage?  Surely you jest!

Surely I do not.

Now, despite what I know some people think, I DO want kids.  I do want a little girl to dress up and teach how to be a princess, and I want a little boy that Matt can teach to play sports and all that boy stuff. 

I just don’t want them yet.  I don’t have all the words or reasons to explain why.  I think some of it has to do with growing up really fast and helping my Mom so much with my siblings.  I think some of it has to do with the fact that I sort of mother EVERYONE and EVERYTHING so I’m sort of exhausted by that whole thing sometimes.  I think some of it has to do with really loving my job and my freedom and two incomes and all those selfish things.  And I think some of it is that I’m just not ready. 

But sometimes I think the biggest reason is that I have all these little angels in my life, courtesy of my best friends.  I not only have the most amazing girlfriends in the world, but they have the best kids in the world.  I was thinking about all of them today and I thought I’d write a little tribute to my little bebes.  Would you like to meet them?  OF COURSE YOU WOULD!  I’m going to try to go in birth order here, but my apologies to my ladies if I mess it up.

First was Alayna.  Oh my goodness this girl came crashing into my world and with one blink of her giant, gorgeous eyes, she stole my heart.  This picture is a few years old but I absolutely love it.  She is smart and funny and EXACTLY like her mother, which is a total bonus because I LOVE her mother.  We were buddies from the beginning and I’ll never forget her famous question “cha doin Kaaaaate?”

Next came Princess Madeleine.  Again, the second I saw her, sucking vigorously on her mothers pinkie (something I think ALL of her mothers children did as babies) she stole my heart.  I spent a lot of time with Maddy until I moved to Phoenix and she is SUCH a ray of sunshine and joy.  Sometimes her mom and I laugh because people mistake her for my daughter, as she doesn’t look a whole lot like the dark haired, olive skinned woman who gave her life.  Maddy is a girlie-girl through and through and sort of reminds me of myself at her age.  Crown and all.  (Again, this picture is a little older, but captures Maddie perfectly!)

Now we have Miss Ava.  From the moment I walked into the hospital room to meet this little cherub, I knew there was something special about her.  She is awesome.  When she was tiny there was a lot of crap going on around her and she came out of it with a perma-smile and the best attitude ever.  She is a total fashion diva and is (almost) six going on eighteen.  Again, the picture is old, but I had to use it.  I love this girl.

Next is Blake.  Blake is PURE ladies man . . . always has been.  He had me at hello.  Well, before that really.  Blake is gorgeous, kind, funny, generous . . . all the things you want in a man PLUS he has a rockin’ sense of style and plays a mean game of Sorry.  All your hearts are about to be broken though, he’s in love with a girl at school named Eva.  Shoot.

Next is my Rylie girl.  Rylie was born during a funny period in my life, right before I met my husband . . . when I had black hair.  I don’t know WHY that’s relevant, but I’ve always thought it was funny that the pictures of me with Rylie right after she was born show a VERY different version of me.  Rylie cracks me up.  She apparently talks about me ALL the time, but when I finally show up to see her, she gets really shy and nervous.  Her dimples could melt the coldest heart and she is such an amazing little girl.  She calls me Auntie Kate and I just love love love it.

Sammy Sam Sammer.  What to say about Sam.  Oh yeah.  I LOVE HIM.  He is so stinkin’ awesome and funny and gorgeous and awesome and great and awesome.  Last time I stayed at his house he insisted on sleeping with his cars in his bed and scared me to death when he moved around and they rolled against the wall.  He smiles ALL THE TIME.  I love him.  SEE?  How could you not?

Now for Cache.  OH how I love me some Cache.  I got married just a few months after Cache was born so I haven’t spent as much time with him (or the kids that follow him) as the ones up above, but Cache is HILARIOUS.  His Mom would tell us stories of clever little things he’d say or do and have us rolling around laughing.  It’s not surprising  because his mother is hilarious.  His personality is so unique and awesome.  And guess what?  Today is his birthday!  Happy Birthday, little man!

