Halloween!!

Two parties: Two costumes: Too much fun!!

I honestly played this entire weekend! It was actually really refreshing to be in Seattle for an entire week, and then to have fun things to do every second. I also must be under some full moon spell because I could not get enough dancing at both the parties I attended. Honestly, dancing is pretty fun (way fun with dancer freinds) but I was a little out of control. At one point I found myself facing a guy I barely know, and us together jumping up and down yelling the words to a song I'd never heard ("That's not my name"--except Stacey is my name and that's one they say...pretty awesome!) And really I have to say this: the people in Seattle are really cool. I think I've had a crappy attitude about the singles scene here for a while and I'm done with that. I've met and reconnected with some really awesome people which is great!

Grandpa Ken

This is a special post dedicated to my dear grandpa Ken. My dad just called me to tell me that grandpa Ken passed tonight. His health has been deteriorating for the past few years and has gotten a lot worse over the last few months. Yesterday he slipped into a coma though he came out of it for a few hours today to spend a last bit of time with my grandma Arlene. It had been decided that my dad would stay at the house with them tonight and just after my grandma gave him a kiss on the forehead, told him she loved him, and went to bed, my dad noticed his breathing changed. He then walked over and said, "Ken, I wish there was something I could do to make you more comfortable." At that point he closed his eyes real tight and let go.

My grandpa Ken was 98 years old as of September 18th. He lived such a full life, I'd probably say that he lived two people's lives. He and my grandma were married the year I was born, after both of their spouses had passed away. Whether she knew it or not, that summer of 1981 was the beginning of an adventure that would change her life. Ken taught my grandma how to snow ski, ride motorcycles, and four wheel through Moab and other places. He took her to every state in the US and many places around the world. They drove their RV to all the national parks and hosted friends from all parts of the world. They also danced two times a week for over 20 years. At their dance hall there was a yearly halloween costume contest and they won it every year, until they decided to back off and let some of the other couples have a chance to win.

For a little while, when I was young, my dad lived with my grandparents. We'd eat dinner with them on weekends and I always loved how we would all hold hands around the dinner table during the prayer and then my grandma and grandpa would kiss after we said Amen. Every time without fail!

During those times, Grandpa Ken started calling Preston "Pressy". At first we teased Preston because it was such a sissy name, but as time passed, we all (including Preston) embraced the name and loved calling him that. It even stretched to Preston's mission when he would sign his letters "Elder Pressy". We all just knew how much Grandpa Ken loved Preston and the name of endearment stuck.

Grandpa Ken has been everywhere, so no matter where I went (which is quite a few places) he always asked me questions and then told me his own experiences. After I moved to Seattle, he started to ask me if I spent much time at Green Lake. Well, Green lake is one of my favorite spots in Seattle so I was excited he knew about it. He then would tell me a story of when he and his brothers were swimming in Green lake and he nearly drowned. To which I'd always say"I'm glad you didn't". Since I've been in Seattle through most of his decline in health (and memory), I've heard this story a lot.

When I was home two weekends ago for Preston's wedding I got to go see Grandpa Ken for the last time. As my dad and I were visiting with him, he mainly stuck to one word answers like "Yep" and "Nope", and he seemed to be in a daze. However, when I sat next to him and said "Hi Grandpa, it's Stacey. Things are going well in Seattle. I spent a lot of time swimming in Green Lake this summer," he slowly said "I almost drowned in that lake many years ago." I couldn't help but smile and say, "I'm glad you didn't!" To which he said "Me too."

There's a lot more that I could say about my Grandpa Ken, but this will do for now. I love him and I'm so glad he joined our family at the same time I did. I'm so thankful that he was baptized into the gospel in February and is enjoying a long awaited reunion with his wife Gladys, and his family and friends who have passed on before him.

Also, I'm proud of my dad for serving him as if Ken was his own father and for staying with him in his last moments. I love you dad!

Sinus Surgery

Just a little post surgery update! Lovin' my stache!

hopeful surgical solutions

due to my inability to breathe through my nose (I am exaggerating) I get to have sinus surgery tomorrow. While I should be resting for the big day, I can't seem to get off this lappy of mine. The goal is to clear some room for a little airflow so I can sleep better and what not... I'll let you know if that really works.

p.s. Kristen Chenoweth was hillarious on Glee tonight. And honestly, what chorus member of the high school musical couldn't love that show?

lastly...p-nut is married! My precious Preston has tied the knot! It was a beautiful wedding and great to see him and Danielle happy! Also fun to see so many friends and family!

