My Amazing Comic Con Experience

Comic Con this weekend turned out to be everything I wanted it to be and more. Bob and I had a blast! Bear with me, cause this post could get out of hand...

Thursday was my short day since I didn't take work off. We got there around 12:30, but the crowds trying to get in were so large, we didn't actually get in until nearly 2! Since I had to leave for work by 3:30, that didn't give us much time to do anything so we wandered the booths and vender's aimlessly while stopping to take pictures with anything we thought was cool and chowing down on some highly over priced pizza. One of the booths had the author of the Michael Vey books signing posters for free. Since my nephew Robert is a huge fan of the books, Bob and I stopped to get one for him. The author was super nice, and asked if we wanted more for anyone else. Since we got one for Robert, we decided it was only fair to get one for the rest of Ryan's kids. We were both impressed with how nice he was!

Too soon, it was time for me to go. Bob had taken work off, so he was able to stay longer checking out the rest of the booths and sitting in on some panels. Thursday night, a special announcement was made! Patrick Stewart was going to be attending Comic Con, giving autographs and doing photo ops for Saturday only! I found out while I was at work and got so excited! I knew I had to meet him!

Ghost busters car and bumblebee

The Batmobile

The doctor from Doctor Who

Batman and Poison Ivy

Daenerys

The Delorean



Umbrella Corp.

Catwoman and Wonder woman

Balloon Transformer

Poison Ivy

Bob getting signed posters by the Michael Vey author

Friday my sisters Kelsey and Savannah tagged along with Bob and I. We didn't have to wait as long to get in since we showed up about an hour before the doors actually opened. Bob wanted to sit in on some panel right at 10, so my sisters and I browsed all the booths I hadn't gotten to the day before. Since I had dressed up as The Flash, we had to stop a couple times for people to take pictures with me, but otherwise we maneuvered the crowds effortlessly. Occasionally we tried to be sneaky and see the celebs at their booths through the crowds. We didn't realized that you could do free meet and greets and we didn't want to pay for autographs from everyone so we looked from a far instead. Finally 12 rolled around and it was time for our photo op with Karl Urban. I knew who he was and I knew he was a good looking guy, but I had never really given him much thought before. However as soon as I went into the photo op booth and saw him in person, my heart may have skipped a beat. He is absolutely GORGEOUS in person! After our photo op, we went searching for Bob. While we had been away, he had seen Julie Benz (Rita from Dexter) as she had been walking from her autograph booth to her photo op. He shouted to her that he recognized her, and she could have waved and kept on walking but instead she turned around and walked back to him in order to shake his hand and say hi to a fan. Not only did we all think that was super nice of her, but Bob was practically drooling over how beautiful she is in person for the rest of the day as well. After our celeb encounters, we headed to Olive Garden to eat lunch since we were all starving! While there we looked at the schedule for the rest of the day. Right after lunch, Julie Benz had a panel. I was jealous of Bob meeting her so we decided to go so I could see her too. She was so funny! I really enjoyed listening to her talk. After her panel we wandered some more booths and took pictures with more people who were dressed up before I took my sisters to their photo op with Karen Gillan (Amy Pond from Doctor Who). While they waited for their picture, Bob and I met up with my cousin Amy and her kids in another panel. It was nice to sit and rest my feet while talking to Amy about her adventures at Comic Con so far. She also let me in on an awesome secret, we could meet and greet the celebs for free! Once my sisters were done getting their photo op, it was time to say bye to Amy and head home.


My sisters and I with Karl Urban. This picture doesn't even do him justice.

Breaking "Bath" bath salts



The pic says Hulk no smash with him holding
a kitty, awe!

