The Mission

I was raised Catholic. So, having a Mormon as my best friend/dream boyfriend introduced me to this 2 year road trip called "The Mission". WHAT?? Hugh was going to go where and for how long??? And what was I going to do without him? Well, I wasn't going to dwell on that. We had just over a year from the time we graduated until the time he was going to leave to hang out. And that we did. Hung out. Movies. Restaurants. My house. His house. Classic hanging out. And actually, one night, while watching a movie at my house, Hugh did the UNTHINKABLE! He KISSED me! WHAT THE HECK!! I was freaking out. I honestly don't even remember what made him do that. But for TWO WEEKS we were more than "friends". TWO WEEKS!! Then it ended. {{{SIGH}}} He thought we would be better off as "friends". By this time, my sincere crush had definitely turned into sincere love. But it wasn't meant to be.....then. Bad timing. So, I backed off, and went back to being his friend. I stood by as I watched this amazing transformation of a young man into a strong, dedicated young missionary. They seem to glow, you know. He got the letter one day. He called me - woke me up, actually - and told me that he had been called to serve in the Chile Santiago North Mission. And he was leaving August 2nd (1989). That gave me about two months. Two months to let him know that I was the best friend he would ever had. The day arrived that he was to leave. That dreaded day. I went to his house that morning. He had been "set apart" as a missionary the night before (which means he was "officially" a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and therefore, he was to basically stay away from the cute girls!!! I walked him to his car as he and his family were getting ready to go the airport. We stood there trying to figure out how to say good-bye. Do we shake hands? High five? Cuz technically, he wasn't supposed to hug me. But, being the rebel that he was, he did hug me. A big best friend hug. And said good-bye. Off he went. And I cried....for three days straight. What a headache I had.....

Straight from my scrapbook. Hence, the circle cut. This is the day he left. Look at my face, I was bawling. So sad.....

Just Friends

So, Hugh and I ended up in Mr. Roger's history class together sophomore year. That's where we became friends. He was a super hot hottie, and I was a semi-smart girl, so he flirted and I helped him in class. We both got our driver's licenses that year, so we would go out to lunch together (Burger King) and he would give me rides home from school. We were friends....good friends....but I secretly LOVED him. Not surprising because I was a total BOY FREAK, and liked lots of guys, but he was special because he was nice to me. He was my friend, don't forget. This friendship/secret crush lasted all throughout high school. We both dated (maybe dated is too strong of a word.....how about "kissed") lots and lots of people, and we told each other about all of them. That's how I knew Hugh was mackin' on my friends!!! (Mackin' was our term for kissing....it was the 80's you know). Hello! Total infraction of the GIRLFRIEND CODE! I knew Hugh was "involved" with a few of my closest girlfriends, and I was insanely jealous. But, I had no right to be because Hugh didn't even know I liked him "like that". Oh well. It makes for some pretty funny stories right now. Anyway, we were friends. We went to parties together, he watched me play tennis, I watched him wrestle, he watched me dance (we even danced together in our Senior Year Dance Concert....all of the hot, cool guys were our partners for one fun dance.) We went to homecoming together. We went to the Spring Luau together. We went to Graduation together, and the after parties. I knew who he dated. He knew who I dated. We were friends. But, man, did I LOVE him. Hugh Chase. My dream boyfriend. I knew graduation was going to bring some changes because his mission was looming around the corner......

Hugh had a friend of his family take his Senior Pictures at his house. He invited me over. And about sent me to the moon when he suggested that we have a picture taken TOGETHER!!!

That wasn't my crown. It was his.....Homecoming King. That's right folks.....my date was the Super Hot Hottie Homecoming King!!

The Spring Luau. And I'm touchin' his HOT BOD!! Needless to say, I was very excited to show this picture to my friends...and strangers....and anyone else who would give me the time of day.

If you would like a peek at a SUPER CLASSIC picture of Hugh and I, click here.

In the beginning.....

Hugh and I met when we were 14 years old. Freshman in high school. It was the Homecoming Game at WHS (Go Rams!!) and Hugh had just been crowned Homecoming Attendant. The girl who won with him was a very good friend of mine. I used this as my opportunity to finally meet Hugh. I went up to my friend, Cami and with utmost Freshman drama, congratulated her on her new title of Most Popular Freshman (because come on, isn't that really what Homecoming Attendant/King/Queen is all about??). I gave her a big hug and kiss on the check. Well, standing next to her was this adorable blond headed boy wearing jeans, and a plaid shirt with an argyle sweater (we still argue about that.....NO Hugh, plaid and argyle DO NOT go together). I turned to him and squeeled "Congratulations!!!" and hugged him and KISSED HIM ON THE CHEEK!! (I wasn't very shy back then.....) Whoa! He was like "Who is this girl??" Anyway, that's how we met. That was October 26, 1984. We didn't have any classes together that year, so our friendship consisted of "hi's" in the breezeways. As sophomores, we ended up with a class together, and that's really when our friendship.....and my enormous crush......started.......

Are You Following Me?

Ok, I just added that little gadget over there on the right to show my "followers". Are there any of you out there? (Besides the four who've already let me know that I'm loved.) I'm just curious. Does anyone read this stuff?