Next is Mr. Nathan.  I just had the pleasure of getting to know Nathan a little better and he is so freaking cool.  He has every word to Linkin Park’s “Shadow of a Day” memorized and gets mad at his Mom if he doesn’t get to do his special move to “Human” by The Killers.  Did I mention he’s three?  Yeah,  three.  He’s got a big, hilarious personality.  He might just be the death of his mom, but at least she’ll die laughing!

Brandon comes next in the long list of my loves.  He entered the world with a huge mop of curly black hair which eventually grew out blonde and somehow turned into a black tipped mohawk.  It. Was.  Awesome.  As is he.  He is ALL boy and so much fun.  His love for his mother is unparralelled  and he loves to snuggle.  His birthday is also today and he is going to school for the first time ever!  I’m so excited to watch him learn and grow!  He is SO very special to me.

 Now for Alli Grace.  I introduced you guys to Alli a few posts ago, but she’s obviously worth mentioning again.  Alli has one of the biggest personalities I’ve ever encountered.  She has me wrapped around her little finger and I cannot resist when she sits on the carpet and carefully pats the spot next to her and says “Ka-eeey, sit!”  I just want to squeeze her!!

Isaac comes next.  I always had a special place in my heart for Isaac but I got to spend some more time with him recently and WOW do I love him.  Isaac has really struggled in his short little life and I’m amazed at how he’s learning and growing and at the sacrifices that have been made to help him out.  He just melts my heart with his crystal blue eyes and constant laughter.  Oh so sweet.

Little Lucy joined the world next.  Like her mother, she IS JOY.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen her not smiling and giggling.  She is just amazing.  And would you look at her?  WATCH OUT WORLD!

 Avella my bella came next.  She and I haven’t spent a lot of time together, but she is like a round ball of amazingness. She is her Daddy’s clone and so freaking awesome.   She spent some time at my house a few weeks ago and her laugh and smile are so contagious!

Now for Cole.  OoooOOOOOooooh.  Cole is just a sweet little cherub!  He has these rosy cheeks and blonde hair and perfect smile and OOOOOooooOOOOH.  I just want to hold him close forever.  I mean LOOK AT THIS BABY!

Last but CERTAINLY not least is Miss Nora.  She was my birthday present this year and I just got back from spending two hours holding and feeding her.  I’m so amazed that just three weeks ago she wasn’t here and now I can’t imagine the world without her.

So now you have met my loves.  Aren’t they precious and amazing?  I know there are going to be more joining them in the future and I can’t wait to meet the little spirits that my best friends get to bring into the world.

Someday, I’ll have babies of my own to post pictures of and brag about, but for now, these 15 little angels are enough.  I am so very lucky to get to love each and every one of them and watch them grow up into amazing people — just like their mothers.

January 18th, 2009 by Kateastrophe

Dancer. We are definitely dancer . . . not because we’re stupid and frivolous, oh no. We are dancer because tonight, we (Kate and Brillig, co-authors of this post) did not sit down ONE TIME during The Killers concert. And we’re pretty sure we’re a little bit high from the guys in front of us smoking a bong the ENTIRE SHOW. We wish we were kidding about that last part. We have the munchies and everything is reeeeeallly funny right now.

So, yeah. We were the old ladies who literally drove to the concert in a minivan and the proceeded to dance the WHOLE TIME. (Brillig confesses to removing her shoes, because they hurt and she’s a wuss. Kate, who chose to wear her insanely high heels the whole time can no longer feel her feet.) And we danced. Cuz we’re dancers. Except, we’re totally human. N stuff.

We got some cool stuff—a t-shirt for Kate, a poster for Brilly (Kate suggests that Brillig use the poster to build a shrine to Brandon above her fireplace… candles are already in place, and Brillig double-dog-dares Kate to wear the t-shirt to church tomorrow morning) (Kate probably will).

We are afraid that when we’re no longer high, this post will not be very funny. But for now, we’re finding it hilarious.

So, here’s a picture of us at the concert. Kate has a big head. Brillig looks like a vampire.

And here’s a picture of the guy you’re really here to see. Hi Brandon.

(We totally didn’t steal this pic off the Killers website. Totally. Didn’t.)