Spiderman and Deadpool

Lady star trooper



Kelsey and the Tardis

Supergirl



Chewy

Harley Quinn and another Daenerys

Falcon

All terrain scout transport from Star Wars



R2-D2

Jessica Rabbit



Daenarys again, she was the best one I saw



Kelsey and Hagrid

Star trek green screen photo

Julie Benz panel

Julie Benz panel

Julie Benz panel

Kelsey and Savannah with Karen Gillan

Saturday Savannah stayed home, but Kelsey tagged along with Bob and I to the final day of Comic Con. We were determined to get pictures with Patrick Stewart, but the online purchases weren't working. We went early to get in line and found an entrance that was less crowded so we could book it to the Photo Op booth as soon as it opened to purchase our photo op. Luckily we made it in time, and they weren't sold out! Once that stress was gone, Kelsey and I began shopping for X-Men shirts to wear in the photo. Bob had to leave to make his car payment so it was just the two of us. Kelsey couldn't find one she wanted, but I found an awesome Phoenix shirt that I bought and wore the rest of the day. After I got my shirt we decided to try some free meet and greets with the celebs. Kelly Hu from Vampire Diaries didn't have a line so we went to her first. After one meet and greet, we were hooked. So we went to Sean Patrick Flanery's booth next. I have liked him a lot ever since I saw Boondock Saints in High School so I was excited and nervous to meet him. Luckily he was really nice! The people in front of us asked if he would talk to their friend on the phone who was also a fan, so he called her and left her a voicemail in his sexy Irish accent. When he was done with the message, the friend had text back asking what the phone call was for. So he responded with a selfie of himself and the friends in the background. I thought that was so cool of him. Next it was my turn, I stammered some nonsense before finally asking him if I could have a hug. He said of course, and came out from behind his booth to hug me (It was amazing!!). I finally made some coherent sentences about loving him since Boondock Saints and enjoying him in Dexter too, before I stumbled away in some happy shock. I told Kelsey I thought I might start crying tears of happiness, and then Bob called. As soon as I told him I got a hug from Sean Patrick Flanery, the happy tears started and my face turned red for the rest of the day! Bob brought back pizzas from California Pizza Kitchen, so we went and ate with him before the three of us headed to the Cosplay contest. Cosplay was our first disappointment. The MC's were awful and trying to turn it into a stand up comedy show, but they weren't even funny at all. They also kept having breaks for musical numbers. I think we only saw 15-20 minutes of Cosplay in the entire 90 minute show. It was disappointing, but at least I got to see my friend Jeanine in her costume! After Cosplay, we ran into Wade and the twins and chatted for a while until we saw Julie Benz in her booth. I had to meet her after how nice she was to Bob so I went in for a meet and greet. She was really nice, and very pretty in person. Her eyes are kind of mesmerizing. After meeting her, Kelsey and I met Laurie Holden (Andrea in Walking Dead). She wasn't very nice to the guy in front of us who asked for a picture but she was nice to us and she talked about how tired she was and how dreadful she must look by now. We reassured her that she looked great, but we understood how exhausting three days of autographs and pictures must be. Finally we met Jon Bernthal (Shane in Walking Dead), before heading to our Patrick Stewart photo op line. Kelsey and I were easily part of the first dozen there, but they wouldn't let us line up since it was too early. As more and more people showed up, they got frustrated and kicked everyone out of the photo op area. When we came back, Kelsey and I were able to work our way to the front of the line, where Amy and Wade met us. We visited for a long time (a lot longer than we should have, because the photo op volunteers messed up the lines and while we were in the first line there, we ended up being nearly last...) But I enjoyed spending the time chatting with my cousins. Finally it was our turn to meet Patrick Stewart. They rushed us through, since they had so many people to accommodate, but it was so exciting seeing him in person. He looks exactly the same as he does on the big screen! Now I can officially say I've met Charles Xavier, as well as I've officially met someone knighted by the queen. Imagine that! We were all really happy to see him, but none more so than Amy! She had some wicked funny giggle going on after we got the picture, and as much as she protested our teasing, she couldn't stop! It was hilarious! Finally we headed back to Bob and the kids, and headed home for the night. I can't think of a better way to spend my weekend!


Patrick Stewart!!

Kelsey and the mini tardis

Yes that's a tarantula on my head... The guy
didn't ask if he could put it there, he just did it.
I figured it was too late to avoid it so I might
as well get a picture of it.

