Un Petit Morceau De Ciel

Smart Phones, too smart?

2012-01-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

I got a really cool gift for Christmas this year. Well, I actually got several really cool gifts this year. The tops: automatic soap dispenser, shoe shopping and lunch with my sisters from my dad (coolest gift ever!), car phone charger, True Religion jeans (yes!), and lo and behold: and iPhone 4s!

I should start, however, by disclaiming that I never had interest in getting a smart phone for several reasons. The most becoming reason being it is a huge responsibility. We're going from being a girl who never spent more than $60 out of pocket on an up-for-renewal upgrade, to being the proud (and nervous) owner of a new $300 phone that does everything but shave her legs.

Don't get me wrong, smart phones are A-MAZ-ING! But there is so much more responsibility owning a phone that costs more than all the counter appliances in my kitchen combined (excluding my kitchenaid mixer...another great present from my mother-in-law!)

For the first week I was so nervous with my new phone. I stored it in a ziplock bag as to not get any incriminating crumbs or lint left behind in my coat pocket. After the initial shock of owning the iPhone, I settled in to learning all that the phone can do. And it can do a lot. As my friend Samm demonstrated, Siri can guide you in "where can I stash a body?" (I know, but it was really funny at the time. Siri came up with some interesting solutions.)

The other thing I learned, is pressing the middle button does not end a call. You have to touch on the touch screen, the "END" button. So, a friend got to hear me sing an extended sing-along session with my almost-two year old.

Well, there you have it. The smart phones today are indeed....smart! You just have to learn all the ins and outs [and basic functions] to be a savvy smart phone owner!

Sister's "Friendly" Competition!

2011-11-23T12:14:00.001-08:00

http://kellybelly25.blogspot.com/2011/11/sister-brunch-but-who-will-host.html

Vote!

Where's Waldo?

2011-11-07T15:01:00.001-08:00

I feel like Waldo, from the popular book series "Where's Waldo", because I have been misplacing everything lately. The objects range anywhere from one of my favorite gloves (the right side one) to hand towels to my craft scissors.

Anyway, I made a list of about 7 or 8 objects that I've misplaced. And, as fate (or irony) would have it, I've misplaced that list of the things I've misplaced.

Don't Eat the Yellow Snow!

2011-11-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

We made it through a Halloween this year without any snow! It snowed the week before, but by the time Monday rolled around, we safely walked door to door without any jackets hiding our costumes. Lauren had a blast running in the neighbors' lawns and didn't quite grasp the candy thing; that doesn't mean Jeff and I didn't get our share of the loot though! I swear, when people see a little toddler out trick-or-treating, they get very excited and give double, sometimes triple, candy. Which is funny because of all creatures, those 1 and 2 year olds should be the last ones eating candy!

Two days after Halloween, we got another snow storm and this is what I caught Lauren doing on the back porch the day after that storm:

Yup. That's my daughter!

Sarah's Key

2011-08-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

I recently finished an amazing book, "Sarah's Key" by a French author. I love the book. It was well written, it was intriguing, it had emotional elements,and they made a movie about it. My mom, one of my sisters, and I all went to see the movie. I still had about 60 pages left to read so my mom drove. I continued to "speed read" clear up until they turned off the lights in the theater and the previews for upcoming films were played. My mom even pulled out her cell phone to try and give me light!

The movie was great, and I finished the last several chapters after the show later that night. I would definitely recommend this book, but the main reason for the post are the feelings we get from our experiences. I didn't cry in the film, and I didn't cry while reading the book. However, while I was cleaning media this morning at work I came across a book called, "Unlikely Friendships" or something of that nature--and I can't blame any allergies on what became of my watery eyes.

So, there I was at 6:30 in the morning flipping through this animal book, looking at pictures and reading about the different friendships when I thought to myself, "This is ridiculous! Am I really about to let a tear drop over this book?!"

There were two pictures in particular that stood out. The one on the cover, the one that got me hooked, is of a pigeon and a baby monkey. And the other one, the picture that provoked these emotions was one of a dog and a piglet:

I think this one got me the most because I connected it to Sarah's Key. One of the worst and most sad parts of the book is when the soldiers separate the mother's and the children and one of the ways they try to calm the chaos is by telling the lie that no one should worry. That the mother's have to go to Auschwitz first and the children will come a few days later and be reunited.

