National Cheesecake Day!

Whitney . Morgan . Blake . Sammy . Janessa . Jeff . Aubrey . Scott

Who doesn't love cheesecake? This Wednesday was National Cheesecake Day and to celebrate the occasion we gathered at The Cheesecake Factory in Mission Viejo to enjoy some delicious cheesecake for only $1.50 a slice! In honor of The Cheesecake Factory's 30th Anniversary, they reverted back to their 1978 prices for one night only. After looking over their almost 30 item menu, I decided on the Godiva "Death by Chocolate" Cheesecake. Its a killer! More chocolate than one man can handle...but not one woman! I devoured the whole thing. What can I say?

Chocolate + Cheese + Cake = Eternal Bliss

Conceptual Design

As an Interior Designer, sometimes the best part of the design process is coming up with the concept for a home. In an earlier post titled Indonesian Muse I shared the over-seas inspiration for a new home we've begun building on Lido Isle. This week at work we've been busy specifying a concept or theme for the home with various authentic materials. Among the selections are this beautiful limestone flooring, teak wood for cabinetry & moldings, ornate ceiling treatments with woven rattans, and intricate wall paneling throughout. I already love the island style of this waterfront beauty.

Earthquake!

Where were you when the earthquake hit?


Tuesday morning at 11:42am the earth shook at a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale. The seismic energy was centered in Chino Hills on the San Andreas Fault in southern California and boy did it scare the living daylights outta me! I was sitting at my thousand pound ALL GLASS table typing away on my computer when everything around me started to shiver! I was pretty much hysterical...kind of embarrassing, I know.

I've lived through tons of earthquakes to know what to do, but for some reason the minute the quake hit I forgot everything you're suppposed to do. My first thought took me back to grade school when they tell you to "duck and cover," but I certainly wasn't going to take cover under a thousand pound glass table. So my next thought was "Run to a doorway." Where? There are no doorways. I work in a flippin' wherehouse! Finally, my boss, who has never been in an earthquake before says "Run outside. Hurry!" My heart was racing. I ran after him, nearly in tears as we hurried out the door. Huge pieces of tile were shaking off our shelves and a few models dropped to the floor.

When we made it outside there were just a few seconds left to watch the windows shake and the earth finally come to a hault. My heart was still racing from the excitement as we joined the rest of our colleagues. We had a few moments of laughter as we reminisced about our frantic behavior only moments before and realized we better get back to work. Talk about an exciting day at the office!

Kristina's Surprise Shower

Last week the girls at the office threw our co-worker, Kristina, a surprise Bridal Shower. The plan was to have her drive into work that morning with her sister and then we would stall her with extra work that needed to be finished up after 5:00, so the rest of the office could sneak over to her condo in Tustin.

However, as luck would have it, plans were thwarted that morning when Kristina accidentally over slept. Oops! She had to skip her shower, leave without her make-up on, and worse, drive without her sister. Fortunately, her sister quickly thought of an alternative plan and the tension eased as we all got a good laugh everytime Kristina would say, "All I want is to go home and have a shower!" LOL! Little did she know, she would get her shower...a bridal shower!

The surprise was a success! Her mom was able to stall her with some story about needing to meet her after work to alter her veil, which gave us all enough time to set up the food, presents, and get ready for the surprise. Everything went perfectly! When she walked in the door she was so shocked and excited to see all of her friends and co-workers there to celebrate with her. We all laughed again as we told her how funny it was everytime at work she said "All I want is to go home and have a shower!" So glad you got your shower Kristina!

Happy moooooving day to me!

Funny Lunch Convo

My boss on why Mormon girls should go on lots of dates . . .

Boss: You know Aubrey, you're a cheap date.
Me: Excuse me?
Boss: Well, you don't drink.
Me: Thats true. Water with a lemon.
Boss: Most women drink Martini's til the sun comes up.
Me: What's your point?
Boss: You'd think a cheap date like yourself would get more dates.
Me: Gee, thanks!
Boss: I'm just sayin'...if I were one of those boys, I'd be buying you ice waters all night long.
Me: I'm flattered.

Fantasy . Adventure . Discovery

For a girl who sailed through High School without reading a single book, I sure do love to read now. Tonight the San Clemente 5th Ward Book Club met to discuss our latest read, the fictional novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The book was phenomenal! Although reading the first hundred pages was like pulling teeth, the last 15 knocked my socks off. I'm not gonna go into any kind of detail and spoil it for those of you who are still planning on reading it, but oh man, what a story! I finished the book a week ago and my mind is still spinning in circles. It was that good! If you're looking for a great summer read, this book is it.

Baby Howell is coming . . .

Wednesday night my sweet friend Jessica Howell had her baby shower at The Cheesecake Factory in Mission Viejo. The evening was delightful. Yes, I just said delightful. The night was filled with fabulous food, fun gifts, and friendly faces! I can't wait for Baby Howell to get here. Just 3 more weeks!

Me and baby Jade Lundquist. I want one!

