Brush with fame

I've never been one to wait in line to talk to someone famous. For some reason I just can't handle being the overly-enthusiastic fan of anyone (musicians, actors, whoever); perhaps because I usually figure they are just like me only with a more prestigious -- and definitely higher paying -- job. However, there have been times when I have wished my personality would allow me to be the gushing fan; times when I want to talk to some famous person or other but feel too ridiculous to do so without a good reason, or at least without something more intelligent to say than, "Hey aren't you ______ " or "I loved you in ______ movie/TV show."
That's where my job comes in handy sometimes.
As a reporter, I'm allowed to approach people I wouldn't normally have any legitimate reason to speak with and can interact on nearly the same level -- or at least without appearing to be graveling or waiting in line for them to grace me with a portion of their attention. This reporter "shield" of sorts has given me the opportunity to comfortably interact with a variety of moderately famous people over the years and last Friday was one such chance.
Derek and I were listening to the radio Friday morning while we got ready for work and the DJs started talking about meeting up with some of the "Biggest Loser" contestants during a live remote broadcast. I thought they must be talking about the contestants from this radio station's local version of "Biggest Loser," rather than the actual NBC television show Derek and I watched faithfully each week this past season. But, after listening for a while we learned they were talking about the real deal -- two contestants from NBC's season 7 "Biggest Loser": Sione and Filipe, the Tongan (and I'm almost certain LDS) cousins. I was so excited!
Derek had to get to work -- even on the last day of school a teacher's schedule is not very flexible. I, on the other hand realized I could actually make my stop to visit with these reality TV stars part of my day's work and kill two birds with one stone. I could talk to them as an "equal," or something close, and kick out a story for The Spectrum newspaper at the same time.
Beautiful.
Notebook and camera in hand I sought out the radio broadcast and had two pleasant conversations with the now health and fitness-oriented cousins. It was great! They were just like they had been on TV, right down to Filipe's boisterous laughter that seemed to fill even the outdoor space. The pair was gracious and cheerful with the crowd of people seeking photos and autographs. The cutest part was a class of 4th grade students from a nearby elementary school who came on an impromptu field trip to meet the stars. Several of the kids were literally speechless with excitement as I tried to ask them questions about their encounter for my story.
I snapped pictures for the paper but I didn't ask to be in one of the photos myself. My sister, Karen, has already reprimanded me for this saying I missed a great opportunity. (She's a big fan too). But again, it was that whole issue I have with appearing too eager in these situations. I am totally fine with the pictures I have and the conversations we shared.
Brush with fame: A success :)

Filipe and Sione Fa from NBC's "Biggest Loser"

Talking with some of the fans.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Five years ago today I went to a church-sponsored barbecue at the park, kicking off the summer in true singles ward style. Little did I know that simple excursion would forever change my life.

Had I been left to my own devices, I might have missed this life altering opportunity but fortunately for me, my good friend Holly sat down at a table with three young-ish looking guys to talk and share a plate of watermelon. (What else do they serve at these kinds of events?)

After making some unsuccessful flirtation attempts in another area of the park, I returned to my wing-women at the watermelon table and sat down with a cute blonde and two of his friends, all of who were friendly and fun. They seemed to be pleased to have the attention of four older women and my friends and I were content to toy with their relatively recently returned missionary emotions for the evening.

I have to admit, I was in rare form that night and even my two best girl friends commented that I seemed extremely comfortable with these boys, one in particular. Yes, at that point, the three-year age gap had us referring to them as “boys.”

But after staying out until 5 a.m. with these fellows (something Derek later told me was false advertising because he really is a night owl and I really am not) I was intrigued enough to keep seeing the cute blonde with the gorgeous blue eyes and easy smile. And since today we are celebrating four years of marriage — well, you can see how this story ended. Or began.

Although four years of marriage isn’t technically any sort of “landmark” anniversary on the gold, silver, tinfoil or what have you, scale, it feels like a landmark to me because it marks the end of an era — the Derek and Lisa only era. By this time next year (well, much sooner than that really) our family of two will have become three. Naturally I’m excited about the addition to our family, but I think I will always remember these four years of our life fondly as they have truly been amazing. Sure, we’ve had our challenges, but I feel like we’ve met them as a unit and have grown closer as a result. I can honestly say there is no one in the world I’d rather spend my time with than Derek and I feel ready for any adventure as long as he’s at my side.

Four years down, an eternity to go. I can’t wait to keep on enjoying the ride.

Our wedding on May 14, 2005

Movin' into maternity clothes

After 27 weeks, the majority of my clothes are fitting more than just a little tight. I've been doing the rubber band trick on some of my pants for a while and so I finally broached the task of shopping for a new, more forgiving wardrobe.
I don't know what I expected, but I was unprepared for the lack of selection I encountered on my first stop on my shopping spree. I went to Target on Saturday -- which has provided excellent clothes for me in the past -- but in the maternity department, at least at our store here in St. George, I found them to be sorely lacking. After trying on several pieces I am embarrassed to admit I was in tears in the dressing room, wondering if I would have to simply resign myself to looking ugly for the next three months. Clearly this was more than just a shopping problem, I'll blame pregnancy hormones for at least a part of this meltdown.
A phone call to my sister helped but she pretty much told me to give up for the day and go home. Shopping in an emotional state is never a good idea.
Armed with new determination on Monday I set out to Motherhood Maternity in the mall and was instantly pleased with what I found. This sounds like a commercial, but that's not intentional. I'm sure there are many places in town where I could have found similar cute, fashionable clothes. As it was, I was left me with only one problem -- the guilt of spending so much money on myself. Replacing one's wardrobe does not come without a cost. But with the encouragement of my cute husband I bought several pieces that will hopefully help me feel stylish and beautiful for the next few months.

Also this weekend, we took updated pictures of my expanding waistline, now at 27 weeks.

Bye, bye Blazer

After roughly five months of on and off attempts to sell our Blazer, Saturday it happened -- almost as a fluke.
This is only newsworthy to me because we were getting a little sick of the effort it takes to sell a car (fielding phone calls, meeting with people... what am I saying? Derek was doing all this, not me. But still...).
A nice old couple knocked on our door Saturday morning and asked about the car (we had the window painted with "for sale") and before I knew it, Derek said it was sold. We had the whole deal sealed up with a check in our bank account within just a couple of hours.
As soon as we were driving over to meet them with their freshly washed purchase (Derek really wanted to do this up right) I had a thought: Is it normal to feel nostalgic about a car?
I wasn't tearing up over it or anything, but I have to admit, I was feeling a little sad when I realized this is the only car Derek has owned since he's been home from his mission and it is the car he had the whole time we were dating. The familiar sign of his "maroon four-runner" as I ignorantly called it one time (which he still likes to tease me about, but I say -- hey, my lack of car knowledge only showed I was not one of these shallow types who CARES what kind of car the guy drives) pulling up in front of my house always made my heart jump a little with excitement at his arrival. Yet even as I was thinking this, I had to remind myself: It is just a car.
These were my thoughts yesterday as we dropped the car off, but today as I type this, I am feeling great about the whole episode being finished. I'm just excited we got our asking price and will be able to pay down our new car that much faster. And anyone who knows me knows the idea of saving money somehow is enough to make me happy.

Here's Derek with the Blazer one last time

With the title and our plates, ready to turn it over to a new owner.

Driving away.