#1 Phil Phan!

Be prepared...The story I'm about to tell you is crazy!

So freakin crazy!

It all started with my love of Phil Vassar, an amazing country musician.  Cole and I see him every year when he comes to the Grizzly Rose (you may remember my post about it last year), and last night would make concert #5.  Every year I have wanted to fight my way on stage but every year once we arrive the task seems too daunting.  On the drive down I asked Cole if he was ready to pull out all the stops to help get me on that stage.  I raised my fist in the air and jokingly yelled,  
"Tonight's the night I meet Phil Vassar!!!" 
Hmm, a little foreshadowing, maybe?? 

Just about to head into the concert!

This is actually a really long story, but I'll do my best to just relay the highlights.  A friend of a friend of a friend new a girl (I'll call her Sally for privacy's sake) that knows the right people and had two extra VIP passes to the show.  Even though I had no clue what having a VIP pass meant, I knew I wanted one of the extras.  Well, she gave them to two other girls that were "losely" related to our "group"....bummer!  The good news is that those girls didn't know Phil Vassar and so they gave them to me and my friend Breanne.  I asked one of the security guards (Steve) by the VIP entrance what having a wrist band meant, and he said it meant I could do the meet and greet with Phil and that I should get in line.  OMG!  I couldn't believe that this was happening to me!  My dream was becoming a reality!!!  

As I made it back stage and about 10 feet from the room where Phil was, another security guard asked to see my backstage pass.  Uh, what pass?  So I showed him my wrist band.  Turns out I needed a something else.  "Nooooooo!"  "Porque????"

I begged and pleaded that Steve had told me the wrist band was sufficient and asked that he let me go.  I was so close, surely he wouldn't dash my dreams when I had made it so far.  Actuallly he would.  Breanne and I were "escorted" out.

I found myself back by Steve.  He felt pretty bad (considering he really did tell me I could go back there!).  He pointed to an old man sitting at a table of 4 and said he had heard earlier that he had 2 extra Meet and Greet passes.  The next thing you know I am approaching a table full of strangers and asking the old man if I can have his extras.  Turns out he had already given them away..."Noooooo!"  

(can you believe I actually did all this??...don't answer that!)

I went back to Steve with my hopes dashed.

I begged some more. 

To no avail.

Finally Steve said, "The owner of the bar is standing right behind you.  He's who you would have to talk to."

Had to get a picture with Steve, since he really tried to help me

I think you know what is coming next.  Yes, I turned around, tapped the owner of the bar on the shoulder, and explained (in a high pitch, talking way too fast manner), how much I loved Phil Vassar and how I thought my VIP wrist band meant that I got to meet him, and how I had gotten so close, and how all I wanted was to meet him...

Then walks in Sally who is so drunk and crazier then I could every get you all to picture, and she starts telling the owner (who apparently is her friend) that he doesn't need to help me and she is clearly aggravated with all of the attempts I have made to get backstage.  He asks her if she knows me.  She says, "Yes, I know her, but you don't need to let her back." 

I pretty much wanted her to shut her pie hole!

To my surprise the owner said, "it's no big deal", and he whipped out two backstage passes (he thought Sally wanted one).  Sally told him she had already gone.  Quick on my feet I grabbed them both, said I would give one to my friend, and hurried off in the direction of backstage!

The mean security guards in the back were awfully shocked to see me again, and were initially a bit skeptical about how I had gotten the passes.  I guess it isn't everyday someone walks up to the owner of the bar and asks if he'll let them back...lol.  Just leave it to me!

But...

All my work paid off :)

And I think I earned it!

 I got multiple hugs, I'm pretty sure there was a kiss on the cheek, he signed my pass, and we got to chit chat for a few minutes.  Breanne and I were the last that got to see him!!

I triumphantly reiterated to Cole on the way home,  
"Tonight's the night I met Phil Vassar!!!"  

He couldn't have been more proud!

That was my fun, crazy story.  But here are more pics from the night:)

 I love and miss my old roomies, Shan and Breanne

Best performer ever!

I realize Shan and I look pretty sick in this pic, but please 

note the nastys behind us (but actually in front of us).  Who wants to look at that all night??

