You don't want to miss the fire dancers.

Let's go back in time.


Picture it.  Sicily. 1925.


Hold up, Sofia Patrillo.  I'm telling the story here.  Don't go back that far.


Picture it.  Hawaii. 2008.

We are actually standing in line to go to the luau I speak of in the story.

Lee and I had just spent a lovely day on the beach in Maui and had plans to go to a luau later that day.  The master is going to take a nap and I am in charge of important stuff like calling to pay for tickets to the luau and watching synchronized swimming in the 08' Olympics.


I am on the phone with the travel agent lady and I ask her about paying for the tickets.  She informs me of different prices for different seating areas.  There is a cheaper price for your basic seats and a higher price for some "upgraded" seats.  As I contemplate, a la Rebecca Black, (Which seat should I take? and all that) I ask the agent if she thinks it's worth it for the better seats.  Are they that much better?  Why should I pay more?


And she says, "I would sit up closer, You don't want to miss the fire dancers!"


Fire dancers? This is pretty exciting stuff.  I think about waking Lee up for a second opinion, but decide against it since he is the grumpiest person on the planet for about 15 minutes after waking up.
I buy the upgraded tickets. You know, YOLO!


Lee wakes up, I tell him the story, and the ever-budget-minded man/voice of reason is disappointed with my choice.  I soothe his irritation by telling him it will all be worth it for those wonderful fire dancers.


We drive to the luau.  We wait in line.  We get inside.  We find our seats. Our more expensive, premiere, up close and personal seats, only to discover every seat in the house is basically equal.  There is nowhere that you can see better than anywhere else.  Thanks a lot. Lady.


Herein lies where I was wrong.  Lee was right.  And a tradition is born.  


Every time I am offered something to buy that is upgraded or seems unnecessary, Lee gives me the same sage financial advice and I will share it with you now, for you and your children to benefit from.


"Don't forget.  You don't want to miss the fire dancers."

having a bad day?

For me Monday was a bad day

I called Lee to vent.

Later this happened.

Don't be jealous.

PS: He knows I mean running shoes. 

good-bye february

good-bye to this month for lovers

 goodbye lovely magnets from the antique treasures mall...
on second thought maybe you can stay a while longer

good-bye snowboarding adventure, we probably won't make it out again this year

goodbye silly postcard, time for you to go into my secret shoe box of treasures

I guess boys do listen (sometimes) when you tell them your hopes and wishes

the best part of this sweet card is the back.

There is a message (in cursive) that says: 

Dear Hazle,

How are you feeling?

I just passed into the last part of 

the Third Grade.

GOOD By-

from, Francess

Biff wants to say good-bye to our new throw pillows,which he shows me when he spends ten minutes trying to get them off that chair because (in his mind) that is his spot and the pillows are in the way.

They are something we won't be saying good-bye to.

good-bye flowers

dear lee: you are right, they are too expensive, and they don't last very long,

 but my memory will last forever.

 thanks.

The last thing we said good-bye to this month was my sweet grandpa.  I remember there was a time during my high school years when I lived under the same roof as this grandfather.  I can recall many times when he would ask where his loving companion (my grandmother) was.  We would sadly remind him that she was no longer with us.  I believe they are together again now.  How appropriate for them to be reunited in this month for lovers. 

Do you believe that those you have loved will be with you after passing?
I do.  This is why.

the great outdoors

*A good trick for people who look stupid in photos like Lee and I often do, wear sunglasses then no one sees if your eyes look weird.

Every year the master and I take turns planning our anniversary celebration.
This year was my turn.

I took Lee to Park City where we went hiking at the Canyons resort.

We found a weird cabin full of empty beer cans.

Then Lee asked me to take pictures of him to document this special day.
hmmm... not really

We had to ride a gondola to get to our hiking point.

Then we took stupid pictures at the Olympic Park after we rode the zipline and the alpine slide.

No making fun of this butt shot.

Or my shorts; if I intend to sweat like a cup of liquid during any given activity I deem it appropriate for myself to wear work out clothes.

Lee begged me to take a picture of him in front of the cabin.
Not really.

This photo should probably be featured in an art exhibit somewhere.
I will call it:
girl in forest

Other highlights of the trip included:

• Eating delicious steaks, with a side of broccoli covered in the greatest cheese sauce known to man (should have taken a picture of that!)
  
  
• Having a contest in our FREEZING hotel pool to see who could tread water longer
  (you know, like in the movie the guardian)
  but we decided to have a tie after about 5 minutes instead of wearing ourselves out to the point of fainting since we are too competitive.
  
  
• Asking a bunch of different locals where to find a redbox three different times before they actually got it right.
  