Right away, Sarah seems to know this is a lie. She can't trust the soldiers. The chapter then goes on to describe all the crying children anywhere from a few months old to ten or eleven years old. Sarah, who is ten, tries to comfort some of the toddlers who feel abandoned, hungry, and have no idea what is going on besides the fact that they are alone and their mothers and fathers are no where to be found. After a few days some have already died. She sings to them, holds their hands, and hugs them. This is just a fraction of the book, one small chapter, but the most emotional for me.

The picture of the older dog comforting that tiny piglet in some way reminds me of that part in the book where some of the older kids tried to hold and comfort all those babies and toddlers who were ripped away from their mothers.

There's not much more I can say, besides the connection I made and how it nearly made me cry in the book section at Costco this morning. I think it's good to read about history tho, even if it makes us sad because we always need to remember where we came from, this world's past, and how we can move forward. It's a good look at the best and worst of human nature.

What does Employee of the Month look like?

2011-07-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Well, usually Employee of the Month pictures at my Costco look like a regular head shot photo of the person smiling. Month after month, my coworkers got Employee of the month and some of my friends pictures were put up. For the past year (or so....) I have day dreamt about what I would do, should I be chosen to receive Employee of the Month.

Well, June came and went, and the first week of July I was informed that I had received Employee of the Month for June, 2011! I was ecstatic! I was so enthralled with what I would do for my picture that I didn't even bother to ask how or why they picked me. (Later I guessed it might be because they ran out of people to give it to! I'm always running in at 5:15 am trying to make that 3 minute window, I ask at least a handful of coworkers what they did on their days off before starting work, I'm always chewing gum, and I stock clothing pretty high to most every one's standards but don't really notice because I, myself, am in fact pretty giant in stature!)

Anyway, I was SOOOO excited, and this is what Employee of the Month should look like when you're as excited as me:

Side note: a supervisor later congratulated me and said he was amused by my picture, only, he also pointed out that I really didn't jump that high...only lifted my legs as high as I could! Who cares?! I've never gotten Employee of the Month!

Second side note: No, no parking space, no gift card, not even a free hot dog :( But again, who cares?! I've never gotten Employee of the Month and now my picture will be up for an entire year!

Boy! Am I glad I didn't pay a dollar for that!

2011-07-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have a brother-in-law who checks consumer reports for just about anything from clothing, to restaurants, from cars, to toys (for big kids and little kids). Sometimes, we give him a hard time about it and tease him for constantly tuning into consumer reports.

I can only remember a handful of times where I was mad about paying for something that wasn't worth the price tag. #1, Jeff and I spent $30 for dinner at Johnny Rockets at the Cherry Creek Mall and I was a little more than disappointed and a little less than ticked off. Case in point, no food that unappetizing should be more than $4 for the entire family.

Anyway, I'm not the type to check out consumer reports, I usually just shop the best deal or greatest discount, that way if it's a bust, I'm never that mad. I recently visited Target to get soda and Peanut Butter M&M's and I don't know how, but on my way to or from those aisles, I passed the 75% off summer sale rows. I got a few pool toys for Lauren and a fridge water dispenser for me. Let me break it down:

1) Fridge water dispenser thing, normally $6.99 (I paid $1.75)

2) Bubble 3 pk, normally $1.99 (I paid $.50)

3) Cool fish bomb pool toys 3 pk, normally $3.99 (I paid $1.00)

4) Water guns 3 pk, normally $1.00 (I paid .25 cents.)

Today we experimented with the water guns. (Disclaimer, I know I have a little girl, but every time we go to the pool she's always trying to steal the boys' water guns!) Two of the three are great. Excellent accuracy, high range shooting, tasteful really in a kid's squirt gun. The third, however, leaks out the bottom. Needless to say, I sure am glad I didn't pay an entire dollar for the water guns! Really tho, it's a way of me saying that I really do enjoy getting a good deal--and, I suppose I have an underlying understanding that the item might not reach my expectations and I get what I pay for.

There are some things you don't skimp on, and that is up to the consumer to decide. In my brother-in-law's mind, he could put that quarter toward a $20 powerful super-soaker, deemed to bruise a kid's gut. I, on the other hand, am okay with spending a fraction of the cost on a super cheap toy or two that my kids will inevitably break anyway!

Leftovers, Episode 2

2011-06-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I last wrote, so again, the leftovers have been piling up.

Tupperware thought #1: My sister, husband and I went down to the Castle Rock Outlets recently to go shopping. One of the only things on my list were denim capri's. Think Cameron Diaz character in "What Happens In Vegas" at the very end when she is on the beach. Super cute, super dark, rolled up capri. Anyway, everywhere we looked the price ran anywhere from $60-$110 (reference, True Religions). While I would LOVE to own a pair of designer jeans, I'm not spending full price for half a pair of pants.

