This Really Happened!

For those of you who follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter, you know that I just spent an amazing week in Los Angeles, camping out in "Tent City" to see the world premiere of The Twilight Saga:Breaking Dawn Part 2 movie.

In order to mentally prepare myself for this trip, which there really is NO way to do, I started tweeting a list of things I hoped to accomplish...a bucket list, if you will.

So, to tell you all about my trip in the shortest way possible, I'm going to repeat part of the list here and let you know if I was able to scratch anything off of it.  If you'd like to know more about the best trip I've ever taken (besides my honeymoon, of course), feel free to ask in the comments.

MY BD2LA BUCKET LIST:

1. To make it to Tent City!  *CHECK*

It's an important item to list because you have to do TC to get to the Black Carpet!  Summit/Lionsgate had us all jumping through hoops and waiting for weeks but we finally received our confirmation email.  We, then, took that email with us to officially register and get our camping spot!

2. To see the Hollywood sign!  *CHECK*

It was far away but we saw it!

3. To watch a talk show being filmed!  *CHECK*

My group of friends and I were fortunate enough to be in the audience when Stephenie Meyer was on the Jimmy Kimmel Show!  It was so much fun!  During his opening monologue, Jimmy showed some footage that had been shot during the first day of TC and I was in it!  I actually screamed out loud during the filming!  LOL

4. To see The SHRINE, AKA, the hand and footprints of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner!  *CHECK* *CHECK* *CHECK*

For different reasons, we ended up seeing it THREE times!  It is a must-see for any Twi-fan!

5. To hug as many of my Twitter friends as possible AND get pics to prove it!  *CHECK*

I didn't get everyone but I got a lot!  I'll have to get the rest of my Tweeps at the next Twi get-together! ;-)  I won't post any pics here because I did not get permission beforehand.

6. Take pics of my bestie, JennyKate, planking!  *NO CHECK*

I have a nice collection of pics with JK planking in various settings and was really looking forward to adding a "Planking in LA" pic but, unfortunately it did not happen.  I did, though, get this gem! 

7. Reunite with my TwiTarded/Forks peeps!  *CHECK*

It makes me sad that I do not get to see these ladies every day so I was thrilled when I heard the group was meeting for dinner and drinks at our hotel!

8. Meet Stephenie Meyer!  *CHECK*

I still cannot believe this happened!  I was one of 700 campers who were chosen to get a personalized autograph from and take a picture with the woman who started it all!  And, yes, I cried after it was all over.

9. Get on that black carpet!  *CHECK*

My group was in the first 100 campers selected to be on the black carpet!  It was so exciting to be there and I am now completely prepared to do more premieres!

10. Get as many autographs of the Twi cast as possible!  *CHECK*

I didn't get everyone but I got enough to cover to photo mattes!

11. Get Kristen Stewart to sign a pair of pants that she wore as Bella in the first Twilight movie, that I just happen to own!  *NO CHECK*

I was very sad that I was unable to achieve this goal.  She, Robert, and Taylor were running very far behind because of all of the press they did on the black carpet.  They all tried very hard to get to as many fans as possible but, unfortunately, my group was skipped by, both, Kristen and Taylor.  Kristen did acknowledge the fans and was very apologetic.

12. Meet Robert Pattinson and offer to help him with his southern accent for his next role in the movie "The Rover!"  *CHECK and NO CHECK*

This was a moment I had fantasized about for a long time but, let me tell you, there is NOTHING you can do to prepare for when this happens:

Photo by JennyKate

JK took this pic of Rob looking at me and I swear, I don't even remember it happening!  I remember Rob giggling a lot and I remember asking him to sign two different things (which he did), and telling him "thank you so much" but that's it.  It was all such a blur that I completely forgot to mention the southern accent-thing!  Oh, well, I'm sure he'll do just fine without my help.  ;-)

13. Watch Breaking Dawn Part 2!  *CHECK*

OMGosh, y'all!  As if being on the black carpet wasn't intense enough, all of the TC campers got to see the movie before it was officially released!  I won't say anything to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it yet (and, if you haven't seen it yet, what on earth are you waiting for??!) but I will say it is AH-MAZING!!  I don't think I've cried so hard at a movie since "Steel Magnolias" but it was worth it.  And, watching it with a theater full of hard-core TwiHards?  Priceless.  

My week in LA was truly an experience of a lifetime and I'm so thankful I was able to go!  The movies may be over now but the story and characters will live on forever in my heart.

