One Stop Shop

Yesterday I took a trip to Costco. Let me just say, for the record, Costco and I have a very love hate sort of relationship. I mean, how can you not love Costco? It's the only place you can drop off your photos; buy electronics, jewelry, housewares, clothes, and groceries; sample your potential purchases; have an eye exam; pick up your prescriptions; get your car fixed; eat lunch (or order dinner to go); and gas up your car all in one place. Not to mention the fact that you can buy all the 2 year storage supplies you might ever need in one quick sweep or walk away with 32 cans of sweet & condensed milk all for a ridiculously low price! Just a few of the reasons Costco is great and I'm in love with it.

But let's face it. Costco is still my arch enemy too. Costco is also the only store that can convince you you actually need 32 cans of sweet & condensed milk as a single person. I mean, how often do I really cook with sweet & condensed milk...how often do I cook period? But somehow, when I'm there, I suddenly need it. And not only that, I also need those 4 books I won't read till next year, the 10 lbs of fruit I will never--in any stretch of the imagination--be able to finish by myself, and the 64 pack of candy bars that will only end up on my hips.

It never fails that it will be busy--either with small children running amuck and cutting in front of my cart or old people moseying along causing me to see all the things I don't need and then putting it in my cart. And no matter how hard I try, I can't leave without spending at least $50...usually it's a lot more. Here exists the hate part of this volatile relationship.

So, yesterday, when I knew I needed to return a dress to Costco (which I have put off for sometime) I pepped talked myself into the notion that I would simply return the dress and then run to my car with superhero like speed. I would conquer Costco's mystical pull.

I failed. It sucked me in. Fresh raspberries had just arrived...I needed them.

It was the middle of the afternoon, on Tuesday. The old people were there. I moseyed. I ate samples. I found 2 new books. I put a shirt in my cart and then put it back (one small triumph). I bought raspberries...and blueberries...and a bag of veggie crisps that I had sampled (they're tricky and very smart).

Then, in the freezer section, as I tried the "new black angus blue cheese burgers they just got in," the cute little lady at the sample table stopped. Our conversation went something like this.

"Ooh, that top is so cute."

"Thanks. My friend just bought it for me for my birthday. Doesn't she have good taste?"

"Yes! It's just so feminine and flowy and pretty. And just looks so good on you. And it doesn't hurt that you're so pretty too. And anything looks good on a size 5 like you. You just look so young, like your 20."

"Well, thank you. I think I'm gonna keep circling this area and coming back to see you."

Let's just say, that yesterday, the love side of things won out for Costco. In fact, I think I might go back next week...my berries will probably be moldy by then and I'll need new ones.

Twenty Four is a Good Number

It started on Wednesday--a whole day early--with a surprise delivery to the hospital. Someone sent something for me? to work? are you sure they have the right Erika Phillips? But, yes a special floral delivery awaited me in the lobby of PCMC with a card signed lovingly from Mom, Dad, and the bro, Mike. I couldn't help but smile all day.

I've never gotten flowers at work before...and I always swore I'd be one of those girls who wouldn't want flowers. I think I change my mind now. I like getting flowers. Feel free to send them anytime you want.

The perfect start to an absolutely phenomenal birthday. Catch a few highlights of my very best 24th birthday.

1. Waking up to sunshine, a happy birthday text, and going for a run to the gym
2. Having amazing french toast breakfast with Corinne (world's best lifelong friend & sister)
3. Free money to spend at REI
4. Three words: MASSAGE, FACIAL, PEDICURE...best bday gift I've ever given myself
5. Reading facebook posts of birthday wishes
6. Talking to my college girlfriends on the phone
7. Dinner with some of my most favorite peeps
8. Laughing with Joel
9. Being worshipped (literally on hands and knees) by Nate
10. Getting hugs from people I love (THANK YOU!)
11. Being sung the Birthday Song by Terri (she's never missed a birthday yet!)
12. The perfect "Betty" gift--I can now make cupcakes that will change your life
13. Talking to my mom and dad
14. Getting a card from my Grandparents
15. Getting texts from lots of people I love (THANK YOU!)
16. Hitting a pinata with a broom...and a 2x4...and having Ryan finally break it open
17. Picking up all the candy from the grass--in the dark :)
18. Blowing out the candles
19. The perfect H & M top to add to my wardrobe
20. Eating Tres Leches Cake made by my fabulous roommie Megan (you are the best!)
21. Having the SSS reunited!
22. An e-card from my co-worker (and life & love advice giver) Dave
23. Feeling like the luckiest girl in the world
24. Being loved!

