EASTERS

When the grandchildren are too old for Easter egg hunts,

 there is still a grand-dogter that wants to play.

We filled some plastic eggs with dog treats

and Day-Z found them and popped them open.

Hope you peeps had a Happy Easter.

VOLLEYBALL

Guess who has joined an intramural volleyball team. This girl. 

I need a ball to practice with so I got the Vetra soft touch volleyball. It's an official size 5 ball that feels super soft so it doesn't hurt your arms when you play. I like that it comes in white/blue/yellow colors (instead of just boring white) so other people on the team don't try to steal my ball at practices. It is great for indoor and outdoor play. I think I need to visit the beach to get some Top Gun volleyball action soon. Who is ready to play?

It doesn't come inflated when you order it, but it isn't that hard to grab a needle and inflate the ball.

#vetra

I was given this product at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion. 

LOVE AND BLESSED BOX

Over the last two weeks, I have met many new people who made me feel completely blessed. It is a good feeling. I have felt this way before, but I especially needed it recently. I am thankful for them.

It reminded me of a few months ago when I was driving in Salt Lake City down some residential area with a friend and there was a sign posted on the corner that simply said, "You are Loved." We looked at each other and said a big, "Aww!" It was a simple gesture that a person made to let people know they ARE loved. Heart: melted.

This is why I really like this new subscription box. (Subscription boxes are so cool right now.) It is called loved+blessed® and is about hope and encouragement rather than products.

Each month you get a box of encouragement with a different theme that the company hopes will brighten your month, help you face the challenges of life, and allow you pass encouragement on to someone else.

Inside of each box is a mini poster, reminder sticker, scripture card (to keep somewhere where you can see it daily or to give to someone for encouragement), a keepsake theme card, and a special gift (it can be jewelry, stationary, journal, home decor, and more).

This is what came in mine this month. It has a framed poster with pencils so you can color it (adult coloring books are the thing this year) and then the rest of the things I mentioned with the theme of being a masterpiece. I LOVE this idea! We all know the world needs more love and kindness spread around.

GOOD NEWS:

They are giving away a year's worth of boxes. Enter the giveaway here and check them out on the website, shop, instagram, pinterest, twitter, and Facebook to subscribe (give a gift subscription).

#LovedAndBlessed #FlyBy

FINAL ROSE PARTY

I wasn't into The Bachelor this season, but then my friend Jessica invited me to attend a final rose episode watching party. So we binge watched Ben and his adventure to find love.

Last night was the party.

We made rose hats

Some of us are craftier than others.

We were asked if we would accept this rose.

We attended a cocktail party

 and enjoyed some sweets.

There was a fun Bachelor trivia game with all the ladies present.

 The party was hosted by super cute ladies who blog at The House That Lars Built.

Check them out and if you didn't receive a rose, please take a moment and say your goodbyes.

I was totally team Lauren B.

PI DAY

It's as easy as 3.14....I mean, pie.

I attended my friend's annual Pi Day party. I decided to make a cinnamon roll apple pie.

The competition was tough and there were some really yummy looking pies, but somehow my pie took first place. (It might have been the love I sprinkled on top.)

I will respect my year reign as Pi champion.

Here is the recipe I followed:

Learn To Make The Perfect Apple Pie — With A... by LittleThings

LIFE BOULDERS

I haven't really grown up having crushes on movie stars or famous singers. I feel like they don't see us and say, "Hey, that's the person who stood in line for hours to get tickets to my show, " or "That person flew to London to buy our import album before it was available in the states," or whatever we may do to support them; so why should I know about where they went to college or which color is their favorite.

However, James Franco (and don't forget about Jimmy Fallon) might make me blush a little bit when I see them. The movie 127 HOURS starring James Franco is based on a true story. I saw the film in theaters and thought it was so good. (If you haven't seen it, go watch it now. Wait, watch it after you finish reading this post.)

Turns out 127 HOURS isn't just a movie with an adorable leading actor. It is the true story of Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a boulder crashes on his hand and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Today, I was able to meet Aron today as he spoke about this experience and how he spent 5 days examining his life and trying to survive. 

He started out saying he doesn't have his right hand any longer, but he didn't lose anything from this experience. He feels like instead he gained things from the event. He said that our boulders, whatever they may be, can either be pushed away by us or we can embrace them and be thankful for them. WOW, right?! He is an incredible person who suggested that we think of "hell" as a hot, crowded, noisy place yet he felt a personal hell that was just the opposite in that canyon. He found himself in a cold, dark, lonely, quiet hole where he was trapped. To help him get out, he had a premonition of sorts that woke him up to a realization that finding love could help him survive. I understand this - I had this same feeling when my brother Tim passed away. I too found myself in a lonely spot that made me realize I had a love that I needed to pursue and embrace whether it worked out or not. I guess we had a similar boulder.

After this experience, and having cut off his own hand, Aron returned to the outdoors and has trekked and climbed several different mountains. He reminded me that as we all have experiences in life (hopefully not as dramatic) we enrich our lives. The thing we need to remember tis hat we are here to enrich the lives of others along the way as well. He definitely enriched my life as he spoke today and I am thankful for the opportunity to meet and learn from him.

*I might have secretly wished James Franco would've come out on the stage to surprise Aron.*

POOP HAPPENS

My best friend has paws.

My dog Day-Z and I go on adventures together all of the time.

Walking with dogs means you have to pick up poop. It's a fact. I have a history of having doggy poop bag bundles unroll as I try to grab one from my bag or middle console in my car. It makes a mess and then a bigger mess when I try to roll it back up and then I get frustrated.

Now I have a new Petoyo® EarthFriendly dog waste bag with dispenser. It is like a whole new world with no more bag roll mishaps. The dispenser is easy to open and refill. I would think most bags would fit in the dispenser, but these bags are great. They have a light scent that isn't too overpowering, but might distract you from the stink you are picking up for your pooch. 

The bags measure 9x14 inches each. They aren't the thickest bags I have used before (eco-friendly), but they are leak proof so you don't have to worry about getting a mess on your hands. 

The dispenser comes with a tiny carabiner that I like to attach to my leash. My niece likes to attach it to the belt loop on her pants.  It is great for travel or to take on simple walks with your dog. 

Make your life easier and get a waste bag dispenser if you don't already own one!

#PetoyoWasteBags #animalhearted

I was given the opportunity to purchase this item at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY

Take a day dedicated to women and add 

bling,

 man candy,

 selfie phot opportunities,  

 Provo city (and Mayor), local companies, soda,

 cool people,

 fun activities,

and lots of dancing....

and you have Alison's Gem Jam. 

#alisonsgemjam

If anyone knows how to throw a party, it is the crew at the Alison Show.

Check her out and follow her on social media so you can 1. have a laugh with her posts and 2. join us for the next party.

SKATE SKATE

Watch me whip. Now watch me skate skate

I have experience with ice skating so I have recently decided to be brave and try my luck skateboarding. If you fall on the ice, you only bruise. If you fall on cement, you bleed.

But I am brave!

 Meet my new sweet red (8 ply maple laminated deck) longboard. It came fully assembled and ready for me to ride.

Ain't nobody got time for assembling things.

The size of the board is 40"X9.75" which gives me plenty of room to figure out where to position my feet since I'm new at this stuff.

The 71X52mm wheels are bright orange which is kinda fun and they roll smoothly (I assume because of good bearings).

Fingers crossed I make a post tomorrow and my knees are still in tact.

I was given this product at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.