The Story Of Us

For my next letter, I am to write to a celebrity I like.

Dear Taylor Swift,

Can I call you T-Swizzle? Look, the thing is, since first listening to Love Story, I have felt that you have a direct line to my romantic alter ego. Since I'm not in a relationship I tend to suppress that personality. BUT, when I listen to your music and belt it out to a live audiance on the 15 freeway like they paid to hear it, it is as though your lyrics are my own.

Then I found out my nieces also liked you and your music and BAM! It became a gateway for a strong, unshakable (see what I did there?) bond. The first time I bought three tickets to your concert, I almost had to sell my soul to the devil to pay off the debt. But then the three of us were in the middle of the Staple Center, looking up in awe and rocking out like stars and I glanced down and saw my nieces singing every word to your songs, and it all became worth it.

We have a lot in common! I too love to bake, and sparkly things, red lipstick, hanging my purse on my forearm, parties, and acting like a thug. Also, I would never turn down the chance at a dance party. Any dance party. Solo, with friends, with strangers, with strangers and friends. It's all a good time in my book.

I admire you. That's actually saying a lot considering I have an aversion to celebrities. I'm not one to get caught up in the star struck sillieness of it all. But, for some reason, your story is so inspiring and if I ever met you in person, I might cry. I have been one of your biggest defenders for years now and unless I find out you drown puppies for sport, I got your back girl.

Hey if you want to hang out sometime, I could probably swing it. Let me know.

Love, love love,

Susan

http://teylors.tumblr.com/post/101383770817

Susan "THANK YOU, INLAND EMPIRE!" B.

2015: A Year In Review

I can't believe how quickly 2015 came and went! It was a good year for me, however, I went ahead and got the first mistake of 2016 out of the way on January 2nd. In an attempt to transfer photos from my phone to my laptop, I restored my phone, thus wiping all of 2015's photos from existence. Well, maybe not completely. I have an appointment with a technology genius to see if we can restore some/all of the photos I lost. Fingers crossed! I did some fancy footwork and got the following photos from Instagram and Facebook so that I would not have to delay this much anticipated (ha!) blog post.

 The year started off with a New Year's Day hike up Skyline with my good friend Jone and her daughter and work out buddies.

 I didn't realize how much time was spent with this sweet girl, my cousin, Shannon, in 2015 as proven by the following photos. Here we are after lunch and valuable catch up time.

 Sadly, this is the first and last photo taken of Tammy and I in 2015. She was so sweet and cooked me dinner and we exchanged our holiday gifts and then we both got so busy we were only able to communicate through text and social. I'm going to make it a goal to see this sweet friend of my more in 2016.

 Shannon and Hannah cooked me dinner and hung out with me! So much cousin love.

A super fun outing with one of my newest and cutest friends, Stephanie! We did one of those paint nights and I don't think we did too badly.

 On Valentine's Day, I took two people that I love most in the world to a Taylor Swift Exhibit at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles! We started off at In N Out where Christa, Eric, Maddi, Lily and I ate before our trek out to L.A. The girls and I drove out and walked around the exhibit, reminiscing about the T-Swift concerts we had been to. We sang Taylor's songs in a recording booth and oohed and aahed at the tour and red carpet dresses on display. We saw the rest of the museum but my favorite, of course was the TS exhibit. After the exhibit, I took the girls to Sprinkles Cupcakes where we got cupcakes from the ATM! Then a quick trip to Starbucks before we headed home. All in all, one of my favorite Valentine Days.

 For as many times as I was at the beach in 2014, I think I only put my toes in the sand while inhaling salt air twice in 2015. Not my best. Something else to work on.

 In April, my sweet baby cousin married the love of his life and I was so honored to be a part of their special day. Here I am with my squad. I adore these girls.

 Quick cousin pic during all the wedding festivities.

The happy couple and Chris and I.

 The summer kicked off with a visit from my favorite Utah family! We did nothing but fun things for a whole weekend! 

 Angel game with the whole fam!

 Then we went to Aquarium of the Pacific! We also had a movie night and trips to the park.

 Chloe got baptized!

 The fourth of July is for sure my second favorite holiday. Kaylene and I went to my ward pancake breakfast.

I bbq for my parents and Eric and then that night, we all headed to St. Johns to watch the fireworks.

 Stephanie and I went to Top of the World in Laguna Beach and hiked until I felt like I had got a sufficient sunburn (not on purpose of course).

Always a wedding guest, never a bride. I was so happy to be at Makenna's wedding. She was stunning and I was so proud of her. 

 By far the highlight of 2015 was taking my girls to the Taylor Swift 1989 concert! We saw her in San Diego this time around. I convinced the girls that we needed matching t-shirts and they convince me that I needed to make them. So after weeks of sketching, planning, screen shots and designing, I not only made our t-shirts but I also made us hoodies! Super cute and the girls said they loved them.

