Holy Smokes/Ace of Cakes

I am sitting here watching my very first episode of Ace of Cakes. Damn, this show is AMAZING! Better yet, the talent they have is truly unbelievable!!! Again, I wish I had some sort of artistic ability!!!

Congrats to Rebekah and Brett

My dear friend Rebekah got engaged this weekend while diamond mining in Arkansas! Brett (her FIANCE!), had a business trip in the south and asked her to travel down there from Chicago where they live. He'd been to the mine a couple of times, had enjoyed it, and thought it would make for a fun engagement...and boy did he surprise her! In the 110 degree heat, covered in dirt and grime, Rebekah found her diamond and agreed to become Mrs. Gillilan. Congrats to you both, Rebekah and Brett! Can't wait to celebrate with you at the wedding!!!

What a Weekend!

Friday
I facilitated my LAST Bergeson Series session of the year down in San Diego.
Drove back up to OC, met my old high school dance teacher at Starbucks for a visit -- too fun to go back in time!
Picked up my friend Rachel, then a city councilwoman and her husband for a night at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring Diana Ross! We sat in the box and had a scrumptious dinner delivered and I brought a couple bottles of Conundrum vino - yum!

Saturday
Ran errands, then threw a baby shower for my friend Mindy, who recently adopted a beautiful baby boy named Zach.

Went to see my friend Phil play his first solo gig, in Huntington Beach.
Drove up to Long Beach, met Carlee, then headed to another gig to see Pete's (cousin Sara-Britt's hubby) band play, then watch Bryan's (Carlee's hubby) hip hop debut. What a freaking hoot!!!

Me and Sara-Britt

The Pseudo Rebels in action!!! And below!

Sunday

Went back to dance class and worked my BUTT off! Seriously, I could have been the mother of the other students, but it was so fun and hard. I sweat like I'd been in a spin class...it was gnarly, but even when I was critiqued, I still enjoyed it. Went home, got ready, and drove out to Temecula with Clare and Matt to do a little lunching and wine-tasting! Bought the movie 21 and enjoyed it while I did laundry.

Talk about a jam-packed weekend, but it was fun because I was with the people I love!

A wish I'd like granted...

Every now and again, I pop over to a number of photography websites and find myself really drawn into the beauty of the images. If I could have three wishes, being a talented photographer would be one of them, I think. I love the story that portraits tell and the moment in time they capture... I was given a really nice Canon Rebel several years ago for Christmas and even have some large lenses, but I never got around to taking lessons. If I can find some time in the near future, I may make that one of my new/old goals!!!

Looks like Hollywood Christianity is making a come back

I find this horrifyingly annoying...

Heidi Montag wants to record Christian album
"Hills" star Heidi Montag reveals that she wants to record a Christian album. "I always felt this crazy connection to God," she told USA Today.
By Ree Hines
MSNBC contributor

Sure, she’s better known for her petty squabbles on “The Hills” and her constant quest for media attention, but Heidi Montag insists she’s interested in more than that. In an interview with USA Today, the reality TV star shared her spiritual side.

“I have been the most religious person since I was 2 years old,” Heidi, who calls herself “kind of non-denominational Baptist,” said. “I always felt this crazy connection to God.”

When she was younger, that connection inspired Heidi to dream of one day devoting her life to God and working as a missionary in Africa. Now that the 21-year-old’s on a much different career path, she hopes to set her faith to music by releasing a Christian album.

As for Africa, the “Hills” hottie still plans to pay the continent a visit, but she’s bringing her made-for-TV fiancé, Spencer Pratt, along for the good works. USA Today reports that the pair will go this August to “feed children and help build things.”

Spence even suggested they might adopt a child while they’re there, but Heidi’s not ready. “Not right now,” she assured. “I think we'd be married before we do that.”

Until then, it’s the usual reality TV grind for the couple — scandals, intrigue and not liking Lauren Conrad very much. Speaking of Heidi’s favorite frenemy, she wants to set one thing straight.

"There were rumors about a sex tape (involving Lauren), but I had nothing to do with that,” Heidi insisted. “God knows the truth in all of this, and at the end of the day, that is the only thing that matters. Jesus was persecuted, and I'm going to get persecuted, ya know? But it doesn't matter to me.”