As we kept walking, I told my husband that my price range was under $20. At the rate we were going at, I was thinking I might need to hit up Goodwill or my sister's hand-me-down piles. Anyway, we decided to slip into the Lucky Brand Outlet. And as luck would have it (pun intended), I found a pair of capri's for $9.97. They were THEE last pair, and I won't mention the size as I had to squeeze my bum into. Seriously, I got lucky at the Lucky store.

Tupperware thought #2: I'm okay with people owning dogs. I'm usually okay when they bark once in awhile or pitter patter above our apartment. I'm not okay with my neighbors not picking up after their dogs. My daughter is super independent right now and loves to walk and run in the grass. Right outside our apartment, I see dog poo everywhere.

I don't understand. Every 20 feet or so in our complex there are doggie bags provided and special poo trash cans. Here's the way I see it. Some people have kids. Some people have pets. Some people have kids and pets. I have a kid. I don't have a pet. Do I have to change my kid's diaper? Yes. Does my neighbor take his/her dog out to take care of business? Yes. Do I toss my dirty diapers out my window? No. Should I? Maybe. I mean, there's already a waste land within throwing distance. What's the difference between me not picking up after my diapers and someone not picking up after their pet?

Are you sensing one of my biggest pet peeves? I won't name names, but there is a certain bald guy with a huge dog who thinks he's flying under the poo-poo radar....

Tupperware Thought #3: I started watching "Prison Break" again and it's just as addicting and captivating as it was the first time I watched the series. Michael Scofield is just fun to look at. I can admit that he is super good-looking because my husband and I point out people who are super good-looking to each other. (Including each other!)

Think of a Wonderful Thought!

2011-05-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Any happy little thought! (Peter Pan theme song.) Jeff, Lauren and I just got back from our vacation in California. We had a wonderful time and did everything on our list.

We ate at "In and Out", went to the beach (even though it was rainy and overcast), headed to Santee Alley, and played for an entire day at Disneyland. Jeff's only disappointment with our Disneyland day was that we weren't the first ones in line when they opened the gates. He thought that maybe there would be a grand entrance for the first devoted Mousekateers!

I have to start at the very beginning. The highlight at DIA, and proof that old age doesn't equate to maturity level, were the automatic, industrial hand dryer's in the ladies' restroom. If you hold your hands a certain way, it makes a farting noise!

Lauren was overstimulated from the get go. She waved at all the other passengers, screamed

excitedly out the window before takeoff, and had we packed any less fruit

snacks we might have been in trouble with her ears popping.

Saturday morning, we all got up and by the crack of noon were out to the beach. It was spring weather, so we didn't wear suits. We just rock hopped, shoreline dipped our toes, and Jeff got

soaked by an oncoming wave hitting a group of rocks. The best find of the day? A vibrant red crab!

Sunday, we literally hung out all day at my in-laws. We went on a walk to a nearby park, and if one thing other than the weather and the beach would get me to move to California, it would definitely be all the green. I love how green the parks there are. Lauren and her cousin love playing on the playground, and Lauren started quaking, "QUACK" more clearly!

Monday, we headed downtown to Santee Alley, which is like Chinatown to San Francisco, only people there call it "Mexicotown" because there are way more South American shop owners than oriental. We found the good finds, bought the good buys, and bargained the already good bargains. Jeff expertly negotiated a $125.00 watch down to $120.00. With the $5.00 saved, I was able to buy a belt and 4 different neon colored nail polishes. Screamin' DEAL!

Tuesday, well, Tuesday deserves it's own post. So, stay tuned for pictures and details about our Disneyland Day!!!!

Finding my Quarter in the Sandbox

2011-04-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I like to read a church book, light reading, about inspirational or uplifting stories. The latest one I read was about a little girl going into 1st grade on her first day of the school year. She was so excited and even had her best outfit picked out.

The story goes on telling that on the morning of the first day of first grade, she spills breakfast all over herself and has to change. That, in turn, makes her late for her bus. As she runs to catch the bus she trips and gets cuts and scrapes everywhere, then the bus door opens and smacks her face, giving her a bloody nose and two black and bruised eyes. Yet, she insists on going to school. At recess, she falls on the playground and just before she blacks out, she sees something shiny and grabs it. When she wakes up, she's in the nurses office all bloody and bandaged. When her mom runs in, distressed and worried, she tries to console her daughter and asks if she wants to come home. The first grader simply says, with a huge smile on her face, "Look, Mom! I found a quarter!"