Wonder woman and some gladiator maybe?



That is Sean Patrick Flanery. I couldn't take
pictures while I was up there since I didn't pay
for an autograph, so I settled for a distance

Katniss

Jeanine looking cute in her costume. I can't
remember what she was dressed as...
something from a video game I think

Cosplay contest

Frozen's Elsa and Anna

Iron Man

Mommy and me outfits from Star Wars



Iron Man

Maleficent

The Red Skull

The Incredibles. (At least until they started singing...)



Best Belle costume I've seen outside of
Disneyland

Zelda

A little kid dressed as the Doctor from Doctor Who



Bob drawing after being inspired by other
artists at Comic Con

Kelsey and I waiting for our Patrick Stewart photo op





The picture Bob was drawing

Crowd behind us waiting for Patrick Stewart photo ops



More of the crowds

Kelsey, Amy and I waiting for our Patrick Stewart photo op

Why not sit in a Ferrari?

Kelsey's turn

Kelsey with The Avatar

Stress Distractions

I have become so overwhelmed with stress that I have become a ticking time bomb of emotions ready to explode into tears at any given moment. Since the stress is not related to Bob and I, I'm fairly confident in saying this isn't the place to share. However, what I can say is that two people who I am extremely close to and care for deeply have chosen me to confide in and seek advice from as their lives have seemingly begun to unravel. Due to circumstances completely outside their control, they have found themselves at a crossroad where they will have to decide whether to stay in unhealthy and in some ways abusive relationships with their significant others or make the hardest decision they will ever have to make and leave the relationships behind for their better well-being (and that of their children). As you can see this is a really stressful moment for anyone, but I'm dealing with two separate cases of this. I know that they are far more stressed than I am, and I can't imagine how they are getting by. What I do know is that in trying to be everything for them, from confidant, to shoulder to cry on, to advice giver is taking a serious toll on me.

Luckily, I have had some great distractions as well. Last Tuesday my Sister-in-law Tessa asked me to come get Mani's and Pedi's with her and her girls, her treat. She didn't get a chance to celebrate my birthday with me last month, so she wanted some good old fashioned girl time with me. Of course I accepted! It felt so nice to just sit back and relax and talk girl talk with my sister, instead of stressing about so many things outside my control. After our nails were done, we headed to Zupas for dinner. I loved talking with Katie and Alicia about school and driving. They are growing up so fast! Since I'm their youngest aunt, they were really interested in hearing stories about when I was learning to drive. Especially since I had lots of entertaining stories about my many fender benders... It's probably nice for them to know that any mistakes they are going to make, I've already made!

The Nuts About Berries salad I had, it delicious!

On Wednesday it was time for our team quarterly activity for work. That meant that I got paid while eating at Red Iguana and watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which work also paid for. If that all sounds familiar, it's because I just ate at Red Iguana for my birthday and watched Captain America last weekend... But if it's good, then it's worth doing again! Anyway, it was nice getting pampered on 1-800-contacts dime and getting to know my new boss Shamae a little better. We forgot to invite our last manager Jessica, but that was OK by me since I didn't like her one bit! Shamae is much better. She knows how to tell me when I'm doing something wrong, and how to fix it without coming across as rude. She gives positive feedback so I know when I'm doing good work. She tells me what she expects of me, and when she expects it done. She is the first manager I've had in Reception to come up and watch me do my files so she knows what I do everyday, and best of all - She is easy to talk to. I feel like I can talk to her about anything, work or personal, and she won't judge or think poorly of me. She is easily the best boss I've had at 1-800-contacts!

Saturday, my mom and I took on some Yard Sales to see if there was anything worth buying for when Bob and I buy a house. Most of the stuff was junk, naturally. However, we did have the fortune of coming across a refrigerator in excellent condition for only $25! I think they were about to pack up their yard sale for the day, and since they got a new fridge when they remodeled their kitchen, they were desperate to get rid of the old one. Needless to say, I bought it. I wanted to know that we would have one in case we moved to a house where it wasn't included. Hopefully we will have a house to put it in soon. Until then, thanks to my mom and dad for letting me store it in your basement. And an extra big thanks to my dad for helping me get it down there!

