Cookies, Clues, Camera & Cupcakes

So the day before my birthday I had to prepare a lot. First of all, I needed to bring something to work for everyone. That's what we do, you provide a treat for everyone on your birthday. I know it's a little odd but it works out if everyone does it because then we all get equal amount of treats throughout the year. So I decided on cookies from Walmart's bakery. I got three or four different kinds. Then I bought stuff to make cupcakes, ice cream and misc. things for my birthday. On my way home, Melanie called me and asked if she needed to get me a cake or something. I told her I already bought stuff to make cupcakes. "You know you're not supposed to make your own cake, Cassie," she said. "Well, I didn't want to assume that someone would, but you can bake the cupcakes for me." That's a really condensed version of our conversation, but you get the gist.

So I went home and gather up other supplies and then went over to Melanie's where while we watched The Bachelorette and Buffy the Vampire slayer, she made the cupcakes and I worked on other aspects of the party, like cue cards and clues. Also, I set up the cookies on a nice platter.

The next morning as I strode almost twenty minutes late into work I see Jen outside my cubicle working furiously on something and as she sees me she works even more furiously, but I see that she is hanging "Happy Birthday" signs up on my cubicle. So sweet! Then I let everyone know there are cookies for my birthday and so begins the barrage of "Happy Birthdays" and sweet sentiments. It was great. Lots of people thought my cookies were homemade, because they were very fresh and yummy. Of course, I corrected them. If I was around. So pretty good day at work.

I left a little early so I could finish things up for the party like icing the cupcakes, cleaning up the house, getting the camera ready and recurling my hair. It was not cooperating that day. It was all a big rush, but at 7:00 the first person arrived. It was Tiffanie, my sweet friend from church. On time. Can I just say, that I love when people are on time to events that I plan. It stresses me out when people are late. I mean five minutes isn't a big deal, but any more than that and I start to freak out a little. The only exception would be for a big party with lots of people that it doesn't matter when you show up. Just FYI. The rest trickled in minutes later so I was okay. I explained what we were doing. Earlier that week I sent everyone who was coming an email with the song "It's my Life" by Bon Jovi and the lyrics attached so everyone could learn it for my party.
"Okay, so I've made up clues for you all to figure out where we will be shooting a music video to the 'It's My Life'. I hope you all practiced and know it. I have made cue cards for the verses just in case. In some places you'll be in groups and in others you'll be by yourself. Look into the camera as much as you can. You can lip sync or sing out loud, whatever you are comfortable with. We gonna start right here so you all can get the feel of it."

So I set up the shot and had everyone but Loralee, David and Melanie go out to the back balcony. Loralee and David were the stars for our first shot. Melanie held up the cue cards. We started in the front yard and made our way to the back. Where then everyone was together. Some did really well and others well struggled a little. I knew editing was going to be key in this. Afterwards I gave them the first clue. "Sugarhouse Park!" So we all jumped into two cars and just as we were about to leave Carrie showed up. Yay! Wasn't sure if she was going to make it.
At Sugarhouse Park I had them break into three groups and gave each a section of song to figure out how they wanted to perform. It was great and fun (somewhat stressful) but it took a really long time and we were there for a lot longer than I had planned. When we were done we only had half an hour to maybe forty minutes of light left and still four more places to go. Aaahhh!
The next clue was for a place right in the middle of a busy street where there is a statue and each person alternated a few lines here and there while climbing on the statue. People were reluctant at first but once I showed them that I was willing they jumped on board. The light was pretty terrible so I hope some of it is useable. My friend Jason was already not having fun, because he hates the song and didn't know the words and didn't want to be on camera so we all had to force him a little but I had him help me a lot in other ways. On the way to the next stop I filmed Carrie, Loralee and David in the backseat singing while Jason drove my car, which I will never let him do again.

Since we were losing light, I had us skip going to a fountain at my work and we went straight to the haunted house Nightmare on 13th. It has awesome murals so I thought it would be cool with the song. And it was. Probably my favorite place that we went because everyone did a really good job there. For the last shooting location we went to Liberty Park where there is a mini amusement park with swing rides and a ferris wheel. Luckily, it was lit somewhat so that helped a lot. It was closed but I thought it looked cool with all the swings chained up. But again don't know how much useable footage there will be because it was hard for everyone to get the concept of looking into the camera, but the bloopers will be fabulous! Actually, I think it will turn out great. I'm excited to start editing.

