Totally blog-worthy.

In the past week and a half, I have been out of my house twice. Last week I was feeling so poopy that I never had the energy to leave. So Saturday was my first day out in a week and it was for a very cool reason: to shoot pictures of my very lovely and beautiful sister-in-law Ashley. She wanted pictures and I had wanted to do them, so Ash, her mom, sister and myself all headed out on our photo shoot. We had so much fun and I had never seen Ash look so beautiful, cute and spunky before. I've only proofed a small handful, but of those, this one is my fave:



Isn't she adorable? She and hubby look so much alike! We did some fun shoots with her beloved Twilight Saga Series of books and also her Jonas Brothers Rolling Stones edition, as well as her cute baby blue converse and tie-dyed knee-high socks. Back when I was 13 and if I had had this opportunity, my pictures would have been with my Babysitter's Club or Judy Blume books and my latest BOP magazine with the (young version!) New Kids on the Block, and I'd be wearing my jean jacket, white keds and tight-rolled jeans (and in case you need a reminder on how to do that, check out this site). Oh how things have changed. I must say the hair styles are adorable now. What were we thinking with the feathered permed hair?!

Today I got out again. And it was a day of bravery. We met Heather to get her invitations printed, went to Starbucks, walked to Target, then I took Noah to get his hair cut (he looks so handsome by the way), and since I had a lot of time before my hair appointment at 5, we went to lunch and then I took the kids to the zoo. Neil left for Chicago this morning and would be gone overnight, so I had no reason to be home. We met Heather in the zoo and she gave us extra special treatment there as she always does (she is such a rockin' zoo keeper!).

You won't believe what I did. Well, first of all, I didn't have my camera with me because of this being a spontaneous trip, and that in itself is pretty shocking. I did, however, have my camera phone. Yay! Because, well, just look at the picture. This is what I did:



What a lifetime experience!!! I still can't believe I did it. I was soooo nervous walking in there, but soooo glad I did it. How many people can say they've petted a cheetah?! I canNOT wait to do it again and be able to bring my REAL camera this time. Such friendly beautiful amazing creatures. And the little (ha ha!) guys were purring so loudly! It was truly an amazing experience.

Then it was off to my wonderful beautician's place. I've been having issues and decided to cut all my hair off, at the same time, deciding to donate it to Pantene Pro-V's Beautiful Lengths program which is a hair donation program for women with cancer. Well, I didn't spur-of-the-moment just decide to donate it. This is why I kept growing my hair and growing my so I could one day donate it. I just never thought that "one day" would happen this quickly. I was going to wait till after Heather's wedding in September, but timing was right for me to cut it now. So I did. Well, Kim did.

It was pretty scary. I was so nervous and on the verge of tears. Kim said, "you aren't going to cry on me, are you?". I said "I'm trying not to!". She said, "would wine help you?" knowing just how incredibly stressed I was about this. I said, "um, yeah, do you have some?", and she said, "yeah, you want a glass or two?" I said "yes please!", so my wonderful friend/beautician came out with large glass of sweet red wine and that really did help. Bless her!

Deep breath.

She pulled it back and all at once, it was gone! Of course she styled it and all that jazz, and I have to say, I'm quite happy. So here's the new me:



And here's some of my locks. Wahhhh! But ultimately, I have to remember why I did this. It's still hard. Such a change!



I get my blood test results back on Thursday. Please be thinking of me. I'm so stressed out about all this . . .

Happy Birthday, Heather!

I get so excited for my friends when good things happen to them. They are my friends so of course I think they deserve nothing better than the best. Here's the other exciting news.

Most of you either know Heather or know of her because I talk about her so much. She is one of my friends whom I have known for like 26 years. She has been through a lot in her lifetime . . . I won't go into it, but she's been through things in her short lifetime that none of us would even want to fathom. She's a trooper and I respect her and her strength more than almost anyone I know. She's also one of my truest, dearest friends. I call her one of my very best friends. And today, today is her birthday. And I wish her the best birthday ever. Unfortunately zoo things called (she is the head zoo keeper at our zoo) but tomorrow she is having some pampering which she is so deserving of.

Not that her birthday isn't exciting, but I have some news that is even more exciting than cake and candles. Last weekend Heather, her fiance, Lee, and Lee's son went with us to a local water park. We had a blast. (Our boys are the same age.) While there they talked about a house that they really loved. They wanted us to see it. Of course we were more than happy to (and secretly really wanted to see it anyway!).

