The weekend of the 18th was the annual Apple Festival in Hartford, Ohio. My sister-n-law Greta’s home town (which she was the apple queen one year, btw). About 3 years ago, we squeezed our way into the Betts’ tradition of making a weekend out of it. We headed up there with my parents on Friday night and stayed in a hotel over the weekend.

Basically the weekend consisted of, laughing, eating lots of food primarily fair food (fries, corn dogs, you know), 4-wheeling, more laughing and overall just a great time.

It’s times like these where I think to myself, “Man, my life is awesome!”

This past weekend we were able to go to Chicago (thank you Kesten’s and $35 one ways Southwest!)

We got in on Thursday afternoon and left early this morning. For the short amount of time, we sure packed a lot of fun in it! We were able to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Bahai Temple, Chicago Art Museum, Window shop the Magnificent Mile – I was going to buy a few new fall items at Prada, but we just didn’t have time, ha ha! I can’t fail to mention the amazing food we had Saturday night at Hugo’s Frog Bar when I hear the term “filet medallions” my taste buds will water! We were very lucky to get a ‘local’ view of Chicago too, it was so fun!

Sunday James and I ventured on our own (true tourist style) and headed over to Navy Pier . I have to say, I’m proud of myself as to make this trip as least costly as possible we only took a cab to the airport, and walked the 2 miles (each way) from our hotel to navy pier. I got my people watching fix in for sure. I loved our hotel, especially b/c priceline gave us a super duper deal! Being the freak I am, I was stressed we weren’t going to wake up in time to catch our cab at 5 a.m. So I had a really cool internal alarm that woke me up every hour starting at 12 a.m. it was awesome. Not. But we made it on time!

It was a great time and had fun pretending there wasn’t laundry or bills waiting us at home!

Over the weekend Lauren & Bob Hughes blessed us with their presence. Lauren and I were crazy friends in college and have kept in touch. We had talked about visiting each other, and Lauren made it happen! They came in Friday night (they drove 10 hrs to sleep on a full size bed, then to drive an additional 4 hrs round trip just to be with us). We got up Saturday morning and made a hearty breakfast -I’m not telling how many pieces of bacon I ate…ok FINE maybe like 6, are you happy? Then we headed up to Cleveland to go to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame – it was so busy but I loved it. I’ve been there several times, but they change out their exhibits so it was fresh. We even got to tour Johnny Cash’s 1979 Tour bus he was stylin’! After we walked around the shore and headed off to some delish food at The Hard Rock. We finished it off with an “eh” movie .

Sunday we went to church, then headed off to Kirtland to see the beautiful sites of the church. I don’t think I can get enough of that place. I learn something new each time. I didn’t know this, but besides Salt Lake (where our church is headquartered) Kirtland was the longest settlement of the early saints where they stayed for 7 years. We headed back home for a much needed family gathering – I love my family!!!! Then we headed in the car AGAIN to go back to Columbus. We drove them around a little bit on Monday and ate some good food and said adios to the Hughes, until next time!! We had a great time!

I finished beauty school, hair school, cos school (whatever you call it) September 11, 2009, about 2 weeks after my scheduled date. Not bad considering what happened during the 10 months I was in school.

You’d be interested to know that on my first day of school my class was around 11. Of those, only 6 of us made it all the way through. Beauty school was much different than college. I dare say it was more difficult in the sense that it was a full time job being there FORTY hours a week in the SAME room with the SAME people for TEN months can wear on a person if ya get my drift. Don’t get me wrong, I made some life long friends and learned about myself as well. I learned about stretching my abilities, I made plenty of mistakes (mostly on my mannequins!), learned more than just about hair, skin and nails. Did you know that zygomatic bone is also known as the cheekbone? I learned that being a peace maker is so much easier than giving my opinion at any given opportunity. I was known in school as just that, and was thankful that was my ‘legacy’ if you will. There was plenty of drama, and hair pulling moments, but just as that – there was always someone there to sweep up my hair after a haircut. sigh. I am proud to announce that I was in the top 3 of my entire school in service volume, retail volume, customer satisfaction and repeat customers. (thanks to all my family and friends!)

I have to say, I didn’t do this on my own. If it wasn’t for the strength that Heavenly Father instilled in me, the love I felt he had for me when I just thought I couldn’t take it anymore. I had amazing support from my entire family, especially Greta, Mom and James. Thanks to Greta for being my VERY first haircut in school, thanks to Mom for always coming to see me in school and thanks to James for his constant encouragement and high fives. I can’t forget my fly girls from church that gave me a chance to get my practice in!!!

