i'm off

to women's conference.  20,000 women on the campus of byu.  all women who just want to be better...as wives, mothers, daughters and friends.  it is an event that fills my depleted reservoir.  it makes me want to be good and do good.  it makes me want to try harder.  it confirms to me that there is still goodness in the world.  it gives me an opportunity to serve others.  and it reminds me of all that i have to be grateful for. 

and i get to go with these fabulous women (and shannon too but i couldn't find a new picture of all of us.)

even if they are skinnier and younger.

i still love them.

that's another thing that women's conference teaches me.

i am me.  and they are they.

and that's ok.

i've got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girls...

i had dinner on tuesday night with these girls.

what a lovely dinner it was.  it got me to thinking.

time spent with these women is a vital commodity in my life.  i find precious and much needed  moments of reprieve with these girls.  when we are together we can let our hair down.  be ourselves.  relax.  our time together gives us an opportunity to take a break from being moms and wives.  it's our time to be women.  we talk and talk and express things and feelings to each other that are hard to share with others.  when we are together we crack jokes.  sometimes irreverant jokes.  and our peals of laughter are loud and contagious and sometimes cause others to turn and look at us.  we listen to each other's stories.  we celebrate each other's successes.  we cry with each other's heartbreaks. 

so to my girls...

thank you.  thank you for calling me just to check in.  thank you for calling me when you find a good sale.  thank you for running that errand for me just because you were headed that way anyway.  thank you for lending me your lovely goods when i am stressing over making a good impression.  thank you for lifting me when i am down.  thank you for the laughter and love you bring to my life.
thank you for caring about my heart.
and sharing yours.

i love you.

a shower, a missionary, and somebody's wish list

a full weekend for sure...my feet still hurt.  but one of the best ever.  it started with a bridal shower for my niece, allison.  she will soon marry mike.  they are good together.  and she raked in the loot.  it made me happy.

                                          the spread, the panty line and the attendees.

and carrie and ashley were the best co-hosts and workers ever.  they let me leave early...and did all the clean-up...so i could go off to prescott.  i love you girls.

the trip to prescott (rhymes with bisquit) was to attend a missionary farewell.  elder max kurtz is quite the young man.  confident, ready, and a smile that is going to light up spokane.  you will be in my prayers elder kurtz.  every night.

and of course, the prescsott trip included these amazing women.

somebody's wish list.  no self esteem issues here.

(and because chicka trips without them would be boring and dull.)

i got your backs girls...thanks for having mine.

i love my life.  i am blessed.  i am grateful.

my pocketbook is full.

my new therapy

this is my friend and walking buddy, gretchen whitney. she is a masseuse. a fabulous masseuse. this afternoon she gave me my very first full body massage. why, oh why have i waited so long. gretchen is a masseuse who comes to you. with calming music and sweet, fresh linens. her hands are heavenly. smooth and strong. and she does this ever so soothing circle motion thing. and she has the most exotic scented lotions. and talks in this quiet, peaceful, calming voice. explaining everything as she goes. i feel amazingly divine and relaxed.  that boy i live with is sure gonna be sorry he missed this.

1969 high school musical

me, penny, and sandi.

penny and sandi were cheerleaders.

i was a pom pom.

 some think we still got it.

this past weekend was my 40th high school reunion. i didn't attend...too scared. but one of my very good friends and college roommates, penny peterman, came down from colorado to attend. another gal from high school, sandi white, and i got together with penny after the big event. penny filled us in on all the "scoop" which we all know is the best part of any high school reunion. we had a great time visiting, reliving, laughing, and gossiping about the "old days". thanks girls i had a great time! and i can't wait to do it again!

penny and i at el conquistador.