Here's a picture from the water park -- I love this of them. Cole is on the right. One of Noah's friends whom he likes to get in trouble with. Gotta love boys!

Back up a bit. Heather and Lee are getting married in September. They're living in an apartment right now and really really want a house. Neither have ever lived in a house since they've been "on their own". So this step was a big huge one just to begin the "looking" process. And their goal was to find something before the wedding date.

So we went with them to see the house, and to make a long story short, we loved it (you know, they don't do anything without Val's approval! tee-hee!) and they loved it all over again but even more, and so right then and there they put an offer on it. The guy took it and in just a few weeks they CLOSE on their new house! Talk about a fabulous birthday present. This is going to be quite an exciting year for Heather and Lee. And no one deserves that more than they do.


Happy Birthday, dear wonderful forever-loving friend. I love you!

Help me help Heather with her wedding!

Two big posts in one day. Sorry.

As many of you know, one of my bff's (okay, so she probably is my closest bff as I see her like once a week, I don't care if she disciples my children, she is my favorite person to shop with, my kids call her "grandma", she comments on my blogs -- that is a bonus!, and whether we agree or disagree on something we always agree to disagree. I just love her.), Heather, is getting married. They haven't set a date yet, but they are thinking next September or October.

This is the deal. This is Heather's 2nd marriage. It's Lee's first. Ideally they would like to do a destination wedding but cannot afford it since they are paying for it all themselves. Heather is the head (awesome zookeeper at the city's zoo) and loves animals, outdoors, all that jazz. They are forgoing a church just because the one they attend is way way too small. She would really really like an outdoor wedding, but the whole weather factor scares her. So the idea is setting up a tent someplace. But where? (I even offered my yard! Ha!)

If they didn't have it outdoors under a tent, the locations are very limited. D-town just doesn't have a lot. As far as reception sites, same thing. Really, there are quite a few places, but they don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a place but also don't want to have it at the local community building. (I don't blame her.) Heather had the traditional wedding and reception first time around. She wishes for something more casual and different this time.

Could you guys help me brainstorm? Even if you don't know D-town, she (and I) would love suggestions (you see, I'm the coordinator - hehe, Maid of Honor and photographer!).

Let me tell you what she is thinking firstly. She wants fall colors especially reds and oranges, and pumpkins all over the place. I'm envisioning a big tent with lighted jack-o-lanterns surrounding it, lots of white garland lights, round tables, a small dance floor, etc. The problem is, the location. And how much do these large tents cost? Anyone know?

Please help Heather with ideas. . . . If you were to do your wedding all over again, what would you do differently?. . . Give her some good advice!

My advice would be to have a small wedding party and not to feel like you have to please everyone else (this does not include your wedding planner's thoughts, however ;c)). This wedding is to celebrate YOU guys and the family you already have (Cole). You are the kindest most giving person in the world, Heather, but this day is yours and the only time in your life that you'll have a day like it.

Help Heather create the best wedding ever!

If I had the money I would give her the best wedding ever, and this is what I would do . . .



And I would do this under a big tent:


Love you, Heather!

Latest shoots

Remember me talking about my friend, Heather, who just got engaged? Well, here she is, with her beau, Lee. Aren't they cute?! A really amazing photographer shot them a few weeks ago. ;) I love this picture, don't you?

And, finally, finally, I am getting to catch up on some of my work. So with that comes posting new pictures at my blog. So check'em out when you have a chance. There's some more pictures of Heather, Lee and Lee's son. Oh, and we can't forget Syd (a.k.a. Stumpy Yellow Dog)! Plus many many more!

Happy weekend!

News Bulletin!

I have to share two really big exciting fun things!!

First thing . . .

Our friend, Chris, who was Sgt. Dangle at our Halloween party, he is in L.A. right now being taped on Wheel of Fortune as a contestant!! How exciting! It all depends on the time of day that he actually gets to play the game, whether the show will air this year or the beginning of '08. But isn't that neat?! I will fill ya in on when it airs. And he's not suppose to tell whether he wins money or not for publicity reasons, but my goal is to get it out of him and I think I probably will ;)

And . . . the best news yet!!!!

One of my very best friends in the entire world . . . she got engaged last night!! I knew he was going to because he told me a few weeks ago. It was hard to keep it from her. (But I did!!) And each day I was thinking about it, knowing he was going to propose on Halloween, but yesterday I didn't think about it once. So last night she called me and the only thing she said when I picked up was "YOU KNEW!!" and I seriously had no idea what she was talking about! HA! So today, my dear Heather has a beautiful ring on her finger and is now going to get to enjoy engagement bliss :) Please wish her and Lee congratulations!!!