My One and Only Spa Day

Wow, it's been 6 months since my last post?  I'm such a blog-failure!

The last time I blogged, I told you all about my horrifying experience getting a spray tan and I promised I'd tell you about my 'spa day' from years ago next.  I'm so sorry it has taken me this long to sit down and write.  Truth be told, I've been writing all summer.....I just haven't been writing for this blog.  I'll try very hard to manage my writing time better.  :-)

So, here it is.  My one and only day at the spa.  Please be warned: there are boobs and nakedness mentioned in this story.  I apologize in advance.

After Mackenzie was born, my husband, Scott, wanted to do something nice for me.  This was before the term 'push present' was commonly used, which is good, because I absolutely hate that term.  Anyway, Mackenzie was about 6 weeks old, which means I had spent those 6 weeks in a dazed stupor, sitting on the couch without a bra, breastfeeding constantly.  At least, that's how I remember it.

So, when Scott suggested a day to myself at a spa, I jumped at the chance.  Well, not literally.  Jumping without a bra, especially when you are breastfeeding, is not something I recommend.

My trip to a local Houston spa started off really well....once I got used to the robe I had to wear.  Apparently, they didn't have any 'plus sized' robes so, I had to do some major wrapping and tying to get their largest robe around my post-baby body.  And, even though I'd spent the last few weeks at home with my boobs all out, walking around a building with strangers everywhere while only wearing panties and a robe, did not make me feel relaxed.

I enjoyed most of my spa treatments so, I'll focus on the one I didn't enjoy:  the full-body massage.  This treatment took place later in the day and was something I was really looking forward to.  My only concern was that my boobs were going to explode because, at this point, it was the longest I had gone without feeding or pumping.

I walked into the dark room and met my masseuse.  I really wish I could remember this guy's name.  I've told this story so many times, he should get proper billing.  I was immediately uncomfortable with being given a post-baby massage by a guy but, of course, I didn't say anything.  I just wanted my massage so that I could go home.

I started off lying on my back.  My robe was off but my body was covered by a sheet.  The guy, let's call him Bob, would uncover a small part of my body, work his massage-magic, then cover it back up before moving to another part.  That I could handle and soon felt very relaxed.

The relaxation was gone as soon as Bob asked me to roll onto my stomach.  Panic started to set in as I realized how engorged my breasts were and I knew there was no way I could comfortably lie down on them.  I did the best I could but it was like trying to balance on a beach ball (or two), if you can imagine.  Sorry, for the visual.

My boobie-worries were quickly set aside, though, when I realized I was naked.  Yes, I was naked earlier, as well, but I was covered with a sheet.  Now that I was on my stomach, there was no sheet and images of my nude, post-baby body lying butt-up on a massage table was making me freak out just a bit.  In vain, I reached out like I was looking for the sheet or anything to cover my body.  Bob noticed and asked if I was cold.

Um, yeah, Bob.  That's it.  I'm cold.  Because I'm NAKED!  That's what I wanted to say but, instead, I give him a polite 'yes', thinking he will simply put the sheet back.

Guess what.

He didn't cover me with the sheet again.

He picked up a hand towel, yes, you read that correctly, and rolled it long-ways and....wait for it.....

Covered my butt-crack with it.  I.  KID.  YOU.  NOT.

Wow, thanks, Bob!  That towel on my crack really warms me up!  I might just break out in a sweat now!

Needless to say, I was frozen, not knowing what to do other than endure the rest of massage.

After it was over, Bob stepped out of the room so that I could put my robe back on and try to find my dignity.

I thought my time with Bob was done but, no.  Bob had more plans for me.

Bob wanted to talk.

He asked me how I enjoyed the massage and if I was relaxed or not.  Of course, I lied and said, yes, Bob.  It was great and I am very relaxed.  I was willing to say anything to get out of that room.

He then asked me to close my eyes and think of the first color that pops in my mind.  I did as he asked and said "Purple".  I'm not sure why I said "purple" other than the fact it is my favorite color but it was exactly what Bob wanted to hear.  He went on to tell me that the color purple signifies the most relaxed a person could be and the fact that I said "purple" meant he did an excellent job.  He was so happy with himself that he told me he was leaving the spa and starting his own business.  He even gave me a new business card and asked me not to tell the owners of the spa we were at.

When our chat was over, I went to the dressing room, quickly got dressed and left without getting the 'makeover' part of my spa package.  A few hours later, the spa called and asked if I wanted to reschedule and I politely declined.

I haven't been back to a spa since.