bugged

(Warning: I'm about to vent about something that doesn't really matter..)

I decided to let this go a couple of months ago but it has come to my attention again and I feel the need to say something. You see, I'm not a huge fan of that band Owl City but last fall/winter when we were in Seattle I heard that "Hello, Seattle" song of theirs and I quite liked it, maybe because I agreed that Seattle was great and deserved a song about it. Flash forward to a couple months ago when we're now in Utah and I heard it on the radio for the first time. After listening for a few seconds I realize, to my utter disappointment, that they've changed the lyrics to say "Hey, Salt Lake City" instead of "Hello, Seattle". BAAAAHH! What a joke, especially because the rest of the lyrics, that clearly describe Seattle and the ocean and everything, are still unchanged in the song. I mean, come on people! That's like taking that New York song by Jay-Z and changing the chorus to say " You're in Salt Lake!". It doesn't work, and its a disgrace to the city for which it rightfully belongs. I wonder, did they change this song to adapt to multiple cities? Has anyone out there heard a "Hey, San Francisco" or "Hello, Dallas" version? I'm sure they were just trying to get people from all over to identify with the song but, as a former resident of Seattle, I am extremely bugged.

As I said, I first became aware of this a month or so ago and was super annoyed but I decided to let it go. I heard it again today (I don't listen to the radio that often) and for some reason felt compelled to vocalize my frustrations, even if only through this little blog of ours. I recognize that there are much more important issues affecting our world to be upset about but, for whatever reason, this one got to me. Perhaps I'm just projecting my sadness of missing Seattle in general (and my husband I suppose) onto a silly band that can't give a great city its proper due. So there you go, Seattle - I got your back.

P.S. Do you miss me as much as I miss you?

gone

Yep, my Bret is gone. And life has been pretty slow and lonely without him. I'm just so grateful for Skype and Vonage that allow me to talk and video chat with B multiple times a day - he even watched my nieces and nephews perform a talent show today on my parent's front lawn via Skype. What a contrast to three years ago when he was there on a study abroad (when we were basically engaged) and we could only talk about once a week using expensive phone cards. I am beyond grateful for the progress of modern technology (a la Kip from Napoleon Dynamite). I am also so grateful for everyone who has shown me support and love already. Perhaps I'll survive the summer after all.

Since my life has slowed down considerably since his departure, I'll just fill you in on stuff we did before he left. I admit, this is one of those posts that doesn't really have a point except to document our lives for posterity. So get ready for a potpourri of pictures...


One thing we've done a lot of lately is walking/hiking. It's great because it's both free and necessary for me since that's about the only physical activity I seem capable of these days.


Puttering along the Bonneville shoreline trail


Ensign Peak


Bret and I, well particularly Bret, really likes birds so when I told him an aviary exists in Liberty Park we decided to include it in one of our walks. I think we were probably the only ones there not on field trip, which is ironic because I recall not really appreciating that field trip in my early days. Thanks to Bret and Scooter, I have certainly changed my ways.

Before B and the Rigbys left we had a little get together with some friends at the Long's. They even surprised me with an early (and delicious) birthday cake. They're awesome, just like Stuart's stache in this picture.

That group of guys are at it again with their little made-up games. For the past few months they've been going crazy over a game they invented called hand golf that involves throwing tennis balls at things. They often get together and play it for hours at various parks and high schools, attracting a lot weird looks. They played it on this night but once they got back they couldn't resist doing another game: rolling the tennis ball across the beam to knock off the marker at the end. Simple, yes, but I recall only one of them (mustache) being able to do it.

I've mentioned before how Bret has become my little gourmet cook lately. Well my new favorite thing in the world is his delectable Chicken Tikka Masala. I swear, it's even better than Bombay House's Masala (the picture does not do it justice). I think I miss it almost as much as him.... almost.

We made it on a few occasions before he left - a couple of times for friends which we traded dinner nights with. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of those excellent meals but I do have some from the bonfire we had at the Cramers after they made us a lovely BBQ dinner last week.



Cheers.

Even Phoebe the dog got cozy by the fire.

And finally, celebrating my birthday with the fam. We also stayed at a hotel up in Park City as a last hurrah/birthday trip but the only picture we took is really frumpy of me so I'm excluding it. Oh well.

the sad truth

Next week Bret will leave with the Rigbys to Brazil... without me. We've decided, with my doctor's encouragement, that at this point it's best if I stay in the states until the baby is born. Bret will then come back in August to be with me for the birth. That means we'll be spending most of the summer apart. I'm devastated, in fact, I usually start crying whenever I think about it too much. At the same time though, we're all looking forward to getting this whole thing going in Brazil and perhaps by the time I get out there with the little guy, things will be more settled.

Don't feel too sorry for me though, I have my family close by to watch out for me and hopefully this means that I'll be able to spend time this summer with all of you Utah people! Please, pretty please, be my friend - with no job or husband I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands...

