Fun?!

(Yes, you can all call me a liar face for saying I was going to be better at blogging. I shant make any more such promises! You'll just have to take what i can get! :))

So we just finished another FANTASITC Young family trip. Did we have fun?! Lets just take a look at these faces and decide shall we?

I'm ready to do it again?! How about you?!

I'm back!

Hello. Do you remember me? I know that there are many of you who say "Jill, it has been a super long time since you have posted anything... and an extra super long time since you've posted something consistently." To this I reply- I know and I beg for your forgiveness with big puppy dog eyes and alligator tears. Did it work? Are we all forgiven? I sure hope so! Personally I blame it on face book. But I shant do that any longer.

Everyday I am still having random things happen that I feel I that the world (or the few of you who read this) should be able to participate in. So thank you for being patient. I am back and ready with many stories to tell.

This past Monday I was so set to finally get settled into my room. It had been 2 weeks (2 weeks!) since I had moved and had nothing on the walls. It felt so empty and I didn't feel at home in my room. So I took matters into my own hands and went out in search for things to help make it a little more me. One of the first things that I needed were some shelves. I had exactly what I wanted in mind. However, this can sometimes be dangerous because the store is most likely to fail you. Not to be a Debbie Downer (which I don't think is even possible since my name is not Debbie) but the stores have certain things similar to what you want, but not the perfect picture that you have in your mind. And that's exactly what happened. I went to a few stores and was sorely disappointed.

However, I opted to not get discouraged, and I continued on in my journey. Then I saw that Marshalls was right in front of me. I had never been in that store, but I thought "hey- why not?" And you would not believe it- but right there in front of me were the EXACT shelves that I was looking for! Also- the best part was that it was ALL discounted. And the even bester part (I know its not a word, but it fits so perfectly!) was that I got the last ones! How lucky can one girl be?! I found a few more things and was super excited to get home and put them up! (I now believe that I should be the PR person for Marshalls. Why I haven't found this store before, I don't know. But I do know that I feel it my duty to tell the world!)

As I headed out to the parking lot, I was stumbling through my purse to find my keys. This is a difficult task on any normal occasion, but add a lot of bags full of shelves to interfere with my vision into the purse and it was basically hopeless. Needless to say I was very focused on finding my keys and not really on the surroundings of where I was walking.

All of a sudden I saw red lights out of the corner of my eye and looked up right as I saw the back of a van right in front of me. At first I thought that I was walking crooked and had actually almost ran into a parked car (which may have happened before and that is why I thought that it had happened again!) However, then I realized that the car was still moving. Yep- it was backing up INTO me! It was so close that I had to just raise my hand a little from my purse to touch it. I put my hand up and hit it to let her know that I was there as I tried to jump out of the way. She quickly slammed on her brakes and rolled her window down.

She was very apologetic ( I think that she thought she had actually hit me when she heard me bang my hand into the back of the car.) I reassured her that I was okay and not paying attention either.

I could have yelled "Hey! Watch it lady! Don't you know that I have awesome shelves here? You could have crushed them! Oh... and my life...I'm not quite ready for it to be over yet either!" However, I was reminded of the time in high school when I was late to school (surprised?) and I ran out to my car, jumped in, starting backing up and THEN looked behind me. As I did I saw something big and dark going down as I realized that I had hit something. I was instantly sick to my stomach as I jumped out, ran to see and then felt the relief when I realized it was the garbage can. I would have kissed it - except that it was the garbage can- because I was so relieved that is wasn't a person! My dad had pulled it off the street and placed it there for me to take in the rest of the way to the house- thinking for sure that I would see it! That was such a wake up call to me and have always tried to remember that when backing up!

So I couldn't really blame the lady for making a mistake.Therefore, I reassured her that I was fine and to not worry.

I was very happy to get in my car and drive home vs being road kill by a white minivan. Just think, had she hit me, I may have never been able to put my cute shelves up! And that right there would have been tragic! :)

Tip of the day- Maybe we should all buy those cars with rear view camera thing. I bet it would save lives...and shelves!

The day of the Ostrich!

The Ostrich is an interesting animal. I had no idea what they were all about and therefore was quite intrigued when I got a Facebook invite for the Ostrich Festival which included this picuure...

Intrigued too? Thought So. (But what I did think when I saw this pictures was that I never ever want to be face to face- with THAT face. Ever.)

