A Cougar Tale

You would never believe what happened to me! Well you wouldn't have if I didn't have PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE!

Friday, I was standing in Big 5 minding my own business when who should walk up and ask to get his picture taken with ME?! BRONCO MENDENHALL!

Okay, okay. Well he didn't exactly ask me.

Okay, he didn't ask me at all. But still! I got a picture with him.

So Gary was staying in the car with a sleeping Quynn who had been a crying Quynn most of the day. I was talking with him on my cell phone as I shopped for hiking shoes for Christian who conveniently wears the same size as me for the moment.

Gary stops me mid sentence, "BRONCO MENDENHALL IS WALKING IN THE BUILDING!!! HE JUST WALKED PASSED ME! HE IS WALKING IN THE DOORS RIGHT NOW!!! ITS BRONCO! ITS BRONCO! IT'S REALLY HIM!!!"

I turn to look and sure enough, its Bronco. My heart started beating, I mean he is only the head coach for the "Lords" team, the BYU Cougars! I didn't know if I dared ask for his picture. But then I simply asked myself WWPD (What Would Pat Do?) And I knew... a good blog post is worth any amount of embarrassment especially if I can humiliate my husband in the process. :-D

I casually eyed him as he took the stairs up to the upper floor (baseball season). I finished talking to the shoe guy and got up my nerve and carefully began to stalk my prey. I started up the stairs slowly, keeping my eyes peeled, but soon realized I COULDN'T SEE HIM ANYWHERE!

OH NO! I HAVE MISSED MY CHANCE!!!

I looked to my left...NOTHING
Straight ahead...NOTHING
I slowly look to my right just as his head is ducking down behind some racks. So I casually stroll over and he is hunched over. I would tell you what he was looking at but my heart was racing so hard I couldn't tell.

"Hi :-D Are you Bronco?" Ug! What a stupid question! But my mind was all flustered.

Well he gave me a huge smile and said, "Yes I am".

"Well my husband is out in the parking lot having a heart attack that you are in here. Can I get my picture taken with you?"

"Sure!"






Okay, notice his hand on my shoulder and actually TOUCHING my hair! And have you ever seen Bronco smile so big? Have you ever seen Bronco smile at all?

So then I throw out a delighted, "THANKS!" and walk back down to the cash register not daring to look back.

Of coarse on my way I had to quickly send a text to my closest friends, Facebook and most importantly my poor hub sitting in the car.

I had to stand in line for just a minute and who walks up behind me in line? You guessed it! BRONCO AGAIN! I swear he was stalking ME!!!

I got a text back from my boy toy telling me that I am a mess! He was embarrassed. Mission accomplished!

So of coarse I tell Bronco, "My husband is in the car dying of embarrassment because I texted him our picture. He's a season ticket holder". (Dude! Did you hear that? OUR picture? It has a nice ring doesn't it? Ahem)

So then he says, "Well thanks!" and gives me ANOTHER big smile.

In all, I found him to be a very pleasant guy. Cheerful even.

Upon leaving I realized I was about to puke! I had been feeling a bit under the weather the past couple of days and all the excitement made my tummy do somersaults.

In all, I was thrilled meeting him but a little disillusioned. I think I pictured him always walking around with an entourage. You know, a few of the players, maybe a small band playing the BYU fight song, and some old ladies selling popcorn and Cougar tails.

Still it was a great memory and definitely worth a blog entry. I love you Bronco, and I love the BYU Cougars!

Princess Day!!! (2010)

Today may have been the best Princess Day I have had since the original Princess Day exactly 18 years ago.

Eighteen years ago today I was named Madison High School's Junior Miss in Rexburg, Idaho. There were 28 contestants and I had NO intention of winning. It was a wonderful surprise.

For the next few years I didn't celebrate Princess Day. It wasn't until several years later that I decided the day should be appreciated every year. A day to celebrate when I was young and full of talent and beauty. A day when I only answer to "Princess" or "Your Majesty". (Not Queen! Queens are old and fat and mean.) I can be heard saying such things as "Curtsy while your thinking, it saves time" and "Open your mouth a little wider!"