I love this story, because contrary to the little girl having such a horrible day, it just took one little positive to turn this child's day right around. Anyone else might just give up. I like the idea of having a positive attitude and trying to find one good thing in every day, in every situation. But the other night.... I'm ashamed to say it didn't happen that easy for me.

Jeff and I went to our favorite burger place to eat dinner. As he was giving us his usual rundown of his day, Lauren and I played and listened. All of a sudden, she reached out and grabbed my drink, pulling it down and spilling Coke all over me (white t-shirt and all!) It even got all over my favorite shoes. The entire time we ate, I worried over my shoes and if they were ruined.

I'm not going to lie. I had a really hard time finding my quarter in the sandbox. I read about the girl's story earlier that day so I was constantly trying to find a positive from this situation. I think it wasn't until a few days later when my shoes dried and I tried them on that I finally found mine. Instead of my shoes smelling like feet, they smelled sweet and sugary!

I think the key for me is to always be looking for the positives, even if I can't always find them right away!

What do you do when....

2011-04-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have so much to tell your husband, but he can't answer his phone because his new job demands most to all of his attention? Well, I blog. In the midst of my "That 70's Show" marathon, I realized maybe I've been watching too much 70's. I started listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin, wearing a lot of colors (I used to be a jeans and white t-shirt kind of girl), decorating my kitchen in orange, yellows, and greens, and shopping for floral printed clothing. I've come a long way from when I used to ask, "Led Zeppelin, who is he?" I decided to watch the news the other day, and was informed that our government might shut down tomorrow because of the budget dilemmas. It reminded me of a bumper sticker Jeff and I saw: "We live within our means, please tell the president." It was a good one. Anyway, one of the newscasters on this segment was talking about how our generation doesn't know the meaning of sacrifice. Back in the 50's up through probably the 80's, men entered into the draft, went off to war, came home and got a job, provided for their families, etc. He said, "...today's generations probably think they are making a sacrifice if they don't have the I-Pad 2." Then, I felt guilty. What have I sacrificed? I barely lasted one month of my spending fast. I constantly think how cool would it be if everything you owned fit into one suitcase? But, do I live that way? Not exactly. After my latest spending-spree two weeks ago, I felt some buyer's remorse, but I couldn't find one thing that I was willing to give up. After some thought, I decided the only thing to do was to start another spending fast. It started April 1st, and lasted till April 4th. So today I felt a compulsive returning session coming on. I returned $70.00 worth of merchandise today. I'm going to start spending fast #2 (technically #3) on Monday, April 11th. I'm going to prove to myself that I can sacrifice!

Leftovers

2011-04-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in so long that all I have are random bits and pieces of thoughts. A lot like leftovers. You don't have an entire entree or meal, all you have are Tupperwares of cold corn, lettuce salad, french bread, and 1/4 casserole dish of lasagna. And hence, my leftovers post.

Tupperware thought #1: I've been thinking a lot lately of my dream job. I still love working at Costco and although it's the early shift, I love the physical elements. On the days I feel like quitting (usually the initial 3 days when I get back from vacation) all I have to do is talk to a coworker who has been with the company for a couple years. Then, I am reminded of the great benefits, the pay raise scale, and the awesome bonuses you get after serving the company for x amount of hours! Anyway, my dream job I've decided is to write. Write books, children's books, young adult fiction, historical fiction, freelance, etc. The only problem? The other day when I was at Barnes and Noble with Kelly and my nephew, I got to thinking that I don't even buy books. For me, it is borderline a waste of money because why buy a book you're only going to read once when you could just rent from the library? So, I decided I'll keep my dream job as my great hobby: blogging.

Tupperware thought #2: One of my favorite TV shows growing up was "That 70's Show" and still is. We don't get cable, so you could imagine my sheer joy when I found ALL 8 SEASONS on Netflix!!!! Since mid-February I've been having a "That 70's Show" marathon. Don't ask me how, but where I thought it would take me 8 months to finish them (one month per season) I am currently all the way through 6 seasons and halfway through season 7. I love the 70's. Also, I'm learning life lessons such as, there were recessions in the 70's (and throughout history) so we shouldn't get so down about the ones we are going through. Learn from them: yes. Get depressed: try not to. Stay positive. It reminds me to keep my head up, that things turned around in history, they will turn around for our futures. It also makes me wonder, did no one in the 70's wear a bra, or is that just part of the show?

Having been obsessed with this series leads into my 3rd Tupperware....