Then we all headed back to my house. I let Jason drive my car home and I didn't like it. It's weird and felt like we were going so slow even though he was going slightly over the speed limit. So he sped up a little but then went a little crazy and swerving the wheel. On 7th East! Hello! So I got a little pissed off and then he kept driving crazy all the way home until I really snapped at him to knock it off. He can really drive me nuts, sometimes.

I calmed down and then we had cupcakes and ice cream. Tiffanie did her special Happy Birthday Dance for me which she only does if it is actually your birthday. It's so great, but will never be recorded for posterity, her rule. Then there was the traditional blowing out of candles and eating and then opening presents. Everyone was so great and I loved all of it. I really need to not plan my birthday parties though because it is kind of stressful. Only because I make it that way for myself. But I'm sure it won't be the last party I plan for myself, because I want what I want.

If you're wondering where I came up with this crazy idea, well it was from reading blogs.

Family Time

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a really good day. But before I get to that, let me tell you about the previous days before.

Since I was planning on a small party with friends on my actual birthday, my mom came up for a visit the weekend before. She stays at my brother's house so I went to see them all everyday. Friday night I met up with the group at Johnny Carinos, a fantastic italian restaurant. We frequent there quite a bit when mom visits. I hadn't seen my brother's family for a while so I was excited to get to chat with Stacey and play with my rambunctious nephew. Lots of conversation, mostly about my brother forbidding me from going out with a guy that one of my mom's temple coworkers wants to set me up with. Jordan didn't exactly like him in high school. Hasn't seen him since, but is still adament that he is not cool. Well, without my brother's opinion, I had already figured that this guy and I probably wouldn't fit well together anyway. It was just fun to see Jordan get so worked up about it.

After dinner Mom and I babysat while Jordan and Stacey went to a movie. After figuring the complicated multi-media system my brother has set up we decided to watch Twilight. I think everytime I watch that movie, I hate it more and more. My expectations are so low for the next one that maybe I'll like it.

Saturday I slept in and it was so nice. Then sometime in the afternoon after I got ready I headed back down to Jordan's house. There had been much debate about where to go for my family birthday dinner. I was pretty much easily swayed because I just really didn't care. I hate picking restaurants. We had first decided on Tocanos in Provo since Stacey, Jordan and Lincoln would be down there for a birthday party, but as the day wore on I didn't feel like going to Provo. So Jordan suggested a place that is similar to Tocanos called The Ipanema Grill. Good decided, meet them there at 6:30. Mom and I did a little shopping together to pass the time. I can always spend money at Target and they were having a fantastic shoe sale. Mom didn't help any to discourage me. I forced myself to only buy two pairs of shoes out I think five that I wanted. The cutest fancy grey heels that were only ten bucks and tan heels with buckle decoration. Also, a yellow shirt. I need more yellow. Cannot get enough of yellow.

As we headed to meet up with Jordan, he called and said that the restaurant we wanted was closed. Crap. So we had to go through the irritating process of picking another place. I first picked this mexican place but right next door was Tepanyaki and that peaked my interest even more. But at first Jordan and Stacey weren't sure if it would be okay for Lincoln to be near the grill where they make the food in front of you but after seeing the mexican place I was like, lets check it out. Best decision ever. I love Hibachi grilled food. Everyone loved it. So good. Then Mom and I hit a movie like we always do. "The Proposal" I liked and I'll probably see it again with my friends.

On Sunday I went to church and then headed over to Jordan's house again. It was Father's day so Stacey was cooking him his favorite meal. On the way over, I called Dad and chatted with him for a while. Just hung out with Mom and played with Lincoln until dinner. That kid is so funny. The dinner was so good too. Thanks Stacey! Then after Lincoln went to bed we played games. It was a really good weekend.

Coming up, the events of my actual birthday.

Tidbits of My Life Recently

So some fun stuff, normal stuff and exciting stuff are happening in my life right now. So I thought I would share.

