disappointment and disillusionment are some of my least favorite emotions

so, if you haven't already guessed by now, I did not meet 311 on Monday night. nor do I think I ever will. This has taught me a very important lesson in communication. Despite being afraid of acting like an ungrateful mooch, I really should have specifically asked whether we would be meeting the band or just getting free tickets to a sold out show. If you do not specify, you risk creating all sorts of lovely scenarios in your imagination that will never come to pass and spend the next few days in a dark valley of disappointment. The concert was very lovely but mostly due to the fact that I was with my very sweet husband who constantly was telling me that I looked extremely hot. Also, everyone, fans & venue workers alike, were very nice and surprisingly pleasant, even for a 311 show. Also, said lovely venue was non-smoking. We found Jim at the show and said hi & tried to buy him a drink as a thank you, and chatted with him and his friends for a while. When it became apparent that we were not going to meet them that night, I asked Jim to give them my little letter... and here is where the real disillusionment comes in.... Yesterday I texted Jim to again thank him, to which he replied that Tim had read my letter, I asked if Tim had said anything about it, and he said that Tim asked for my PHONE NUMBER!!! No, this is not a good thing, it is VERY annoying. After reading a heartfelt letter in which I tell you that your music has helped me escape an abusive situation and thanks for helping me get to a good place now and that I am happily married, all your skeezy brain can think to ask is if you can have my phone number?? Besides, I did include my email in the letter. I have decided that I am not getting the whole story. Perhaps Tim asked that before reading my letter when Jim told him that I was "a 6.5 footer supermodel" (his words, not mine). I HATE TEXTING!!! You have no idea how much I over analyze things, there is so much room for error and misunderstanding, and it just takes so damn long to clarify things that I don't even bother!!! Oh, and I asked Jim if we could get backstage at 311 day, and he said "no one gets backstage at 311 day, it's too crazy back there." whatever that means. So, although I'm very excited to go to New Orleans with Matt and stay in our fancy pants hotel and go to a 311 day concert finally, I would love to go back to the conversation that I had with Jim wherein I got the impression that if we went to 311 day, we would be able to get backstage passes. boo.

My love letter to 311

So, in anticipation of meeting 311 either tonight or on the 11th in New Orleans, I have written a really cheesy thank you note, just stuff that I know I will be too starstruck to say, but that if I were them, I would appreciate hearing. I'm too chicken to ask Jim if he plans on getting us back stage tonight or just on 311 day, but his last text said this: "you have tickets waiting for you at will call, I'll meet you there." Now, does that mean that he will meet us there at will call in order to escort us backstage before the show, or does it mean, pick up your tickets, maybe I'll see you there? I don't know, I'm just glad I had finished dating before texting took over, because I totally overanalyze every misspelled word and lack of punctuation. Anyway, I'm sooo excited!!! AAAAUUHHHGGGGGGGGHH!!! Dear Chad, Nick, P-Nut, SA and Tim, I feel more than a little silly writing this letter to you guys, but I figure it’s the least I could do for the people who have unknowingly helped, inspired, and given me so many great memories. I was introduced to your music in the first week of my sophomore year in high school, in the height of the blue disc’s popularity. (I know, I know, I wish it were earlier too, I’d love to be able to say I’m a real grassroots fan…) It was love at first listen. I baked pies for my neighbors to earn money to fly home early from a family vacation to make it to my first show. At that show I lost a shoe, and all the guys around me in the mosh pit, made everyone look for it until we found it. It was just such a positive feeling compared to pits that I have since been in. I know you appreciate your fans, but you should know that your fans also appreciate the atmosphere that you guys create at shows with the “take care of yourself & someone else” mentality. Anyway, after high school I started dating my first husband. Not one of my better choices. He was a highly manipulative and abusive sociopath. Five months after we were married I was able to kick him out, and actually had the strength to stick with it. I have a very supportive, loving family who helped me come to that decision, but also, in the back of my head, I had the 311 soundtrack to my life running, telling me that life is beautiful, quit taking myself so seriously, people are generally good, and that there is always much to be grateful for. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I could ramble on through my life listing the songs that most affected me at various times, the shows I’ve seen and the memories of crazy road trips I’ve taken to see you guys, but that could get a bit lengthy. All I really want to say is that I am so grateful to be where I am today, married to an amazing man who supports me in every way, (including my 311 obsession) raising a beautiful 2 year old daughter who already loves to rock out with mom, and running a growing cake decorating business; all dreams that would have never been realized, had I not had the strength and support to leave a bad situation. And you guys are a part of that. I just wanted you to know. With love & gratitude, Celeste Davis Celeste_Miller@msn.com

