What a SWEET yet BITTER weekend....

A few weekends ago Trav and I had quite the interesting roller coaster of a weekend. For starters, mother nature decided to go crazy on Thursday and it rained for a good 24 hours straight, dumping 9 inches of water into flat ol' Lubbock. Lets just say that I've never prayed so hard for my life as I did while driving home from teaching my Pilates class that night. However, due to the vast amount of rain (record breaking rain fyi) all classes at TTU and work at TTU was cancelled on Friday. Upon learning the heavenly cancellation news, Trav and I were already up and at em' in the wee hours of the morn, thus, we went out exploring our flooded city. This is a pic of the little lake aka drainage system at the end of our street. A bit overflooded don't ya think?!?!

The next morning, Saturday, bright and early, we were scheduled to get new carpet. Yes, after begging and pleading with our old apt. manager for new carpet, she never budged. However, when I found out we got a new manager, I called to ask once again thinking for sure she'd say, "too bad so sad." However, she said she'd take a look at our carpet and then decide. Needless to say, she called right after a quick walk through and was so disgusted and surely felt sorry for us, therefore, scheduled the new carpet. WOOOO HOOOOO-if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!! Any who, this is me basking in the new, lush, lovely, appetizing carpet. WE LOVE IT!!! Trav and I were both sooooo darn happy all day and night long due to the new carpet. I mean, free rain day Friday off, new carpet Saturday....we were on a roll........

Sunday, we get home from church and pull into our ASSIGNED covered parking spot and both remark, "oh, our neghbors got a new truck." There was a foreign truck parked in the assigned spot next to ours and we thought nothing of it. A couple hours later, I ran out to our neon to get something and looked over to see this disaster! Yes, we've had this car-Slick Willy, nickname Silver Sleekness, for less than a month. What the bloody 'H' I say?!?! Needless to say, we were both thoroughly upset and sick about this. The neighbors new truck hit us, or at least that was our thought. Nope, it so happens that it was some yahoo that was in our neighbors spot-a lame, disrespectful drunkard redneck I'm sure. Any how, they are off scotch free and we are stuck paying for this mess. Gotta LOVE people who have no heart nor integrity whatsoever. I hope this individual felt godly sorrow for their actions. Any how, what's done is done and I'm no longer bitter because clearly it won't change a thing. We've both let it go and just know that when life sucks, you must get a straw and by golly get over it!!!

Any how, this is the sweet yet bitter weekend we experienced a couple weeks ago. We are very fortunate and blessed and have been given trials here and there to mix things up. The moral is: don't hold grudges because it'll just make you mad while the situation at hand won't change. Accept it and decide to move forward. Life goes on and cars and such are just things that have no true value when it comes to our true happiness.

Should we get DVR?!

I have wanted this technological miracle for quite some time now. Yes I've dreamed about having it, but no I haven't wanted to pay for it. Any how, now that I am a fitness instrucor at the TTU rec. center I guess I can justify spending money on this little slice of heaven (even though Trav keeps telling me just to get it and no justification is necessary). I guess I'm just a cheap wad and don't want to fork out the dough. Any how, what do you think---- thoughts, comments and opinions are ALL WELCOME and MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

Holy Moley(s)

This is a picture of: A) the biggest dot to dot board game ever B) a quarter and a red dot bonding / playing catch koo C) Who the heavens to betsy knows or cares D) Trav's latest and greatest science experiment E) None of the above thank goodness

F) Actually, it's a grotesque pic of two of the four moles I had removed this past week-lovely, I know!!!