(Or this one.)

Okay, fine. We did steal them. Because the pictures we took turned out like this:

Yeah…

And, for good measure, we stole this one for you too. Because, Hi Brandon.

We had so, so much fun. Like, the best time ever. The Killers plus hanging out with your BFF equals total awesomeness.

For the record, Kate is currently stuffing her face with raw-ish cookie dough. And ice cream. And Dr. Pepper. And Brillig thinks that spinning around in circles would be really cool right now. Again, not joking.

Kate’s arm is shaking. Mormons really aren’t used to being around pot… I wonder how Brandon (who, as you SURELY know is also Mormon—See? We have a BOND with him! A CONNECTION!) copes with it.

Okay. We really ought to end this post. It’s 1:00 a.m. after all…

September 9th, 2008 by Kateastrophe

Today is glorious Julia’s 29th Birthday!! Last year I serenaded her with an almighty picture post and tribute and this morning I realized that I had to come up with something new for this year.  So, even though it’s not original, I’m going to post the 29 things I love most about Julia . . . and try to add even more awesome pictures.  See?  Isn’t she hot stuff??

So, without further ado, here are the top 29 things to love about Jewels, in no particular order (because I’m just not that organized):

29.  Her nice butt.  Duh.  She and I are co-founders of the “CBC” –  The Cute Butt Club, which then evolved to the”NAC” when we let our morals go by the wayside and started using the word “ass.”  Morals be damned!  Wait . . .

28.   She has always loved (and hated) Taco Bell almost as much as I do.

27.  That she turned 16 first and was always willing to drive us around until I was “of age” and “with car.”

26.   Her hair.  Seriously she has always had the most gorgeous, soft, corn silk hair.  I have always been jealous.

25.  That when she had a black eye forever ago, she had her whits about her enough to lie about where she got it and, on several occasions got free stuff and discounts.  (The best lie was that she got in a fight at the pool hall and someone hit her in the face with a pool stick.  She ended the conversation with “you should see the other girl.”)

24. That she can ALWAYS convince me to ditch church and go to Target.  Or convince me to ditch anything and go to Target.

23.  That we are often kicked out of Target because they closed an hour ago.

22.   Her home is so comfy and inviting and there is always candy.

21.  She throws, hands down, the best parties.

20.  That she came up with the BRILLIANT idea to have an annual Diva Soiree for our group of girlfriends. It’s always the highlight of my summer.

19.  She works her butt off to plan and organize the annual Diva Soiree and comes up with a theme at least a year in advance.

18.  She always goes over budget on the Diva Packet because she can’t NOT get that cute change purse (or whatever trinket catches her eye)!

17.  Her talent and creativity.

16.  That she’ll sit down at the piano and sing with me for hours and that our voices blend perfectly.

15.  That she still gives out my cell phone numbers to boys who pick up on her. (and boy do they ever!)

14.  Her squinchy face. (Sidenote?  My double chin and sleepy face?  Ew!!)

13.  Her killer sense of humor and contagious laughter.  I’ve laughed harder with her than with anyone on the planet .

12.  That she once threatened to beat some guy up for saying I was ugly.

11. That no guy was ever good enough for me in her eyes until I met my husband.  I should have had her screen all my boyfriends.  Seriously.

10.  Her hilarious “isms” such as “DUH, Ha-cha, Nimble Minx, Spicy, etc . . . “  (And that she hasn’t trademarked any of them so I can use them at will.)

9.   That she is just as aggressive of a driver as I am — and that she wants to carry a box of rocks in her car so she can throw them at stupid drivers.

8.  She’s not afraid to fight for what she loves and believes in — be that friends, family, religion . . . or shoes.

7.  She is an amazing example of how to be a great wife and mother.

6.  She bakes a mean apple pie.  And a mean pumpkin pie.  And a mean everything.

5.  The hilarious messages she leaves me when I don’t answer my phone.

4.  That she calls just to tell me she misses me.

3.  That we didn’t grow apart when we grew up, got married and moved far away from each other.

2.  That we are both OK with the fact that we don’t always act like we grew up.

1.  That 14 years later, I still get to tell everyone she is my best friend.

Jillia, I am more grateful for you and your friendship than I could ever find words to describe.  I feel truly blessed to be worthy of a friend like you.  Here’s to 14×4 more years of fun and laughter together starting in THREE DAYS!!!  Happy birthday, you sauce pot!