Tonight as I'm replaying the day I just can't help but count my blessings. How am I so blessed to have so much good in my life, to have so many people to love and who love me back? I don't think I can imagine a day better than today; it was fairly perfect!

Thanks to each of you for making this birthday positively memorable!

T Fest

There is a 3 year old patient on my unit at the hospital who knows how to make moose calls, is covered with fake tattoos, shoots the nurses with his orange gun when they come in the room, and loves his daddy's music. I don't know what it is about that little dude, but he has captured my heart. Maybe it's his effervescent smile or the way he gets so excited when he watches his hunting movies. Maybe it's how he puffs up with pride when his baby sister is in the room or the fact that he has more girlfriends than most men could handle and there are more girls vying for a spot on the girlfriend list.

I'm not the only one who is smitten by him either. About every nurse on our unit loves this little cowboy and his incredible and loving family. I guess that's why, when I heard about the benefit in his honor I was jumping at the bit to go (along with about 25 of my other colleagues). I wasn't even deterred by the fact that it was in Woodruff, UT (middle of nowhere), or that it would keep me out late when I had to work very early the next day, or that it was called the Testicle Festival.

So, on Saturday afternoon, I loaded in the car with a couple of co-workers and headed to Woodruff. (For those of you unfamiliar with this town, don't worry, so were we. In fact, we missed the turn and ended up driving 15 minutes further into Wyoming than necessary (actually, is it ever necessary to drive into Wyoming?). But seriously, I-80 EAST to Evanston and then North 20 miles on Highway 89 drops you directly in the heart of Woodruff, UT.) We arrived at City Hall, the only building with much substance other than the LDS church across the hall, to find the event hopping...with about 100 people.

First was a concert, played by non other than my patient's dad, and it was inspiring. Great music, good lyrics, and made me want to marry a cowboy--tight jeans and all. And then, yes, bring it on, the cowboy's sac lunch itself...

Bull Testicles. Yep, that's right. Also known as the Rocky Mountain Oyster, it's a protein packed crescent shaped pieces of meat, battered and deep fat fried. And, because this is my year of no regrets I said, "pile 'em up on my plate, Sir." Hmmm...chewy, a bit rubbery, and tastes kind of like chicken. Definitely not the best thing I've ever eaten, but it could be worse. And, for my little cowboy back at PCMC I'll take one for the team!

Universal Truths

Today as I was driving home from work I was contemplating 3 things.

1. I am tired. So very tired.
2. I should go the gym. I don't want to go to the gym. I am tired and my buns still hurt from yesterday.
3. It's Friday. I should probably do something social and cool since it's Friday. I'm tired and everyone I would want to hang out with tonight is out of town, working, or on a date (friend date, romantic date...some sort of date).

Tired won out. I will stay in tonight. However, in the course of this thought process I realized many things happened to me on this tired Friday--most of little consequence, but nonetheless amusing and to be shared. And since I am tired, antisocial, and know that my brain will not remember any of the things that I felt impressed to share today by the time I wake up tomorrow morning, I caved.

My blogging life begins. 1038 pm on May 22, 2009

And now, for the universal truths of which I have been reminded this week.

1. If it is a quiet morning at work, it is only a matter of time until chaos strikes...as it did today @ approximately 1100 am.
2. If there is a SALE I will buy something. Actually, if I go in a store, I will buy something. I will wear it the next day and I will feel cute.
3. No matter how many times I clean my room each week it ends up messy again in about 12 hours.
4. If I washed my car yesterday, it WILL rain today.
5. Kids still sell lemonade on the corner. They are estatic if you give them $2 when they only charged you 50 cents. Buying a $2 lemonade from the kids on the corner is a good investment. (It makes me smile.)
6. Holding up your pants while you are running because they are too big to stay up is not in style and is not cool, no matter how many people do it.

Maybe #7 should be that I like lists if you haven't noticed already.