Surprising my best friend in NYC

Let’s start with this: I was invited to be a part of something very cool a few weeks back.

Roll back the clock to October 19th. I convinced my best friend to tag along with me to New York city for a weekend, for (what was supposed to be) a work function for me on Saturday night. I said unless she would come, I would be “dateless” for an awards ceremony, so she went.

It was just the two of us, and we were having the best time like we did on a trip we took in our 20’s.We stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, and loved the rooftop bar.  Highly recommend!

Little did she know, I snuck her out there for a life-changing surprise — she was getting engaged and didn’t know it!

Isn’t this great!? I was so excited that Mike trusted ME to take part in this very big day (and lying to my best friend these last 30 days, lol).  It wasn’t easy to pull off –  keeping it a secret and LYING for the sake of love. But that I did. Things almost fell apart the last 30 minutes due to sore feet, high heels, and a nasty cab driver who delivered us at the wrong entrance at the Botanical Gardens (Mike was hiding out there).  After an hour of looking for our “venue” for my fake awards ceremony – we finally found Mike (…along with my own Mr. Snazzy) hiding in the bushes where he popped out and proposed. We pulled it off!!! I’m so happy it worked out, and wish them lots of love.

** Sigh ** 🙂  just looking at the picture it was really a sweet moment.  She looks so happy, and my best friend deserves happiness, and she found a super guy.

So while walking around on Sunday, even the thrill of New York City couldn’t push the stress of my day job and my growing to-do list out of my mind. It started creeping back into my head. A short flight later, we arrived back into the real world.

Life has a way of quickly immersing you into all things hectic after a short trip.  The to-do list is hard to escape (and I’m not even talking DIY or hobbies).  Back to work it is!

On the Homefront

…Mr. Snazzy put the finishing touches on a custom-made vanity for my dressing room…after giving up the master closet…(and you can imagine the mountains of clothes all over the master bedroom)…

…I hustled yet another Craigslist deal that could not be passed up. No, really…it was a really good deal…(AND this transaction was NOT easy, and involved renting a truck and self-hauling really big, heavy stuff)…

…the next day, all by himself, he went shopping at the Ikea 200 miles away from home.  And picked up a full closet system. (I think a messy room was making us BOTH crabby).

(Do you realize what an amazing gesture that is?)

…several days later, he became quite frustrated when he figured out his purchase consisted of only 75% of the correct materials….

…but, he still managed to build this:

{ By all means, is not the perfectly pretty “after” picture, but who cares? What an amazing feat after such a hectic week! }

So throughout Saturday and all of Sunday, we built a full (well, 75%) of an Ikea Pax wall closet system. At this point, I started feeling a bit guilty, because I had really pushed him. And I was fighting this nasty flu while all of this was going on, and he started feeling rotten himself. All of this happened in the course of SEVEN days!  (As I write this, he reminds me that he really wanted this closet project done, too).  So yes, we thrust some of this upon ourselves. But not having a closet is like…camping. Ugh.

…surely, my birthday was over, right?  That is a very generous week if you ask me.  I was already starting to count my blessings and was thanking Mr. Snazzy all over Facebook…when…

…I opened my email.

He bought me a ticket to a big blogger conference in SALT LAKE CITY next April!  A DIY blogger’s delight. I was in shock.  I am so amazed at how generous he is! Surely…this was the end of my birthday treat.

So on my ACTUAL birthday, I worked all day and was feeling really tired, so I was resting in my new bedroom. In come the kids with a parade of smiles and little gifts for Mom. HE EVEN TOOK THE KIDS SHOPPING.  I was treated to a dozen cut tulips from Mr. Snazzy.  My daughter was tickled to give me a huge Sephora goodie bag that she and I can both play with…and lots of stuff for my new dressing room.  And my son was VERY proud to have purchased a lap booster/charging station from Brookstone.

When you’re a single Mom, you get used to being the giver of gifts, and in return you’re the recipient of lots of smiling faces and hugs as your gifts…and I would never trade those moments for a second. Those cute little cards, pictures and gestures mean everything to me, and causes me to hoard almost all of it. You also don’t get many pictures of yourself with your kids (together) either…because, well, YOU’RE the photographer when you’re single.  Lots of memories aren’t documented so I tend to treasure every little thing my kids give to me.

But I thought it was SO sweet how excited both kids were to bring me a store bought gift that they picked out themselves.  Clearly Mr. Snazzy made sure they had fun while doing it, and they were all smiles.

And I was so flattered and humbled.   Perspective hit me.

Life grabbed me by the face, looked me in the eye…and reminded me how blessed I am.  Maybe it even shook me a little, because, well, I needed it.

Suddenly, I started to feel a little more at peace.

…so, I’m sitting in my room that is 75% finished, in my favorite chair that is blocking my closet door.

{And yes, that is a dog in the fireplace}.

Feeling very blessed.  Life is actually…very, very good.