Most years nothing really special happens on Princess Day. Maybe a special date or something. But not this year.

This year started last night with tickets to see the BYU Ballroom Dance Company. It was a WONDERFUL show and I was especially thrilled to see them use some of the songs I have used in previous recitals. I found my prince on the Ballroom Dance Team at BYU Idaho so it seemed fitting.

Today, I didn't really get to sleep in because we have 9am church but I did do my hair curly and wore fancy jewelry and spiky high heels.

During church I told my Relief Society that it was my Princess Day and when I moved seats, THE BISHOPS WIFE, called me "Your Majesty"! It was wonderful!

So after a good drinking up of the spirit I came home where my husband cooked a fabulous lunch. :-D

Then after quickly folding a couple of loads of laundry with him I was ordered to bed by my almost 6 year old, Boston. I had a good book (Princess Academy), which Gary was willing to hold open for me to read but ended up being a bit distracting so I held it myself. He brought me a bowl full of candy to snack on while I read. I didn't even last a page and I was out like a one ton truck.

I slept for TWO AND A HALF HOURS!!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!

When I woke I came out to Scottlynn holding my royal robe (made from an apron one of my little dancers made me) and a scepter she made for me, which sort of resembles an American Idol mic, and said I could beat them with it. Haha.

Then I came along this...It is three spoons of cookie dough for me, which unfortunately after candy earlier I couldn't even eat one. Of coarse I nibbled for the children's sake.

Then I was brought over to my thrown, sat down and was delivered a beautiful, hand made crown.


I was also given some perfect, warm, chocolate chip cookies.And what could be more perfect than the Twelve Dancing Princesses playing on the TV?


I checked my e-mail and had received some Princess Day wishes that I appreciate. I also received a phone call from my mom and the girls at her house wishing me a happy Princess Day.

Later this evening, I went for a walk around the neighborhood and visited with some of the common folk. The littlest duchess (Quynn) was asleep for earlier events but enjoyed the walk with us while wearing a beautiful bow complete with fur trim. (Sorry, no picture)

Now, all of the kiddo's are in bed and here I sit with some time to blog. What can be better than that?

Its weird to think it has actually been 18 years. I sure don't feel that old. I am sure girls that are competing now would look at me like a crazy old lady, and maybe I am. But today I get to celebrate my past accomplishments and I look forward to many more to come. Maybe not so many that will be published in newspapers and such but ones that mean so much in my heart. I wouldn't say Jr. Miss was the greatest accomplishment of my life, but remembering the day makes me feel young.

Happy Princess Day to me!

Random Ramblings

Guess what?! I got a new camera!!! It is amazing! So now I can blog all the time! Oh, actually, no. I mean who are we kidding? My blogging had very little if nothing to do with my camera and I really have no firm plans to blog any better. I mean I want to, but who knows. Maybe this summer. Blah.

I have taken a couple of self portraits and all I can say is that this baby is too good. It is so good that you can see all my old lady wrinkles and possibly even some split ends on my hair. Ug.


But the really really REALLY great news... is that it takes awesome video. My other camera was horrible at that but look at this!

.(Btw, this is my first time posting a video so I hope it even works.)


Okay, I know it's kind of a lame video. I mean nothing real dramatic but oh man, isn't she adorable? I really might have to do a bit more blogging with such an easy way to record video


So Quynn is growing up wayyyy too fast. She turned 9 months and got a tooth! Here is a picture of the first day it came in. I think she was way excited to get a tooth because the whole family had dentist appointments that day and she wanted to show it off.

(This was taken with my phone and she is waaaaaay cheesin it so you can see her new front bottom tooth. I just have to laugh at this picture. Isn't it funny?)

Btw, we got a new dentist and I am in LUV! They have coolio tv's above your head and flouride they paint on your teeth which is actually really irritating but kind of cool.

Anyway, I am out of time already. Gotta go pick Ken up from Softball. She is turning into a real pro athlete!