How Come I Can't Keep a Houseplant Alive...

...but a random plant will grow up out of my carpet?Carl recently found this random plant growing behind a chair in the corner of my basement family room. There isn't a whole lot of light in this spot, I don't water my carpet, and hopefully there isn't a whole lot of dirt here so I'm not sure how it survived for so long. Kind of gross, really.

Neglect

My poor blog has been sorely neglected lately and my only excuse is that my life hasn't been conducive to spending a lot of time fighting with Blogger to create a decent post. Maybe I just need a few of my more-talented friends to give me a tutorial on how to use this program without tearing my hair out. Until I have a few hours of spare time (preferably all in one sitting) to post pics from Europe and other adventures, know that I am still alive and have at least thought about my blog during the past month.

Quick Update

My computer gives off a smell like melting plastic everytime I turn it on so I have been computer-less for the last couple of weeks. I just wanted to jump on quickly and give a little update. Carl made it home this past weekend!! Yeah!! It is great to have him home. He will only be home for 2 weeks before we leave for our Europe trip on the 31st so he will be super busy the next little while. We are having fun making last minute arrangements for our trip. If I don't make it back on before we leave, I will post pictures when we get back in late September.

Eight Great Years

Tomorrow is mine and Carl's 8th Anniversary. We won't be able to spend it together...it's not the first time and probably not the last time we will be separated on our anniversary. I miss him a lot, but it is what I signed up for when I married him. I am so proud of him for willingly serving his country and being such a wonderful man. He is the greatest blessing in my life. I appreciate his hard work, diligence, sweetness, reliability, patience, humor, and unconditional love. Happy anniversary sweetheart! I love you and I miss you.

EHS Class of 99 Reunion

Last weekend I attended my 10 year high school reunion in Evanston. I grew up in a small town and attended a relatively small high school (large for Wyoming, small for the rest of the country). I pretty much knew everybody in my graduating class so it was fun to see everyone again. It was especially great seeing my dear, wonderful great group of close friends again. I grew up with these people and have great memories with them. In Evanston, you have to be creative to entertain yourselves and that was the best part. It was fun to reminisce about the crazy fun times we had, times that I wouldn't trade for the world. We all had our hard times in high school and I am glad that its over. I am also glad that I still keep in touch with the people who made it bearable. Let's not wait ten years for another reunion!

George Strait Concert

Last night I went to the George Strait concert with my good friend JulieAnn. I was raised on country music and George Strait was a staple during my childhood. There is something about his music that I have always loved. He has a way of singing straight (no, not a joke) to the heart. His concert was fantastic. He wasn't flashy or fancy; he just got up on the stage and sang. He sounded great live. The mix of his voice with the sound of the fiddle, steel guitar, and piano is something that I will never forget (yes I know that sounds incredibly cheesy, but its true!). Long live King George! Julie and I waiting in the long line to get into the amphitheatre.

Julieanne Hough was one of the opening acts. She is not only gorgeous and an incredible dancer, but she actually sings well too. Why do some people get all the talent?

Blake Shelton was the other opening act. I wasn't a huge fan of his before the show and his performance did little to change my mind. To quote him, "I shouldn't be telling y'all this, but I am going to get so drunk after this show." Hmm, not very classy.

Speaking of class, George Strait should define class in country music (assuming that is not an oxymoron). His show was well worth the time and money spent to see it and I hope he comes back to Salt Lake City soon.

Family Reunion in McCall, Idaho

I recently returned home from a week-long family reunion in beautiful McCall, Idaho. My step-dad's parents own a condo on the shore of Payette Lake and were kind enough to let my mom's family stay there for a week. My Uncle Wayne brought his boat and we had a great time catching up and spending quality time together. My sister-in-law Mandy, me, and Abby during a boat ride around the lake. The condo is in the background.

Me, my Aunt Heather, Uncle Rob, and cousin Brooke right before we embarked on an 18-mile bike ride around the lake.

The whole gang.

Isn't this sunset gorgeous?