July 3rd, 2008 by Kateastrophe

Well, I officially feel old. We just had the ten year reunion for the Timpview High School Class of ‘98.

I must say, we had an amazing class. I’ve heard teachers and faculty say that we may have been the best class to ever come out of the high school. While we still had cliques and groups and all the normal high school crap, we had it in much lesser doses. We, for the most part, were all friends. There wasn’t a single person I was dreading seeing or running into. We won state titles in Football, Girl’s Basketball, Girl’s Volleyball, Drama, Choir, and probably a bunch of other stuff. The football players were in choir. The cheerleaders took AP classes and excelled at math. The drama geeks dated the student counsel. We were something special.

We had three different activities . . . there was a girl’s breakfast on Friday, a family picnic on Saturday afternoon and then the adults only dinner/dancing/mingling on Saturday night. While it was a lot to fit into two days, I was very sad when it ended.

Here are some pictures from the weekend. I didn’t take nearly enough (and some of the ones I took are sooo bad) but at least it’s something!!!

My old pal Ricky and his darling son Brandon. Yes, Ricky is flipping me off and yes, Brandon is sucking on his finger. Typical Ricky.

Julia’s son Cache, showing me his hot dog, made special by Hannah (in the next picture, in her custom dog slingin’ attire and bus) of Franks Franks! (and if any of you live in Utah, you have GOT to go get you some of their hot dogs.  SO GOOD!  I ate two and hung my head in gluttonous shame)

Me in the dress. And um, I’ve apparently replaced my calves with elephant legs (courtesy of the two hot dogs I ate for lunch). Ahem. But the dress? Me lovey.

My girls and I. We stuck together that night for the most part, just as we’ve done for the last 14 years. (FOURTEEN YEARS?!?!?! And hi, don’t I have a lovely double chin? That’s what I get for taking ONE picture of us)

And finally, the highlight of the evening, our former school mascot can still do the CENTER SPLITS ten years later. Ahhh good times. I love the guy in the background (Mark Bohn for anyone that cares) and his look of sheer joy.

I seriously didn’t take nearly enough pictures. I had so much fun seeing everyone again and I wish I had pictures of everyone!

Any chance we could organize and 11 year reunion? I’m sort of pathetic but if we organized it? I would totally show up.

June 12th, 2008 by Kateastrophe

Pictures from the girls trip!!!

Our deliciously wonderful Diva Packets, complete with DVD of pictures from last year, rock star names, tattoos and tour t-shirts!!

Julia in all her rockin’ glory

My beautiful Sheila

Hannah getting some mad air at the pool

Sara and her stylin’ sun hat

Much damage done shopping . . .

Maybe the best June weather in the history of Phoenix . . . 79 at 11:31?? What the . . .

Carla, Sara and I ready for our close-ups

All of us girls sassied up to go to dinner

Can it be next June already???

June 9th, 2008 by Kateastrophe

Or in the heart, right girls?? Hahaha. (I know inside jokes on blogs are L-AME but I couldn’t resist.)

Girls weekend? A-freaking-MAZING.

We had SO much fun. So much I can’t even explain it.

There was much damage done at the mall. I think we personally reversed this rumored “recession.” Also, the amount of bags for purchases may cause the landfills to finally overflow and spill over into our homes. Oh and the amount of food consumed? Forgetaboutit. I think I gained fifty pounds. Not even exaggerating. Ok maybe exaggerating a little. We ate at Logan’s Roadhouse twice. You heard me. TWICE. Mmmm buttery yeasty rolls.

We broke in the new house in style. I’m finding little goodbyes everywhere. Sara’s hand prints embedded in the carpet. The face masks we bought and didn’t use. The cake mix box on the counter. Leftover PF Changs reeking in the fridge. Tags from our many purchases sneaking out from under the bed and reminding me about the HOT outfits so-and-so bought and wore. A pink hair across the faucet. Elebenteen magazines piled on my (finally!) rumpled couch cushions (not a bad thing. They so needed breaking in).

