My Morning

I'm staying in Park City this week with my family. Park City is slightly closer to work than home is. I showered last night after a fabulous dip in the pool. That, combined with the shorter drive, meant I didn't have to get out of bed until about the time I usually leave for work.

The moon was high and nearly full, there were beautiful tufts of clouds skidding across the sky, and the pinks and the blues highlighted the lines of the mountains. It was gorgeous.

I didn't grab breakfast before I left (when do I ever, really?) and didn't have much to eat at the office. I decided to go with applesauce and protein water. Not the best breakfast, but enough of something to get me through the morning. I was in the middle of my ritualistic protein water dance when the top of my water bottle popped off, dousing me and the carpet in pink. I'm super glad it hit me and missed dear friend Camilla.

The splash pattern on my light gray skirt was rather fantastic, but I didn't want to wear it all day. And that's how I ended up in the bathroom in the basement of our building standing on my tiptoes next to the counter so I could get the entire front of my skirt in the sink.

And while I was standing there, with the front of my skirt in the sink, I couldn't help hoping just the tiniest bit that somebody with a fabulous sense of humor would walk in.

The 500 top-selling paperbacks at Barnes & Noble are 50%!

What's that? I should probably put that money in savings instead of purchasing more books that I don't have the shelf space for?

. . .

Investments! It's all about making the right investment decisions for you, right?

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Who knew there was an olive grove in Arizona? Who knew!?

I am obsessed. I want to be there. I want to 'stroll the olive grove' and 'tour the mill.' I want to taste all the fabulousness that an olive grove in Arizona has to offer. I want to, at the very least, join the Olive Oil of the Month Club. (Do you think there is any way I could get a schedule and not be a member the months they are sending out olives? Bleh.)

I will be visiting Queen Creek Olive Mill. I don't know when, I don't know how, but it's gonna happen.

The Russian

Kelly-belly has recently acquired a Russian. Judging by the ring on her finger and the dress hanging in her closet, I think he's going to stick around for a while.

I'm all in support. They are good for each other. And there's no question Kelly-belly is ready. I told her so myself just the other day. It went something like this.

Kelly-belly: The tip of my nose is dry from rubbing against my Russian's scruff. I have been putting lotion on just the tip of my nose all day. I look like a crazy person
Pants: You are a crazy person
Kelly-belly: It is a good thing I look it so people know what they are getting themselves into
Pants: So true. Otherwise they might think you are a cute, normal, happy person when really you're just crazy
Kelly-belly: This is a wonderful development. Good thing I have my Russian to dry out my nose
Pants: You ought to let him know that you've discovered why he is useful to you
Kelly-belly: That is a good idea! Men have very few useful moments in their lives, we gotta make sure to recognize the times when it happens
Pants: Precisely. You are totally ready for this marriage thing

Book 17

Dearest Cherilee,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this book. How did you know I've been looking at it since it first hit B&N's New Releases shelf. (Not gonna lie, I think I was mostly attracted by the fabulous cover. How could I not be? Look at those beautiful books!) The story was fabulous. While I noticed confused by some parts of the story, I did not see the end coming. I will definitely be reading this one again. And recommending it to all my book-loving friends. Book-loving friends, consider it recommended. Thanks again, Cherilee. Do you have any idea how fabulous you are?

Love always,

Meg

Sundays

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Sundays.

 Sometimes I've wondered what it is that I like about Sundays so much.

 Is it all the time I get to spend with my family?

Is it the long, leisurely walks?

\

Is it Sunday afternoon naps?

Whatever it is, I love me some Sundays.

Book 16

Loved. I love each book by Sarah Addison Allen more than the last. I can't wait to read this one. I find her writing whimsical but very real. And her books are full of the everyday magic I see all around me.

Lindsay B.

Lindsay B. is one of my favorite's on my list of fabulous people. She has this amazingly awesome hair, is always up for an adventure, and likes to try things just for the heck of it. She helps me keep a fresh perspective on life.

Lindsay B. recently made a list about some of the things she is looking forward to in August. I was jealous. I wanted a list, too. So . . . I made one.

Ta-da! My August list:

• The end of summer smell
• Park City
• Fresh picked fruit from my favorite farmer's stand
• New boots (cause every girl deserves a new pair of boots)
• My hike to the top of Timp

Countdown to Awesomeness

I am an expert at the art of countdown. I count down to everything: the beginning of a semester, the end of a semester, Mondays, my morning alarm.

Most of the time I can't help myself. Most of the time, I see a calendar or a clock or some other countdown device and my brain does the calculations and then I just know and I can't help but countdown. But sometimes I count down on purpose.

I have begun a new countdown--a countdown to awesomeness.

I am the proud owner of a paper chain with 25 links. Each link is a step in my countdown. Each step will take time, effort, dedication, and discipline. Sounds rather disgusting, doesn't it?

My deadline is October 21. It's gonna be hard. I'm probably going to hate my life at least a little pretty much every day between now and then. But I'm gonna do it.

Don't get in the way of me and my awesome.