A Must Read

For those of you who haven't read Confessions of a Shopaholic and the subsequent books in the series, I highly recommend you pick these books up. They are hilarious and fast reads. I loved the first book so much that I ordered the sequels off Amazon UK because they came out there earlier than they did here. Today I heard that the movie has begun filming and the lead character will be Isla Fisher from Wedding Crashers, which I think will be a good choice.

I'm in CO right now on a family vacation with the cousins. The "condo" is sick. I can't wait to post photos when I get back!!!

Happy Birthday Grey-bug!

Today is my sweet niece's 1st birthday!!! It's so hard to believe that just one year ago she entered our lives. She's a beautiful little girl, is talking up a storm, is smiley and mellow! I can't imagine any other baby being born into our family and we praise God for the gift that she is!

Just a month old.

One year old!

Dear Dan and Shannon,

Congratulations on being parents for a whole year! Your daughter is incredible and I know that you're raising her with a heart that will love her family and Jesus. Just watching you care for her is moving and I know that your lives have been transformed by her presence. I am so happy for you and proud of you.

I'm looking forward to seeing you next week and celebrating your daughter's birthday.

Love,

Aunty Awesome

Just for giggles

This weekend!

This weekend started off with a fun phone call from Emily on Friday night. I was cruising around the Whole Foods food court gathering something for dinner and just chatting away with one of my favorite people in the whole world. Emily is one of those friends that I can talk to for hours, or go for stretches without talking and she's still the consistant friend I've always known. I feel terrible because earlier this month I TOTALLY missed her birthday. And I LOVE birthdays...so much so, that I totally have one of those birthday accounts that sends reminders about your friends and family's big days. I know, I'm lame. Anyway, Em was gracious about it as always (as a fine southern woman should be) and we picked up and talked about random stuff again. She's an AMAZING woman - a tremendous wife and fantastic mother. I love watching her with her son and hearing her stories about her crazy hubby (whom I also adore, but hearing the stories through her view of them makes them all the funnier). So Emily, let me say it again, happy belated birthday. I love ya to pieces!!!

On Saturday, I had brunch with Rebekah and Brett and Christy and Josh. Christy and Josh are friends of ours from church who are now living in Valencia so we don't get to see them as often. When they found out that Rebekah was moving to Chicago next week to be with some guy, they demanded to meet him over brunch and invited me along, too. It was such a fun time of visiting and sharing with friends that you have the same foundation as, but who are all at different stages in life. We had brunch in downtown Huntington Beach, then walked along the pier. It was actually a pretty day, too.

Christy, me, and Rebekah

On Sunday morning, I got up earlier and headed back down to the beach to watch the Surf City Half Marathon. Rebekah ran it, Emily Shuler ran it, and so did my dad! I also saw and actress that I recognized from 27 Dresses!

Shuler and the Thompsons started out with my dad, but being that they're 30 years younger, they cruised in a few minutes a head of him. Emily had her cell and called her mom to say they were turning the corner, which ended up being another hour. And did I mention that it was pouring rain, windy, and 50 degrees on Sunday morning? Brrrrr. My mom, Emily's mom, and I froze our booties off.

Brrrrrrrr!

My dad came a bit later and as soon as he saw us, started goofing off. Go figure. I know that's hard to believe.

Then came Rebekah. She was jammin to her iPod, but I started screaming really loudly and got the whole crew in on it, too! Across the finish line was Lisa (from our small group) and she almost missed her. I actually screamed "Lisa, she's right there" right as she was passing. It was hilarious. Brett made Rebekah a trophy and they all got really cool surf board medallions to wear. Congrats to them all.

A smile of exhaustion and relief??? : )

Congrats go to me, too, as I scored a $125 kitty from the office Super Bowl pool! I went to the Fitzgeralds house for a mexican fiesta, which was amazing! It was a house filled with love and some excitement, too!

So proud of my dad!

My cousins Carlee and Bryan and Jake and Mandie are all runners. Mandie's dad is a former Navy Seal and runs crazy races (literally does 100 mile desert races!) and got them all excited about a trail race in Calico (a CA ghost town). A few months ago, my dad started jogging in the mornings and has lost a ton of weight - GO DAD! - and my cousins talked him into doing the race, too! This was my dad's first race, and it was 21 miles! How crazy is that???

The race began early in the freezing cold of the morning and along the way there were stations for dropping off warm clothes, but from the photos, it looks like everyone still had their leggins and gloves on! Holy moly! I think it took my dad around 5 and a half hours, which to me is AMAZING! I guess the family started out together, then Bryan and Carlee ran ahead, while Jake and Mandie held back a while. Dad finished with Jake so Mandie could haul to the finish.