Tupperware thought #3: If you are going to hoard something, why not try and hoard something productive that you could turn into a business? Like, I would hoard buttons. Then, I would make a store, call it something cliche like "Cute as a Button" and sell crafts that I make with buttons in them. If my hoarding was really extreme, I might buy a few dressers, fill the drawers with buttons, and sell the buttons along with the crafts. I would have called it "The Button Boutique", but someone beat me to it. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButtonBoutique

(Who knew there were so many button crafts!!!)

I would love to attempt to make this clock!

Tupperware thought #4: I miss getting up any day of the week and going for a 90-minute marathon training run. That would also mean I miss not having to start work till sometime after 11:00 am. But, mainly I miss feeling great and in an "exclusive group" of the few who have a resting heart rate below 50 beats per minute. That lead to thought of what life would be like if I didn't have a baby. (It is okay to mention this thought because every book about having kids that I've read say this is a natural and normal thought.) I thought of all the restful nights I would be having, messes I wouldn't have to clean up, laundry bill going down down down, being able to run to the store on a whim and have it take less than 30 minutes, having a full time job, taking my 90-minute marathon training runs, and did I mention GETTING SLEEP?!? Wow, that's just to name a few....

But, that would mean I would miss out on raising a baby, cuddling and kisses, having someone who needs me and loves me unconditionally at every hour of the day, playing and creating, being creative, finally getting to buy those miniature outfits that are adorable, having so much in common with so many people and swapping stories, feeling like I have something so special and worthwhile in my life, feelings of accomplishment that outweigh any other project or event thus far, and logging every first-->first smile, first giggle, first crawl, first tooth, first steps, first time I caught her climbing in the dryer...to name a few! I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world! Not even a lifetime supply of 8-9 hours of sleep every night!

And those are my leftovers. I hope you enjoyed!

Proof that your mom can dance, Lauren!

2011-02-16T13:59:00.001-08:00

...She just doesn't always bend her limbs!

Pea Poo and Defining a mental health need

2011-02-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

I've had a long weekend, do these constitute a "need" under the mental health clause?

On an unrelated note, Lauren has been eating more solids, and her...poo's have been...how do I put this....fascinating in the name of scientific wonder. I tried to take a picture, and luckily it didn't turn out, not that anyone but a mother would care to see her baby's poo; but, I've been giving her little bites of "big kid" food and her poo literally had a full edamame pea right there, perfectly intact, like it never went through her system. Below, I've tried to capture the image in a painting. I'll warn you, it's graphic:

Fascinating, I know. It's amazing what can and cannot make it through our systems.

Regrets

2011-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

Have you ever done something you deeply regretted? No, I didn't break my spending fast on that $1.00 bag of mixed buttons at Porter's Craft Store. And, I don't regret spending half of my don't ask money on a traditional Valentine's Day gift exchange for my sisters.

I actually won't get into what I regret doing, and, I can't even give you a ballpark range for the event that brought on this post. I guess why I'm writing is because we all have something in our lives that we wish we could take back. This is the first time that I've spent the past 3 days at work (5 hours each) replaying in my head what happened over and over, when I realized how much energy and time is wasted thinking about this thing.

I once clipped out of a magazine a quote from Drew Barrymore, where she said, "I never regret anything. Because every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are in the end."

So, I can only keep going and learn from this. It's like I told my clients in my PSR days, "forget about yesterday, it's a whole new day." We get a new chance everyday to be the person we want to be. If I'm trying to not gossip about people, I only have today to say nice things. If I want to treat everyone the way I would like to be treated, I only have today to set an example.

Mistakes will inevitably be made along the way, but you learn to laugh off the small ones, apologize and make restitution for the big ones, and spend everyday striving to be the person you make your mind up to be.

This is Tough

2011-01-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

This spending fast is tough! I've created some dangerous habits that include (but are not limited to) running to Target because I'm bored; running to Target because of after-holiday sales; running to Target just because I saw a funny Target commercial. And by Target, I umbrella all retailers. I'm finding that it gets harder and harder to save my money...and it'll take a miracle to make it 3 more months in this spending fast. I'm down to $10.00 in my "don't ask, don't tell" money, and I thought by now I would be closer to $100.00 so I could go back out to shop for my dream jeans. Every time I go to the store, I think I find something my subconscious can't live without!

The moral of the story is, take only one trip per week to the store to get the necessities, which, while not fun and totally against my current habits and routines, will inevitably help me control my spending and succeed at this fast.