As I pulled into the large field with the rest of the cars, I rolled down the window to pay. I asked the man if it was $5 and then he looked at me and asked "What shirt are you wearing?" When I replied "It's a San Fran 49ers shirt" he got a big smile on his face and said "For you Ma'm it's free! I'm a 49ers fan myself!" and then he gave me a high five. "Are you serious?!" I asked and he said Yes as he put his hand up to his mouth as if to make a megaphone and announced to the rest of his parking buddies "We have a 49ers fan here! Let her in!"

That 49ers shirt was the best $7 I ever spent!

Turns out the Ostrich Festival is just a fancy word for a fair. Booths, fried food, and lots of good people watching moments! As I was walking to meet up with my friends, I heard someone say "Hello!" and I turned to see 4 people sitting down and smiling at me. I smiled, said hello back and continued to walk and then one guy asked- "Are you a Nurse?" and he looked so surprised when I said no. Maybe I just have a nurse look? (It was almost as weird as my nephew asking me- out of the blue- last night as we were waiting for a movie to start. "Hey Jill, can you put your big toe in your mouth? Cause I can." Ü)

Anyway- back to the story-

There were the "Amazing Dudes" who rode motorcyles in that black ball thing around 2 girls in shimmery and sequin filled outfits, (I know you can't see very well ... so I invite you to use your imagination here!)

Then some crazy man who called himself the amazing Zulo or something like that, stood up on this thing that roatated around and around. (He's that black spot up there). I really expected things to all go awry and I would watch a man plummet to his death. Thankfully for him (and also for us) he stayed on. He wobbled a few times, but I think it was all for the show.

From there we went to the highlight of the evening...

Can you read it? The Ostrich races!!! I have never seen anything so silly in my life. I took video of it to put on here and I can't get it off my phone! So photos will have to do!

They had ostriches pulling chariots as well. These animals make me laugh OUT LOUD! After the knocked the people off, they would just run around and looked so goofy that it was almost endearing. I laughed all night long about this. This event right here- was so worth the 9 bucks I spent for the whole evening! (I still find myself chuckling about this!)

However- then I saw that they were selling these...

Really? And the worst part was that it was right next to where the Ostriches were kept! Poor guys! A little tacky if you ask me- "Come see the Ostrichs race- now come eat one!" Sad. Incase you're wondering, my friends did eat one and the reports were not good. So now you know- Ostriches taste nasty!

Apart from the Ostrich races- they had camel races as well... (Another video that is stuck on my phone!) We did get this fancy picture with them though... I was ready for him to spit on me- so I was nervous in standing by him --- which I think is very aparent in my stance! :)

After he so kindly did not spit or bite me, I gave him a little pet (after getting permission of course) and he was surprisingly soft and had a lot of furr! I pressed my hand on his stomach expecting about 1/4 in of hair and my hand disappeared underneath it all! Who knew!

All in all, fun was had by all- I learned a lot of about this animal and as our hands said

Be fun day everyone! (Sounds like a Brian Regan joke to me!)

I was able to download the end of the pig races for your enjoyment. Maybe the heavens will smile down upon me and I'll be able to get the other videos on here too!

SURPRISE!

For the past 2 years I have worked every Saturday. So needless to say, I was so excited about a month ago when my work changed my schedule to working every other weekend! oh happy day! That meant two things- I could actually do things on Saturday with the rest of the world- and I would have a 3 day weekend every other week! Could life get any better- I submit that it can not!

As soon as I realized this, I got online to find a flight home for a weekend. And I decided to do it as a surprise to my parents. Why not visit Utah in February? Sounded like a good plan to me!

It took everything in me to not let it slip! Each time I talked to my parents I had to bite my tongue. I also didn't tell a lot of people because I was afraid they would find out.

As the days got closer, I was ready for a vacation. I had a really rough week at work and was ready for a break from life. I had 2 goals for when I got home...

1)Not do anything

2) Stay in my pajamas.

I wanted to spend as much time with my family as I could- When I was home for Christmas I was able to see a few other people- but this time- I was ready for family time!

I debated many different scenarios about how to break the surprise to them. Should I call in the week and tell them that I was coming so that they wouldn't plan anything else? Should I call from the airport and say "Guess what I'm doing tonight? I'm coming to see you!" or should I just ring the doorbell and see what they do? I went back and forth all week and one day as I was driving to work- it hit me! The best idea ever! I was so excited!