First and foremost, I want to send out a special THANKS to my g-pa and my parents for genetically inheriting all these 'BEAUTY' marks. I feel sooooo blasted lucky to be able to have them spewed all about my bod. I mean, if anyone would like to borrow one to stick above their upper lip, just give me a shout out for I've got oodles to share. This pic above all came about due to my recent visit to my dermatologist for my annual mole check. Boy oh boy was the dermatologist excited to see my spotted epidermis-imagine a little kid in a candy store-she loved it. Four moles later: two off my back, one off my shoulder and the last was taken from directly above my button on the belly. I am now as good as new (for the next six months that is). Any how, I just wanted to share with y'all my stinging and sorrowful pain. Yes, I'm accepting cards, cash, credit card payments, candy, etc. if you'd like to support me during this tragic time in my life :) Thanks for caring and sharing in the sick and wrong pic of my moles (or lack thereof)!

I'm one silly goon!!!

The Rules: Mention rules on your blog -Tell about 6 quirks of yours -Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same -Leave a comment to let them know. #1 Having to check and Re-check if I unplugged my hot iron or the clothes iron. Even if I know 100% that I turned it off, I still have to check. It makes me looney, but I always imagine my hot iron catching my whole apt. complex on fire.

#2 When I go walking at work-I stuff my armpits with paper towels. It gets mighty hot here in TX and I don't want to have pit sweat for the rest of the day. It works magnificently and fyi the left perspires more than the right. Maybe I should stuff my boozies while I'm at it cuz we all know that they are in DIRE need of help!!!

#3 Eating in general—whether it’s bread, a hamburger, hotdog, chips, salad, burrito, ice cream etc.—I always must make the perfect bite. Thus, I don’t sauce up my food in one big sha-bam, rather, each bite is made to perfection. What a process it is, but my palate thanks me! I’ve been told that I’m entertaining to watch while I eat, I just think I’m weird!

#4 For the LOVE of Clorox wipes-I wipe down my work station daily with those little suckers. Yep, it’s a daily ritual-I start with my cell phone, move to the keyboard and mouse, then all the pens, the phone, the drawers and lastly my desk top. Not to mention my 40 oz. of hand sanitizer on my desk-I’m a germaphobe x’s 20 Just think about my cleaning at home……..

#5 I drink hot water! No tea, no coffee-HOT water. And you know what-I love it!!! This started on my mission in Maine. I was always cold so I drank hot water cuz it was readily available. At first it made me want to vomit, then I took a liking to it. YUM-summer or winter-I love it!

#6 I am really superstitious and MUST knock on wood or my own head. i.e. if someone asks how I’m feeling and I say fine—my fists automatically go to wood or my head. Side note: I must knock with the BOTH hands or else………

I am tagging: Dre, Heidi, Brooke, Karen, and whoever else wants to share their quirks!

Birthday Buddy Suprises

I was completely shocked and suprised when I got home to this fun suprise two days before my 27th (I'm getting up there darn-it)B-Day.
Trav was headed to Dallas for a one day work trip the next morning (Aug. 16th his 30th B-Day) and wanted to suprise me and celebrate our B-Days over the weekend, rather on Monday the 18th-NO complaints here!!
Look how cute he is--he had everything set up all Martha Stewart like. Check out the angles on those packs of gum, the candy nicely spread out........
He decorated with streamers and a Happy Birthday sign too. I know you're dying to know what was inside the bundle of wrapping paper that I held ever-so tightly in my arms. There was an adorable jacket and dress that was found. My hubby has great taste-I loved both items!!!Thanks for a GREAT B-Day suprise Trav-I LOVE YOU so darn much!!! P.S. the next day when he returned from Dallas, I also had a Birthday suprise set up for him. However, we managed not to take pics of it, thus, making me look like I'm an unsupportive wife towards Trav's B-Day. Not true, believe what you will-we celebrated his B-Day with flying colors!! :)

