If only life was always this exciting

These days my life is pretty boring (hence the lack of blog posts) but there were two special weekends where my friend Ana helped break up the monotony.

A few weeks ago we made a trip down to Provo. She has been in Utah a long time and this was her first chance to go to a temple open house. It was my pleasure to go with her.

The only part we could take pictures of was the garage. That was exciting.

The interior  is so incredibly beautiful. Click here if you want to see the inside.

We may have way too much fun taking pictures once we were outside. There was a lot of "we'll take yours if you take ours" trading with strangers going on.

We had a lot of fun at the open house. And it really was a very special experience for me to share it with my friend.

The next weekend Ana was able to get tickets for Disney on Ice.

She invited me to go with her Daughter, sister-in-law and niece.  I made sure to wear my Mickey Mouse shirt so that I'd fit in.

No Disney experience is complete without a churro!

I've never been to a Disney on Ice before. It was so awesome. So magical. It's been over a year since I've had any true Disney exposure and it felt so nice to have a piece of home. (also- I know these pictures aren't the best- but this new phone takes MUCH better pictures than the last phone)

 

 

 

The featured show was Frozen, but during the grand opening they had a multitude of characters come out.

Snow White and Prince Charming

 

Ariel, Eric, Cinderella and her Prince Charming

 

Marlin, Nemo, Dory, Timon and Pumbaa

 

More Ariel and Eric- and Rupunzel and Flynn (my personal favorite- in case anyone is wondering)

 

 

Also Buzz and Woody!

 

 

Like I said, The main story was Frozen. They pretty much acted out the movie- which being on ice and about ice and made of ice... wasn't much of a stretch. One has to wonder though how they do stuff like, the Little Mermaid on Ice... anyway, I digress. 

 

There may have been one point where I cried a little. Not because the show was overly moving- it's not like i didn't already know the plot... it's just... Melanie would have *loved* it.

 

It was really good. I tried to take pictures- but I didn't want to watch the whole show through my phone.

 

 

 

Disney doesn't do anything half way. They even had a giant Marshmallow skimming around on the ice.

The costuming is very clever. The Trolls were adorable!

 

And of course Olaf and Sven were adorable.

 

The whole thing was just magical

 






I told them before we went that I was just a really tall five year old. We had way too much fun. Ana spoiled me rotten. She bought me a stuffed Olaf and an Anna figurine.  She said that her kids are all grown up now- so she doesn't have any babies to spoil. hahaha!

It was a great time. I'm so glad I have a friend like Ana who will indulge me in my childishness.

A Tale of Two Earrings

Christmas of 2013. Melanie had stocking duty for me. We girls take turns doing each other's stockings. Anyway, Mel had my stocking. My mom has told me that she was so excited. She filled it full of things from my childhood. It had sixlets and fun dips. There were little toys like a miniature Simon game and a Kermit the Frog Pez dispenser.  All things that she knew I would love. It was so thoughtful. I loved it.

Also in the stocking was a little white box. When I opened it I was so happy to find a matching set of earrings and necklace. A Claddagh necklace and earrings. I was so excited! I've always wanted them- and of course, I love the Irish bit of my heritage.  She asked me if I thought it was cheesy- No way. I love them.

Shortly after that Christmas- after Mel's death I moved to my apartment. A month or so later when St Patrick's Day came around I dug them out. Or at least... I dug the box out. I have no idea how it happened. They were each in little plastic baggies inside the box. I'd never worn them. But somehow- one of the earrings was missing. Lost in the shuffle of the move. I was devastated but I never threw out the other earring. (who are we kidding? I never throw out anything!)

Once at a Scottish festival I tried to buy another pair- but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Anyway, that one earring always just sat by itself in the bottom of my jewelry box. The necklace was kept safe, still in the plastic baggie and inside the white box. I never wore it.

Fast forward two years.

A week or so ago I was moving things around in my car and cleaned out the cup holder. In the bottom of the cup holder- under a crusty napkin was a single Claddagh earring. Huh? how the heck did that get there? I figured it was the one I hadn't lost. I couldn't remember a reason why I would have taken the one earring outside the house, but huh... oh well... But then there was that twinge of hope... when I got home, I looked in my jewelry box and the single earring was still there. Was it possible I'd found the long lost mate!?

I ran out to my car to make sure I wasn't fooling myself. It was there! I have absolutely no idea how it got in the cup holder of my car. Or how it even came to be in the front seat. But I don't care!

It's a Saint Patrick's Day Miracle!

And yes, I am wearing leprechaun socks.