Trip to Maui

The Johnsons just returned from our family trip to Maui and it was sooooooo relaxing! I was so relaxed that I hardly took any pictures and instead laid out by the pool and read a book a day; one day, I actually read two books (yes, the speed reading can be quite expensive!). We had some nice meals, good wine (and beer), jogged (the first day), played golf, snorkled and swam with sea turtles, did the official family portrait, and watched my niece take her first steps! It was really a wonderful week and I was sad to come home!

Grey Buggie sleeping on the plane - what a good girl!

Me and my dad at Leilani's for dinner and HULA PIE! YUUUUM!
All the kids at the Waileia Tennis Club for dinner. A cool location!
The Buggie likes creme brulee just like her mommy and Auntie Awesome!
Playing the "I've got a secret" game with my niece!
Golfing at Kaanapali with Shannon! Look at the incredible view!
Missie had a traditional Hawaiian burger with peanut butter on it!
Me and my mom at Longhi's on our last night. So sad, but look at those killer tans! ; )

Sabrina's Wedding

Went to the wedding of a high school dance team friend on Saturday night. Instead of flower girls, she had flower ballerina's on toe shoes who danced in and sprinkled rose petals... She also choreographed her first dance with her husband, then the whole bridal party joined in for a funk routine. They were good sports!

Bride and Groom

Everybody now...

LeAnn and I. We met in 7th grade and our parents were friends, too.

Dance Team reunion!

Weird Bowler

Last night, I had to go to a bowl-a-thon for work to support an organization called Junior Achievement. JA goes into inner city schools and teaches freshman about how to write a resume, save money, go on job interviews, etc. I complained because I'm really not much of a bowler and didn't want to go, but then my boss pledged a buck for every pin I knocked down because she didn't think I would do very well -- that was all the encouragement I needed! I went, I played, and scored 170 over two games (maybe my personal best!). Anyway, today a coworker posted the pics and I had no idea that I was such a weird bowler! Check it out!

Holli and Huy's Wedding

Some friends from church got married a few weeks ago and it was awesome! Rebekah came to town and I met her and Lisa for the drive up to Malibu. We sang songs, caught up, and laughed the whole way. The wedding was in this really neat wooded area with a stream running through it. The trees all had hanging lights and lanterns and Holli and Huy's joy just overflowed! It was also a ton of fun to be with Mariner's friends again. A lot of people from the single's group that I used to belong to were there, so I loved getting the chance to be with them all again!

My small group/wine club all together again! Amy, Beks, me, and Lisa

It was cool how the pastors asked them to take a deep breath and look out at the people who love them and were there to support them!

A cute shot of some Fuel girls. Yes, this is my standard "going to a wedding" dress.

Nashville

Missie graduated last month and the whole family trucked to Nashville! We had a great time and it was fun to scream for Missie when she went across the stage (although she didn't hear us!). I'm so proud of my little sister for going away to college, figuring out what she wants in life, learning some tough lessons, and doing things you can only do when you're young (like hoping into moving trains and climbing to the top of the Belmont Mansion!). I'm most excited about the fact that she's already moved home!!! Missie is so fun to be around and while we're as different in personality as we are in our coloring, she's one of my favorite people!

Found her in the crowd! Not an easy feat!

The graduate!

Me and my sisty!

Mom was still rockin the wheelchair, so here we are on her lap. : )

We also celebrated Mother's Day in Nashville. My mom is such a special lady and I feel like I've gotten to know her a lot better this year. Since the accident, I've spent a lot of time being Super Nanny for her when my dad needs to go out of town. She's a cool chick. When I think of the kind of mother I want to be, nearly every one of my main desires are already emulated by my mom. She has a huge heart and has always made us kids know how much she loves us. You know that phrase "this hurts me more than it will hurt you" that mom's say when they're about to give a spanking? Well, with my mom, I always believed it. : )

At a fancy Mother's Day brunch with my wonderful mom!

Ya, my niece eats seaweed.

Mom and her kids!

We walked around the Opryland Hotel...which is huge and like a city. People actually stopped and watched a watershow. Missie and I mocked them all.

