To Pb or not to Pb?

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to have fun decorations? I really like Pottery Barn styles, but not so much the prices on some things, like their center pieces. I have to admit I've found killer deals at Pb, like getting decorative branches for 99 cents that were reg. 35 dollars a twig, or my fun random throw pillows for under 8 dollars a piece. I wanted something new for fall because my big bowl of lemons just wasn't cutting it. After wondering around Pb, I found the table runner on sale and got the idea for the center piece. I went to Michael's to see what things they had and found the beaded twig things. Came home to see if I had anything that would work and found the pears, apples, pine cones and candle holder. After assembling the pieces that look like Pb , I spent around 35 dollars (candles were 25 dollars ugh!). The center piece I wanted to buy was 75 dollars. So to buy Pb or not to buy Pb? That is the question.

What, I'm in a Choir?

I joined a choir called EVMCO stands for Eastern Valley Mormon Coral Organization. I have to say I'm deeply overwhelmed for the opportunity to sing with such talent. I'm singing with people who have masters in vocal performance, who've sang professionally, and who have perfect pitch. Needless so say, I'm not any of those things. It's been awhile since I've had to audition for a choir, and I was happy it's wasn't too hard. The last time was in Boise when I sang in a soloing woman's choir where we all sang solos and 2 group numbers. At the audition I didn't know I was auditioning for a solo!! The first day of practice I was like, "WHAT! You want me to sing that alone!!!??" It was funny and they gave me the music; No backing out of it! This time I just sang a hymn and did scales so they could hear my range. I auditioned with 2 other girls and was happy to have the experience of singing solos so I wasn't so nervous. All of us that auditioned in my group made the choir.

We are singing a song in Latin and it's accapella, along with some traditional Christmas songs that have been rearranged by the directors. Sometimes at practice I just want to close my eyes and listen. The music is so beautiful!!

Our Christmas Concert is called 'Sing We all Noel' and it's December 1oth in Mesa at the Ikeda Performing Arts Center. Wish you all could come and hear the magical music!

Here is a link that will tell you more about it. click here

I'm from the Country...

and I like it that way; At least the music that is! I went to the Brad Paisley concert on Thursday night. It was so good! He played non stop for almost 2 hours.

He sang two songs with just him and his guitar, no band. The vocals were amazing and piercing. He is truly an artist. I've always liked his music but never realized how good he is. He is kinda old school in the aspect of he really is in a band, not just a vocalist. Every person in his band is unbelievable in their craft.
I went with my friend Lisa. She also is moving in with me sometime this week. She's great! She's my wing man at parties and such a fun girl to have around. She's really helped me move forward since the big D and gotten me out and involved.
I wish I had some great concert story about a fight or something but every one was well behaved. Poor Brad Paisley kept having trouble with his mic and even said during singing "somethings wrong with this mic". At one point a fan gave him dog tags and he put them on. Then when he had a bread from playing he talked a little about it. He thought they were the guys actual dog tags, as did I. But the guy had them made just for Brad and it had the name of the tour on them. Brad thought that was really cool.
Also, while he was singing the song Being a Celebrity he changed one of the lyrics to say something about interrupting Taylor Swift during her speech. Wish I could remember how he sang it because it was awesome! Every one cheered really loud after that.

The weather was so nice! I think it was around 80 degrees. I was cold but didn't complain because I haven't been cold since Christmas. It was a nice feeling. Now don't go hating me, I've dealt with my winter, now it's my so called summer season. I can get out of the house and not die from 115 degree weather. I hope to go see more concerts and enjoy being outside!

Legally Blonde/fireside

As fall tradition my friend and I buy season tickets to the Broadway Musicals that come into town. Our first one this year was Legally Blond. I must say it was super cute!! The bend and snap was awesome! The music composers did a great job of capturing what the movie had portrayed. Elle's character was great and so was the crazy stylist. We went to La Bocca on Mill Ave for dinner. It's a cute little wine bar with great salads and brochette. Their pizza looked yummy too. We had a really fun girls night out.

On Sunday another friend and I went to a fireside. I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was awful! It's been a really long time, I'll take that back, I've never been to a fireside where I got nothing out of it. I'm still not sure what the topic was. Something to do with the plan of salvation and dating, mixed in with a bunch of sarcasm. It was very interesting. At times every one would laugh and I'd wonder what was so funny. Then I realized I need to remember the maturity level of the group I'm with. Then it made more sense. It was like a train wreck. You wanted to leave, but kept waiting to see if there was a point. Hopefully someone got something out of it.

I'd also like to comment about cell phones. I see this older cute boy walk in and sit on the same row I was sitting on. I look over and he has his phone out texting. Honestly, it's a total turn off. If you're going to a fireside pay attention. It's interesting to see who is a cell phone junkie. I've been on a date where the guy pulled out his phone every 30 min or so just to see who's texting. I finally asked him if he needed to leave and was his phone burning a hole in his pocket. He laughed and admitted he was being rude and put his phone away. For real, there needs to be a book written about dating and cell phones. Maybe the title can be called 'How my Cell Phone ruined my Dating Life'.

The night wasn't a complete loss. We went to some boys house after and had a great time playing the card game Hearts. There was great conversation and lots of laughter. Even when things don't go as planned, luckily there is unexpected twist to make you smile.

To sink or swim?

Monday night was a swim party at some Bishops house in Mesa. There is a huge LDS singles scene here, so it's great to get out and meet other wards. As usual, a mass text message is sent then trickles down from ward to ward.