The Long Road of Layaways

2011-01-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Jeff had a gift card to spend at Nordstrom's Rack, so we went this weekend in hopes to find something right around the amount on the card. While he set off to the Men's department, Lauren and I casually scoped out the jeans' racks. I've been wanting a pair of True Religions for quite some time. At the actual T.R store, they run for about $300 a pair, so you could imagine my sheer delight and astonishment when I found an adorable pair at the "Crack" (as we sometimes call it) for $87.00!

Do I need a pair of jeans? No, not exactly. Do I badly want a pair of T.R? Naturally. So, as I showed them off to Jeff, I racked my brain to see where in our "guidelines" of this spending fast I could get away with spending just shy of a hundred on a fashion entity...not necessity. The only solution I could muster involved finding out if Nordstrom's Rack had a Layaway program, and if me, my spendy-self, and I, could wait 6 weeks to pay them off with my "don't ask don't tell" money. (Because this past Friday was payday, I'm up to a whopping $38.87.)

I ended up handing the jeans to the fitting room lady and walking out the store empty handed, and needless to say, I didn't even bother finding out about the Layaway program.

This is seriously one challenge that is just that: challenging! I don't know what would be easier: a) continue this spending fast? or b) get an additional part-time job?

And Just For the Record....

2011-01-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

....my husband is doing no better than I! He just spent a quarter of his "don't ask, don't tell" money on a paper shredder that he insists "we really need". Let the record show, we both need to pace ourselves, and thank goodness for the 'don't ask don't tell' accounts!!! (Now, if we can only keep enough money in those accounts to keep this spending fast going longer than the month of January!)

An Ex-Shopper's Dilemma

2011-01-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

What DO you do when stores have holiday stuff 90% off and you're only one week into your shopping fast? Well, with zero will-power, and a dream-like sale, I did what any new year resolutioner with a spending fast would do. I checked my "don't ask, don't tell money" account, and budgeted $8.00 to get 3 amazing items.

(Seriously, how am I gonna pass up "JOY" stocking hangers that were once $45.00 that were selling for $4.50??? Technically, these are a "need" for next Christmas. My new strategy should be to steer clear of the stores altogether....)

And, can anyone justify this $1.50 purchase??? I know, right?! A gingerbread kitchen timer!

Spending Fast in Full Effect

2011-01-04T13:41:00.001-08:00

The Spending Fast is in full effect! Here are the logistics:

Goal:
- Only buy things that are needs (i.e food, gas, diapers, baby things, etc.) and don't buy things that are "wants" (clothing, jewelry, things of excess, eating out, etc.)

Guidelines/Tips to get us there:
1) Before each purchase, ask:
- Do I NEED this?
- Can I get by without this?
- Do I already have this? Something like this? Similar? What do I have that would suffice?

2) Make things (i.e birthday gifts, homemade cards, presents, etc.)

3) Define 'checkpoints' where we can spend our "don't ask, don't tell" money. (roughly $25.00 each pay period). Checkpoints are up to the individual.

4) Allowed to spend gift cards and the extra that spills over. For example, we received a $25.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble. The Blueray movie we wanted was $28.00 after tax, so we paid $3.00 extra. (We agreed this is allowed.)

5) One date night a week to go out and eat. (We always share, so we really won't be splurging here anyway.)

I don't know how we'll do, but it'll be exciting to see how far we can go--and how much we can save!

Christmas time is here!

2010-12-29T13:43:00.000-08:00

....And now it's gone. Just as quick as retailers put up Christmas merchandise, the holiday came and went. This was Lauren's first Christmas and we had so much fun. At the start of the season, which for most Americans falls on Black Friday, Jeff and I discussed that this was the first and maybe only Christmas Lauren would not care what she got. Heck, she cares more for the wrapping paper than what is inside the package! So, why did our tree look like this:In our defense, we got crazy holiday spirit and wrapped every tiny thing we bought for each other...including socks, hair clips, gloves, bath toys, etc. and on top of that, we both have large families.

So, the reason for the post? I love this time of year, but all the presents, gifts, and spirit come with a bit of stress. When that January bill rolls around, and we realize we spent a wee bit outside our budget. Normally I'm pretty creative when it comes to downsizing and being frugal, but I needed more than just my old tricks.

I saw on the news how a girl went on a "spending fast" for an entire year to get out of debt. Now, Jeff and I in no way, shape, or form are that far into debt that we need to do anything that drastic, but more than anything, it sounds like a good challenge and a great eye-opener for what we are spending our money on.

