"Oh, We're half way there . . . Whoa, Livin on a Prayer"

When I was little I remember thinking that my aunts Sheila and Amber were so cool.  I loved riding in the back of their car when they would blast the 80's music and loved having dance parties in my Grandparents front room to the sounds of bands like Roxette and Def Leppard.  They even had a poster above their bed, where we took our naps, of Def Leppard.  Needless to say, I grew up listening to 80's hair bands and have had a real love for them my whole life thanks to Sheila and Amber's influence.  

That being said, Bon Jovi was always my favorite and last Wednesday I was able to mark something off of my list of things to do before I die . . . See BON JOVI live!!!

(It's My Life)

It was so much fun and the crowd was so great! Jon Bon Jovi was just as hot as he's ever been, which I probably shouldn't say considering he's old enough to be my dad.  But it's true and he had more energy than anyone in there.  I had a blast and would see them again in a heartbeat.  I danced, sang my heart out, waved my hands and even screamed a little when my favorite songs came on.  They sang more of their old songs than their new ones which made it so much more fun.  I was even tempted to go again the next night.  It was an awesome experience and something I will never forget.  I really hope that they continue touring so that I can go again someday.  

(Runaway)

(You Give Love a Bad Name) 

This video shows the entire arena singing along. The person who filmed it had crappy seats behind the stage but was able to capture the audience and what the band sees really well.

ONE CRAZY WEEK

This is what I look like today. Alive. . . Yes. I wasn't sure it was possible after the full and crazy week I just survived. Not that it was a bad week. It was just a very full week. I was running from place to place every day and really was only home Thursday evening. I am sleep deprived and at the moment hungry but last week was worth it. Let me just walk you through a crazy week in the life of Sarah.

Last Saturday

Last Saturday I got up early and went to Hay market with Kristin to get some strawberries. We loaded up 16 pounds and headed back to her place to make strawberry jam. I was super excited to learn how and was surprised how quick it went. We seriously over estimated how many strawberries we needed and ended up with a lot left over. It was strawberry short cake and strawberry bread all week long! We made the jam so quickly that we even had time to stop by a huge garage sale at an elementary school where we picked up some books and toys for Cora. We played Rock Band (Kenley got it for Father's Day), watched Transformers and ate some amazing burgers. It was a fun and full Saturday!

Cora got in a great nap and woke up with this killer hair due! She had us all laughing. Next it was out side to play with her new toy. It wasn't made to hold water, but she insisted on getting in.

Cora loved all the Strawberries!

We all had a GREAT Saturday but I think Kristin expresses greatly just how we all felt after the day was over. We were in need of some serious sleep.

Tuesday

As you all know, The Celtics beat out the Lakers on Tuesday! It was so much fun to watch the game with friends at a big ice cream party. I ended up leaving early because the game was such a blow out. I was super excited though and loved that they took out the Lakers with out having to go to game 7. I don't know that I could have done another late night game. (sorry, no pictures)

Wednesday

I went to an awesome Matt Wertz concert on Wednesday. I really didn't know who he was when I went, but after seeing the show, I can now say I am a big fan. His music is along the lines of Colby Collet and Jack Johnson and he was actually just signed to the same label as them. The venue was tiny. I am not even kidding when I say it was like sitting/standing in someones living room to watch the show. I was right in front of him the whole time and actually felt bad because I was probably the only one there who didn't know every word to every song and the singer could see me the whole time. I didn't care enough to move though. I've attached a video of his performance at a Borders a while ago. Take a listen, I swear you wont regret it.

Friday

Friday after work I went with a bunch of friends and Kristin to see Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls perform with the Boston Pops. We had no idea who the Dresden Dolls were when we went so we had no idea what kind of a show we were in for. There were all kinds of crazy people there, mostly dressed up goths, but it made people watching super fun. There was one guy who had a huge white Mohawk with a black hat on one side and his face was completely painted. Once the show started, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised. Amanda Palmer was so entertaining. We laughed the whole show. Her entrance was so much fun. I was so excited when someone had recorded it so you could all see.

Amanda's big entrance

Here's another song if you feel like listening. It really shows off just how cool music becomes with the accompaniment of the Boston Pops.

Saturday

It was another strawberry Saturday for us as we went to the Wilson's Farm strawberry festival. Kristin, Kenley, Cora and I had a blast eating strawberries, looking at all the delicious produce and taking a hayride of the farm.  

There were plenty of samples, which are always welcome.  

At first Cora was not having it but after the tractor started going she was all smiles.  

Sunday

After church on Sunday I went to a diner group with some people from my ward.  We had ourselves a little BBQ and went for a walk in the Fells.  It was absolutely gorgeous! 

This was the view from the top point of our walk.  

All in all, a GREAT week!  I am so looking forward to a good nights sleep and what next week has in store for me. (sorry this turned into another marathon post!) 

Shout Out to Hailey

Boston has been so HOT the last few days. It all started on Saturday when temperatures got into the mid 90s and it hasn't begun to cool down until today. It's suppose to be something like 80 degrees. The reporter on the news two days ago did an entire piece on how humidity effects the bodies cooling system. Pretty much . . . your cooling system doesn't work when humidity is present. So, on those days when it is 98 degrees . . . it really feels like it is 100+ degrees!

So, what is a girl who is living in a non-air conditioned house to do? Look at her sisters blog and take notes from her niece about how to wear her hair...Duh! I will admit I felt pretty funny walking around the house with my hair styled like my 1 year old niece, but it was far better than having my hair stick to my neck and it did offer a little relief. Thanks Hailey!

(I only had that sweatshirt on for .5 seconds while I took the picture!)

On Monday, I enlisted the help of Kenley and went on a search for a window air conditioner. It was an extremely long night. We stopped at Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, Costco, and Circuit City. Every store was completely wiped out of air conditioners. Finally, at 9:30 pm we found one at Sears! I swear, it was the best purchase I have ever made!

Now I can wear my hair down if I want, and sit in a nice 72 degree bedroom! It was a complete mess trying to find an air conditioner but well worth it! Thanks again Kenley for helping me out.

Canoeing the Concord

Last Saturday I went with some friends in the ward to Canoe the Concord River. We canoed down the river to the Minuteman park, got out for a little history lesson about the battle, canoed back up the river and finished the afternoon off with some Kimball's ice cream and a pedicure.

Look, I'm actually almost the shortest person there . . . that never happens!

It was absolutely beautiful and I loved all of the cool bridges that we passed under.

Starting out I got to sit in the middle and enjoy the ride while my canoe mates rowed along. It was fantastic, a little hot but relaxing!

This is another cool bridge at the Minuteman park, where the shots were heard around the world.

These are my Canoe mates, Emily and Claire. As you can see, we put our life vests to good use!

As I said before, we finished up our day with the greatest ice cream ever. . .

. . . and a pedicure. It was my first time! Yes, I was wearing flip flops and yes I did get a little burnt. It was really sad, the tops of my feet, tops of my knees and tops of my arm were the only things that got burnt. I borrowed Emily's organic sun screen for those areas and it didn't work at all. No more organic crap for me . . . give me the chemicals any day!