Random Ramblings-Groovin'

I've missed you guys. Really. A lot. I've been thinking about you so much the last few weeks. Thinking of my sweet friends whom I just appreciate so much.

I was riding a huge wave of joy and happiness and had a (seriously) small wave knock me off my cool ride (it's all metaphorical people. I was just surprised how much this one event could effect me so). But it knocked me off none the less and I had to scramble to find my place again. Like Stella, I was looking for a way to get my groove back, it just took a little longer than I had anticipated. But I think I'm there now.

So today, I figured I'd begin nice and easy with a Random Ramblings.

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~I noticed I missed out on two huge milestones recently for my dear sweet Cranberry Fries blog. Next week we'll for sure be celebrating. And when I say we, I really mean we. As in, cool stuff. For. You.

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~My mom is a presenter at a Womens Conference today and in the little booklet they have a snippet of a bio for each presenter. I always knew my mom was amazing but can I just tell you all how proud I was of that 26 words that were written about her?

"Wife, mother, grandmother; BYU graduate; counselor in ward Relief Society presidency; three-time cancer survivor; former school teacher, Girl Scout leader, PTA president, and small business owner"

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Summer is approaching. I'm not talking weather, since quite frankly we all know that spring around these parts that I live really amounts to rain, snow, hail, high temps, and tornado like winds all within the same day. So yes, the weather version of summer will probably not be approaching for some time. I'm talking summer as in the no-school variety.

I've been trying to come up with ideas and activities to keep my fun-loving kids, and of course myself, entertained and amused. I have a handful of ideas. I probably need more. My real hope is that I can get my act together and set up a plan so that I feel some sort of committement to partake in these ideas I'm coming up with instead of thinking, "ah lets just stay home and play outside today." (Which I suppose is ok too, but all school year I think, "When school is out we'll go do ___(fill in the blank w/ great idea)" so now is the time to actually start thinking about ____(yah fill it in again).

I'm considering an idea I heard from a friend. Something like Monday-playdate, Tuesday-field trip, Wednesday-stay home, Thursday-grandma's house/friends house ?? , Friday-? . Obviously you see my errors. I just dont know what to do with my half-thought out plan.

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Life is good.

Glamour Shots Gone Wild

Kristina is hosting a little glamor shot carnival and lucky for me I was visiting at my parents house when I saw her post since quite frankly I dont know where else I would have found these photos. For your viewing pleasure, here's me at about 13-14 years old:

I have two fabulously wonderful older sisters. I know they're going to be totally cool with me posting this next one. I have another shot of just me in this leather coat but I couldn't find it, so you get the Sister Shot. I remember showing the denim shirt and the leather jacket photo to my boyfriend and telling him that I was one of twins. I'm pretty sure thats why he kept dating me. Ha!

So I'm not sure why but apparently it's common to get all glamed up and then throw on a denim button up shirt--cause believe me they even dressed us up, we didn't walk in wearing that stuff.I wonder who thought "hey beautiful babes + denim shirt =hawt". I noticed Kristina is wearing a denim shirt too, it must have been a staple in the Coverlook wardrobe department. That plus the boas.

Do you have a photo like this? Hop over to Kristina's blog and grab a button (and link up) and play along!

Secret Sisters Review

Secret Sisters by Tristi Pinkston

Not only are the characters quirky, cute and really well developed, the plot line is a lot of fun. Secret Sisters is a mystery/comedy and Ida Mae is a spunky, sweet and well meaning lady who only wants to help others and ends up getting in a little too deep. When a family in her small town is in need Ida Mae tries to find a way to help out only to end up feeling like there might be something else going on.

Lucky for Ida Mae, her presidency is more than excited to help out and her nephew, a wanna-be inventor, is glad to get the chance to test out his spy equipment.

This was a funny, cute, feel good book. You'll get a kick out of the well meaning ladies. I really enjoyed this book and am excited that there is another on in the series on its way.

Buy it here:

I received this book from Valor Publishing to read and review.

Photo Finish (Winner Announced)

The winner of the Susan Monson Photography Package is:

Kimberly Job

Congratulations!

If you didn't win this time around and you'd like to book a session with Susan you can email her at susanmonsonphotography@gmail.com.

Right now sessions are only $40 so be sure to book them now and lock in the low price!

Tell Me: How do you party?

For my 10th birthday we had a big baseball game.
My 7th was a surprise party. I still remember being scared when I came in the door and everyone shouted.
For my 3rd birthday we had a home made carnival in the backyard.
For my 12th birthday I remember really wanting to rent a limo.
My 6th was a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. (I remember having to follow a web of yarn around the house and I think at the end was a few goldfish.)
My 16th started with a trip to the DMV (I think I was 2nd in line) and ended with my very first date with the cute guy I was crushing on (and we doubled with my best friend and her date!).

Tell me: What was your favorite birthday party ever?
(And/or did you ever attend any that you thought were out of this world?)

PS The entrys are closed for the Photography package giveaway, and I'll be announcing the winners in the next day or two. Thanks for your patience.