Off to Germany . . . with random pictures . . .

I think Neil was home 36 hours before he had to leave again this morning for, this time, Germany. The thought makes me want to cry.

It was hard for him to leave us, especially since his babies were crawling all over him and asking where he was going and if they could go with him. It's hard for him to say "not this time". Especially when he just did it earlier in the week last week. We'll see him again Friday morning or late late Thursday night.

I'm trying to think of things for us to do. I'd really like to get out of the house this evening, but I'm not sure where to? It seems like the only options with this almost-100 degree heat, is to go shopping or out to eat. Not that I want to pass those options up, but (to be truthful) I don't need anymore restaurant food for a while (I ate way too much already over the weekend and last week) and I don't need to shop anymore because Lord knows I've already spent too much in the past few weeks on the house.

Since I don't really have anything to talk about but to whine about Neil being gone again, I'll share a couple pictures, how's that?

So about a week ago, our good friends, Randy, Vickie and Chloe visited us at our new pad. We got this darn cute picture of Noah (a baby doll), Maia and their good friend, Chloe.
Then, as you know, I shot a wedding last weekend. Heather caught a couple pictures of me "in action" at the wedding. So here they are, for your enjoyment ;c)I'm playing with my camera's adjustments. Oh the joy of a digital camera. I actually loooove having options although they can get overwhelming at times!
And this is me talking to the groom. Sojin is yelling for a family member to come up to the front. That is Sojin's mother in the beautiful pink dress. She and Paul's mother wore the most amazing gowns (click on the picture and you can see it better). Everything about this wedding, down to the beauty of these unique dresses, made that wedding one of my best.
And then Heather and I at the wedding (between the wedding and the reception outside while we're waiting on the bride and groom to exit). We seem to take a lot of self-portraits of ourselves (no we aren't vain, just bored!). . . we sometimes have lots of down time to play, and whether it's quickly stopping at McD's for a double cheese, putting our feet up with an H2O in the car or just taking random pictures, we always find ways to make our down time enjoyable!

That's it folks! I hope to start getting to more of my house and moving pictures up this week when I have time during Maia's naps or in the evenings when the kiddos go to bed. Happy week to all. Wish me luck in making it through. I just keep thinking of all the military moms out there who do it for months or years at a time. I can't imagine, but when I do try to, it puts it all into perspective and I just sit back with thankfulness knowing that he's only going to be gone 5 days. That's nothing compared to what it could be. (God bless those mammas!)

P.S. I did send Neil to Germany with a camera and 3 orders. To bring me back German ketchup (if there is such a thing, and most likely, there is!), German chocolate and German wine. Isn't it funny how it's always something EDIBLE?! Ah well. The enjoyments of life. Gotta milk'em for all they are worth, right?!

Last month in review . . . part 1.

Some of you have been dying to see pictures. You guys crack me up . . . I won't name names. (Michelle and Johanna!) Anyhow, here are a few, which I hope tell a tiny story and give you a glimpse of our lives the past few (crazy, hectic, life-changing, go-go-go, but fun) weeks.During the week before we left Westlawn Avenue for our new cul-de-sac, we did a last dinner out at our favorite Mexican restaurant with our favorite friends and neighbors. This is my cheesy daughter with her cheesy (but beautiful) smile at that dinner out.
Then afterwards a very gracious guy took our picture standing outside the restaurant. I love this picture minus the fact that I look incredibly pregnant (and I'm NOT) thanks to the lovely style of shirts this fashion season :c) I do love this picture. I so miss these wonderful people! (On a happy side note, we got to see them again tonight when they came to visit us! Yay!!!)
This is what we saw hanging in the title building when we walked in. Our names with our time of closing. How official it then seemed!
This is the day after closing, the very moment I was driving from our house on Westlawn to the new house in our new small town. And I look up in the sky ahead of me and see . . . a perfect beautiful rainbow. I really think rainbows are God's way of reminding us that if we have faith in Him, and let things happen in His timing, it will always work out. It's funny (in a wow, that's so neat kind-of-way) because I was driving in my own car, my mom in hers and my dad in his, and we all three saw this rainbow at different moments. God is so good.
I never knew what to let this kids do while I painted, and decided on letting them "paint" the deck with paint brushes and water. They had a blast and it kept them occupied for a whole 45 minutes or so!
This is my dear friend, Leann, painting over the once brown boys' room with Kilz. It will soon become pink and be Miss Maia's room! She worked so hard to help us! (Thank you, L!)
This is beautiful Marissa. She is Leann's 2nd old daughter. She was great help with Maia the days she was here with us, and I really enjoyed her hanging out keeping me company as I painted. She and I are the same personality. We had a good time!
This is pretty Alyssa, Leann's 2nd youngest, who bonded hugely with my dog. What a pet lover she is! And she and Noah are quite a pair! Alyssa looks after him like a big sister. They get along so incredibly well. Leann reminded me "you know, Noah could marry one of my daughters some day". Um . . yep, she's right! And yes, how cool that would be, but let's not talk marriage . . . yet! ;c)
This is Neil with a roller. I did manage to put him to work some, too :c)
Heather and Jeff take a break while painting Noah and Maia's bathroom. I think she claimed this room as hers! :c)
Brian and I in the middle of painting Maia's pink room. Jeff and Brian definitely claimed this one as theirs! (Ha!) And what a great job they did. I've never seen two guys work so hard, and all for my family. What awesome people they are.
Me and my very dear friend, Leann. Thanks, girly . . . thanks everyone!!!! We kicked some painting booty butt!