There was so much joy and laughter in my home this weekend it almost burst. While it was nice to sleep in the same bed with my husband last night (he was SUCH a trooper over the weekend! He slept on his old bachelor mattress (that has no frame!) in the empty bedroom and hid himself away in the study watching sports. Love that man) I miss the bustle of the girls in my house. The door creaking open as the first one awoke and snuck into the bathroom. The early morning cell phone ring followed by a mad sprint to shut it off before it disturbed the beauty sleep. The blow dryers humming. The murmur and then roar of laughter from the family room. The oohing, aahing and breath holding as we watched the final scene of Pride & Prejudice. The smell of tanning lotion and sunscreen. The complaining about our bodies in bikinis followed by the shrill, shrieking disagreement (and threatening of throat punching) of the rest of the group insisting that every single one of us is gorgeous and amazing. The pure GIRLINESS of it all.

I love these girls like I can’t even explain. They complete my life and make me whole. The fifth annual soiree in Vegas CANNOT come soon enough.

*Oscar Wilde

**Pictures to come soon. We’ve got some DOOSIES!

June 2nd, 2008 by Kateastrophe

I’m posting so late that most of you won’t even see this until tomorrow . . . because I suck.

I honestly cannot remember the last time I was as exhausted as I have been for the past few days.  I’ve been a WRETCH to live with.  Poor Matt felt the brunt of my tired attitude as I went full on ape-s**t on him not once but TWICE this weekend.  While I feel like I was somewhat justified in my meltdowns, he didn’t deserve the insane woman who jumped out of my body and attacked.  Did I say insane?  I mean OH MY FREAKING CRAZY PSYCHO.  If I thought he read this here blog I’d write him a huge apology, but I’m pretty sure he’d rather rip out his eyeballs than read my ranting, sooooooo yeah.

I HATED almost every moment of performing in the musical (I, the person who chose musical theatre as her college major because I love performing more than almost anything on earth.).  I couldn’t wait for it to just be OVER.  Saturday we had a matinee followed by a cast party (complete with MEXICAN FOOD.  Who’s lame idea was that?) and then another evening performance.  We were told we needed to add a matinee because every performance would sell out.  Matinee?  1/3 full.  Final performance?  Maybe 1/2.  It SUCKED.  The director kept coming backstage during the final performance to tell me my energy was way down.  YA THINK???  I didn’t even stick around to say goodbye to anyone after the show. I  just left.   Then attacked my poor husband for a good half an hour.  Good times.  I publicly declare that I will never be in a church musical again.  And if I do?  I deserve what I get.  Goodbye, Dolly.  And good riddance.

I need a pedicure.  I need to wash my car.  I need to go to the gym (Matt has told me that my attitude improves so much when I work out consistently that he’s making it mandatory and putting it in a post-nup.  Hahah) and I need to sleep.  Hmm, that’s a lot to do in an evening.

Tomorrow I FINALLY get my hairs did.  I asked around and think I found someone good.  His name is Scotty and his girlfriend manages the Crack (or M.A.C) counter at Nordstrom.  She has FAB hair so I’m giving him a shot.  I’m also getting my woolly mammoth eyebrows waxed tomorrow, thank heaven.  I’m scaring myself whenever I look in the mirror.

Wednesday, my girls come to town for our annual soiree!  I cannot TELL you how excited I am.  Julia, who is a goddess, sent out our Diva Packets last week and OHMYGOSH.  Last year the theme was Diva University (so great, check out the diva packets here), but this year?  Even better.  This year we’re rock stars in a band called Fallen Angel and Phoenix is the final destination of our world tour.  DO YOU SEE how cool the stuff Jewels did for us is?  Holy crap.  We even have rock star names.  GENIUS I tell you.   I can’t wait to see my ladies, we have SO MUCH laughing and shopping and eating to do!!  This trip is the best part of my year I tell you.

And with that, I’m off to take a nap under my desk.