Book Club: Wild Orchid

This month the book I didn't read for Book Club was Wild Orchid, a retelling of Mulan which is Cat's favorite "fairy-tale". Cat didn't read the book either. Since I didn't read the book, I instead had fun with Pam's nieces, Bella and Evie, who are visiting and just moved back from Okinawa. It was a fun night with fun people!

 

This pic was taken with my iPod so it's kinda crappy.

Old Foto Friday

This pic of Em and I in Wyoming in front of a monument regarding the Battle of Little Big Horn is classic Em and Julie. I'm not sure why we are so upset with the picture being taken, though.

Avett Brothers

Summer is full of outdoor concerts and I love it. Tonight my fantabulous friend Pam and I returned to Gallivan Plaza to listen to The Avett Brothers. Last year it rained on us. This year it was hot. Hot and smelly (b.o., weed, something manure-ish, spilled beer). While Pam and I both think last years concert was better--different playlist, longer--we still very much enjoyed this one as well. We enjoyed crazy mustached-man, man wearing a tank top, dude who was very drunk and danced a bit too much, girl turning 30 who bumped up on me too many times, 11 people wearing Avett Brothers shirts (myself included), boy with sunflower shirt, boy who barely moved, and 12-year old on yearbook staff with the older boyfriend.

Oh, and the MUSIC!! They played a lot of older older songs this year, which I'm not as familiar with. Pammy once again did not get to hear her favorite, Ill With Want, and I didn't get to hear Colorshow. But the brothers put on a fabulous show, with banjos, cellos, stand-up bass, drums, piano and guitar. Oh, and the harmonica. It was awesome!

After the show, as we were walking by the vans and such, Scott and Seth walked out to their bus and Seth Avett and I shared a wave. It was kinda awesome.

Old Foto Friday

Today is my dad's 62nd birthday. This pic is actually of my fifth birthday, but I don't have any old ones of my dad! And I like Jared's photo-bomb.

Happy Birthday Dad!

After Work

When I get home from work I am tired. Sometimes I take a nap. Sometimes I'm so tired and lazy that I have popcorn for dinner. It's even worse when I'm taking a full load of classes. I can't imagine what I would do if I had a spouse and/or kids to have to think about. Obviously I wouldn't let them eat popcorn for dinner! But how would I find the energy to make them dinner every night?! My mom must've been so tired, as she worked and sometimes commuted, then had to come home to three kids claiming to be starving. I'm sure she wanted to just lie on the bed and take a nap. And it's probably just as hard for moms who stay home, as they've been dealing with the kids all day and probably want a break and/or nap, too.

I find single being tough. Being a mom must be whole lot tougher.

Old Foto Friday

In honor of Father's Day this coming Sunday, I found these photos of my dad...when we were all young!

This is my dad and Jared, April 1980, at Aunt Kaye's house.

 

This is my dad, Em and Jared and newborn baby me, April 1983.

I Got a Bike!!

My mom and dad both gave me money for my birthday, as I had talked about buying a bike for at least a year. Yesterday I finally found the one I wanted and bought it. It is peacock blue and awesome. I took it out for a spin a little bit ago and it was fun!! Although, I'm not quite comfortable yet riding on the streets, and I'm not anywhere near capable of riding up the hill to my house. Yet.

Old Foto Friday

Em and I at Mount Rushmore. Since Jared did not go on this trip with us, and I had bought that jacket and shirt for my 9th grade American Heritage tour, and my parents were still married, I think this was Summer 1998.

Back to Titanic

Some movies never lose their appeal. Even after fifteen years. One of those movies, for me, is Titanic. When it came out, way back in December of 1997, I was fourteen and in ninth grade. I remember going with my family when it first came out, and it wasn't really very huge. At least not yet. Then it exploded, and over Christmas break I saw it either five or six times. When it was nominated for a billion Academy Awards I watched the Oscar ceremony and was ecstatic when it won anything. Over the years, whenever I come across it on TNT, no matter if it's nine o'clock and just starting, I have to watch it. I get completely engrossed in it.

Tonight I finally got to see the re-release of it in 3D. And I was still just as captivated. The movie holds up really well after fifteen years. When the iceberg hits, there's so much tension and suspense I couldn't believe I was still shocked. And Jack and Rose. *sigh* While I wasn't into Leonardo DiCaprio when the movie came out, I have loved his recent work (and that he's grown into a man!) and he and Kate Winslet are great in the movie. Talk about chemistry. They've both gone on to be nominated for Oscars and have worked with some of the best directors in the industry. Not bad for two kids running around in the water.

And Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go? I still love it. Also, I secretly wish that Leo and Kate would get together in real life.

Old Foto Friday

This is my most favorite picture of me when I was a kid. I think I was at a babysitter's house; it is her bunny (we only had dogs and a cat while growing up). I don't really know how old I am, but it was definitely before we lived in Pocatello, so I'm guessing I'm 5or 6ish.