And of course, there is one vineyard in Nashville and we found it. : )

We both said, "YUUUUUUUM!"

Sex and the City

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the movie!!! Barbie and I got sassy, went out for drinks, and then went and saw a late show last Friday night. It was quite commical because we clearly weren't the only women with that idea!

The theater was full of sassy women, dressed to the nines, who were loud and proud to be out on the town with their best gals! What I really love about SATC is the friendship among the four main characters. Throughout the series, men and jobs would come and go, there would be family dramas and health scares, but they always had each other - even when they were in a tiff. I love that as a single woman, I had that kind of show to encourage me!!! Anyway, there were scenes in the movie when I (and everyone else in the theater) audibly sighed, and there was one scene where I laughed so hard that I almost cried!

If you haven't seen it yet, RUN out and get your tickets!!!

Barbie and I all dolled up for the movie!

Woo Hoo!

I already have my Sex and the City movie tickets for Friday night, do you?!?!?!?

Birthday cards

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS! I love to remember people and honor them on their birthdays, not just celebrate my own. I pride myself on my ability to remember people and send them a nice card with my thoughts on how they've impacted my life...probably because I had a junior high leader at church who continues doing that to this day and I always admired her for it!


Having said that, I've been slightly lame this year and have forgotten more than a few special birthdays. Argh! At least I can rectify that on my blog today. Sooooo, Krissy-pooh, this one is all about you!


Kristen is a very special friend of mine who now lives with her husband up in Seattle. We were coworkers at the toll roads and church buddies almost immediately. If it weren't for Kristen, I likely wouldn't have gone to Mariners regularly because I was afraid to go and sit by myself. So, we went together and in doing so, her steady commitment and love for talkign about what we learned really challenged me and encouraged me. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gotten to know some of my pastors and now friends!


But my friendship with Kristen is about more than just attending church together. At the toll roads, she used her INSANE artistic ability to make funny things that would have me rolling on the floor...if I had an 8th of an ounce of her talent, I'd promise only to use that power for good. Ha! We also went to see a lot of movies (that others might perhaps think to be cheesy), and we celebrated girl power by watching Alias together, too! : )


Kristen, I miss your constant friendship. I know that you have a ton of friends because you are so loyal and faithful, and sometimes I'm jealous that I don't get to see you or talk to you very often. BUT, I want you to know that I treasure you and think the world of you nonetheless. I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday and know that you're loved by people all around the country!

The Tebbe's

Last night I had dinner with two old coworkers from DC, Andrea and David Tebbe. David is in the military now, so they've moved a bit over the last couple of years. Now they live in Virginia Beach, but will be heading to Berlin in the fall. While we don't keep in contact on a regular basis, I always appreciate the fact that they squeeze me in on visits home! It makes me feel like a cherished friend and I always try and drop things to see them, too. I know it's hard to visit because you have to see so many people, but I'll always try to make it work when you're here! I enjoyed our laughs and our conversation last night and I can't wait to meet your daughter the next time!!! XOXO!

DC/NYC

Last week, I was in DC for work and went a little early to play with friends, then I ran up to New York City after my conference was over. It was a GREAT week! I stayed with Sarah and Walter and just had a wonderful time with them...I never need a plan with Sarah and we always seem to have a ton of fun! What an easy and wonderful friendship I have with her! I also saw Clarke a couple of times and really wish that she was there more that week! I miss these two wonderful friends from my Schwarzenegger days!

I also spent some quality time with my old friend Amber and her husband, Jeff. Amber and Jeff used to live in OC and I know them through politics. I haven't spent a TON of time with them over the years, but last Monday I realized just how much fun they are and how much I miss my friend Amber! We spent about four hours together at the Capitol Hill Club catching up, being silly, and talking about challenges/life and how to solve the world. I'm so proud of Amber for the heart she has shown since taking in Jeff's niece. Amber, I know it isn't always easy, but I firmly believe you're up to the task! You can achieve anything you try! I love ya!

Me and Amber at dinner. She's such a hoot!

