Oh Man!

This picture accurately displays what I remember about the incident. A flash of lights, a shiny cycle, a faceless man and a moment of ugliness.

Yes. I got a ticket. Did I deserve it? Possibly. It's just that I was late for girl's night and was on some dumb road too far away from where I was headed and...either way, I broke the law and must suffer the consequence. Which in this case means cough up $177 or $133 and 4 hours in a class for other felons like myself. (Okay, so I'm not a felon but it felt like it).

Not only did the Ensign NOT save me this time, I also had the bad fortune of not having my insurance card with me. SHEESH. Double bad.

And quite honestly, I may go to jail after someone catches me using this copyrighted photo. Here I'll give credit. It's from fotosearch.com. Or you can get it straight from google images like I did. See, no jail time required.

For the record. I have been pulled over only 4 times in my 14 years as a conscientous and safe driver. I received tickets only 2 of of those times. Neither ticket was for heinous crimes...just a smidge of speeding. I am obviously all about full disclosure here. Don't judge. Maybe you've never even been pulled over...but don't get a big head. Maybe you've killed more bugs or let a door crash behind you in front of a little grandma or something equally wicked. We all have our stuff.

On the bright side, once I got to girls night...it was a splendid success. 24 hours of nothing but fun...punctuated with me occassionally remembering and lamenting that I got a ticket. Luckily my girls night friend happens to be a therapist and was willing to let me process my crime and its consequences all through our time together. Therapists make the best of friends!

More later. Big things to tell you people. Just a hint...new job, new house, new ward...

Tagged by Anna-6 Random Things...

Alright Anna...never say never.

1. I, like Anna, am a regular flosser. Running out of floss is a major problem. I have decided I should call Glide (my favorite floss brand) and ask them to start making the last little bit of floss a different color, to indicate to the religious flosser that it's time to buy more. Nothing like running out with only 1.3 inches in your hand. That's the worst.
2. I won the big wheel race in preschool on the last day of school. I remember coming around the last curve on my Strawberry Shortcake machine 'o power and thinking something akin to "die suckers!" when I knew I was going to win. I have remained a little competetive since.
3. Foods I do not like: mushrooms (look like eels-sick texture), olives (fun to play with but not so great to eat), and cheesecake (again, a texture thing).
4. I love getting up early. I don't often go to bed early so sometimes getting up early is not so fun, but I love waking up and exercising and doing errands before most people are awake. Feels like I'm getting a head start...must be tied into my competetive nature.
5. I love water. I'm convinced Gilbert water is toxic and drink only store-bought water...but even still, I enjoy being well hydrated.
6. I wish I were an artist. I am not. My therapy kids laugh at even my stick figure drawings. I am practiced in only a few items...stars, palm trees, and turtles.

I love...

dipping apples in organic peanut butter. best treat ever.

that i have a green stuffed frog in my office as a legitimate "work implement"

having my hair played with

getting inspirational texts from Rufio, my life coach

"interpretive dance"-style swimming

good hugs

hearing "i love you" at the end of a phone call, except for when i accidentally say it to co-workers or AT&T customer service representatives...

the way kids talk

making a mistake and not getting in big trouble

when kids in therapy choose any game other than jenga. i'm pretty much burnt on on jenga. candyland burnout is not too far behind.

my new phone. yes, lindsay-you were right. it's amazing. thanks for being forceful with me.

sleeping in a big, warm bed (preferrably w/ flannel though this is now the "off-season"...)

having a week off of work to go home...missing a week of AZ heat in july-lucky!

the feeling i feel after having a great run

loving and being loved by amazing people

100+ Scorpions!!!

Well, without pomp and circumstance I will tell my faithful readers that we have survived 100+ scorpions. My good friend Tere is in town from PA and asked to scorpion hunt. She was braver than most and despite finding about 18 within the first 5 minutes, she stuck in there til the end. As did the ever-brave Natals whose black flipflop has sent many a scorpion to scorpion heaven...if there is such a thing.

In other news. This week was a crazy, busy, painful, interesting, yucky, confusing, exciting, and devastating week. I am happy to know this week is not ever happening again. Beyond happy. Estatic I dare say. Goodbye June 16-21, 2008. I will miss you ZERO.

The end.

Mexico-Part II: Massive Papercut

Don't let this man's rugged good looks fool you, he's a man and yet he's a mouse. While our trip to Mexico went without incident for the first 4.5 hours, it was in the hotel lobby that trouble reared its ugly head. In the form of a papercut. A massive papercut. Mom was checking us in, Lindsay had some paper that Rand BADLY needed to see (a map, a list of the amenities? Not sure what)...Lindsay's cat-like (Rufio or Maxx?) reflexes kicked in and in the shuffle, Rand came out the bleeding loser. Literally. As he said "Shut up! I just got a MASSIVE papercut!" I knew that statement alone would pretty much assure that he would be the most teased Blair for the duration of the trip. I do feel bad that he got cut...pretty deep and right under his fingernail. However, I think we all would agree that MASSIVE was just a titch strong of a word for the injury. We were all careful to use the word as often as possible throughout the week.

I'm having blogging ADHD. Mexico posting will be completed...later.

Mexico: Part I

Welp, I've been feeling guilty about not posting about Mexico yet. I'm tired and need to get to bed this very minute. So...Part I...Mexico is beautiful. Here is photo evidence:

Next, although yoga/tae kwon doe/crazy body movements may be relaxing, energizing and/or healthy for mind and soul...you need to know that what you do on the beach doesn't always stay on the beach. I don't know this man, but Lindsay and I felt...inspired by him. If you listen closely you can hear us laughing a little. Sometimes admiration comes out in the form of laughter. Or something. Wanted to share with you all. Just an added bonus for you all, my dear friends...

Better Every Year

As this first photo depicts, I may be 30 but I am obviously no worse for the wear...obviously.

I am 30. What does that mean? Well, I'm in a new age bracket for running...that is something. I figure if I keep this running thing up I'll be placing in my age group by about...55. So stick with me on this folks...

My birthday weekend was amazing...full of friends, my AZ families, ice cream, swimming, pure cane soda with twist off lids, fun presents, texts and phone calls.

Sunday was the real day...I was 100% narcoleptic in church and everyone was exceptionally gentle about this. Party that night with friends/AZ family that obviously included the eating of at least one scorpion and also some cake and ice cream. Natals EXCEEDED all expectations when she appeared with her balloon arch extraordinare (see photo). Also in this photo is Amsers, my SDOA (Slide Divers of America) teammate.

I missed all my family and friends in Utah and wished I could have had everyone all together but I am so grateful for what I do have here. I am loved and lucky and very happy.

Including a few photos...just for fun. Thanks to everyone for the fun...calls, texts, presents, coming to the party/ies and really just for being such amazing people. Love you all.