Cruisin' in Style

It's about time now wouldn't you say?! Well, we would like to publicly welcome the newest member of the Hanson fam---my dad's old company car/our newly purchased 2005 SE 3.5 Nissan Altima. Okay I'm not savvy nor am I well educated in the area of automobiles, however, I know that I am utterly THANKFUL for this bundle of metal, leather interior, power locks (no more pulling muscles to reach across and unlock), trunk release, cd player, space, smooth ride---the works!!! Sheesh-I feel so spoiled by this upgrade and so snooty because we've never owned such a car (no offense to Leon our 2000 Salsa Red Neon). You best believe we will be cruising Slide in this puppy (equivalent to State Street) and I'm sure we will be getting oooooh's, awwwww's and whistles galore. In fact, I'm a silly one and have yet to put the petal to the metal. I'm not quite worthy of such an honor thus far, nevertheless, am working my way up to it. For now I will continue to drive Leon and leave Silver Sleekness to Trav. It is his new toy and he is loving and cherishing it to no end. P.S. the name of this car is TBA! and AMEN for two modes of transportation......

The Contract and the Colorado

After eating ouselves silly in Dallas over the 4th of July, Trav decided he wanted to eat better. Thus, he wrote himself up a contract to do so, taped it to the fridge, and made it official by signing and dating the line marked with an 'X'. You know your husband is a nerdy law student when..........Any how, about a week and a half later it was our good friend Jeremy's B-Day. Jeremy decided to celebrate at the IHOP and brought his law school buddies with him. While at the IHOP, Travis ordered the pile of BARF AKA the Colorado Omelet pictured below. Hmmmmmm I'm no lawyer nor am I an expert on contracts, but wouldn't you say he definitely 126% all the way BREACHED that sucker?!?! I'm just throwin' this one out there-breached or honored-you decide.............. P.S. other partakers of this foul looking, artery clogging, pile of no good mumbo jumb were Harley and Dana. The flapjacks also are included with the pile of fun. FYI-1220 calories, 83 g of fat mmm mmm good, I know you're running out to get one now.

Remember that one time?!?!

Here is a fun little game...Leave a comment on our blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember would be wonderful!

Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I'm excited to reminisce with y'all--so please lets here about some memories...... :)

Weekend #2 in Dallas

We took our 2nd trip to Dallas over the 4th of July weekend and boy did we LOVE it! We started off the the trip with visiting an old friend Catie that I grew up playing soccer with. It was so much fun catching up and meeting her family. We were able to go to fireworks with her and her hubby's extended fam. It was so much fun hanging out with a family, because we never get to be with ours. Thanks Catie, Jason, Ty and London!!

This is Catie's daughter London trying to teach me how to go cross-eyed. Truly, I have a deep down desire to be able to go cross-eyed and then do this lazy eye thing. I need to work on it because lets be honest, I'm terrible at it!!!

The Bergquist Family

After staying with the fam one night, we took off to stay in a hotel.

This is not our hotel, just a really tall building we parked in front of in Dallas. This is HUGE compared to the wimpy buildings in UT!

A favorite little restaurant that we found last time while in Dallas. We love it and would suggest it to anyone.

The Grapevine outlets food court---Gally, lots of people and lots of consuming!

Trav looking at his fave shoes-the one and only crocs. Not the best looking, but the most confy by far!!!

We also stopped in downtown Fort Worth and ventured around. Where else could you find a bush in the shape of a longhorn bull?!?!

Overall, we give our long weekend trip to Dallas a thumbs up. Darn, I hate coming home from little road trips, but I guess life must go on. Any how, we both really loved eating ourselves silly, firework shows, shwimmin', shoppin', and just spending quality time together. Thanks for the spectacular weekend LOVE You TRAV!!!

You know it's finals when......

Last week I was busy cleaning while being oh so quiet so that I wouldn't disturb my hard at work hubby while he studied for his finals. I knew how hard his numerous exams were going to be and that he really needed to be able to concentrate and focus on all the material he was covering. Well, well, well, upon entering our family room we see that Trav was definitely hard at work studying--the backs of his eyelids. The best part was that he was wearing his cop ear plugs so he couldn't hear me scurry along my fastest to re-charge the battery of our dead camera and then climb and balance on the couch [nearly falling off] in order to get this spectacular full body shot. A pretty good one if I do say so myself! P.S. he did great on his finals!!! Those eyelids of his are amazing at helping him retain information.....

