An update on my Mom

This is why she's feeling better - ha!

No, but seriously, my mom is doing much better. She goes back to get cast #2 off at the end of the month and will likely get another one, though it is possible she might get a boot. All her pain is gone but she's still going nutters because she's not really allowed to leave the house or sit without her foot elevated. She's only cheated a little bit, which is impressive!

Dad and Daughter work day

On Saturday, my dad came over to help me with some projects. I basically had to put a request in for his time because he's so busy and I knew the projects would be pretty involved! He came over and together, we put in about a ten hour work day. But, the result is INCREDIBLE!!!

Aside from me falling off the top of a ladder and bruising the back of my leg, everything turned out better than I'd imagined. I really love working with my dad and think it's really cool that we can do these kinds of projects together. I love him so much and am so thankful to have a wonderful father like Big D!

Below is a photo of the panel moulding we put up in the dining room. (Don't worry, that's just primer...it will look much better with a nice glossy finish!) I really love the traditional look and so we did this moulding on the big wall and then on the return on the other side of the mirror'd wall. Because I have a condo, it really makes the living room and the dining room look like two distinct rooms. I LOVE it!

We also put up picture frame moulding in the hallway that leads to my bedroom. I am going to wallpaper inside the frame with a pretty tone on tone damask paper and then hang some photos on it. I think it will look really rad. Got the idea from Candice Olson, whose my favorite designer on HGTV.
It was also time for some new nozels in the shower. I like the porcelein look...really old school and fun. Unfortunately, when I was leaning on the shower frame, I dislodged some of the caulking that I'd put up like a month ago...that was a messy and long process, so I wasn't happy that I have to do it all over again. Grrr.
I also replaced my medicine cabinet with a new one. This one is much more streamlined and fresh...the other one was a little crusty, but this one has beveled edges. I hung it myself, so I was pretty pleased with myself. ; )

Thanks Dad, for being such an awesome father and fun work partner! I hope that over the years we have many more chances to work together, even when it's hard work!!!

Eat your heart out Candice Olson! : )

I ordered a new light fixture for my dining room and I've got my dad reserved for a work day on Saturday! I'm finally doing a few other projects that I've been wanting to do for a while like some panel moulding, etc. I love love love working on my house and it's totally addictive.

An Update on my Mom

My mom is at the doctor's office right now, hopefully getting a smaller, more managable cast. She's been a super good patient so far, but I believe will spend the better part of the next four months buying everything there is to possibly buy on the internet. Poor thing is completely laid up from her fall.

I was Super Nanny last weekend and spent time with her while my dad was out of town. I did her grocery shopping, laundry, and watched a ton of movies with her. I also did some shopping for my Grandma, who is about to move into assisted living. I guess that's the major blessing that's coming from my mom's accident...

Anyway, I hope my mom is less achy and more mobile with the new cast. Here's a photo of the old one - it was the biggest thing I've ever seen!!!

I'm an electrician!

As you all know, I love working on my house. Well, last weekend, I tried something new...changing out a light fixture! I love my beautiful new bathroom light. It's so much brighter and less tacky! I recently spackled over the areas where the old fixture was and need to sand it down and paint, but other than that, it's working out great so far...AND I didn't electrocute myself! Yeah!

Congrats Jennifer and Sean!

I guess since she has a website now devoted to journaling her pregnancy experience, I can officially say CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER AND SEAN! It's so exciting to see a dear friend see her heart's desire come to fruition. Jennifer and Sean have been married for about three years and couldn't wait to start their family. God's timing is often unexplanable, but what a joy to know that Baby Fitzgerald is on his/her way!

Jennifer and Sean have such amazing hearts and it's undeniable that they'll be wonderful parents! Emotionally speaking, in our little urban family, Jennifer encourages and Sean supports. They both always have wonderful advice to give and are so genuine and authentic. Because they are just such beautiful people, I can't help but be thrilled for them as their family begins to grow.

Jennifer and Sean, I love you both so much and am constantly blessed by your friendship. I couldn't be happier for you and I pray that God continues to bless you both in this time and as your child grows into being a wonderful man or woman!

Colorado Trip

The Johnson cousins had a GREAT time in Breckenridge last month. While my mom and dad had to miss the trip because broke her ankle just before they were to drive from Denver up the hill, the cousins still went and had a FANTASTIC time together.

I have to give a ton of credit to my cousin Mandie for essentially coordinating the whole thing. She found the amazing 5,000 sq ft home on the side of the slopes and planned all the meals. Thank you Mandie, for one of the more fun vacations I've had in a long time!