My dad said that around the 10 and a half mile, he couldn't believe how much more he had to go. He'd see people with legs all cut up from falling down hills, etc., but he perservered. I am SO PROUD of him for setting his mind on the race, training for it, then tackling it and finishing. In my book, he's a champion and I couldn't even begin to think about how hard it was physically, but mentally and emotionally, too!

Way to go, Dad! You're a ROCK STAR!!!

Ouch

I went up to Big Bear this weekend for a fun day of snowboarding -- it was to be the warm up for my Colorado trip next month. The traffic was not bad at all, the weather was sunny (though cold), and surprisingly, the slopes were not too crowded AT ALL! So, I was having a great time and feeling really comfortable, when WA-POW, I ate it hard...so hard that I fully dislocated my kneecap. Thankfully, it popped back in to place all on it's own and I was able to make it down the mountain without assistance. As the day went on, I'd feel it hurt here and there, and trust me, I was super nervous with each step. I think because I had my boots on so tight, part of my leg was immobilized. However, when I took it off, the pain really started to hurt. Needless to say, I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon in the ER for xrays, etc. No ligaments were torn, but because my kneecap went in a more unusual direction, they said that I'd need to be in a pretty serious brace for awhile. So, I'm rocking a freaking sweet brace with big hinges on the sides that makes finding the right work clothes a challenge. Hopefully, I'll be healed quickly and will be able to enjoy the CO trip!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me and your prayers a comin!

Oh well, at least I have some powerful pain meds AND the ER doc was super hot!!! : )

Skinny Bitch

I've lost 10 pounds... Just thought I'd share. : ) And no, I don't really consider myself a skinny bitch -- but sometimes I catch myself in the mirror and feel a little sassy! Now...just 10 more to go before I am bikini ready for Maui this summer! Who says 2-pieces are just for youngsters?!?!

New Favorite

Lately, I've been turned on to the poetry of the amazing e.e. cummings. He purposefully, wrote his name all in lower-cased letters as a sign of humility, but his words are bold, romantic, hopefull, and inspiring. I've never been much for poetry, but the more I read of his work, the more moved I am. I hope you like these two examples:

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

it may not always be so; and i say

it may not always be so; and i say it may not always be so;and i say
that if your lips,which i have loved,should touch
another's,and your dear strong fingers clutch
his heart,as mine in time not far away;
if on another's face your sweet hair lay
in such a silence as i know,or such
great writhing words as,uttering overmuch,
stand helplessly before the spirit at bay;

if this should be,i say if this should be-
you of my heart,send me a little word;
that i may go unto him,and take his hands,
saying,Accept all happiness from me.
Then shall i turn my face,and hear one bird
sing terribly afar in the lost lands.

Rockin family vacation!

A big pack of the Johnsons are vacationing in Breckenridge next month! My cousin, Mandie, booked a freaking rockin cabin. Check it! Oh ya, five stories, 5000 sq. feet, and you ski/board out the back door down to two lifts. I'm PUMPED!

Boo-yah Brett!

A Surprisingly Fun New Year's Eve!

This year a group of friends decided to be slightly low-key and hit a new local irish pub for New Year's, and I've got to say, it was the BEST!

Chris and Lori, Jennifer and Sean, Matt and Clare, Rebekah and Brett, and Barbie and I all went to The Auld Dubliner at the District and were determined to be the most fun people in the whole place. Us girls wore feather boas and we had a big booth for us all the hang out in. An Irish band played and they passed out champagne and hats for the big count down. We threw back a couple "Irish car bombs" and danced our hearts out. I've got great friends and I was really blessed to ring in the new year with them!

The girls, minus Rebekah

The first group Irish car bomb - kinda gross

My NYE smooch! Ha!

Rebekah and I being silly in our crowns

Belated Christmas Post

Christmas was really wonderful this year because my 10-month old niece was home with us. It's so hard having her grow up in Colorado and I crave these times to see her and watch my brother as a daddy! It was also a BLAST watching my parents as grandparents. They itch to spoil her and cuddle her and rain kisses down on her.

Because Danny and Shannon were here the week leading up to Christmas, I kinda worked a modified week in order to spend time with them. They left on Christmas day, Shannon and Grey up to Santa Cruz, and Danny back home to work the following day. During the week, we hung out, had a girls dinner, had an open house at my mom and dad's, a family dinner at my house, then the big Johnson family hoopla at mom and dad's on Christmas Eve. All 10 of my grandparent's great grandchildren were there and Santa even made an appearance. : ) On Christmas morning, we all slept in a little, then tore into a million gifts. It was sad seeing them leave. We also visited my mom's mom that evening. It makes me terribly sad to see her all alone (she's a recluse) and I don't understand why a person chooses to live that way...

