At work we had a little "It's 5:00 somewhere" party just before labor day. It was so fun! And everyone really chipped in. We had all kinds of daiquiris and margaritas (all virgin of course, we were on the clock... and most of us are Mormon). There was also stuff to make Shirley temples. I got really good at being the mix master. Even for the next few weeks with the leftovers people would ask me to make them a margarita.
For Labor Day my sister and her kids came to stay with me. We didn't have major plans, but one of the things we'd always wanted to do was go to the Swiss Days festival in Midway, Ut.
We got up bright and early- much earlier than they would have liked for a Saturday, and headed up to mountains.
Here are pictures from when we were still happy and enjoying each other. By the end of the day we had some pretty grouchy kids.
A few posts ago I wrote about small town parades and how I'm not a fan. Well, Midway is a dinky, tiny town- but they had the most awesome parade I've been to in years! Chubbuck Days needs to take lessons!
I didn't take statistics like I did last time- because I was really expecting a rinky dink parade.
The little girls in their Swiss attire were just adorable- as well as the little chalet.
They had bands. Like, legit bands!
And they were marching in proper band uniforms.
It was Swiss Days, sure, but everyone is always included- even the Irish dancers. They were great!
I'm thinking the reason I took a picture of this train is because the name on it is the last name of Sadie's friend... but even still, it was cute.
There were some things that I thought were a little out of place in a parade, but who knows. I can't see anything in this picture. I don't know why I took it. (bahahaa)
One thing I expect in a small town parade- especially in the West- Horses! Chubbuck Days had NONE! This parade was full of horses. So even though this is a political entry- it is forgiven because it is a horse and buggy.
Did you notice before when I mentioned bands it was plural? Because there were several! Even the cute little oldies got out there and had a band performance.
More horses!
And a headless Horseman!
A pioneer town *should* have a covered wagon in the parade! It just *should*.
There were also cheerleaders. The Chubbuck Days parade totally lacked civic pride. None of the local schools were represented.
Even the LDS missionaries got involved! They were being pulled on living room couches. Ha!
Another band! Not marching, but still awesome!
There were even some floats. Way to go!
And an appearance from Smoky the Bear! Woohoo! Celebrities! This parade had it all!
They totally pulled a house down the street! Again, sure they were adverts, but at least it was more than a flatbed truck with a few balloons tied to it. Isn't this house the cutest thing? It's kind of my dream home... just maybe... Heather size.
Another band. In band uniforms. I think these guys were playing the them from the Incredibles!
To be fair to the Chubbuck Days parade, this parade also had heavy equipment entries. I still don't get why.
Again with the Swiss traditional dress. So cute!
This is only a fraction of the parade. It was like, two hours long. Ok, maybe only an hour- but it seemed to go on forever! Whenever we thought it was over, more stuff would come around the corner. At on point we thought it was done, so we walked away- only to hear the dulcet tones of bagpipes on the air! I ran back to the parade route- I can't *believe* I almost missed the pipe band!
In the town hall they had several different performances. The one I stayed for was a bell choir. It was awesome! They played songs from all around the world. There was also a performance from the One Voice Children's Choir but I didn't see them. Sadie did and said they were great!
Out in the main pavilion there were other performers. I came across a friend from the hospital who is in a Barbershop choir, their performances are always fun. Then just before we left there was a guy who was playing the accordion and yodeling. It. Was. Awesome! I've never heard live yodeling before. It totally made my day.
The following weekend I was commissioned to do a wedding cake. It was a simple cake- I just did it plain frosting and then they did their own flowers and stuff- but because of miscommunication and two traffic accidents- I was two hours late delivering it. That caused me no anxiety whatsoever (seriously, when is someone going to invent a sarcasm font?).
Last week my friend, Carol, and I went to the women's session of General Conference. I've been to conference before, but I don't remembering it being this chaotic. It seemed as if the lines to get in were not even moving. There was a lot of estrogen on that city block that night.
We got to our seats *literally* as it began. We had great seats too! It was probably the best session of conference I've ever had the privilege to enjoy. President Uchtdorf's talk was meant exactly for me. Every thing he talked about I had discussed just three days earlier with my therapist. Seriously- just for me.
You can't hang out with a friend without a few obligatory selfies.
Finally (whew, at the end of the month!), my friend Ana and I went to see the Hale Center Theater's Beauty and the Beast. I look positively atrocious in this picture. I took it myself and the sun was totally in my eyes. I could not see a thing- I was trying not to squint though, so I may have blinded myself. bleh. Ana brought two of her little nieces- both are the sweetest little girls and it was even more fun to see it with them! (It was also a huge bonus that my theater crush was in the cast we got. Totally by luck!)
That's it for pictures- but the good news doesn't stop there! For the last few months I've been trying to get a second, part time job- just for a little extra money and for an excuse to get off my butt after work- and the day before yesterday I interviewed at Zurcher's (by "interview" I mean, I walked in, she said, "tell me about yourself" and after I mentioned I love Disney and I'm a total nerd who themes everything and plans stuff for the most random of holidays and observances, she said, "forget the interview. I like you. When can you start?") and got the job! Woohoo! When I walked in the store the song playing on the overhead was Grim Grinning Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. A Disney song. Totally meant to be. :)