 Still real annoyed with those nasty jokers...they must have 

come up for air right as this picture was taken!

Sad Fact:  No pictures taken with Cole...lame!

Fun Fact:  I was wearing the shirt I wore forever ago on the night I met Cole.  Lucky Charm perhaps?  I have met some memorable people in that shirt! :)

Oh, and before you go thinking that the above crazy behavior was alcohol induced, I am proud (I think) to say that I only had one beer all night.  I'm sure those of you who know me well aren't a bit surprised!

Thank you for your time Phil!
Til next year:)

December's Child

I thought I would share a Christmas poem written by my Nana (my mom's mom).  Every Christmas she would send out a Christmas poem and she managed to do it for 50 years.  Cole and I have many Christmas traditions that we do every year, and this year we decided that we would start reading one of her poems every Christmas.  I thought it was especially fitting today, since the first Christmas poem my Nana ever wrote was in 1952 and was dedicated to the birth of my mom, whose birthday is today!  Pretty special!

 One of my favorite pictures of my mom.

She was praying for the unborn outside an abortion clinic.

Happy Birthday, Mom!



Wine Party

The Chapmans had their annual Wine Party Saturday night and, like every year, we had a blast.  This year was extra special because it isn't every day that we get a night out by ourselves.  We were blessed that our good friend Judy offered to come over and watch Tavian while we were gone.  It was so nice knowing he was at home, in bed, and in safe hands!

I decided to go all out and get really dressed up for the special occasion.  I may have gotten a little too dressed up, but since I so rarely get to anymore, I decided to take full advantage.  My best friend Amy even came over to help me with my hair and make up and finalize which dress I would wear.  I felt beautiful and it made the night all that more enjoyable.

I am so thankful that I was able to catch up and spend time with friends that I don't get to see that often.  Good wine, yummy food, and great friends and convos.  It doesn't get much better then that :)

Here are a few snapshots from the night:

 Catching up with Chelsey!

 Smiling with the beautiful hostess!

 I even got to hang out with my blogging buddy!  Can you believe we got to talk in person?? lol

 I even got a picture with my lovey :)

Enjoy

 Not only does this sound beautiful, but it is also super fun!  Wish I could have been there in person :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlphabetPhotography

A Yummy Time of Year

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Season....

Yummy Mint Christmas M&M's...so Delish :)

Back to December

Do any of you like Taylor Swift?
I know that she gets a lot of flack and that many of you probably can't stand her, but I actually enjoy her music.  No, I don't think she is the most amazing vocalist I have ever heard, but I think that she stands as a great role model to young girls, and I recognize the talent that goes into writing your own songs.  Plus, no matter the haters, she must be doing something right because she has taken over the music industry and you can't listen to any radio station without hearing her songs...over..and over...and over! (maybe why some people are sick of her)
Anyway, I started thinking about her because I have been seeing her preform her music all over lately.  Awards shows, The Ellen Degeners Show (multiple times), etc...and I decided I really like one of her newer songs "Back to December".  You know, the one that is supposedly about her relationship with Taylor Lautner.  I know her songs are full of teenage angst and although I'm sure they would have been much more rateable to my life in high school, I still find myself enjoying them!
Listening to her song really put me back into song writing/guitar playing mode. 
I miss playing guitar.
I miss writing music.
I miss singing.
Maybe one day soon I'll find the time to pick up my guitar again...
Her is the song, if you are interested!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juFTc3gDkKA

Update

I'm so sorry I haven't written lately, especially because I have to follow up on my last post.
I had the ultrasound, and praise God, everything came back and they didn't find anything "concerning".  I assumed that basically meant nothing resembling cancer, which is obviously great news in my book!  But, because we still didn't know what was causing the problems they sent me to see the surgeon.  I saw him a week ago and he found the issue that was causing all the clogged ducts and decided that he would do a small surgery the following day.  It sounds worse then it was, so I will spare you all the details!  All that matters is that the surgery is over and besides being a bit sore, everything seems to be taken care of.  Success!!!
Hopefully painless breastfeeding is in my near future!

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!