Normal Stuff:
-Got my hair retouched last night. Seriously, I love getting my hair done even though it may seem like I don't need it but it's so fun and I love talking to my stylist. She's like a friend that I only see every few months. I'm spacing out my appointments more though to cut back on cost.

-My birthday is next Tuesday. I've got a fun idea planned for my friends, but I'm in constant worry it's gonna turn out stupid or people won't get into it. I'll tell you more about it afterwards. I had to keep the group a little small so if you weren't invited, I'm sorry. It's gonna be totally lame anyway. (; Make you feel better?

Fun Stuff:
-My mom is coming to town this weekend so I'll get to see her around my birthday and hopefully do something fun.

-Had a cousins weekend in Vegas. (Missed ya Kristi) So much fun. Lots of swimming and laughing. I love how easy going our weekends are. We are just fine staying in and watching episodes of "How I Met Your Mother." Which is so funny, I need that series. I could watch it over and over. It was a long drive, but so worth it and love love love Aly's new place. Fabulous!

-Coming up in July, it will be crazy. I will be spending the 4th in Cedar City, which I've never done before. I'm a little sad to miss out on the Vernal fun but the next week is the annual Shakespeare Festival get together and logistically it didn't seem fun to drive from Vernal to Cedar City. I'm excited for the change though and get to spend a whole week with Julie. Then on the 24th I will be going with three friends to Cheyenne for a rodeo and Kenny Chesney concert. Yes, you read that right. I'm becoming a rodeo gal. They actually are really fun to watch. And hey road trips can be really fun.

Exciting Stuff:
-Call me crazy, but I have got the travel bug. I can't say no to any opportunity to travel. So in September I will be heading to the London once again and then on to Ireland and Scotland. I'll be there for 10 days and with five other girls. I'm so excited. It should be so fun. Of course, afterwards I will have to go into major saving mode. I hope it will be worth it. Can't imagine it won't be. Just please, for my the sake of my savings account, don't mention anymore travel opportunities to me for a while. It's a sickness and I need help.

So that's what's happening. It's turning out to be one of the best summers ever.

Creative Outlet

As you can tell, I've been really focused on being creative and crafty. But really you have no idea how many ideas come to me in a day that I would love to do. Most ideas are inspired by my blog reading. There are so many amazing, creative people out there who actually make their idea a reality. That's my problem. Implementing my ideas and sticking with them. I think and think about all these things I want to do and run over details, but then nothing ever gets done.

Almost every year I think up gifts to make for people for Christmas that would take time and good thing I'm thinking of this early. I can totally get it done and before I know it, it's December and I've done nothing. I've wanted to make a halloween costume several years in a row, always have to pull something together at the at the last minute or pull out my tried and true graduation robe and use that.

I have this really fun idea that I want to do for my birthday, but I'm mulling over if it could actually be done. Would people really want to do that? What are the logistics? Is it really stupid? Would it be as fun as I play it out in my head?

I want to host more parties of various sorts. Maybe more that aren't centered around a tv show, which I love to do. It's so easy. But Loralee gave me the idea of a craft night. What about a cooking night, where instead of me doing all the cooking we all cook together? A lot of things I think aren't really feasible unless I had my own place. Or if I lived with someone who wanted to cohost things with me. That would be great.

I think I will try to figure out what I really want to do over the summer and when the weather gets colder and people stay indoors more then perhaps I'll really bring one of these ideas to life.

This is all coming about because I'm getting frustrated with myself, that I'm not being the person that I want to be. And it's all out of laziness. I may run some ideas past you sometime, to get some input.

Random Things of the Last Two Weeks

Going backwards as that will be easier to remember.

I gave blood today. My second time ever and this time I dared to look at the needle, which was a little scary so I turned away as she was putting it into my arm. But I had a very good vein and filled my bag in a little over four minutes. Super fast.

Went home for Memorial Day weekend and lots of fun with family. Thanks again for the hospitality of my aunt and uncle who fed me and my mom two wonderful meals and a constant supply of ice cream bars and sandwiches.

So You Think You Can Dance started again for it's fifth season. Love this show. It's like American Idol but with dancing. So much better because the dances are different every week and are so cool to watch.

