Let the Games Begin!

I think that most of you know that I have a fierce love for pageants. Not that I have ever competed in anything like it. I think the closest I came might have been the School Spelling Bee, in which I proudly took third. I will watch any and every pageant. If I know it's on, I'll be watching.

Well this Saturday is the mother of all pageants, The Miss America Scholarship Pageant (had to throw the scholarship in there to somehow justify, however, unneeded.) I wanted to get this post out early so you could all do your research to decide on your favorite candidate. I have included two of particular interest. Any other states you wish to inquire about may be found here.

Drum roll please.

Introducing . . .

Miss Oregon, Kari Virdig

24 year old, Portland, Oregon

Graduate of Southridge High School

Deans list at Azusa Pacific University

Hopes to be V.P. of non-for-profit org. that helps sick kids

Will probably appear in a bikini, if she's tan...it's fake

Next up . . .

Miss Utah, Jill Stevens

24 years old, Kaysville, UT

Davis High School grad!!! (that's right, GO DARTS!!)

Sargent in the U. S. Army (top ten shoe-in)

Graduated top of class in nursing at Southern Utah University

Hopes to help people be prepared when disaster strikes

Will continue to be a nurse

Also might be the only girl in a one-piece swim suit

Now I hope I have given you all fair warning. We have a lot to look forward to this weekend. I expect all of us to be on our 'A-game.' May the best gal win!

Consumer Reports.

Well, as many of you know, I have had a lot of sleepless nights with much on my mind in preparation for the move. Last night, the thought that seemed to occupy most of my night was our phone service, strange, I know, but true! We use Vonage. I like it, Bryan does too, but he did give me quite a chuckle and funny face when I asked him about Vonage at 1:30 in the morning. I have a few concerns, however, it seems like it isn't 100%, all the time. But, maybe that's normal, with an internet phone, anyway.

I was just debating whether or not we should keep this service when we move to Utah. When I asked Bryan last night, he is up for it. I am just not sure if I am, all the time. What service do you use? Is it reliable and what would you recommend we do?

Ode to Albertsons

Hey all!

We are back, and had a splendid time. We had a beautiful, white Christmas, went sledding for the first time with little Brooks and spent lots of time with family and friends. I can't believe how fast the time flew. I will post some pics a little later. For now, however, I think it is important to pause and give credit where credit is most certainly due . . .

. . . to the kind employees at the Lake Grove Alberstons. Really, is there a front-end manager anywhere in the world quite like David? I was greeted with a smile on aisle two. Asked about my New Year's on aisle three. And when it was time to checkout, forget it. I was shown the royal treatment. Should have rolled out the red carpet. David unloaded my cart onto the conveyor belt then, ran around to bag my groceries for me. All the while, the kind checker (name slips my mind at the moment) chatted with me all about his trip to New York for Christmas. Then, of course, they offered to take out my groceries, I refused, so David ran to grab one of the bag boys and insisted that he at least bring in my cart for me. I was most impressed and felt pretty special, mind you.

Now this isn't the first time that such treatment has occurred. In fact, it's quite the norm. So for now, it seems, that Albertsons has formed a special place in my heart. Coming from a loyal, former checker at Bowman's Market, that is really saying something. Oh Albie's, I'm gonna miss ya! I believe their tag line at the moment reads, "Albertsons, crazy about food." Well, Albertsons, I'm crazy about you!