A friend and I decide to go. We drive all the flipping way to Mesa, like 20 miles and arrive at the Bishops house. There were tons of cars outside so I was happy to not be one of the first people to arrive, like last time. We venture to the backyard and hallelujah!! there were more boys than girls. My friend and I start mingling and we find ourselves talking with a boy named Randy. I'm thinking he's kinda cute and would like to see if he'd ask me for my number. But, he'll never do it if my friend is there. So, she is great and figures out it's time to leave us. (she is a great wing man at parties. We get the dating scene and can pick up cues) As soon as she leaves, he asks me for my number. I'm not joking! As he and I keep talking, I'm trying to figure out how old he is. Let's face it, I'm not looking for a guy in school. I'm looking for a man. I never did ask. But I'm thinking like 25. Bummer!

I said bye to Mr. Randy and find my friend in the middle of some boys, none of which strike my interest. (She and I have totally different taste. To put it in H.S terms, I like Jocks and she likes Band/drama/choir.) She introduces me to the group of guys and I sit down and just enjoy the flow of conversation. The guy sitting next to me starts chatting me up. At first sight I'd guess he's probably 23. haha Anyway, I keep taking to him. His name is Bret with one T and last name Green like the color. He asks me if he can get my number. I said sure. Why not? At this point, my friend has ventured off from the group of guys. I'm starting to get hungry and I'm ready to leave.

I find my friend and we are on our way out. This guy stops us and says something about getting a hot dog for my friend earlier, but they were out so he wasn't able to get her one. I'm thinking okay that's great. Why do I need to know that. My friend keeps walking as the guy is talking but since he is standing right in front of me, I can't walk into him, so I was forced to stop. I was trying to get away and told him we were leaving to get something to eat. Big mistake on my part! He jumps in with vigor and expresses how if there were hot dogs he'd love to get me one. But since they are all out would I want to get a Jamba juice with him sometime? I had to give the guy some credit. He was good, and out of the two guys that asked me for my number he was the only one with a plan. So I gave him my number.

After my friend and I get back into my car I tell her about my nights experiences and ask her if she had the same luck. I was sad to hear her say no. :( I've been thinking about that this week and the only reason I can think of is type preference. I'm a blond with blue eyes. She is has red hair and blue eyes. More guys are attracted to girls with blond hair and blue eyes. So her dating pool is a little bit smaller. She is moving in with me in a few weeks, so maybe I can change her dating pool with a few highlights :)

So with all these guys asking for my number, do I want to date any of them, no. But with each guy I meet I'm one more close to the one. So in dating, sometimes you sink and sometimes you swim.

Dating 1,2,3

Okay girls, here it goes. This is the beginning of my dating adventures. I think it will be fun to do a blog about my dating and social life. Which I hope picks up or this will be a very boring blog. haha So to start this new blog, I'll share with you what happened last night.

As in Sunday Mormon tradition, I was invited to a game night. Since I'm new to the valley of the Sun (that is in the dating world) I try to go to every possible invite just to meet people. Last night was one of those nights. Game nights are always interesting. What type of people are going to arrive? Who's house am I going to? Is "the one" going to be there? Do I come dress up? Do I wear high heals? Hair up or down? Lip gloss or lip stick? Skinny jeans or dress? Oh so many questions and none of the answers really matter. That's the difference when you're dating at 29. You realize it doesn't matter and you move on.

So we arrive at the designated casa only to find we are the first to arrive. No big deal, I guess it is Mormon standard time. 1 hour later the house was full. I ventured off to play a game called Bananagrams which is like scrabble but individual boards. The highlight from that game was they guy who spelled tits and cialis. Then the guy who kept saying, " umm that's a proper noun!" As if any of us knew what that was. All in all it was fun. The group of guys I was with were cute and funny. Except the tits and noun guys. Which then leaves two. Let me say that again. Two guys at the table were cute and funny.

A man complimenting me says," Shana your hair is like a blonde explosion. I really like how you matched your jacket with the white stripes in your shirt and how your yellow high heals match that yellow stripe in your shirt. You look really nice." Now, who says guys don't notice?

Dating this time around is much easier, but still frustrating. You still have to find that Prince. A great friend of mine reminds me, "Shana, it just takes one!" Okay, I know. But why do I need to date 50 to get to one? Doesn't make mathematical sense, does it?

GIRLS TRIP

PARK CITY

Life long friendships don't happen every day.  It all started in 7th grade.  From that time forward we have experienced our first kisses, first boy friends, first breakups, and a whole lot of other firsts together.  Life hasn't been a fairy tale for any of us, but we have been there for each other through child births, death, divorce, weddings, a mission and continued education.   Even though we don't live next door to each other like we planned so many years ago, I still feel your friendship where ever I go.  You girls are my best friends!  I love you and miss you!!

snow- a distant memory.  Had to get proof to remind myself that sunshine is better. 

"snow-snow-snow-snow" (to be sung like the song on White Christmas) 

teasing me because I grabbed a wine glass to drink my Dr. Pepper out of

We missed Jana and Kari.  Jana joining us via web cam  -I love technology-

ummm, we are dorks!  What more can I say

showing off our master pieces

small spoon or big spoon? Either way ice cream tastes the same

all of us but Jana and Kari

Reading my fortune.  Had to know which guy I'm going marry.  

We had so much fun!  I love that we can not see each other for a year and get together and it's like we've missed nothing.  Our time was spent shopping, talking, talking, and talking!  Not to forget hair bow making.  (p.s.  I'd like to thank Alynn for the pictures I stole off her blog!)  

What's new

Nothing much is going on in my world these days.  Just healing and moving forward into this new chapter of my life.  I've been reading, going on walks, and enjoying life.   The singles ward is okay.  But what should I expect when it's a bunch of 18-25 year olds?  Still debating on if I want to stay or go back to the family ward.  I'll give it a few more months and see what happens.  Other than that, I'm loving life and not loving the heat!