That same night with Sarah. We also met up with Marco and Kim (who just gave birth!). It's so great to be able to put hodge podge groups together that get along so well!
I also spent a lot of time with my friend Keirsten. I went to hang with her and her kids on Tuesday, then she went up to NYC with me on Friday. We had a WONDERFUL time on the train talking and catching up. We also went and visited an old DC friend in the city, went to Serendipity for Frozen Hot Chocolate - yum!

Me and Keir at Serendipity

We also went to see Cry Baby on Broadway. My talented friend Alli is one of the stars and in an ironic twist, one of Keirsten's college buddies was in it, too - they even had a duet together!!! Alli was INCREDIBLE! She's such a comedian and has a wonderful presence!!! Her solo was RAD and at one point she also rocks a scene in a granny bathing suit and snorkling mask. Too funny! We met her backstage and got the full tour...how awesome to see such a different career path...it was SO NOT a cubicle! Ha! After the tour of backstage, we walked outside and people were wanting her pic and autograph...what can I say, she's a star! : ) Click this link to read a neat article about Alli and Christopher (Keir's friend) - it was in the Playbill program that we got. We also had brunch together on Saturday and had a really nice opportunity to catch up and talk about life. Alli is a great gal...she's got such a huge presence that I think people might only see her that way, but when you get her talking, she is a great communicator who has more than that to share with the world! Thanks again Alli, for a wonderful time together!

Me and Alli out in front of the theater.

PS - this was just published about the show on opening night... "The show's secret ingredient, and all-stops-out scene-stealer is Alli Mauzey, who plays Cry-Baby's whether-he-likes-it-or-not girlfriend, a deliriously delusional stalker who won't take no for an answer. She risks big with this over-the-top performance and wins. "I just keep it real for myself. Everything has meaning for me. I never try to go for a laugh. It's very real. My main objective is to, basically, get Cry-Baby. I will do whatever I have to do to get Cry-Baby. And you know what? It is a little taxing at time. I scream a lot in the show, but I couldn't do anything less or I wouldn't be honest."

A Nice Day for Golf

Yesterday, I played in my first tournament of the season...really my first time on the golf course in a long time.... I started out okay, but actually got a lot better throughout the day. Yeah! It was beautiful and sunny, but a little on the chilly side! As we were getting close to the end of the day, we were attacked by some geese. Guess they know where their dinner comes from!!!

Great weekend with great friends!

Simmons and STJ came to town this weekend! We had a great time together and enjoyed some of our favorite things. On Saturday, we went to Temecula and hit a few wineries, then came home, sat in the spa, and just enjoyed catching up on all sorts of topics. : ) It's so nice spending time with out of town friends and taking it easy...we didn't have too much planned, and on Sunday, had lunch, pedicures, and some hang out time down by the beach!

Me and STJ (Steph)

Us three at Ponte

Cheating my diet with a big hot chocolate

STJ left and Simmons and I went to the Laker game. We had killer seats and enjoyed watching them win in overtime!!!

This almost made me shoot diet coke out of my nose

Today's project update

Just finished the final coat on the paneling, put together my new desk, and WALLPAPERED! Oh my goodness was that a lesson in patience...and glue-iness! ; )

ta-da! oh yeah, there's three seems. who da man?! I am!

all bright and shiny
okay, had a thought, but need some advice...should I inset the wallpaper in the panel moulding?
and here's my purty new desk... I may stop by Home Goods tomorrow to see if they have any petite chairs, but if not, I'll be fine in the meantime with the camelback upohlstered chair I have.

Easter Sunday

Easter is always such a special time of year. Aside from celebrating the Lord's resurrection, it's a wonderful time to spend with family and because of the wonderful weather down here in CA, it's a great way to enjoy the Spring!

Yesterday we trucked out to Murrieta to my Uncle's house and basically pigged out all afternoon. We ate outside in the shade while children and dogs ran around us. Then it was time to play in the pool. The little kids rough-housed in the pool with the big girls (me and a few cousins) hung out in the spa (don't worry, it was only warm, not too hot!).

My cousin's daughter Hope pushed me around in my mom's wheelchair (while I drank mimosas! ha!).

Buddy found the most eggs - 14!

A great day to sit around and chill... my mom even had her own little perch with Get Well balloons and the kids decorated her cast like an Easter egg -- okay, I admit it, I helped, too!