What's Your Flavor?

Have you tried the new Lays chip flavors? There are three finalists- cheesy garlic bread, chicken & waffles, and sriracha (gesundheit, right?). 

Dillon has decided that he is all about the chicken & waffles

I say bring on the cheesy garlic bread.

The only downer of the situation is that one, and one only, can win. Meaning after this competition of flavors, one of us is going to be craving chips that are not going to be obtainable. Rude. 

Go try them. Let me know what you think. Seriously, you should do it. 

Rock That Thong

This past week Dillon's mom had to undergo surgery (all went well). Dillon and I went up to help her out for a couple of days. While we were there we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and saw this in the parking lot.

In case you are wondering, that is in fact a hot pink thong hanging from the review mirror. Classy. The possible implications of that review-hanging thong are endless and all disturbing. Is that the car driver's used thong? Ew. Is that the car driver's not used but actually brand-new thong? In which case we can only assume that they wanted as all to know that they own some cheek-floss. Is that the car driver's girlfriend's thong? Again, classy.

Now, I'm not knocking thong-wearers. By all means, wear that thong, rock that thong-I just don't want to see that thong. Mmmk?

S is for Spoiled

I turned the big 2-4 last week. It seems that typically as you get older, birthdays are less fun. But not this one! Dillon definitely spoiled me. He's such a keeper.

Poor Dillon had to work a grave shift the night before my birthday so we turned it into a two day celebration due to the fact that he would be sleeping through a good chunk of the actual day. Friday night I convinced him to give me my presents early (He is always frustrated by the fact that I talk him into doing this every year. I've tried explaining that if he wouldn't tell me that he had them I wouldn't pester him. He hasn't learned yet. :) ).

He ordered the Beautiful Creatures book series for me. I was intrigued when I saw the movie trailer and he stored that little tidbit of information. Good work, I say. (This series is a fun, easy read. It is a teenage love drama with supernatural business but it's different enough that I've enjoyed it and it hasn't made me roll my eyes). He also ordered a new game for us to play together. I love, love playing games and my family never wanted to play them with me. I'm making up for all of the lost game-playing time by asking Dillon to play games with me- probably a bit excessively. He always obliges though. The new game is called Mr. Jack. We haven't played it yet but basically one side plays the role of the detective and one side plays the role of Jack (I'm thinking for Jack the Ripper?? Yes-Weird). A little morbid? Perhaps. But I bet it's fu-uun!

*Update on the game, it's totally innocent and fun. It's kind of like Clue. Still..kind of inappropriately named am I right?*

After presents we headed to Maurices because I feel like I'm in dire want need of dresses/skirts. 3 new dresses and 1 skirt later we were out the door (like I said, spoiled). 

For the last event of Day 1 celebrations, I dragged Dillon to the local drill team review at the high school. I ate it up and he paid enough attention to make comments like, "Why is that girl ALWAYS in the front? She doesn't even commit!" So funny.

Dillon headed to work, I went to bed. The next morning I had to try my hardest to let him sleep and not wake him up playing my version of Name That Tune. **Some weekend mornings I get impatient and start patting Dillon's arm to the rhythm of a certain song and exclaim, "Name that tune!". (You know, because I'm a bad wife). He groans in exasperation while I giggle like I'm the funniest person ever.**

When he woke up we headed down to St. George for some lunch and mall-trolling.

Sleepy face

Later that night Dillon made my favorite cake- rainbow chip. Delectable! I sat and ate it while admiring my new dishes that friends and family got me.

This post turned into a travelogue. Sorry! But as you can see, it was one fabulous birthday.

Shout Out

Shout out to one of the best little men I know. It was my nephew's birthday on the 22nd of February. He turned EIGHT.YEARS.OLD. Whoa team, whoa. He also chose to be baptized the following week. He is growing up into an awesome person. Dillon and I always joke that we can't compare other kids to Braden. He's not the standard. He's not a fit-thrower, he likes to help out, he totally has an above-his-age-level wit. And I know everyone wants to say this about kids in their family BUT he seriously is unbelievably athletic. As in, there is not a sport I've seen him try that he did not excel at.

Happy Birthday to a great kid!

My Inner Science Geek

This past week was Spirit Week at school. One of the days was declared to be nerd day. I was trying to come up with something but I don't have the stereotypicals- no suspenders, no thick-rimmed glasses, no high-water pants or hiking sandals that I could sport socks with. So instead I decided to be a science geek complete with lab goggles, lab coat, and a trashy geeky home made shirt.

I heart science but the heart is just a shaded in section of an atom. Clever no? (It's okay if you're not laughing)

I actually had a legitimate shirt like that once but it's gone missing. I now have my eye on the hoodie version (like for reals).