I will blog for the next 4 months about Jeff's and my spending fast. We decided to give ourselves a realistic goal: 4 months. This weekend we will discuss logistics and the outline to this challenge, and come January 1st, 2011....it will be a full blown spending fast! In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy the holiday season and our presents from Santa!

True Love?

2010-12-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

I've been dying to see Eclipse ever since it came out this past summer. Last year, we somehow tricked Jeff into seeing New Moon, and he's never forgiven us (we/us being me, his sisters, mom, etc.) There was no way he was going to see Eclipse with me, but when it finally came out in the Redbox, we struck a deal. He agreed to rent the movie only after I promised that, together, I would stay up and watch it.

We started the movie around 8 p.m and, although it was an awesome effort, I only made it through half. By 9 pm, I had undoubtedly fallen asleep. So, I don't know if this whole deal qualifies Jeff under the "true love" category, or more than likely, I under the "old age" category!

Lots of things I Love!

2010-12-03T14:27:00.001-08:00

There are lots of things I love. This week, the top on the chart are 65 degree weather in December, 3 pm hour watching the Ellen DeGeneres show, laughing with my mom all week, to name a few. But, on the top of that list is watching Lauren grow everyday and discover new things. She's trying to crawl, and so far has managed to move backwards and sideways. By far, however, my favorite is her newly discovered talent of her voice. The best happens in cases like today, I laid her down for a nap when she got "rubby eyes". She was screaming and singing away to herself. Finally, she realized I wasn't coming back in and felt tricked. As her voice rose in a cry, she got distracted by her high pitched wails and started singing and jabbering away again.

New discovery is great...especially when it distracts a tired baby from crying herself to sleep for 20 minutes. I'll take jabbering any day over crying!

Something About Grandma's House--Sleep training day 4 and 5

2010-10-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about Grandma's house, but Lauren slept amazing on night 4. She still woke up 4 times, but each time was able to settle back down with only a pacifier and without nursing. That is one small step to people without kids, but one giant leap to any new parent, I'm sure.

Last night she was a wee bit more restless. I caved (again) and brought her into bed with Grandma and I because Grandma has a California King, and it was after all, a sleepover. With Pavlov in mind (yes, referring to Macy and Nate's comments), a "stimulus" just might be the trick. I don't think a bell, or salivating, is key here; but the "sleep lite" application on my iTouch just might prove a saving grace. In the book I read, they say to have white noise. So, my new approach? Lay near Lauren with the sound of rain or waves playing on the iTouch and each night make my way closer and closer to the door until finally I can lay her down with the white noise playing, and I'll be out in another room getting things done (or passed out from exhaustion in my own room!)

Not so Silent Night--Sleep Training, Day 3

2010-10-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Lauren had no trouble falling asleep last night. After a bath from Dad and the rest of the routine, she settled into her crib as if she were exhausted. It was as if she couldn't wait to get out of my arms into her cozy blankets. I couldn't believe that by 7:10 pm she was breathing heavily away into Dreamland.

That was until about 8:30 pm.

From that time until Jeff and I woke up at 6:00 am, Lauren awoke at what seemed to be every half hour. We even caved and brought her into our room to co-sleep (which availed to no quality of sleep seeing as she is a tiny "windmill" with flailing arms and grasshopper kicking legs.)

If I weren't a psychology major, I might throw in the towel after last night and try this sleep training thing in a few months down the road. But, because I am a psychology major, I'm smart enough to know that there are things I am doing now that reinforce her behavior to wake up and depend on me and which in a few more months, would be much tougher to break. And, you'd think because I have experience in +/-reinforcement, shaping behaviors, and manipulating situations for the better that I'd have had a great night's sleep by now!

Day 4, here we come!

Sweeter Sleep--sleep training, day 2

2010-10-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Last night was amazing...well, until Jeff and I went to bed. We went through our routine with Lauren, and she seemed pretty tired in general last night. We started around 6:30 pm and by 7:00 I was ready to put her in her crib. She cried for a little while, but by 7:09 she was out like a light.

It was sweet and serene quiet time and it was the first time in months Jeff and I were able to start a movie before nine...and stay awake for the whole thing! The only issue? Lauren woke up 3 (or 4?) times throughout the night :(

The first two times, she quickly fell back asleep when Jeff gave her a pacifier. It seems like a blur, but I think by 1:30 and 3:30 am I caved thinking she needed to nurse both times to get her through the night. I'm excited to see what tonight brings. As my mother-in-law recalls, she "power-nursed" her babies right before putting them down; making sure they ate as much as comfortable to get them as many consecutive hours of sleep as possible!