  
• Watching "Unstoppable" and then looking up the true story it was based on online and finding out that basically pretty much the only thing that was true is that there was a unmanned train, everything else was totally exaggerated.
  

All in all it was a great time and I hope I get to hang out with Lee for at least 96 more years.

4 Years

4 years ago today...
I was here...

Dear Lee,

We made it through 4 years of not driving each other crazy; wait, what? That happens every day... Nevermind.

Thanks for...

• not thinking I am annoying
• not getting grossed out about how I can often out eat you
• or by how I am so sweatastic at the gym
  
• coming to yoga and spinning class that one time
• letting me get a dog
• taking Biff out pretty much all the time
• giving me awesome lessons every day
  (aka lessons on how I can try to be as awesome as Lee)
• beating me at every game and competition on the planet so as not to bloat my ego :(
• going running with me those 2 times even though you didn't really like it
• never saying anything bad about my cooking
  
• giving me a hug when I get home from work, most of the time
  
• everything, every day, forever
  

Things I have learned from/about marriage:

• Even when you love someone, and even when they are thebomb.com, marriage is work and that is okay
• Getting married is a big step of faith and trust and I don't know how I got so lucky. I really don't think I knew what I was doing when I picked Lee or that I was any better at making a decision than other people, or that I had a divine revelation that we were meant to be. It just kind of happened and I am so grateful.

I must have tricked Lee into marrying me somehow 'cuz I really am just a big weirdo.

Here's to getting old and wrinkly with my best friend.

family couch evening

harry potter, loser

Did I mention the master was reading Harry Potter just cause he loves me so dern much? Well he is, and he is reading it right this minute.

You better believe Lee has no idea I took these pictures with my laptop. Sneaky, sneaky.

I need a new book to read...
or something

Did you know I have been wearing a gray jacket in my last 3 posts? Don't worry, today it is a different gray jacket.


I bet you are waiting to see if I tell you who won the race, right?


well....

I did not win!
Aren't I supposed to be the runner?

Lee: 1 Mile: 7 Minutes 44 Seconds
Terrible T: 1 Mile: 7 Minutes 55 Seconds



There will be a rematch

Aren't you guys glad that I am now too lazy to get out my camera and instead use the low quality one in the laptop?

Kinda grainy, but makes for some awesome poses.

Is there anyone in your life who mercilessly beats you at everything?

It's cool Lee, I am learning to accept defeat.

gummy bears & a challenge

Not sure if you guys got the memo on Saturday, but this girl loves gummy bears these days. I hope you enjoy my awesomely stupid editing skills assisted by photobooth.

You should be jealous of this handful of gummies; cuz it's no lie that I ate em' all and I enjoyed every second of it.

Also, what do gummy bears have to do with anything? They don't have anything to do with anything. I just feel like I can't post without a picture. That's what you clicked on my blog for right; because you love to look at my gorgeous face and smokin' bod? Errr...? Yeah. Nevermind.

Today at the gym while pumping some mad iron with Lee a challenge was issued. Tuesday is my day to bench press with the master; it is a tradition {on Tuesdays} We basically never miss it unless there is some kind of natural disaster.

Tangent: Let's not lie, nothing short of wild horses or parent conferences keeps me from going to the gym, b/c frankly I do not know how you people live without the endorphins. It is truly a drug.

Back to the story: Between lifting weights and feeling a little bad about missing the Biggest Loser, but knowing I will always be able to watch it on hulu, witty banter often occurs (witty banter: see making fun of other people in an effort to entertain Lee or make him laugh which never works aka my greatest sin). Wittiness provided by me, which the master does not think is funny at all. Our senses of humor are often tuned to different frequencies, but we try. So.. witty banter.. la la la:

"Don't look now, but that girl needs a 'tan'nervention; seriously looks painful."
"That guy in the grey shirt has the biggest tacos I've ever seen!"
Then it happens and I say, "Too bad there is no one here for me to compete with today."

Tangent: Insert explanation on how I compete with everyone all the time: on the treadmill, during yoga (which by nature is supposed to be calming, peaceful, and accepting of all ---I try not to do this but, sometimes it happens ...forgive me.) and lastly, against high school boys or old men who bench press the same weight as me! Muhahaha

So again I had said, "Too bad there is no one here for me to compete with today." {meaning teenage boys or old men}
Then I say, "We {meaning Lee and I} should have a one mile treadmill race!"

The date is set, Monday, May 30, 2011. {They even gave me work off for this event; thank me for your day off Monday and don't listen to any rigmarole about Memorial Day}

Not sure if I can blog about the results, too ashamed if I lose and too much love for Lee if I win. There it is blog world, the challenge, you may or may not hear the results.