2007 Christmas pic

My and my pretty sissy
Okay, how freaking cute is she?
Grey-bug eating sweet potatoes. It was a crack up to watch!
Our big Christmas gifts were plane tix to Hawaii this summer. Grey got a new Hawaiian outfit and some stylin sunglasses!
How Miss Kitty celebrated Christmas...snuggled in my bed, snoozin away! This made me laugh!

I should also mention that Barbie and I went to Christmas Eve Eve service at Mariner's. The music was incredible and the message really inspiring. Because Christmas Eve is usually nutso at my house, Christmas Eve Eve service has kinda become my tradition. Back in the day, churches used to celebrate Advent and I really feel like a lot of our teachings about Jesus' birth have diminished a little. Having said that, being at church on the 23rd really recharged my batteries. I hope that you all felt the presence of God as you celebrated His birth, too!

Happy Santa Lucia Day!

A couple years ago (gosh, I can't believe it's been that long), my clever coworkers Wendy and Krissy-pooh made me a card for Santa Lucia Day...I used it for an invitation and called it "Sammy Lucia Day" as that was the name of my cat back then. I found it again today in order to shoot it off to a couple of family members in honor of the Swedish holiday!

Santa Lucia Day is the beginning of the Swedish Christmas season when the oldest girl in the household dresses up in a white gown with a red sash about her waist and wears a wreath of candles. Naturally, I never wore real candles as I've always been bald-ish...no, my mother made me wear battery-operated candles - safety (and hair) first!

Any way, here's the fabulous pick. I still love it as much as I did then. Sooooo creepy, yet sooooo cool!

Company Holiday Party

On Saturday night, my company had its annual holiday party. It was AWESOME! We rented out a yacht in Newport and had a big shindig. Of course the moment I got there people started asking me if I'd brought a date, so I naturally gave a few people the finger. Anywhooo, the moment we walked onto the boat, we were handed a glass of champagne and were escorted up the stairs to where the dinner was held. There was a full open bar, a DJ, and downstairs there were casino tables. Some people got tanked and even planned it because they hired drivers for the night - no joke! I was alone, so I tapered off pretty early in the evening. So, after dinner, which was scrumptious, the gambling began. I'm not much of a gambler, but after a quick trip to the restroom, a bunch of the dealers taught me to play blackjack. Pretty soon, the table had filled up and it got rowdy - name calling and all. : ) Each chip earned got you a raffle ticket and by the end of the night, I had won Laker tickets! I'm excited to go because I've actually never been to a basketball game. Finally, the dancing began and I'm telling you, there are some dancing machines in my company! It was a blast!!! When we arrived back at the dock, all employees were given freaking iPods!!! Not a bad way to celebrate! Too bad it was freezing and rainy that night, but even though it was, I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything.

Not so Martha Stewart

I was proud of the fact that I had my tree up and most of my gifts wrapped until I looked at it in a photo. Martha would NOT be proud. I need more color and more lights... BUT, I went to the Depot on a whim on Wednesday night and grabbed a tree that was still tied up, and am pretty impressed that I got a good one! : )



I'm also trying out a new living room layout. I've got my couch and chair flipped and angled. I think I like it like this.

Also, for those of you who have NOT taken advantage of the Bombay Company Going Out of Business Sale, you've GOT to check it out. I got some killer fancy schmancy ornaments for dirt cheap that were originally more than $20 each! Nevertheless, after seeing these photos, I've decided I absolutely need to add more colorful ornaments. Good thing my storage closet isn't too far away! : )

Vegas, baby!

Went to Vegas this weekend with some campaign friends and had a GREAT time...except for the fact that the crazy weather out here on Friday cancelled most of our flights, though some arrived after 1am... After rebooking and heading back out on Saturday morning, I met up with Julie and Lisa at the airport and we drove over to STJ's house. We all got ready, went outlet shopping, then came back and made a big dinner. Clarke and Jason came over for dinner and Jason brought some DELISH cupcakes for dessert! They were so pretty I had to take a photo of them!

After dinner, we all got gussied up and headed to the strip to the Venetian. STJ's hubby is their lobbyist, so we got in to Tao through the VIP list. The club was really fun, but really packed. There are dancing girls and naked girls in bathtubs there...it was really odd! Before we headed home, we did what any normal group would do and had InNOut. : ) On Sunday morning, we got up and had brunch and lounged around and hung out before heading to the airport. I love this gang!