I want to be better

There are so many things that I wish I could do better. I wish I could pause life and just practice for a few weeks on each thing, and then push play again, and resume my life as a better scrapbooker, momma, scripture reader, cake decorator, wife, house cleaner, writer, friend, temple- attender, sibling, daughter, neighbor, eater, dresser, etc., etc., etc. I think I'm a better learner when I can totally emerse myself in something for a while, and that's why it's been pretty discouraging in the last few years, a toddler really doesn't let you focus on any one thing for more than a few minutes at a time. So, if I look at my life, the things that I am doing at a level that is acceptable to me must be the things that I feel are most important, right? Well that is a very short list, and here it is: exercising and more recently blogging. How dumb is that? You'd think that by this time in my life I'd have a good scripture study routine down at least. But, no. Instead of doing the things that really matter as far as true progression goes, I am at the gym. I guess if I were one of those people who hate excercising, I'd be singing a different tune. I suppose I should look at is as "well at least I have that one down," and move on, keeping that good habit intact. Okay, that's what I'll do. My next life-long habit to create is one that will affect all the other truly important ones: daily meaningful scripture study and prayer. Please help me out by asking how I'm doing occasionally, okay, friends? Thanks.

St. George Parade of Homes version 2000.8

I don't know why I do this to myself every year. By the end of the weekend I'm always a bundle of lust and envy and probably sloth and nearly all of the other seven dealy sins. I would LOVE to live down there one day, particularly in Entrada, with the beautiful red rock views and multi-million dollar stunning homes. Deep down I know that I wouldn't be any happier and I know that these things are not the ones that truly matter in life, but, seriously.... how cool is this?

Or this?

Or this?

Welcome to my house, please come across the plexiglass bridge over the fountain into the front entry....

And yes, this is the master bathroom, completley enclosed in glass. (it's cool, they have a snowball's chance in hell of ever being seen by neighbors)

I highly recommend making the trip down there for this parade of homes one day. If you're into that kinda stuff...

poor little leper-dog

So, Charlie can't come to St. George with us and we are too cheap to kennel her, so the poor thing goes to uncle Scott's backyard kennel with two other dogs who may or may not like her very much. It's actually a pretty nice setup if you have 3-inch thick fur and are used to being outdoors in 20 degree weather as opposed to sleeping on the couch like a little princess. Scott keeps 2 little dog igloos out there with heat lamps in them, and one of them fell out, and he tried to gorilla glue it back in. Apparently he got a little generous with the glue and it dripped all down in the igloo and Charlie sat in it and then covered that in a lovely combination of hay and dirt. So when I picked her up Tuesday, she looked like a big nasty white-trash pooh-rolling-in dog. Anyway, the only way to get that nasty conglomeration of stuff off of her booty is to rip it off one chunk at a time. Yeah, if anyone needs any practice in their waxing technique, I'd be happy to let them use my dog, there are still pieces left. It doesn't seem to hurt her unless it's on a bony spot like her shins, then she doesn't like it too much. The good part is that this little adventure has gotten Matt to agree to kennel her when we go out of town instead, so that's good, I always worry about her when we leave her there especially in the winter. She's just the sweetest thing, we got so lucky the day we found her, she gives the best hugs and is very obedient and incredibly patient and fun with Sawyer.

boo, bad decision Randy, Paula & Simon!

They let that albino show-tunes guy in over my boy Josiah!!! What the Crap??? Poor little dude has been living out of his car for goodness sake. yeah, I know he screwed up on his last audition when he excused the band, but come on, the kid is the most sincere person on the entire show. He has that whole emo-band thing going on and I'm sure that Saves The Day would be happy to have him. I wanted to just put him in my pocket and take care of him. dang it. (remember the days when I used to HATE double HATE American Idol? yeah, those were good old days.)

Anyone else need a laugh on this crappy snowy-blowy day?

Low Five!

The Brainwashing is Complete wha-ha-ha-ha!

Today for a post-nap oneriness RX I asked Sawyer if she wanted to watch a bit of tv, of course the answer was "esh". When I started a DVR-ed episode of Dora, she said "no, no! Carlie & Ola" It's a miracle! She and I finally like the same show at the same time. Three cheers for Charlie & Lola!