Wallet, Keys, Colorful Words-what an experience!

I have been ill for the past 9 days with sinus rubbish-AWFUL-so finally I made a Dr.'s appointment and oh, some things happened at the appointment that just really put the icing on the cake. I get to the clinic, walk in and look in my purse; alas, my wallet is missing! I’ve been soooo out of it lately that I have no clue as to where it could be. I think and pray, “it must be on the seat in the car.” I weakly stumble out to the car and to no avail, it is not there. I am winded, thus get in the car and frantically call Jill at work to rummage through my office for my wallet-woooooo hooooooo-it’s there. I get my credit card number from her and then get up, get out of the car and shut the door as I think to myself, “my keys.” Yep, they are inside the locked door on the seat. I have NEVER locked myself out of a car. So a fast and awful reaction that comes out of me quite loudly with a bit of annoyance, despair, and an attitude to back it up, “Holy SH#@$T!” Right after this happenstance, I look over to see an old couple at the rear of my car merely headed towards Grace Clinic. Yes, two very old, very cute and very innocent elderly folks strollin’ along that are on their way for a check up. I think my colorful words suprised, disturbed and scarred them both; or at least that is what I got from the looks on their faces. Did I mention, the husband was pushing the wife in a wheel chair?! The wheel chair tops it off for me feeling ashamed, horrible, sorrow for my sins- you name it. What am I to do-no wallet, I’m sick, no keys, I’ve cursed in front of old folks, what next? I call myself to repentance then act fast and look at the back seat door thinking, “yeah right,” nonetheless I try it any way. “Holy Thank YOU,” this time Holy is followed by 'good' words and a little prayer of repentance-it is unlocked. Ordinarily the door would always be locked, however, thank goodness we’ve been driving one of Trav’s Law School buddies to school and he forgot to lock his door yesterday. Needless to say, he deserves a shout out-Jeremy, I love you!!! In the end, I saw the Dr.-in and out and got back to work almost within the hour. What an hour-or shall I say 5 minute span that was aye?!?! P.S. I'm feeling much better-thanks for caring!!

Griffey Hits 600!

If I were to ever consider an athlete my “hero” it would have to be Ken Griffey Jr. I remember back in 1989 when I was in 5th grade and Griffey began his career with the Mariners. I remember my dad taking me to Washington to see him play. He’s been an incredible player to watch and now he has joined only 5 other players in baseball history to hit 600 home runs--and two of the 5 had to cheat to reach 600--GO GRIFFEY!!!

Sleep is Presh!!!

This lump in the bed is Trav actually sleeping in-well worth documenting


A pic of me after awakening a fabulous night of REM sleep-ahhhhh how refreshing-the hair tells it all!!!


Okay, I know all of you will agree that sleep is precious and oh so very sacred. This past weekend-Memorial Day weekend-us Hanson's really enjoyed some well deserved rest. Trav, being the mornin' person he is usually is up and at em' on a Saturday morning at 6:30/7-ridiculous if you ask me. Thus, he was begged by yours truly to SLEEP IN so that I wouldn't get woken up and feel guilty for going back to sleep. Well on Saturday, he took me up on this offer. He actually popped some tylenol PM on Friday night so that he could surely sleep in. You know your husband loves you if he will take OTC sleep medication for you right?! Any how, I slept until 9:30 and Trav's tylenol, not to mention his 1st year law school sleep deprived body, kept him out until 10:45-wooooo hoooooo-mission accomplished!! This actually goes down in Hanson history as being the latest and greatest sleep time for me hubby. I should slip him more pills every weekend because sleep is precious and well deserved for us. AMEN and a special THANKS to all the people who put time and effort in to the creation of Tylenol PM-this Hanson record couldn't have taken place without you. However, my hair in the picture is a completely different story.............