Believe it or not, I think these science novelty products are hee-larious. At the risk of exposing myself as the science geek that I am here are a few of my faves:

A mug with the actual chemical structure of caffeine= stupid grin for this science loving girl

A little word play on an interestingly named rock type for you geology zealots. (For the record, rocks also have cleavage. Now that is a real giggle-fest in middle school science)

This chemistry t-shirt had me laughing for a good ten minutes. Doesn't do the same for you? It's okay, I understand.

I'm not a huge fan of Star Wars. But a Star Wars quote that includes physics? That's a real gem right there folks.

This one I've seen on t-shirts, mugs, etc. For some reason all I could find was a picture of a bumper sticker. Don't get the bumper sticker. I hate bumper stickers. But the joke is funny for everyone, science or no (please laugh at this one, please). It has biology, humor, and cynicism all rolled into one. You can't beat that.

I could go on forever but I won't because I know the general population clicks off their interested button at any mention of the word science.  Please come back though, I promise not to make these science posts a regular thing. Deal? Deal.

*And for the record, our future babies will totally wear these:

**And to ease Dillon's peace of mind, they will probably also wear this and this:

V-day

Our first Valentine's together I was recovering from a lovely pneumonia/flu combo. We cuddled on his apartment couch and I fell asleep early with my mouth gaping and snores escaping..my come hitherness at it's finest.

Our second Love Day was pretty simple. It was our first one being married. To be honest, I can't remember all of the details. It seems to be a fog-covered memory of dinner and a movie. 

Our third SAD we spent apart. Dillon had a conference for work in California and I had teaching to do in Utah so I couldn't go with him. He did, however, help me plan my night alone before he left. It was a night full of chick-flicks and Panda Express (Dillon does not like Panda and puts up a fight if I suggest it)- a rather splendid evening.

This particular Valentine's Day was kept simple and low-key but I think we both prefer it that way. No muss, no fuss. We did dinner at Market Grill because Dillon had never been. We got a good chuckle because that place is Senior Citizen Central.  We got in a good movie, let our food digest, and then traveled out again for dessert. Like I said, easy-peasy.

Our V-day presents this year were done differently. We've tried the whole, "Let's get something romantic for each other!" bit and Dillon usually succeeds while I pull my hair out wondering what in the world qualifies as a romantic gift for a man (besides the obvious). This year we tried the 14 Days of Valentines as seen on Pinterest, literally lurking around every corner.

We cheesed it up with things like this and it was fun.

But I think from here on out we'll just do one gift and not even worry about it being romantic. Dillon likes t-shirts, I'm all about shoes and books. We've got this holiday in the bag.

Middle-Schoolers Like To Hit On My Husband

A couple weeks back I chaperoned a mini fieldtrip/activity for a club that students can join at the middle school. The activity for January was a little tubing up at Brian Head Resort. Originally, another teacher was going to come with me but had last minute scheduling conflicts. Guess who was suckered into coming with me instead?

This guy...

(His face a mere 15 minutes after riding the bus with 35 screaming middle schoolers)

There have been a few times when Dillon has been really awesome and helped me with school stuff. And it is hilarious! Let me tell you why:

-One particular time he came to pick me up for lunch and the following took place:
        Girl Student: Mrs.Thatcher, is that a high school aide?
        Me: Nope. That's my husband.
        Girl Student: Oh! Ashley said he was an aide....(followed by blushing, awkward
        walking away, and not-so-subtle giggling)

-Last spring he helped judge our Physics Fair and ALL . DAY. LONG .
       Girl Student #1: Mrs. Thatcher who is that? He's cute! (giggle)
       Girl Student #2: Mrs. Thatcher does he go to the high school? (giggle)
       Girl Student #3: Mrs. Thatcher he's hot! Who is he? (giggle)
       So on and so forth.

-Earlier this year:
       Boy Student: Mrs. Thatcher is that your son?
       Me: Nope. That's my husband.
(While this has nothing to do with flirting and really could have been insulting to both me and Dillon, it mostly just gave us a good belly-laugh. These kids genuinely have no concept of age.)

This particular trip was no different. As soon as we hopped on the bus...
        Girl Student: Mrs. Thatcher, who is that? (Bellowed from the back of the bus)
        Me: My husband.
        Girl Student: What's your husband's name?
        Me: Dillon
        Girl Student: Dillon, your really cute!! (giggle, giggle)
        Dillon: Thank...you...???

Before the activity I tried to convince Dillon to let me tell the students that he was in fact a high school aide...and then go on to hold his hand and snuggle with him on the bus. He put the kibosh on that idea. Spoil sport.

What can I say? My baby-faced husband is one good-looking dude. And every 12-14 year old girl in Cedar City agrees.