Journals

The lesson I taught to my Young Women today was on the importance of Journals. I spent most of the lesson reading the girls stories from Hugh's Great Grandfather's journal. This man has such a detailed life history that he wrote himself. It's awesome. Some great stories. Anyway, this blog has in many ways become my journal. I don't usually post anything very emotional or spiritual, but it does contain the every day goings on of The Chase Gang. I'll save the emotional and spiritual stuff for an actual handwritten journal. (Yes, I'll start that today....) But, I've also realized that I don't have my life history in any type of written form. I have lots of memories and events that I can recall in detail, but how is that going to help my grandchildren and great grandchildren when I am gone? So, I've decided to dedicate one day a week on my blog to record some sort of event in my life. I'll start tomorrow. Memory Monday. How 'bout that? They may be long and boring, and if no one reads them, I'll be fine with that. But at least this way, I'll have them in print for my posterity. So, stay tuned for tomorrow's story....the story of how Hugh and I ended up together. It's a doozy!!

Griffin & Zoey Sitting in a Tree....

Yes, these two have become quite fond of each other. I wouldn't say that they are a "couple" yet, but they sure are flirting. Actually, we are going to be "taking care" of each of them as to not have little Griffins and Zoeys running around. (Not that I wouldn't mind that....how cute!!) They really are getting along great. They spend most of their time chasing after each other. And when they aren't doing that, they are off exploring the backyard. I have found them more than once cuddled up together in one of their many beds. It's so cute, and honestly, one of the best decisions we have ever made. Griffin really needed a playmate and Zoey fits in perfectly. I'm so in love with both of them.

My Little Stud

And the princess (she's wearing a Build -A-Bear Jacket in this picture....courtesy of Caitlin & Courtney)

Sharing the cage.

Sharing the bed

It Doesn't Get Better Than This

This was my favorite dance from last season's SYTYCD. It was the Samba with Katee & Joshua. Joshua went on to win the competition. He was my favorite from Day 1!! Tonight's show did NOT disappoint! I'm so excited that the season has started. And even more excited that they announced a FALL season of SYTYCD! Woo hoo! Doesn't take much to make me happy. Watch and enjoy! That Joshua is DELICIOUS!!!

Fast forward until about 2:30......you can skip all of the intro.....

Need I Say More?

My favorite part of summer.

OH. MY. GOSH!

Oh, that smile melts my heart....

Have you ever wanted to do something really, really bad?? Like, you would move heaven and earth do to it? Like, it makes you well up with tears just thinking about it? Well, that's how I feel when I think about meeting Andre Agassi. No lie. I've LOVED him since 1986 when he burst onto the tennis scene with that long, flowing hair, those acid wash shorts he wore over neon orange or green bike shorts, and the most awesome tennis skills known to man. In high school up until I married Hugh, I had a SHRINE of him plastered on my bedroom wall. I had a LIFESIZE CARDBOARD CUT OUT of him in my BEDROOM!!! (That was a birthday gift from my most awesome brother, Scott!!) Well, I was just notified that he....ANDRE AGASSI....will be in Surprise, Arizona playing in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championship. (Several other "old school" players will be playing....but none of them matter to me.) Here's my point: I WILL buy tickets...the best I can purchase....to watch the event. And I want to say this.....I WILL MEET HIM. I don't know HOW, but SOMEONE has to know SOMEONE who can help me make this dream come true!!! I figure if I say it...it will come true....you know, "The Secret" style. So, if any of you know anyone who knows someone who can help me with this, let me know. I will be your slave forever.

Classic Andre.....check out them buns!!!!

When he retired after losing in the 3rd round at the US Open...September 3, 2006. I cried and cried and cried as he cried and cried and cried. He received an eight minute standing ovation. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

I used to have this poster hanging in my room.

This is my room. Do you see the poster? Top left. See the custom made collage? Framed GQ cover?? The life size cardboard cut out was to the left of this....I couldn't find a picture of it. :(

This is the closest I've ever gotten to him. This was in Scottsdale in the 90's. He played John McEnroe.

See my shirt???

By the way, not only is he an amazing tennis player....the greatest male player EVER in my opinion, but he is also one of the most charitable people around. He started the Andre Agassi Foundation which is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children through its support of recreational and educational programs. Awesome! His foundation puts on this huge gala every year, and a few years ago Ellen DeGeneres was going to attend at his request. I wrote to her EVERY DAY for a month BEGGING her to take me. No luck. :( But I feel as though my luck is about to change!!!

Cupcakes

I've become obsessed with cupcakes. (Not hard for me because I have an obsessive personality.) Have you ever been to the blog Bakerella??? OH. MY. GOSH. I've seen ever page of this blog. This woman is so dang creative. I mean really.....who can come up with this?

And how yummy do these look??

And she makes all of these ADORABLE cupcake pops!! She even taught Martha Stewart how to make them!!!

And who wouldn't want these at Christmas??

Her blog is full of awesome baking ideas. Courtney and I going to make either this....

...or this.....

For the Girls' Camp Fundraising Dinner and Dessert Auction

Really, how could you resist these cuties?

Do you notice the sandy beach in the back??? And look at the little bears actually swimming in the "ocean". These have been requested by Courtney for her next birthday party. So dang cute.

Seriously, go visit Bakerella. You may need a glass of cold milk to go with it.