Opening Social for 800

Today was our Stake Opening Social. Traditionally, this might have been an event I "skipped" to do other necessary Saturday activities. The funny thing is that when you're the Stake Activities Co-Chair, attendance is required. With attendance comes the inevitable pre-social preparation. After weeks of making posters & flyers, sending e-mails, and making food/activity arrangements for 600, I thought I was more than prepared for our "little" BBQ. Nothing can humble a person more quickly than having lines of almost 800 hungry people depending upon you for sustanance.

Needless to say, it has been a long day. 700 buns, 800 ice cream sandwiches, and 6 hours of socialing & I'm exhausted. A huge thanks to my faithful friends--Jerilyn, Melissa, and Poncho for helping. They were so amazing! There are two types of people in the world--the people who volunteer to help you (when they really don't have to) and the shmos sitting on their behinds while I lug full water coolers (bigger than me) across the parking lot. I'm glad my friends aren't shmos--otherwise I'd still be trying to cover tables and distribute hotdogs. . . .I'm keeping my day job.

And He Has Returned. . .

Guess who's back?PONCHO!

He surprised me at work on Friday with a gift and that darling smile of his. Welcome back!

Adios, Poncho!

It's a dark, dark day at Where Flowers Bloom. I've been dreading it for weeks, but I had to say goodbye to Poncho tonight. He is off to spend the rest of his summer at home in Mexico doing an internship. I'm going to miss his text messages. I'm going to miss him complimenting my blue eyes. I'm going to miss his cologne. I'm especially going to miss his sparkle. This isn't the greatest picture in the world, but really the only one I could find. . .I'll have to remedy that in a few months when Poncho returns.

Takin' it to the next step.

Just a few things:

1. I had a great run yesterday. 1 hour 20 minutes and I didn't want to die. That's a good sign. Granted, I felt like I was running at a snails pace, but I'm starting to like the slimy little creatures.

2. Our hairy backed neighbor keeps showing up on the picnic table without a shirt. It makes me grateful to be single.

3. I think I'm ready to take the next step with Poncho. He doesn't know it yet, but he's in for the greatest day of his life. Yep--Season 2 of 24. What did you think I was talking about?

4. One of my summer goals is to read a diverse selection of books. Right now I'm in the middle of a great book about the Battle of Gettysburg and it's quite enjoyable. It's a Pulitzer Price winning novel called The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. You should try it. . .you'll like it.

5. I realized today that our neighbor (not the hairy one) has the most amazing arms in the history of appendages. I might have grabbed on to his bicep while we were walking to RS and thought I'd gone to heaven. . .too bad he is lacking in personality. Otherwise, with my beauty and his brawn--we'd make amazing babies.

6. Someone keeps knocking on our door at all hours of the night. We don't answer the door anymore--not for fear that it will be some scary psychopath--but for fear it will be some goofy guy who wants to "hang out" for hours at a time. I refuse to fall victim to time thievery.

7. I have to get up super early tomorrow. What in the heck am I doing up so late? Gotta hit the hay! Happy days to you.

It's Thursday.

It's Thursday. Patrick will not be paying us a visit for several months. Michelle is sad.

It's Thursday. Poncho paid us a visit. We had pasta and watched 24. Michelle is smiling.

Snapshot by Poncho

A little party at the Riverside and Poncho snaps a photo of the green groupies in the parking lot. Oh, Poncho--I think Megan has something to say to you.

Partyin' with Poncho

Romina supplied this precious photo of Poncho & I exchanging birthday cuddles. Look at that Baskin Robbins cake. . .tasty. Very tasty.

I sure wish I had opened my two tubes of Rembrandt toothpaste before the party started. . .

Thanks for the photos, R. You're the best.