American Girls Doll Tea Party

Grandma Susie throws the BEST parties! She invited all the grandgirls over for an American Girls Doll tea party to celebrate Valentine's Day. It boggles my mind to think about the kind of money she drops into these parties. Everyone had a little high chair for their doll, a teaset, a new outfit for their doll and a valentine box to decorate. Sawyer had a great time with her cousins and did some serious bonding with her dolly. She disappeared for a while & I found her playing in the front room with a toy first aid kit and her doll. She had the stethescope in her ears and was checking out the doll's heartbeat, giving her a shot and putting on bandaids. It was so funny to me!

Rain, rain, go away

Sawyer and I took an adventure shopping trip to Steve & Barry's. Here is my review: if you are a size 0-2 or 12-22, go. If you are a normal size, maybe don't worry about it. Anyway, we did find this lovely anorack in a sack, (that's what we call it at the davis house, it folds up into it's own pouch.) Sawyer wanted some rain pretty bad when she learned of it's purpose, so I figured "what the heck, she's due for a bath anyway." Let's just say I had to hide the anorack in a sack so that we don't have to do that for every bath.

Charlie & Lola

(you have to read this entire post in an english accent) I have recently discovered (thanks to Kirsten, of course) the most wonderfullest children's television program, evah. If you have not yet seen Charlie & Lola on playhouse disney, you are missing out. I find myself wanting to watch it even when Sawyer isn't with me. Perhaps this is due to an overdose of Dora and Diego while we were sick. They are adorable. I hope that when Sawyer has a little sibling of some sort, that she treats him/her with as much patience as Charlie does Lola. I hope that they are friends and that they giggle their brains out together.

True Color Quiz

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Black

Your color is black. The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

What are you? http://web.tickle.com/rd/50651/color/index.jsp?testname=colorogt&resultid=G

Gordon B.

Our beloved leader and prophet Gordon B. Hinckley passed away last week at his home, surrounded by his family. President Hinckley was 97. For longer than Matt and I have both been alive, he has been in the leadership of our church. He is the prophet we grew up with, and I am so grateful for everything that I have learned from his inspired teachings and example. When Matt & I were engaged and waiting for my cancellation, we went to see the Testaments at the Joseph Smith Building, and nearly ran into him. I simply had to go shake his hand, and the spirit that I felt was so amazing. I really think that if I hadn't had that opportunity to meet him & feel that confirmation that he is the prophet, I would have struggled a bit more with the answer we got about being sealed. Like many others, I was surprised at my reaction to the news of his passing. Yes, I am sad and he will be missed terribly, but I was comforted to know that he has led the most incredible life and happy that he is now reunited with his loving wife. I have a testimony that President Hinckley led our church as a living prophet of the Lord and now continues his work on the other side of the veil. I know that President Monson will do a tremendous job as his successor. How grateful I am for membership in the true, restored gospel.

still sick

i want my mommy

sick as really sick sick dogs

boo for this crappy flu that's going around. I recommend never getting it. in fact, if God wanted to do a new round of plagues, I would suggest forgetting about the boils, frogs and serpents and just starting with this lovely little formula: raw, sore throat + incessant coughing + occasional vomiting and the lovely pre-puke "I am going to die" feelings that go along with it + teeth-chattering chills + "oh my goodness, my joints are all going to fall out" body aches = one hell of a plague. Despite the obsene amount of complaining I am currently doing, I am actually grateful for a few things that this little bout of ickiness has taught me. 1) We are very, very blessed to normally be such a healthy family. 2) Our bodies are really freaking cool. What else can heal itself in a few days? 3) When things suck, you just have to take a second and sit down for some stand-up comedy. Watching a Kevin James special yesterday while Sawyer napped had me laughing my head off and although it hurt my throat to laugh, it was totally worth it. 4) You know that song in the Music Man, the Wells Fargo Wagon song?
Here is a hilarious modern take on it, and that is how I felt yesterday waiting for the UPS guy. When you know you have a package coming it totally makes your day! Yesterday my big fancy airbrush arrived right when I was about to start wallowing in self-pity (again) and instead I sat there gleefully opening my package & "familiarizing myself with the airbrush's parts." Not quite up to using it yet, though, but I can feel this thing slowly moving out of me, so it'll happen soon, and I'm sure I'll post some pictures of my attempts. p.s Sawyer's newest thing, and again I have no idea where she got it, is to say "ouch, need docker" when she gets hurt. I would have thought she would associate the doctor with getting shots at this point in her life, but apparentley she does occasionally feel "bedder" after the "docker", so that's good.