Unfortunantly, I did have to work all day that Friday so I didn't leave for the grand state of Utah until about 7:15 at night. However, we were delayed a bit. And the panic set in. Didn't they know that there was a possibility that my parents would be sleeping when I arrived! I wanted to tell the captain that we had to get a move on! We had to arrive to Utah on time! :)

Somehow we left 30 min late but arrived to Utah only 10 minutes behind schedule. (I like to think that he could see the worry on my face and maybe stepped on it and went a little above the speed limit in the air!) I didn't check a bag so I was out the airport door and into the Utah cold as fast as my legs would carry me!

Joanna picked me up and on the way, I called home. My heart was pounding as I heard the phone ringing. "Just don't mess it up!" I could just see myself saying something like --Oh I love this road/building/restaurant or something like that and give it all away! Also- I had to just sound calm- as I would have been if I had been in AZ talking to them.

My parents had been sick and so I didn't talk to them at all that week. Which gave us a lot to talk about. THANKFULLY-- Because we hit every red light on the way!

We pulled up and I just kept talking and walked in. I saw Joanna's dog waiting for us and my parents heard us come in. However, my dad didn't look to see who came in, because they were expecting Joanna. As I walked up the stairs, my mom asked how work was. I could barely speak because I was so excited. My heart was pounding. I kinda felt like a little girl on Christmas morning! I could hear my mom down the hall and on the phone. I was so excited! I headed down the hall and then into the room where my mom was laying down. As I turned the corner...she screamed and jumped out of bed. She kept looking at the phone and then at me- as though I had just came out of the phone! She was mostly shocked because she was expecting Joanna to be there and then it wasn't. Her brain had to do some shifting as she realized who it was that was coming in.

We laughed, talked and I thoroughly enjoyed just being home! I went to bed that night- very content with my decision to be at home! No stress...no worries... just happiness! (However my poor mom was so excited that she didn't sleep at all that night! oops--- I sure didn't think about that!)

Somehow I was able to accomplish my 2 goals. I didn't change out of my PJs (except for church) and just hung out. We did a puzzle, watched the olumpics, and just rested. Amazing!

Yep- thats right. We did an entire puzzle in one day. We are pretty amazing. Janelle and Andre got a babysitter that night and so it was just us adults. We laughed until we cried and our sides hurt! It was the best!

"What work?! I'm just going to read these comics and maybe take a nap!" No cares in the world!

I headed over to Janelle's house the next day after church, so that I could see my cute nephews. (As you can see I was still wearing the same sweatshirt! ) They are too cute!

My eyes are kinda closed in this one- see I was really accomplishing my goal of sleeping! Even while playing!

I did get out a little bit on Monday-- Just a little Nickelcade memory before I flew home. We had a grand ole time having fun! (And yes... I am wearing a jacket and a scarf inside! It was freezing!- I'm a wimp!) Lets thank Amy's cell phone for these fabulous pictures!)

We did ask ourselves why Nickelcade was open on a Monday afternoon- because who would be there? What kind of people go at that time? Well, we quickly found out! As we were playing air hockey this guy came up and started giggling at us. Not only did he start giggling...but he didn't stop. He was just laughing and laughing which made us laugh so hard. I could barley see the puck because I was crying with my laughing! He had one of those laughs that killed me! He proceeded in following us around- which made for quite the adventurous Nickelcade experience! He laughed at my basketball form- played side by side with us at air hockey, watched me shoot at Aliens...It was kind of like having a Shadow. (A really loud shadow with a really fun giggle!)

Later on Amy and I tried to play air hockey left handed.. which our new friend thought was HILLARIOUS! He asked if he could play the winner. To which Amy graciously "let me win" so he could play me. Wasn't that nice of her?! Well- it was kind of nice- so that she could take a picture...

I will now- never forget this moment... nor his giggle (Is that even the proper usage of the word nor?!)

And we played and played and played and no one was getting any goals! So...I decided to stop guarding my goal and let him win! I mean- I had a plane to catch!

It was such a great weekend! I felt so rejuvenated and just enjoyed every minute!!! Now that I am back in AZ- I think that I could really get used to traveling home a lot more often!

Thanks everyone for a great time! :)

PS- why did I not get a picture with mom and dad?! Lame! I guess I better go back home and get one! :)