Ramblings

So this isn’t going to be the picture-laden blog I usually do. Partially because I don’t have pics loaded on the laptop to use, partially because I can’t actually load this blog right now because I’m on a plane, and really because it’s not my usual kid-focused blog. :P Just rambling about stuff going on with me. So I’m on a plane back to Boise from San Antonio (well technically this plane only goes to Salt Lake and then I get to enjoy a 3.5 hour layover). Linda and I came down to go to AHIMA’s Assembly on Education (AoE), which is their conference focused on HIM education (yes, there really are other HIM teachers out there – it’s that popular!). ;) It was actually quite great. We of course skipped some sessions (yes, maybe more than we should), but we got some wonderful ideas, had some great conversations, and did some of the ever-so-important networking (seriously, it can’t be underestimated – invaluable!). We got in on Sunday, in the evening. After checking in we explored the Riverwalk. Very neat, but hot as hell (it was around 104 most of the time we were there, and humid! A lot for this little Idaho girl) and busy. We ate at Iron Cactus, a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar (I know my girl Leisa will be incredibly disappointed in me, but no, I didn’t even have a margarita) that was rather delicious. Monday was the first day of sessions and I went to a focus group at lunch. That evening we had a little reception for the convention and had snacks and some drinks (hey, we got 2 free ones, couldn’t pass it up). Tuesday was more sessions, but we decided to skip out just for a bit. We hit the Riverwalk again (it was really the only thing around the hotel to do), took it over to The Alamo, and then checked out La Villita. It was super cute and we ate at a great little café. Wish we’d had a bit more time to spend there, but we had already ditched out for a few hours (and it was getting pretty darn hot), so we headed back. But then I ditched some more to hit the pool. Finished out the day with a session and back to the Riverwalk we went. We ate at County Line, a BBQ restaurant that was also delicious. I decided to forego the alcoholic beverage (although it sounded delicious) for a dessert (more on that later). Had a few more sessions this morning and now here we are. Linda is sleeping next to me and I’m typing away on the laptop. It was nice to get away and I think we got lots of great ideas, but boy am I ready to see my babies!

So, more about this whole dessert thing. Another eventful thing I had this weekend was the Katy Perry concert (yep, I’ll address that in a few…). Well after getting back from vacation, I told Leisa it was time to kick into gear for this concert (yes, it’s a necessity to look hot for a Katy Perry concert). So I said I was going into workout mode for the next 2 weeks and that I would give up sweets, other than a small piece of dark chocolate now and then. Well it turned into a challenge between Leisa, Amy, and I – and included at least 30min every day of exercise and no sweets (and if you know me, you know I’m a sweets gal). I went so far as to say no sugar, but in reality I found that to be nearly impossible (particularly when we had just done a very large grocery shopping trip and I was finding that I couldn’t eat anything in my cupboards). So I just decided no sweets and as little sugar as possible, without having to restock my kitchen. The exercise part wasn’t too bad, although I often found myself realizing I hadn’t done it by 8:30pm and having to take the kids for a walk. Loren helped by encouraging us to go for bike rides. But this sugar thing killed me! I was miserable. I felt sick to my stomach, was super tired, and was just a plain ol’ grouch. I was about to give it up (this was about a week in) until I read online about sugar “withdrawal” – and those were symptoms! I was beginning to think my body really needed that sugar – well it thought it did, but I think I finally passed that point. By the end of the second week I was actually feeling pretty good. Anywho, we all made it through and yes, we did look smoking hot for the concert. And I’m actually not craving sweets anymore. So since Monday the 11th, I hadn’t had any dessert (and I’m a girl who has dessert at least 1-2 times a day). But I think I’m over the cravings now. So my dessert of choice during this trip (since my 2-week challenge was over) was cheesecake – it was rather delicious, but I actually only ate half (granted it was a ginormous piece). So I’m trying out some new eating habits. We’ll see how long it lasts…

Okay, I think my last order of business is Katy Perry. I know, I said no pics, but I forgot about the concert!

Now, I seem to have a thing for wigs. I just find them so fun! And quite a while ago I had found this fabulous shop on Etsy, Miss Violet Lace, with the absolute most gorgeous wigs! I literally want every single one of them. So when I got tickets for Katy Perry, I knew I needed one of these fabulous wigs. But how to choose? Oh man, it took me HOURS and months to pick out what I wanted. And then it was only because I had taken so damn long, I had to pick one that could ship quick. So here is my wig.

I absolutely love it and can’t wait to find more excuses to wear it (although I’ll really only find excuses to buy more). We met up at Ulta in Nampa first and got our make-up done (thank you Stacy Ritter!).

Then headed in to Boise so I could drop my car off. Had intentions of going to dinner, but we are girls after all and of course everything took longer than planned – so we grabbed Jack in the Box (so much for that fabulous diet) and set out for BSU. Parking was quick and easy and they even had a shuttle to the door.

Thank goodness too because not only did I have heels on (and I never wear heels), but I discovered that my fabulous dress had a hiking problem (as in hiking up). Since I had wild hair I wanted a wild outfit, and wanted to step out of my comfort zone a bit (my usual “party” attire is jeans and a tank top) – so why not a skintight teal animal print one-shouldered number?
Made it in before Katy started – grabbed a cotton candy martini (delicious, but I’m not sure there was any alcohol in there), hit the bathroom, and found our seats. She was fantastic!
Actually sounds even better in person, just as gorgeous as she is on TV, super funny, and totally into her fans. And great “presentation”. Totally loved it. My favorite number was the “I Want to See Your Peacock” performance (love the song and the costumes were phenomenal).
Ariel was SO into it. It was so fun to see all the little girls having a blast. My only issue was the girl next to me who I’m not sure moved all night. Really? You get floor seats at Katy Perry and you stand still and blankly stare? Lame! ;) I’m pretty sure I danced enough for both of us (and she got to enjoy an elbow now and then). After the show we dropped Ariel off and went out downtown, but it was kinda boring and well, we’re moms and were kinda exhausted. ;)

The only other thing I was gonna talk about was my bucket list, but I can’t actually access it right now. I can think of at least 7 things I’ve done and can think of a few that definitely aren’t going to happen, but I’m also thinking of some substitution options. More on that later.