Went on a little trip to Hawaii for a few days to accompany my friend who had a work thing. No biggie. I didn't really tell anyone about this trip. Not intentionally, it just wasn't a big deal to me, not sure why. But I had lots of fun.

Well, there you go. That's my last two weeks.

Birthday Pillows

So ever since, my cousin Julie, bought her new couches for her new home, she has said she didn't like the throw pillows that came with them. I agreed. They were okay, but not very modern or exciting. But she has lived with them for several months now and I didn't know if she still wanted to or was going to ever replace them. Well, as you read several posts ago, the craft bug had hit me again and I was already thinking of what to make and that they should be gifts. Well, Julie's birthday was coming up soon and what better way to hone more sewing skills than make covers for her existing pillows but in a more pleasing fabric? So that's what I decided, the only problem being I had no idea what decorating direction Julie had in mind for her living room. So I asked her. In a just wondering kind of way. She told me things for her kitchen and bedroom and the living room was "red and black with accents of yellow" to go with a still unframed, unhung print she has of this. Awesome. If she thought about it then she could have figured it out, well that I was getting her something for her house but not what and I was okay with that. I enlisted help of a very talented designer, Loralee, to help me pick out fabric. You know how in this post I said my weight loss goal one reward was for Lor to help pick out a fabric for skirt, well I lied. It was for the fabric for the pillows. Even though I technically didn't reach my goal she helped anyway. I also told a few more fibs to get Loralee more information, like when I called Julie and asked her to take pictures of her couches and email them to me because my friend Carrie was thinking of buying a red couch and I wanted to show her what Julie's looked like. Total lie. So once I had the fabric and notions, I was ready to sew. I was always worried that she wouldn't like them, that they didn't go with what she had in mind or that the covers wouldn't fit. I made a guess at their size, hoping the covers would at least be too big so I could take them in on my next visit. It was a big risk, but I knew even if she didn't like them she would appreciate the thought. Here's what they look like.

There are three of the plain black and white and then the fourth has the felt snow mum attached.


There was a free download for the pattern for the Snow Mum flower by Amy Butler and I just loved it and really wanted to make it so I thought it would be perfect for Julie's pillow.

I could have just done the four but I wanted to give that accent of yellow too. I had never appliqued anything before and if you saw it in person you would see all the flaws, but it still looks nice.

I sent them to Julie last week and she probably got them sooner but she never checks her mail so I wished her happy birthday and told her she should be getting a package. So she got her present on her birthday and emailed me to tell me she loved them, which I am so happy. So here is her before:


And after:

Book of Notes

Oh, I had such a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend. On Saturday, I slept in until Mom woke me to tell me we needed to go to town in an hour. So I quickly got ready and we headed to the post office and then to see a matinee of 17 Again. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it. Pretty funny. And that Zac Efron is pretty cute, never really liked him before, but he's a pretty good actor. Then we bummed around town killing time until we met up with the family for dinner at the Canton City Buffet. Pretty much the whole crew was there, and we had a private room to ourselves thanks to Annie's connections with the owner and we got a group rate. I put everyone's meals on my card (gotta earn those sky miles) and then everyone paid me back. Then we all went back to Grandma's house to play games. Probably one of my favorite times playing the name game. I laughed a lot. The next day, slept in again. Then gave mom her gift. I told her she had to go into her room to open it though and when she was done she could come out. Here is what I made her. A book of notes telling her how much I love her and what a wonderful mother she is.


















Well, she came out crying and gave me a big hug and I totally teared up too. I'm so glad she liked it. I'm quite proud of it. I got the idea from the blog Oh Hello Friend and this post. She made a similar one for her boyfriend and I just loved the idea. Some of the pages are almost exactly alike, but it helped to get my creative juices flowing to do some of my own. I love all the pop-up elements, I was so excited to have those in there. I thought if I put in writing all the wonderful things I love about my mom and things I love to do with her she could refer back if she ever wonders how good of a mother she is. And she is one of the best. A real keeper. It was a lot of fun to do. Another craft to come next week but tomorrow I am off to Hawaii so no more posts until then.