The house was five floors, had three living rooms, a full game room with arcade games, a hot tub, five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The thirteen of us had PLENTY of room!

The kids all went to bed at reasonable times and the adult kids stayed up late drinking and playing farkel. It's a dangerous game! Danny lost once, and I lost once. Danny had to sit in the snow, bare butt. He howled...and we all laughed hysterically.

The next morning, I got up and met Jake and Bryan, my cousins on the slopes for some snowboarding. I think they were genuinely surprised that I could keep up! It was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING and it was dumping snow at the top of the mountain. I'm glad Danny had brought an extra pair of goggles. As it was, I was fully layered like a marshmallow and I was still freezing. Needless to say, the long runs, cold conditions, and the cost at the bar meant, we certainly didn't last the whole day. Dan and Mandie ended up coming to get us in town...which incidentally, is a really cute place. I wish we'd had more time there. While we were boarding, everyone else was ice skating at the ice house. Too fun!

Finally, we drove home and played with Grey-bug and Shannon. Missie and I also ran down to the outlet mall for a bit. I always enjoy seeing my brother and the family and wish they lived closer... Grey is getting so big and so fun. She LOVED Buddy. Every time he'd say something fun to her, she's just laugh and laugh and laugh -- it was freaking adorable!

Of course we NEEDED three laptops at the "cabin"
This is something only a woman would take a photo of...a two-storied closet in the master bedroom with a fold-down ladder.
Jake and Mandie brought the video game "rockband" or whatever. It's essentially karaoke, drums, and a guitar. Everyone had a blast playing it when they weren't in the arcade room.
Shannon playing farkel.
The Johnson gals circa 1985...rockin the side ponies...after throwing back a few. ; )
Danny's consequence.
Me, Bryan, and Jake after a day of boarding -- no, I didn't gain a ton of weight, just layered up to the extreme! : )
Bryan proving to Carlee that you CAN pop microwavable popcorn on the stove if you improvise!
Bryson and Buddy showing us their breakdancing skills.
Greybug laughing her head off at Buddy!
Isn't that the greatest smile? Look at all those teeth!

Robin and Mackenzie's Visit!

Last month, I had two of my favorite visitors! Robin and Mackenzie Ayers came out for a girls only weekend and left Jonathon and Travis back home in Austin. Mackenzie is my goddaughter and it's hard to imagine that she's almost five years old! It feels like she was just born yesterday. Robin is a dear dear friend who I was fortunate to be roommates with in DC for about three years.

Robin is an awesome mom and she was originally going to be in Anaheim for a conference and decided to surprise Mackenzie and bring her along, too. Unfortunately, and at the VERY last minute, the conference was cancelled, so she rearranged their flights and came out anyway.

They were with me from Thursday to Sunday, the 7th-10th. On Thursday, I actually had a meeting in Sacramento, so when they flew in, they hopped into my car and went to the Discovery Science Center, grabbed some food, then headed to my house for naps before they came and got me from the airport. Then we went and got pedicures, then headed to my house where I made dinner and we chatted and chatted.

On Friday, we went to Disneyland. This was the BIG surprise for Mack and we didn't even tell her until we were on the tram from the parking lot. She was stunned, I think! We rode rides, visited the Disney Princesses, and had lunch at Club 33. It was a WONDERFUL, but long day!

On Saturday, we went to Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. We walked around and saw the Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Kodak Theater Oscar's exhibit, the Hollywood sign, and then later went to Santa Monica for some cupcakes, and then to dinner at Bubba Gump!

On Sunday, I took them down to the Beachcomber where Mackenzie FINALLY got to see the beach. I'm pretty sure the beach was her favorite thing. She chased waves, collected shells, and even made snow angels in the sand. Ha! We then drove up to Balboa, rode the ferry, then played at the Fun Zone for a while before heading back to the beach. We finished up with lunch in Hungtington Beach on Main Street at the Sugar Shack. The weekend was a BLAST and Mackenzie slept the whole way to the airport. I think I even napped when I got home.
It was such a special time to be with two special gals. Robin, I'm SO GLAD that we've remained friends through the years and across a couple thousand miles. I love you to death!

The rocketships!
Me and Mack across from Tom Sawyer's Island
Robin and Mack in Minnie's house
Mackenzie asking Snow White for her autograph. She said please, which is Snow White's favorite word. : )

Three ladies at Club 33 for lunch - YUUUUUM!
Another Rita Hayworth in the making?
Mackenzie at Mickie Mouse's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

At the yummy Vanilla Bake Shop in Santa Monica

Writing her name in the sand
Two silly girls!
Just couldn't resist this one...
Beautiful mom and daughter!
The last pic before they had to go home. : (

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