SAS, me, and Clarke being silly before hitting the club!

Tom & Ani, Jason & Clarke, SAS, me, Jules, Lisa, and STJ at Tao - What a blast!!!

WICKED

Over Thanksgiving weekend, my mom made plans for the family (minus Danny and Shan) to go and see Wicked. It was AMAZING! The four of us went to dinner at The Ivy, then went and saw the show. I thought the story was really good and the music was awesome. Here are some photos of us Johnson's being goofy as usual!

I am a match-making genius!

On Saturday afternoon, my friends Chris Schnaider and Lori Flinn became man and wife and it's all because I invited them to my birthday party two years ago! : ) Actually, I can't take credit for this, because it was really Lori being "in the zone" and bolding asking who the single guys were -- I should be taking lessons from her!

They're a great couple - both have big hearts, vivacious personalities, and big bold laughs. I am certain that their future holds a lot of love and a tremendous amount of fun...and football!

Lori getting escorted down the aisle by her brother. She made her own veil and jewelry -- what a stud!

Exchanging of the rings.

The reception was at an awesome Italian-like villa in Sierra Madre. Here's Jennifer and I having a photo shoot by the pretty fountain... I have about 30 of her and Sean trying to get "just right", too. : )

Me, Jennifer, and Clare -- the Three Amigas!

Weddings are such a wonderful and joyful event and I will never grow tired to seeing friends pledge their lives and endless love to their chosen one. It's an awesome reminder of the love our Father has for us! If only I could stand at the alter with anticipation and excitement to pledge my endless love to the Lord like that on a daily basis...how short I fall...but what an awesome goal, nonetheless!

Does Anyone Have a Recipe for These???

So my favorite holiday cookie is yummy and chocolate with a powder sugar coating on it (shown below). Does anyone have a delicious recipe for them??? I'd love to try making them ASAP!!!

And what is your favorite holiday cookie? Making them with friends is always a treat!

Birthday Pics - Updated

Monday, November 5, was my birthday which means that I'm officially "in my 30s"... no more JUST 30. ; ) But, as with all birthdays for the last 15 years, I celebrated with my family in the traditional way -- with a kickass dinner at HIBACHI in Anaheim Hills! Yummmmmm! My cousin Carlee is two years younger than me and has a birthday two days before mine, so we frequently get the whole group together and this year was no different.

I have to give Carlee a little shout out here. She's really one of the coolest chicks I know. Having been raised across the street, she's more like a sister to me than a cousin. I'm SO BLESSED to have her in my life and just adore her to pieces. She's laid back, really creative, an AWESOME mom, a supportive and loving wife, a hard worker, and a great friend! Happy First Annual 29th Birthday, Carlee -- I love you!

I also have to thank my mom and dad for my cool gifts! I got a new suit, some patio furniture (yeah!), and a new watch (the exact one I lost a couple of months ago and really wanted!). My parents are so generous and wonderful and aside from loving them for who they are, I also really like them! : ) I'm a lucky gal!

Me and Carlee (and Bryson who is hiding)

Darrol, Stephy, and me
Carlee and Bryson - how cute is this?!
The whole gang!
Pete and Sara-Britt Guinta, Julie and Craig Johnson, Carlee, Bryson, and Bryan Barnes, me and my fam, and Mandie and Jake Johnson - what a motley crew!!!

Then on Saturday, the 10th, my girlfriends threw me a little party. It was AWESOME and 100% JJ-style. We went to this great wine shop/tasting room in Costa Mesa called Wine Styles. They organize all their wines by flavor or "style". On Saturday, Jennifer and Clare arranged a private tasting party for me and my friends with all whites since they know how much I love them. We had about 7 wines to taste ranging from champagne to chardonnay with Pino Biancos and others in between. It was so much fun there. The owners let the girls bring in veggies, cheeses, and treats, too. Afterward, a few of us went next door to a yummy Italian restuarant, then Jennifer and I had a slumber party at Clare's house. I am AMAZINGLY FORTUNATE to have great friends who know me so well, support me unconditionally, and let me know that they love me. Over the last few days, I've really learned what friendship is all about and I am so thankful for the gals who came out and celebrated my second annual 30th birthday!

Me and Rebekah (love this girl!)

The two Jennifers! She organized the party and bought me some yummy wine that I liked!
Crazy Clare and Me (and a little of Jennifer's nose!). Clare made these FANTASTIC cupcakes and bought me a beautiful top and a wine bible! I think I'll read through it and mark all the vineyards around the world that I must travel to!
The group, consisting of Jennifer, Rebekah, Cherie, Clare, Emily, Mamacita, Susan, and Suzanne