More to come! . . .

My weekend . . . in pictures.

So I know we are already to Hump Day, so also almost to the next weekend. But let's just pretend for a minute that I'm on top of things and that this is Monday, k? Just humor me :c) I'm not even doing WW today. But wait, it's not Wednesday, it's Monday! (wink) So that means I am on top of things. Way to go, Val!

Last weekend . . . a great weekend . . . and one of my less stressed and hurried weekends in a long time, and I know in a long time to come as well! So I thought I'd post pictures since I kinda photo-journalized my days anyhow.

Erin had asked what books I bought while at B&N last week. Here they are. One is country, which if you know me, I don't scream "country", however I have a strong love of vintage style, and this book had quite a bit of it, hence, why I bought it! The other one is totally me. In-style, but in a less expensive type of way!

Saturday morning my mom and I did Race for the Cure. We walked in honor of my Grandma Libby, mom's mother. I had done the Race before, mom had not. She was so glad she had that opportunity. We had over 4100 in our race here in town. It was empowering, yet so very emotional. Here we are in pictures after the race. I forgot my camera, so these were taken when we got back to my house. And the one picture on the top right is our bag of yummies. I love freebies!

Then I drove to Springfield to meet up with Jen. Jen use to live on my block. We became the best of friends. I know God put her on my street for such a short amount of time so that we would meet and be friends forever. She and her family now live in Hattiesburg, MS. I haven't seen her in almost 1 year. And I've missed her. A lot. This is me on my way to visit Jen. I had NO KIDS IN THE CAR (Amen to that!) and I got to listen to my music (Regina Spektor) and I got to think quietly in peace. It was heavenly.

Here is Jenny-Jen and myself! We had to get coffee (why of course!) and we also hit the stores (um, hello, duh!). Jen had to get a dress for a wedding she was going to that evening. This picture here is of one she bought. She bought two and she called me later saying this was the one she wore (it was my fave!). And, as you can see, I had such fun with the 3-way mirrors! It was so great seeing her. Time was way way way too short, though. We're planning on getting together again late summer or early fall.

Then I hurried home to freshen up for dinner with Mandy & Heather. When I walked into my house, I saw this. I guess this pile of newspapers kept the kids occupied while Neil packed some boxes. Whatever it takes, I guess? I was just glad I could turn around and leave again!

Dinner was great. I know both Mandy and Heather from grade school . . . kindergarten through our senior year of high school, actually! Wow, that is a lot of years. Mandy is now in Cincinnati, and she came "home" for the weekend. So we all got together for Mexican food and 'ritas and had an absolutely wonderful girly-girl time! So up above are some fun pics of my girl, Heather. And the one on the bottom right is a picture I took of a picture on her camera of her at her zoo taking care of her Cheetahs. Yep, those are hers!

Halfway through our 4-1/2 hours at the restaurant, we called my best boy friends, Jeff and Brian, to see if they'd join us. Of course they did! We had such a great time, too. Jeff and Mandy got into some heated - yet friendly - arguments over evolution and Christianity. Jeff, a Christian, tried his best to give his argument and she tried her best to give hers on evolution. Mandy is going for her doctrine and her study is in evolution. It's really really hard to get her to understand how we believe that God is the creator of all things and that once we die, we will forever live again. But, then I understand that it's hard for her to believe it when she has had such in-depth study of evolution, and have been taught by professors who are not Christians. I cannot judge her or what she believes, and I won't. Jeff didn't either. He just tried to help her believe. (That's what we are suppose to do.) I love Mandy so much. I just pray she will one day change from Agnostic/Atheist to becoming a Christian. I pray very hard for this, actually. My heart aches that she feels she is going to hell and laughs about it. I so badly want to change that. But I know it's out of my hands.

