And The Award For Best Date Goes To...

It's almost Valentine's Day and it's award season. Not that I care about either but since I'm on the subject of love and mushy stuff, I have decided to give out a few awards to past dates that I've gone on.

Best Date

I was living in Salt Lake City, Utah at the time and my cousin, Matt set me up on a blind date. I can't remember the guy's name or even what he looked liked, but boy did we have a good time. It was the kind of date where I didn't have to explain my life story. I wasn't expected to have my life figured out.

The date was very simple, but super fun! It was a double date, thankfully. Matt, his date, me and my date started off the evening at Smith's Marketplace, a chain grocery and drugstore, where we purchased kites. If I'm honest, I wasn't too keen on my kite; it was a little boy's kite and the graphics on it were kind of lame, but it was the best they had. We stopped at Subway and picked up some fresh sandwiches before heading up to Big Cottonwood Canyon. We stopped at a picnic area at the bottom of the mountain, ate our subs and chatted. We weren't too concerned with anyone's life decisions or career choices or living situation. We were just four twenty-somethings having a picnic.

After we ate, we hiked a little ways up the mountain; not too far, just enough to get out of the trees. There was a nice clearing and we spent some time learning to fly kites, avoiding crashes with each other's kite, and basking in the peace and calm you feel when your kite is sailing in the sky. We were up there for a couple of hours before we hiked back down and went home.

I didn't fall in love. I didn't even develope a crush on my date (who was a great guy, just not the one for me). But I had a good time flying kites and not feeling pressured to explain my life's decisions to him. It's not always the most expensive dates you have the most fun on. It wasn't even the most creative; it was just a new activity with a new guy and no pressure. I remember it fondly.

Worst Date

Of course for every best date, there is a worst date. I started dating this guy when I was in my early twenties-we'll call him John*. One day, John calls me and says, "Let's go to the movies with Tim and Cindy. Meet us a Tim's house." I lived very close to John but I didn't mind meeting him at Tim's house, even though Tim lived on the opposite side of town.

When I got to Tim's house, no one was home. I go to the neighbor's house (I knew the guy) and use his phone because this was before cell phones were common. I call John who is still at home and tells me to meet him there instead. So, a little irritated, I drive all the way back across town to John's. When I walk in, John, Tim, and Cindy are going through the couch cushions to find change to pay for their movie tickets. As if the money situation wasn't enough of a joke already, we leave John's house to find a One Star machine to change coins into cash.

When we get to the theater, John steps up to the window and asks for a single ticket. I realize that I need to purchase my own ticket (which is not my idea of a date), adding kindling to the irriatated fire. I pay for my own ticket and decide that if I'm going to make through the rest of this "date" feigning happiness and love, I'm going to need a soda. I go to the snack counter and of course, purchase my own drink.

In the theater, John sits on my left and put my soda in the drink holder to the right. As we wait for the trailers to start, I see John turn and look at me out of the corner of my eye. He then SMACKS his lips and tongue, making an audible and disgusting noise. I know what he wants but there is no way I'm playing his game.

I turn to him and coolly ask, "What?"

Still not using his words like a big boy, he motions for my drink. MY drink! The one I paid for after paying for my movie ticket. After driving half way across town and back to go on a movie date he asked me to go on. The nerve! The audacity!

I begrudingly let him have a drink of my soda. When he was finished he set it in the cup holder between us. I picked it up, took a good swig from it, and set it back in the cup holder to the right of me.

I'd like to say that was the only time he made that awful mouth-lip-smack noise to alert me of his thirst, but it wasn't. He only did it a couple more times, but it irritated me every time.

John and I didn't have a long relationship.

Date Worth Mentioning

One Valentine's Day, a boy I had a crush on asked me to go to Disneyland with him on a double date. So fun! He didn't pick me up empty handed; he brought me chocolates in a velvet candy box. The four of us went on rides, goofed around the park and had a good time.

The boys had a reservation at The Blue Bayou for dinner. With my entree came a dinner salad with cherry tomatoes on top. I wasn't a fan of tomatoes at the time, but my dates friend said he would eat them. I took my fork and attempted to stab a tomato…which flew off my plate and out into the dark restaurant.

Remember that scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts is trying to eat escargot but it slips off her utensil and the waiter smoothly catches it? Julia was able to smile and say, "Slippery little suckers." I was not as cute, but we all laughed about it and continued to have a good time.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the worst date loser winner and his friends.

Susan "Let's Go Fly A Kite, Up To The Highest Height" 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.

Happy Birthday America!

I love the Fourth of July! It's my favorite summer holiday. (FYI, my favorite holidays in order are: My birthday first and Halloween and the Fourth of July are tied for number two.) Last year I was in London where American Independence Day celebrations are not exactly a reminder of the Queen's power so my day consisted of burgers that started on a grill and had to finish cooking in a frying pan and a box of sparklers. Also, last year was her Diamond Jubilee so we couldn't overshadow that, now could we? But this year I was super excited to be back on U.S. soil to celebrate my freedom.

 I have family that live in Morgan, Utah. Never heard of it? That's because its a really small town with a lot of farms. It is so cute. It's very small town, U.S.A. Everyone knows everyone, there's only one high school and no one locks their doors. My excitement grew when I turned on State Street and saw it lined with American Flags.

 The hills of Morgan from my uncle's street.

 I've never hiked to the 'M', but it's on my list of things to do.

 My cousin Megan is so lucky, she was born on the Fourth of July! The whole nation lighting fireworks on my birthday would be awesome. How do I make that happen?

 My aunt has a clothesline in her backyard. It makes me happy to know they are still in use. My mom used to have one at our old house and it just reminds me of being a kid.

 This is Megan's cute dog, Puffin. She really liked me.

 Megan's youngest boy.

 After dinner we drove around the town and I just loved the way this barn looked.

 This guy has his garage set up to look like and old gas station.

 So I believe that everyone has a little pyromaniac inside them. I am no exception. I LOVE FIREWORKS. If I could eat fireworks, they would be cake, that is how much I love them.

 Before the festivities began, I did a cardio workout at the gym and on my way home I found a flag that had fallen off a car in the middle of the road so I picked it up and put it my brother's yard.

Look at that handsome boy! Captain is a proud American dog.

Susan "Cause I'm Proud To Be An American" B.