Lack of blogging...

Lately, nothing exciting has taken place, thus no new posts. Until something does come up, enjoy these pictures. Anyone ever been this scared of something?

One year of law school down, two to go! (And a semester of summer school in order to get a joint degree in financial planning). Also, Trav starts a great job tomorrow working for Westlaw, which is one of the two major legal research companies in the nation. The job will last up until the bar exam.

Have a great break because it all starts over in 9 days!

A SHOUT OUT TO GREAT FRIENDS!!

While at Cam and Tia's weddin' our three bestest friends in SLC stopped by to celebrate our returning home to them. It was oh so FABULOUS seeing them-and it made us miss them incredibly. At least we were able to see them for the short time we did. They are such troopers for coming out to see us (but they truly benefitted from the experience-shrimp, ice cream bar, luxurious ambiance etc.). We miss them and dedicate this post to them--here's a shout out to the most fun, not to mention sexiest couples in the SL Valley!!! Love Ya Dre, Matty poo, Heidster and Mark Mark bo Bark -- P.S. CRUISE in March of '09 (Spring Break)-shlap it on your calendars now cuz it'll be here before we know it!! P.S. this is a FOR SURE THANG!!

The Weddin' in SLC

The Beautiful Temple in the shining sun-oh boy, the sun was deceiving-it was FREEZING COLD out there!

The Bowen Clan and the newly weds-poor Dax was sick and not enjoying taking pictures in the cold weather

Bridesmaids Galore

Post Temple Pic-I'm in shock and in a hypothermic state-trying to defrost from the oh so cold windy weather

Ahhh shucks, I'm defrosted at this point and we are the happiest couple of them all. P.S. My aunt does the best job on flowers-check out my bouquet-AMAZING!!!

It's a PARRRTAY-dancing and singing the night away

Still dancing and singing........

Dad stealing a kiss from his little girl

The cake had been cut, the dancing had come to a close, the reception was being cleaned up and it was still cold so yes, I turned to my jacket (that i wish were a coat) and my pj bottoms. They go great with the dress don't ya think?!

The Happy Couple saying their final goodbye!!

Here are just a couple pics of the joyous event. All I have left to say is that weddings are great, but are certainly crazy events. Congrats Cam and Tia--the BEST of luck to y'all!!!

I NEED A GOOD READ....

Hey EVERYONE-I'm on my way to Utard this weekend for Cambo's weddin' and I'm in dire need of a great book. Please holler out some suggestions on great reads. If not, it will be a long trip to the good ol' beehive state. Any ideas??...............

Moving Moment...

I don't want to say much about this except recognize it was my favorite part of conference. It truly was a special moment.

Mmmmm mmmmm smelly!

Smell is such a grand ol' thing. If you know me, then you know that my sense of smell is extremely strong. Yes siree, my olfactory nerves are on steroids of some type and are powerful lil' buggars. This can either go for or against me. I want to talk about the first. I mean, smell is a wonderful thing. It is directly linked to memory and therefore, can bring us back to all the great times in life. Any how, here are some of my favorite smells-in no particular order I might add.....

• BBQ-especially w/ charcoal
  
• Freshly Cut Grass
  
• Popcorn-this is making my mouth water
  
• Cookies or a Bread-like Baked Goods-also the hot french bread at the grocery store-I am quick to smell it.
  
• The Rain-so clean and so fresh
  
• Trav’s cologne
  
• Malt-O-Meal Tootie Fruities—sweet, yet tangy
  
• Ice Cream Parlors-frozen cream and sugar puts a smile on my face
  
• Theme Parks-Sugar+Popcorn+Churros+People= FUN
  
• My grandpa or dad’s garage-mixture of paint thinner, gas cans-all the good stuff
  
• The smell of the snow blower on a cold snowy morning-LOVE IT

These are some of my faves, just to name a few. How about you....