I also have to remember that I've been really lucky to have had Bret so available these last several months of my pregnancy. We've spent A LOT of time together, pretty much every waking moment, and now that our time is so precious we've been trying even harder to live it up and cherish the little things. For example, on a rainy day a week or so ago, we made a fort in the sun room and had a four-movie marathon. It was awesome.

Comfy cozy.

Watching that documentary, "Man on Wire" about the guy who tight-rope walked between the two World Trade Towers - we recommend it.

I'm going to miss my best friend very much.

sew like the wind

A couple of weeks ago Bret and I combined creative forces to make our very own baby bumper for the little dude's crib. Ok, so we may have had some expert supervision from my very talented sewing sister, Amy (who will hopefully make us one of her delightful quilts to go with it), still, we were proud of what we accomplished considering how fast we needed to do it.

Like myself, B really wants to learn to sew and asked to come along to my sister's for this project. His dream is to make all our own furniture someday (he's actually taking an upholstery class right now with my mom) and he wants to master all the skills required to do it. He's so much more motivated than me.

Voila! We finished it just in time to take this shot and throw it in a box. It's now on its way to Brazil. I hope I see it again....

Speaking of my amazing sister, she is having a giveaway on her quilting blog this week as part of the Sew Mama Sew giveaway event. Check it out. I really have so much respect for her and anyone that can sew really well and that's why I've committed myself to becoming one of them. I even sent a sewing machine down to Brazil, too. We'll see how it goes.

friends and babies

Pictures with friends we've caught up with lately and some of their babies.

Caitlin came in town a couple weeks ago so the Danville crew (those left in the area and available that night anyway) had a little reunion dinner at Cheesecake.

Sweet Olivia Wilson (that girl can work a camera),

and cutie Bennett Christensen.

I think nearly everyone got the Baja Chicken Tacos. They're incredible.

The girls (minus Sophie who had already left)

Friends at the Swallow's Playoff BBQ.

Jon Lefrandt and his two cute girls.

Meeting baby Sophie Lefrandt.

Hanging at the Scotts with the Kramers and newborn baby Liam Scott.

move it or lose it

A glimpse of our experience loading the crate of all our stuff (now bound for Brazil). Thanks to Laura Hamilton for taking the pictures and the Rigbys for letting me steal them from their blog :)

The big daddy crate (it's huge, but keep in mind that this fit about four household's stuff, barely)

Some of the diapers and wipes we sent down.

("Are they all for Bret or are some for the baby?"....just beating you to the punch Megan)

What took so long was measuring, weighing and classifying everything we put in there onto a list which Rach is holding. Not fun at all.

Taking a breather.

After a lot of work, I told Bret we could drive up to Dairy Keen in Heber where they have his favorite shake to celebrate (I'm not the only one with cravings). It was well-earned.

cravings

This is what I want basically all the time...

1. *Bajio Ensalada with smoked beef

I submit to the world that these are actually way better than the Cafe Rio salads. I know that may sound blasphemous to many of you, but it's just my opinion. I'm not a Cafe Rio hater by any means, it's delicious and I'll appreciate it anytime, but their salads for me just don't compete with that of Bajio. Maybe it's the mango salsa, the superior dressing, the crisper lettuce or perhaps I'm just over rio's sweet pork. I've even convinced Bret of its goodness (although he still prefers Cafe Rio Burritos) and we go about every Thursday when it's only five dollars for the half salad (which is still plenty of food) and a drink. Give it a whirl, folks.

*no one from Bajio has paid me for this plug

2. Nutella on toast

This one may give me trouble later on....

3. Tacos

These places make some of the best in town (greater Salt Lake area):

- Lonestar (pictured)

- Rubios

- Cheesecake factory

- Red Butte Cafe

I'm open to more suggestions. (If I were in CA I would add Wahoo and Tito's tacos.)

4. Bret's homemade Salsa and/or Hummus

One of the things Bret got for his birthday this year was a food processor. Yes, a food processor. I was skeptical of this decision initially but since its purchase, that thing has turned out some delicious food. Among my favorite of his creations are various fresh salsas and his most recent recipe: hummus. It's so easy to make and just as good as any restaurant.

5. Creamies

I prefer the chocolate. Again, trouble.

6. French fries

Waffle cut fries if I'm going to be picky.

To be honest, I've always been in the mood for fries -pregnant or not. Luckily I haven't craved anything too off the wall like dirt or anything in weird combinations like a watermelon pizza, but there's still time I guess. What cravings did/do you have? Anything crazy? I'd love to hear about it. Or if you care to debate mexican salads with me, you may also do that.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who gave me baby item advice both on and off the blog. You're life savers! Our huge container is finally packed and ready to make it's way to Brazil today. It's weird not to be going with it yet.