Hobby girls

Two blonde bomshells

Amanda with the mommy-to-be

Sexy Mia! Sorry boys, she's off the market!

Karly & Jess . . . old roomies.

South county girls!

The Prom Date I Never Had

Dear Brad,

Today you leave us. Sad, but true. I will always remember the times we shared at Keiser's cabin in Big Bear, the fun we had at Villa de Hazy, late night song practices at the church, and who can forget the lazy Saturdays at 10th Street. Oh how we'll miss you. I'm not sure how we'll survive without you. It will be tough, but somehow we'll get by. I bid you Adieu. God be with you til we meet again...in like a few months!

XOXO,
Aubrey

Nephi's [10²/√2(5+3)]th Birthday

This kid cracks me up! Last night we celebrated Nephi's Birthday at...(mom, don't be mad!) Hooter's. It was pretty much hilarious! A bunch of Mormon kids and a birthday boy named Nephi at a sleazy BBQ joint in Costa Mesa. Gotta love it!

Nephi might look less than interested with the company, but believe me, he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

As part of the birthday celebration, the waitress tied balloons on the birthday boy's belt loops. Nephi later told me he was sucking in BIG TIME. Nephi, you look good to me!

Appropriately inappropriate.

After dinner we headed back to the boy's place in HB for a little more crudeness with a classic game of Twister Nephi's roommates gave him for his birthday. This was my favorite shot of the night. "Right foot yellow, left hand....whoa, watch the backside Nephi!"

Custom Contemporary

When I first joined the Fari International team in 2006, everyone was busy at work on this beautiful ocean front estate in the beach community of Corona Del Mar. Its been a year since its completion but because I never shared pictures then, here they are now . . .

. entry hall .

. master bath .

. master suite .

. breakfast nook .

. powder room .

. game table .

Journal of a lazy Sunday

Today was one of those great Sundays that set the tone for the week ahead. I was up early to get a few things done for my calling and then, it was off to church to practice our special musical number one last time before Sacrament meeting. I was the second Alto in an octet with a few other friends from the ward and sang a beautiful rendition of "I Need Thee Every Hour," which happens to be my favorite church hymn. We were accompanied by the talented Laura Bryan on the piano and the equally fabulous Cassie McDaniel on the the Viola. I think it went well, at least I hope it went well.

After church I decided it would be a lazy Sunday. I fed my face, caught up on a few friend's lives through the wonderful world of blogging, took a cat nap, read a few chapters in the new book I picked up this weekend, tickled the ivorys for an hour, made some delicious chocolate chip banana bread, and then at sunset I relaxed outside with my puppy and took these photos of my parent's beautiful blooming roses. Sometimes you just need to take time out to "stop and smell the roses."

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

Today for my Dad's 50th birthday his friends, the Goettels, surprised him with front row tickets to the Angels vs. Red Sox game. Jealous! I was actually a little bummed that I wasn't gonna get to spend the whole day with my pops. But . . . dun-duh-duh-dun . . . I got a phone call this morning at 9:00 from one of my Project Managers at work saying that he had 2 extra tickets on the Club Level for the Angels game today and wanted to know if I'd like to have them. Suh-weeeet! So, I grabbed my little brother and we followed my parents and the Goettels off to the game.

diamond club . front row . behind home plate

Mickey and Minnie even showed up for the occasion.

My brother Scotty and LeAnn

Both big Guerrero fans

Enjoying their sweet seats.

My Dad's COOLER than your Dad!

Lucha Libre 2008

For those of you not familiar with the movie Nacho Libre, I apologize. You will not understand this post at all. Go rent the movie. Its totally AWESOME! And for those of you who have seen it, you'll know that last night I went to the coolest event ever! I went to a real Lucha Libre match to watch the Luchadores duke it out at the OC Fair. After the "show" we stuffed our face with greasy garbage and then took to the rides. What a night!

"Chancho. When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun."

"I know the wrestlers get all the fancy ladies, and the clothes, and the fancy creams and lotions. But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5AM, and make some soup! It's the best. I love it. I get to lay in a bed, all by myself, all of my life! That's fantastic!"

"How come we can't ever have just like a salad?"

"Silence brothers! This is the worst lunch I ever had."

"Eagle powers... come to me! Please."

"My life is gooooood. Real goood."

"Summon your Eagle Powers!"

"Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior?"

"You gotta be kidding me. Everything you just said, is MY favourite thing to do, every day!"

"Those eggs were a lie, Esqueleto. A LIE! They give me no eagle powers! The give me no nutrients!"

"Your only job is to cook. Don't you realize I have had diarrhea since Easters!"

"I'm not listening to you. You’re crazy."

"I think me and my friend are ready to go pro!"

"I am a-singing at the party. I am singing it's my turn to sing at this party. Everyone is dancing, happy party."

"They are just niños, trying to release their wiggles."

"I was wondering if you would like to join me in my quarters this night... for some toast."

"These are my recreation clothes...they might have the appearance of riches, but beneath the clothes, we find a man... and beneath the man we find... his... nucleus."