On a lighter note, we had lots of margaritas. Lots. We had a wonderful time and I look forward to more to come. We're trying to talk Mandy to moving back home! (Hint, hint if you read this, Mandeline!)

Then Sunday we got to get back into our very-soon-to-be house to try and decide on colors for the house. In the kitchen we were trying to match up light yellows to paint over the mustard-y color. And then I found some master bathroom decor which I just stumbled upon (the best kind of buys!) which were way on clearance at Bergner's and are the perfect match to the color we are painting the master bedroom! I love good buys and pretty things!

Happy 4th of July to my readers! Friday we close on the new house! I am so so so excited! Offer still stands for the weekend painting fun! My mom is making Italian Beef and I'm bringing other food and of course, drinks! We may even be without kids thanks to O'ma! Let's kick some wall-painting booty! :c)

Oh, and I got my computer back with a new hard drive. I have yet to turn the darn thing on. The thought stresses me out.

Weekend Comings

Come visit me as I start uploading some pics over at Visions from Sea Island! There's some neat-o ones! I just did a few. More to come this weekend I hope.

This morning mom and I did Race for the Cure in lieu of Grandma Libby. We had a great time and I'll post a couple pics later. (We love you, grandma!)

I'm off in a bit to see Jenny-Jen and I absolutely cannot wait! It's been almost a year . . . wow. We're going to shop shop shop without kids kids kids! Barnes & Noble, World Market, Macy's here we come! (Yay!)

Tonight I meet up with two friends, Heather and Mandy. Mandy is visiting from Cincinati. We are looking forward to chips, 'ritas and catching up. We all need the 'ritas pretty darn badly. It'll be so fun!

Tomorrow we get to get into our new house to see it empty and figure out how much paint we'll need when we start buying paint for it this week. I love painting! I cannot wait to start. Oh, and the offer to come help me is still up. I swear you won't regret it. I always offer coffee, treats and wine! :c)

Tomorrow night I decided to go ahead and start packing up my office. The work I still have to do I can do with most everything packed up. I might as well put a dent in it. It's going to be a lot of work!

Neil is spending the day with the kids. Actually, I think a nap for all is in the very near hours. Both kids were up at 5 this morning. No idea why?! So, he's hoping to take a nap when they do. I hope he can, too, because he didn't get to have a Father's Day like I had wanted him to (we were flying 2 hours and driving in a car for 5 hours). I think just a nap would make him quite happy!

Going to paint my nails, put on makeup and then head out the door. I'm not thinking about my computer at all today. Nope I'm not (except for now, ha!). I'm bound and determined to make this a stress free, wonderfully fantastic day. Hoping it is for you, too!

Oh! And I guess I'm Rockin?! Jen from New Zealand nominated me for another award. You guys are all way too sweet and rewarding to me. Thank you, Jen. Thank you everyone for loving my blogs . . . and me!

Toodles!

Foto Friday (with thanks)

Thanks, everyone, for your smiles, hugs and thoughts of concern. I'm ok, just overwhelmed with home life and work life. It's all working out. I will update one day . . .

As far as Foto Friday, this is one of my favorite recent pics. I also put it up at my VWC blog because she deserves to be recognized.

This is Heather and I at my last wedding. (Re-reading this, it makes it sound like I get married all the time, doesn't it?! ha!) She is the bestest assistant ever, and the bestest friend. She really is amazing, and isn't she cute?! :c)

Happy Memorial Day weekend. Hope it's splenid for everyone.

(Friend &) Foto Friday

A real friend never gets in your way--unless you happen to be on the way down.
-Dr. Wayne Dyer



I wanted to make this not just Foto Friday, but also Friend & Foto Friday. I ran across this picture of Heather and I taken in 2000. Natalie had a big New Year's Eve party, and even though Heather was sick, she still came. We had a REALLY great time. And I love this picture of us, even though you can tell Heather is not feeling all that spiffy, but it reminds me that, no matter what, in rain or shine, good health or sickness, she is always there. I love her to death. She does so much for me and my family. She gives and gives and gives and never ever expects anything in return. I just wanted to let her know today, how much I love her.