 We ate at Burger King (their pick) when we got into San Diego and we made a quick stop at Starbucks before heading to Pet Co Stadium. Our seats were GREAT! We got bracelets that lit up to Taylor's songs and the girls and I danced and sang and had a good time. I love our T-Swift concert experiences. The girls get along and we always have a great time. The girls got a concert book like they do every tour and Lily got guitar picks. She started taking guitar lessons in 2015 so buying picks seemed appropriate.

 Just before we left for the concert.

My sweet nieces. 

 Labor day was still one of the hottest in the books! I invited a cute boy to hike Skyline with me. Sadly, nothing ever developed between us. After our hike, I had lunch with Kaylene at Miguel Senior.

 Kaylene said, "Let's go to a Centennial football game and wear our Letterman jackets." So I said, "Okay!" We met for dinner at Nordstrom and then headed to the game where the huskies mopped the field with the other team. I'm pretty sure they won because we were there cheering them on.

 My first favorite holiday, Halloween! I love dressing up every year. Two of my co-workers, David and Taylor showed up and the three of us were so excited to represent some of the Justice League. My boss, Doug, did a little photoshop magic!

 My favorite day of the year, MY BIRTHDAY! I don't mind getting older. I really don't. I just love my birthday SO MUCH. Mostly for the cake, but also for all the great friends and family that I get to hang out with. My sweet friends from church, Kerri, Stephanie, Jenny and Jone took me out for pie.

My goofy co-workers, Doug and David took me to lunch. These two guys are two of my good friends. I'm so lucky to work with two people that I get along with and have such a good time with. It makes going to work that much easier.

 Of course my family showered me with love and cake on my special day!

 OH MAN! Thanksgiving was so fun this year! Eric's family and I went up to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with Jason, Abby, Lizzie and Captain. Thanksgiving morning we played in our first Turkey Bowl! The blue flag team won! It was so much fun but also FREEZING!

 We played games, cooked dinner, took pictures and watched a Inside Out.

 By far, my most favorite Thanksgiving.

I was so lucky I got to play with Camille while I was in SLC! We did a little shopping, walked around Temple Square and took pictures, froze our little California hineys off and had dinner!

 On our back to California, we stayed in Vegas. Right on Fremont Street. What a great area! I've never been to Fremont Street and it did not disappoint! The kids and I zip lined through Fremont! We stood in line FOREVER, froze a little once we were at the top and zipped about 45 seconds! It was really fun. I'm actually scared of heights so this was kind of a big deal for me.

 Maybe I just love dressing up. I went to an Ugly Sweater Christmas party and maybe my sweater isn't "ugly" but it sure was itchy!

 December started off by saying good-bye to a great man. Steve, my dad's cousin passed away. He was one of the kindest people I know. He was such an example to me and I'm truly going to miss him. In life, he owned a gun safe company. It was told to me that he would often joke that when he dies, to just put him in a safe and bury him. Well, check out his casket. A few of the guys that had worked for him, designed and built the top of his casket to look like a safe. A very sweet tribute.

Not a bad looking casket. It may be weird, I really like the matte look.

These sweet girls and I had an ornament exchange. We did the 12 Days of Christmas, but with only 6 days being represented. We will do the other six next year. It was so fun to have dinner and give our ornaments to each other. I can't wait to do it again.

SO, that is 2015. 

Susan "that is so last year" B.

Taylor Swift Red Tour Concert

I took the girls to our THIRD Taylor Swift Concert on August 19th. I absolutely love this tradition. I always have so much fun and as far as I can tell, the girls do too. I had a rough start because I got lost on the way to the Staple Center. Curse my GPS! We ended up in East Jose no where, 18 miles from the venue so we missed the opening acts. Next time, I'm getting a limo. We had pretty good seats, center stage but way up high.

 I love love love them!

 Just before the show started. I was thrilled that the girls got all snazzy for the concert!

 Besties!

 RED

 Ed Sheeran came out and sang Everything Has Changed

 I loved this stage look.

 Taylor Swift and Cher Lloyd sang, I Want You Back

I have this great video of Lily singing this song. I can't figure out how to upload videos to my blog but once I do, it will be up!

 Sara Boreilles came out and sang Brave with T-Swift.

 She puts on a great show. The girls and I loved it.

 Outside the Staple Center at the end of the night we held a little photo sesh.

 She may or may not be taller than me.

 My best girls!

 After we snapped these shots a gentleman with a professional camera stopped us and asked for a picture to put on LA Weekly dot com. We were photo number 46. It was way cute too.

I am going to continue to carry on this tradition for as long as Taylor Swift is a musician. It is my favorite thing to do with the girls and we made it through the WHOLE night without any fighting! My favorite part of going to concert with these two is looking over at them and seeing them belting out the songs! I am so blessed to have these two as my nieces!

Set list:

State Of Grace
Holy Ground
Red
You Belong With Me
The Lucky One
Mean
22
Ours
Everything Has Changed (w/ Ed Sheeran)
Begin Again
Sparks Fly
I Want You Back (w/ Cher Lloyd)
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well
Love Story
Brave (w/ Sara Boreilles)
Treacherous
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Susan "Like, EVER" B.