Wish me luck, or wish him luck, I guess you can be on his side...

the master

On Saturday, Lee Middle Name Last Name graduated with his Master's Degree. I am so stupidly proud of him that I am going to christen him with a new nickname. It is currently a tie between 'master' and 'the master'; leaning more toward 'the master.' To the master's embarrassment I have informed him that I will be calling him this name in public to enjoy the reactions of bystanders.

I present to you the master.
Not to be confused with any reference to slavery which was sad.
(although some people think marriage is the last legal form of slavery
bringing me to the interesting topic of how awesome it will be when I refer to
the master by his new name at places like the grocery store).
Also not to be confused with any mockery of the hard work he has done.
Just the pure enjoyment I had when reading on the graduation program that the master's name was listed under "Master of Science and Counseling."

I think the master is cute.

Here's the master's family
minus Kim who was taking the photo and Mandi who was playing with the niece
He says, "it wasn't that hard" and the secret to success is, "showing up."
So get out there and show up to the things you want to accomplish.
So proud of you babe!

do whatever it takes to get the moustaches

Last night, it was Lee who said, "Let's just do whatever it takes to get the moustaches."

Best Birthday Celebration Ever

My birthday is on Friday, but we decided to celebrate on Monday. All I told Lee was that I wanted to go on a date. He drove me to Provo in search of a restaurant called, "Tango House." When we got to the address the place no longer existed. Nice. So we drove to Cafe Rio to discover our wallets no longer existed {actually we left them at home}. So we drove home, got our money and went back to Rio. Awesome so far right?

No really, it was awesome.

Pork Salad for me.
Pork burrito for Lee.
Micheal Jackson on the speakers.

More car time
Lots of Kesha on the radio

Then: Nickel Arcades. ---- Guys, I haven't been there since I was 12.
Surprising? Yes.
Disappointing? No.

out on the town

me: we should go somewhere and be fun since we are both home
lee: we just went to the gym, and I went to work today
me: well I didn't; I want to go out; I am easy to please... let's just go for a walk with Biff or go grocery shopping.
lee: okay, let's go grocery shopping.
me: but you have to go get dressed again, no basketball shorts

This is what happens when Lee goes grocery shopping with me..



and this is what happens while I wait for Lee to pick that stuff out...




PS: 1. We did buy some actual food; I even cooked dinner afterward.
2. When I go by myself I am much better at avoiding candy.
3. My hair is so gross! I cannot decide what to do with it *sigh* so I keep doing nothing

sunday snuggles & thoughts about nothing

biff only gives out snuggles in the morning hours.

glad to be home during the early hours for a few weeks

ps: these photos feature our current free couches

Lee and I BOTH get to have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off together. Praise the heavens -exclamation point- This sort of thing never happens. So I have a question for you people who don't have 45 minute commutes twice daily, or aren't working full time while working on a master's degree. You people that actually go out and do fun things. What shall we do instead of pretending like going to the gym and watching the Biggest Loser is a great night (let's be honest that IS a great night, but that's just Tuesday). What type of fun should we have? Suggestions welcome, right there in the comment section {you know right down there below this} go ahead, click it.

Meanwhile, after Lee goes back to work I just might employ such shameful entertainment as watching the office from season 1 or rereading twilight.

Speaking of the office, you should know that I full on cried when Michael Scott proposed to Holly because it was just so right. Amen.

Now, when I say, "full on cried" I mean a few glistening tears, not bawling. I have SOME pride. It is interesting to note though, that I did not cry -glistening tears- or otherwise during my own proposal or wedding. This of course, is by no fault of Lee's. I think my primary emotion was excitement and excitement just does not elicit tears.

Although, if someone made a film of those moments in my life with great lighting, hair, makeup, and background music: watching that would most likely make me cry because frankly, Lee is the peanut butter to my jelly and seriously everyone knows peanut butter is better than jelly (I personally don't even like jelly; I use jam) so jelly is really lucky here guys! And that my friends, was the longest and most poorly engineered sentence in the history of blog. Also the subject has been changed repeatedly throughout this post.

It must be noted that the point of this tirade is something along the lines of how hollywood/media gives us unrealistic expectations about love and how
true love is more about holding hands and being best friends who sometimes annoy each other, but decide to stick together no matter what instead of flowers (as much as I BEG Lee for flowers every time a holiday permits) and violin music playing while you kiss.
Which leads me to tell you my all time favorite movie is called The Mirror Has Two Faces and starring in it is my all time favorite (musical) person, Jewish or otherwise, Barbara Streisand. You should watch it.

I have yet to watch the newest episode of the office because I am afraid of both HATING and LOVING Will Ferrill. So what's to be done? At the moment, I am avoiding it and pretending that Michael Scott will never leave. Maybe we could do a petition?

Just in case you are wondering, my laundry still hasn't been put away.