 

Surprise Visitors

I had an excellent surprise this weekend! While out running boring errands on Saturday, my Father-in-law Wayne called me and told me that my nephews David and Jonathon, and my niece Lauren were in town! They live in Washington so I'm lucky if I see them 2-3 times a year. Since everyone knows I absolutely adore these kids, you can imagine how special every minute I can get with them is. After my errands I rushed home to see them. They were naturally too busy playing a card game called Magic with their Uncle Rick to care much. At least until I said I would break out the snakes! Then all of David and Lauren's attention was on me! We played with the reptiles for a while and then went back upstairs to play. Bob was equally excited when he got off of work, cause he has been missing the kids too! He picked up some pizzas on his way home and after stuffing the kids with food, Lauren and I snuck out for some good old fashioned park time, while the boys returned to Magic. When we got back, Jonathon came to pick his kids up, but we convinced him to let them sleep over so we could enjoy them a little longer. He didn't take much persuading... After he left we returned to playing games, drawing pictures and catching up with the kids before putting on The Emperor's New Groove to settle everyone down. Then it was time to tuck the kids in and give them their goodnight hugs and kisses before going to bed ourselves.



Devani, Lauren, David and Jonathon

Lolli holding Dionysus

David holding Aphrodite

Jonathon playing Magic

David playing Magic

Lolli and I decided it was time to take pictures

First silly faces

Fish faces

Duck faces

Showing off our tongue rolling skills

My silly little Lollipop

Charlie's Angels

Thug life

Scary faces

Scared faces

Dr. Evil faces

Thinking poses

Tough-gal poses

Now we just sit back and laugh at ourselves



Documenting her tiny hands before she grows
any bigger than she already is!

Tickle Tag Team with Bob and Rick

She is such a goofy kid

David trying to strategize and ignore my camera

Lauren and Cleo are best friends
Jazzy was more content staying away...

Lauren decided Cleo needed to go on a walk

Cleo wanted to stop and smell every little thing

Giving up and going to the park instead

Lolli holding up her drawing and the picture she was trying to
copy

Close up of Lauren's drawing

The next morning Bob made everyone giant waffles with our extra large waffle maker. The kids ate them all up and played some more games before their dad came to get them. The kids went to spend some time with the other side of the family, before their sleepover at Tessa's house so Bob and I took advantage of their time away by taking a nap, getting some Taco Bell and catching a matinee showing of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After the movie we went to Tessa's to see some more of the kids. Naturally all the kids were having too much fun playing with each other to talk to the boring adults so I stayed inside with the adults talking. Katie would pop in occasionally to model one of her outfits for us, and then just as quickly pop out to change into another one. Some of the clothes she modelled were actually made by her, and one of them was actually designed and made by her. She is growing into such a beautiful and talented young lady! Braxton also ditched the kids outside to spend time with the adults. He liked playing with our phones more than anything but he did sing "Let it go" to us using a Wii remote as a microphone, and then demand that we sing songs to him as well. It was too cute when he demanded his mom to sing "The Snowman Song" at the front of the room, and when she told him she would sing from her spot on the bean bag chair, he told her to "Just calm down". We all laughed pretty hard at that one. He is obviously in the mimic mommy stage since that's what Tessa says to her kids when they start to raise their voices or act out. After a nice visit with everyone it was time to say our goodbyes. I gave my hugs to all the kids, although I saved extra long ones for David, Jonathon and Lauren, and then we were off. I hate goodbyes with them since I never know when I will see them next, but I'm hoping I will have a chance to see them at least one more time before they go home next weekend. If not, I'm glad I saw them this weekend. It was the best surprise I could have gotten!

Earlier this week, my friend Connor was also in town from his new home in Denver, Colorado. It was good to spend time with him as well as Emily and Josh at lunch at the Park Cafe and then browsing the shops at City Creek. I just wish we had a little more time before he had to go home.