The very best weekend

What a fabulous time we had in Chicago. We got away, for the first time since Maia was born - probably a year and a half! - alone, without kids, OVERNIGHT. It was bliss. I missed them, of course, but knew they were in great hands with my parents, so we enjoyed ourselves fully. No glitches at all in the weekend. It was just perfect.

We did our escaping with Heather & Lee, our very dear friends. Heather, oh my goodness, she is the best. Truly one of my bestest friends in the world. She loves me for me, laughs at my not-always-so-funny jokes, and is never discerning. She, herself, is fabulous.

Saturday when we arrived, our tummies were growling, so we headed over to The Cheesecake Factory - one of our favorite places in the world. So we walk in, only have a 10 minute wait which is unreal for that place (I have had to wait 1-1/2 before!) and then all the sudden hear someone yell "VALERIE!". I look up and across the room is CERELLA!! OMG, ARE YOU FOR REAL?! What a fantastic surprise! I run over and she just arrived too, with her friend and co-worker, Sarah (owner of Bellasera Boutique). Cerella says "I knew it was you because of your hair!" And I said, "I knew it was you because of your hair!". Anyway, what are the chances?! Neither of us knew the other was going up. Just crazy, I tell ya!



Back to the Cheesecake Factory - splendid, as always. We had some very yummy drinks. I got one of my favorites from there, a J.W.'s PINK LEMONADE™. And while all of our food was to-die-for, we loved Neil's choosing the best (The CRISPY SPICY BEEF) and we all picked off his plate! (Neil is so good.) When we left TCF, the boys went to watch the Illinois game on TV and Heather and I shopped shopped shopped. I love H&M for my kids, so I found some great bargains there. Then we headed to J.Crew, one of our faves. Again, great bargains. I walked away with two cute pair of cargos (originally $68 each) and two comfy tank tops for $50 total! Then to Banana Republic we went, where we found great bargains yet again. Stocking hats for $5, and I got a pair of jeans and a pair of knee-length jean shorts, a cute white comfy tissue tee, and a matching undies set for $70 total - not bad. Seriously, if you have an H&M, J.Crew or BR near you, check out their sales right now. Excellent deals.

Lee had never been to Watertower Place, so we walked around there like looney-tunes because Lee and Neil, of course, drank 3 beers while watching the last 10 minutes of the game. But it was really fun. It was the best feeling to, once again, have no real responsibilities for a whole weekend. So we milked it for all it was worth.

Later that evening we headed over to the United Center. Lee had got us 5th ROW tickets to see the Chicago Bulls play Utah Jazz. What is so exciting about this is, not only did we have amazing seats, but we got to see some of our infamous Illinois players play! Well, we only saw one actually play but we did see them - Dee Brown and Deron Williams. Dee never played, but he did dress. Deron, however, started and then played the whole game till he fouled out at the end. While we were in Chicago and we do live just 3 hours away from where the Bulls play, we still rooted for Utah. You would not believe, either, all the orange and blue that was there. Probably a 1/4 of the crowd was in orange and rooting for our former Illinois players. It was neat to see.

Here is Dee and Deron both during warm-ups!


#8, Deron, Heather's "man"

Keep in mind that these pictures are not the best because it's just my point-and-shoot with limited capabilities!

We had the BEST time at the game. It was my 2nd NBA game; my first one was in Indiana to see the Pacers and we sat way way way up at the top. The 7 foot tall players looked like ants. So this was much more fun. Plus we were with Heather and Lee and we indulged in stadium food, which if you know me, you know that I rarely ever do that. But you only live once and I don't regret it at all. It was scrumptious! You can't beat nachos with lots of peppers, sweet potato fries and $6.50 beer!




So Utah came away winning. (I'm secretly saying "Yayyyyy!!!!") We saw a few other famous souls like Carlos Zambrano, the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. He sat in front of us! And then a lot of former NBA stars, a few announcers for the next-days big Bears game, and the current Illinois head coach, Bruce Weber, was also there (we had better seats than he did!). It was just a really awesome time!

This is Carlos - a HUGE guy, he is 6'5" and 255 lbs!

Thanks guys for such a FABULOUS time! We will never forget it. Here's to our next adventure (- we're talking maybe a trip to a spa/golfing destination where the boys can golf and we can pamper ourselves!).


So now . . .back to my stay-at-home glory day. Back to reality!

I do want to add . . . we are going on another adventure tonight. I can't talk about it yet because I am not jinxing myself like I feel like I have done a lot lately, so cross your fingers for us that this (whatever "this" is) will work out so I can shortly tell all about it!