Elevator analysis

Does anyone else spend a lot of time in elevators? I do. Probably more time than I would prefer, to be honest. I probably ride an average of 3 different elevators a day, and since I'm one to analyze random, unimportant things, I'm dedicating this post to my thoughts on elevators.

1- I really hate riding in elevators
2- I realize that they are amazing and I am grateful for them even though I hate them
3- Standing in an elevator with other people is so awkward. Sometimes I look around at whatever is in my hands and act really interested in my phone or bag. Other times I am like a statue. Standing freeze-framed until the door opens on my floor. I wish I could say that I frequently start conversations with other riders, but I don't.
4- Elevators are keepers of smells. Sometimes this is horrible, but sometimes it is amazing. Have you ever walked into an elevator and smelled the familiar cologne of a guy from memories past? They say the ole' factory senses are the strongest for bringing up memories.
5- So I guess the one exception to my hate of being in an elevator is when I can ride an elevator with no other passengers and with a good man smell.

Wicked...ness = Happiness...last night!

"So if you care to find me look to the western sky! As someone told me lately: "Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"

Oh and did she ever fly! To the top of my chart of favorite musicals! As you may have guessed, I saw Wicked last night for the first time and LOVED it! I've actually been waiting for 19 months to see the show. In college my friend Kim gave me the soundtrack and I never ended up listening to it at the time. Then I got my current job and found myself in my car for 3+ hours a day. When I got tired of the less than amazing Seattle radio stations and the music on my iPod I popped in Wicked and it didn't come out for 2 months. At first, I actually tried not to listen to all of the music because I didn't want to know how the story ends (if you haven't seen wicked, don't read the rest of this paragraph), but I did end up listening to it all and I was convinced that Elphaba died and she and Fiero didn't end up together, so you can imagine my excitement when I watched her come out of that little trap door and into her scarecrow lover's arms.

One of my favorite observations of the musical was how Elphaba sang a solid alto part throughout the entire show and El Woods (aka Glinda) sang soprano, until the last song "Changed for good" when they changed parts on the harmonies. A lot of people probably wouldn't notice that, but I did and I think it was a powerful way of communicating the words they were singing.

So that is my Wicked recap. I can't wait to see it again. In fact, I wish they would make it a movie so I could watch it over and over!

28

Warning---This post may sound a bit wiser and mature than previous posts as I am now officially in my late 20's...

Last night, (and most of the last weekend, and probably a few other times this week) I celebrated my 28th birthday. Over the weekend I went waterskiing, and though I had a blast, I also strained my back and walked around like an old grandma for a few days. I thought it was only appropriate that I feel like an old person as I get closer to being an old person. I've never been one to hate my birthday or the fact that I'm getting older. What's the point? No money, talents, sales skills or scientific method has ever stopped a person from getting one year older every 365 days (except I guess leap year...but then it just happens a day later).

I guess my main observation of my birthday is that technology (or to be more specific facebook and texting) has changed birthdays forever. I probably had birthday wishes from over 100 people today. People I haven't spoken to in years and even some people that I don't remember ever speaking to. (but somehow we're friends on facebook).

I think there is a hierarchy of birthday wishes based on level of friendship (or level of caring). Here is my list.

1- In person: These are people who take you to lunch, come to your party, or plan a future lunch when you're available because they want to celebrate with you in person.

2-On the phone: This group picks up the phone and calls. They are willing to take a risk and have an improvisational conversation with you that could last as short or long as it does. They care about telling you happy birthday and hearing your reaction.

3-Email: Yes, this is above texting, because it takes a tiny bit more effort. You have to compose a message, find my email and say whatever you want to say. You can't really just email "Happy Birthday". Needs a little more..

4-Text: This is easy and quick, but it's directly to my personal phone. So all day long I'm receiving nice little reminders that I am loved.

5-Facebook: This method requires people to keep an eye on their birthday feed on their homepage of facebook, and then make the effort to click on the people they want to wish happy birthday and write them a message. While at first it seems like they cheated cause their facebook told them about your b-day, the truth is, it doesn't tell you unless you look. Being someone who never looks at that page, I am in awe of how many people did.

So thank you to everyone who made some type of birthday wish. I loved them all. (If all of the level 5ers had wanted to go to lunch or call me on the phone, it would have been ridiculous.) And it's just fun to have so many ways to hear HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!