A Sweet Farewell

This post is a little difficult to write, but I feel like I need to, because it's therapeutic. I didn't know my cousin Joe's wife Britney very well. I only saw her a handful of times, and it was always at a family gathering where I was trying to catch up with a lot of people all at once. Despite this, I felt a strange connection to her. Maybe it was because I was her name twin, which she loved to remind me of every time we met. Or maybe it was the warm and joyful embrace she was always so ready to give for no particular reason at all. More than likely it was because that was simply the type of person she was. She drew you in. Everyone wanted to know her, and to be friends with her. She was genuine and she loved everyone. She was the happiest, most positive person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her spirit was infectious!

I'm no expert on the details, but here's a little of what I knew of Britney. Britney had quite the crush on my cousin Joe for a long time. She never thought she would marry him, but she was sure determined that whoever she married should be just like him! Shortly after she came home from a church mission to Slovenia, she and Joe started dating. They were already best friends so it wasn't too much of a leap for them to fall madly in love. I remember their wedding day. I don't remember many family members weddings, but I remember theirs. I remember seeing the way they looked at each other. I remember it was close to Christmas so they tied Christmas decorations into their wedding decor. I remember there was a lot of blue, including her shoes which were the same shoes I was wearing except mine were pink and white. It was a beautiful day. A few months later, Britney was diagnosed with Leukemia. The treatment was intense, but Britney kept a positive outlook on life the entire time. She started a blog about her treatments and how she was feeling. There was never a moment reading her deepest thoughts that I felt like there was room for fear or sadness. There was only room for hope and love and positivity. She beat Leukemia and went into remission.

Unfortunately the odds of her conceiving a child after such a terrible battle were slim to none. The radiation and chemo should have rendered her infertile. That's why it was such a wonderful shock when she announced she was pregnant around 18 months ago. It was the miracle baby no one thought would ever come! She was so excited to become a mom. I remember her baby shower like it was yesterday. Surrounded by her family opening gifts for a baby boy she couldn't wait to meet. To hold in her arms, and love and cherish and raise. Something she didn't know if she would ever have the chance to do. Happiness radiated off of her that day. I also remember the words of hope and keeping a positive outlook on life she gave to my cousin Tiffany who was battling her own cancer demons. That's why it was so tragic when Grayson was finally born but Britney was re-diagnosed with Leukemia. She had her baby, but she was stuck away from him for so long. Constantly fighting and trying to get back to her sweet boy so she could be the mother she desperately wanted to be. She took to blogging again and I followed it closely as well as her Facebook posts. Everything she wrote was positive and hopeful. I couldn't help but be hopeful for her too. I just knew she would beat cancer again and live for many many years to come.

Unfortunately I was wrong. She passed suddenly the night of the 27th. I should have seen it coming but I didn't. I was shocked. I had the hardest time trying to explain to my husband my emotions as I thought of my poor cousin Joe, now a widower and single parent of little Grayson. I thought of baby Gray having to grow up with only pictures and stories of his mom but never able to make memories of his own with her. I thought of Britney and how she wanted to be there for her husband and child and didn't even get to see her son's first birthday. I thought of how hard she fought for her life, and the fact that her life had been taken anyway. I cry every time I think of it!

However I'm happy that she isn't in pain anymore and that she no longer has to suffer. Her battle is over and she fought bravely. I'm glad that she was a part of my life. She has inspired me to be a better person myself. To dwell on the positive rather than the negative even if there isn't much to be positive about. To smile for everyone, because it's the greatest way to influence those around you. And of course to keep hope always, because even if my battle is lost - I may help give someone else courage to win their battles. Sleep in sweet peace Britney. You are loved and missed by many!



Britney with her husband Joe and baby Gray

What she wrote for her loved ones as she was wheeled into
the ICU the night of her passing

All these pictures are courtesy of Britney's Facebook. You can read more about her fight at: http://www.britskysbattle.com/