I’ll never forget the teachers asking me not to go b/c I “balanced” everything out. Or the mass quantities of kit kats, diet coke, that were consumed in the break room. There are many things that I will try to forget, but I’ll never forget that I did it. Now I just study and PRAY I pass my boards!

This is just the beginning, I am starting from square one. It’s been an exhilarating experience all in the same it’s been draining. I am still on the job hunt which has left me feeling a little displaced at the moment, but I know the right thing will come along eventually…until then, folding childrens clothes will have to due (ugh).

I AM DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup. I’m 30, I’ve got the cake to prove it:

In case you can’t read it, it says Happy Dirty 30 O.G. Steph. According to my classmates, I had to “represent” my age. Gotta love it!

So, I had kind of had a weekend long of celebrations. Friday night some AWESOME friends from my ward threw me a surprise party. I loved it! We started off the night with the best, TACO BELL!! When they found out it was my bday, they paid for my dinner. I’m sure it’s the fact that we brought 15 other people to eat there as well. Then we headed out to a childhood pastime of mine, roller skating! let’s just say I had to take a break after almost every song! After that, we headed to sing our hearts out at karaoke. I have to say my favorite was my friend that sang Hammertime with me. We totally should go on tour. We ate delicious chocolate pie!! I loved all the girls that came and thought of me. I love you guys!

It was busy on my actual birthday Saturday too. I had 3 clients at school, the we had a potluck/cake party in our breakroom!!! James came up and surprised me with flowers, he’s so sweet! After school we left to my bro’s house we were to meet up w/ Tony & Greta and my parents – off to dinner so I thought. We drove downtown and I thought, “Oh we’re having a fancy dinner!” or…going to see a movie. I’ll be honest at first I said to myself “We drove all the way downtown to see a movie?” When all of the sudden I look up and see this little marquis that said “Stephanie B-day”…and as I walked in I heard “SURPRISE!” James had rented out this nice little theatre!!! All for us, friends from Cleveland came down (which was my biggest surprise), and friends from Columbus. I felt so loved and was so thankful for awesome friends, wonderful family and an amazing husband. We watched Harry Potter in our own theatre, along with my 3rd birthday cake!

I had an amazing Birthday and am thankful everyone in my life. Here’s to another 30 years!

To Cincinnati for a night. The Occasion? A dear friend I hadn’t seen in over 4 years! We go back to our Ricks College Women Choir days! It was her bday, and was visiting family. So we drove down to Cincy, it was about 1 1/2 away so we met for breakfast on Saturday. It was cool b/c we hadn’t met each other’s husbands. We said goodbye to them and were off to explore. I have to be honest, I was kinda dissapointed in the tourist friendly-ness of downtown. Probably b/c we just used our gps and didn’t plan anything out (including having cash for anything) it was our own fault we didn’t get to explore as much as we wanted to.

The museums that were open, the parking garage was cash ONLY and there were no ATMS in sight and there was literally no street parking! We drove around for a while, and decided we were going to go to the aquarium instead. Nope! It was $8 to park, then $10 a piece for admission. I understand that when you travel, stuff costs $, I’m just used to Cleveland a lot of their stuff is free. Oh well. We got to spend like 3 hours at Ikea and we went to this huge flea market called Cesears Creek. It got a A+++ in people watching and lots of interesting stuff! We stayed over night for $45 at a Holiday Inn, thank you priceline! It was a fun ’staycation’ many more of those to come!

It was sad to say goodbye to some of my favs at school. Obviously the two girls in crowns were the grads. That’s Amber & T w/ my girl Laura. These are some of the girls that have helped me through beauty school! I love you girls congrats!!!! I have 5 more weeks!

I’m a counter. I make lists.

I have 3 weeks left in my 20’s
I have 9 weeks left till I graduate from Beauty School
James has 2ish years till he’s done w/ his undergrad

Everything seems so unattainable in the beginning, but as we’re getting closer it’s more like ok, we can do this.

I will admit, watching others buy their houses, have their babies, go on exotic vacations makes me give and audible “sigh” – (not trying to sound jealous just anxious!) I step back and am overwhelmed for the life Heavenly Father has given me. He gave me an amazing Family and awesome friends and my Best Friend James.

I know that several of my entries have been reflective and often times not upbeat…but I am so excited for what’s to come! What am I going to do with the gifts I’ve been given instead of wishing I had things others do. I’m thankful for reflecting it gives me the kick in my boo-tay I need to say to myself, “stop complaining and start doing!”

So tomorrow I start doing. I have an informal interview with my first salon tomorrow. I’m back on my path for weight loss (I think, lol). I’m on my way to my 30’s and I can’t wait!!!