Sweet Sleep--sleep training, Day 1

2010-10-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

I've reached my limit of sleepless nights, interrupted zzz's time, and midnight nursing sessions. Don't get me wrong, I love bonding with my little one, but after 6 months of choppy sleep I'm due for a good night's rest. So, I set out with a few tools to jump start my venture into sleep training.

After talking to multiple mothers, I checked out the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" and a few other books about calming and sleep training. I've read several articles on Parenting.com and felt I was ready to give it a shot.

So, tonight was number 1 and for the next week or so, our routine will go something like this:

7:00 pm: Let Lauren burn some energy in the Johny-Jump-Up.
7:10 pm: Give Lauren a warm, relaxing bath and talk in a soft, calm voice
7:20 pm: Have Lauren in a fresh diaper and p.j's, comb her hair, and then bundle her in a warm blanket.
7:30 pm: Read a short story, say family prayer, make sure dad has a chance to kiss goodnight, and nurse if needed.
7:35 pm (or about then): Cowboy up and place baby in crib. Turn off lights, turn on "white noise fan" and sit beside the crib as needed.

We did great tonight. After 30 minutes of roller coaster crying (started out with a complaining cry, escalated into a scream-like cry, then hit a real cry which took every ounce of my will power to not pick her up, then back down, etc.) and me whispering little words of comfort to her, Lauren settled into sleep recognized by her easy rhythm breathing. Then I knew it was safe to tiptoe outside.

All references say Lauren should reach destination Dreamland bliss within a week (9 days max). I'll log our progress with the hopes of getting 7+ consecutive hours of sleep by the time October ends.

Every Nursery needs a theme!

2010-10-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

I started with a pink and brown theme, and then I tried to add a touch of my favorite animal. Can you tell what my favorite animal is??? Did I go overboard?

Lastly, two very sweet girlfriends donated to my cause! (Or my love of giraffes!)

What Happened When I Discovered iPhoto Booth

2010-09-26T18:23:00.001-07:00

Jeff and I got a Mac a couple weeks ago. I've found some cool applications, Photo Booth is one that has been around, but is new to me. This is what happens when Lauren and I discover something new and cool...and have too much free time!

Lauren wasn't nearly as impressed or excited as I was about this application find....

The Opposite of a Compulsive Shopper

2010-09-26T11:09:00.001-07:00

I have been way into A&E's television series, "Hoarders". It amazes me how much people hold onto things and how messy someone's home can be, but it doesn't bother that person. There was one episode that stood out to me because the wife was a compulsive shopper and her husband was a hoarder, so together they didn't quite make a good team.

I almost fall under the compulsive shopper category because I LOVE TO SHOP! I'm at Target every other day and I frequent the mall just about every weekend. Sometimes I just feel better after spending a little money, even if it's just a buck for a Coke...yeah, as if the money was literally burning a hole in my pocket.

I have something helpful on my side, however. "Buyer's remorse". If it's something I don't really need, I tend to return it within a week. The people at Target probably recognize me, and maybe some should even start asking me, "Hey Maxene, do you really NEED this? Or really WANT it? You could always leave it on the rack and think about it..."

So, I'm a Compulsive Returner. Technically, this could be a good thing. That, or I should learn patience and just wait on certain items. My new motto should consist of a 3 step process: (1) Do I need the item? If yes, than get it. If no, than (2) Do I really want the item, like life would be better with it? If no, than don't get it. If yes, than (3) go home, sleep on it, and if I remember the item in a few days, than go see if it's on sale to determine the final purchasing decision.

Maybe cats aren't so bad after all

2010-09-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

I don't quite know what it is about me and cats, but we don't get along. I think it had something to do with a black farm cat that scratched my eye (or maybe it was my sister's eye) when I was a little girl. Ever since then (that and the persistent allergies) I haven't been a big fan of cats...until I saw this youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uuN5kuq74

There you have it.

Ring Leader

2010-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't say I come up with a lot of good ideas. I'm not the dare devil who comes up with a brilliant game plan or activity and gets all my friends to follow in suit. No, I'm definitely one of the many who follows behind that ring leader no matter if it's for good or for trouble! My husband, on the other hand, was born a ring leader.

Jeff has had more broken bones, stitches, and trips to the emergency room than anyone else I know. He's also a "do-er". When there's an idea out there, he's the one up front making sure it's carried out.

A week or so ago, he had one of these great ideas. He got a golf ball catcher a while back as a gift, and since has not had to buy a single ball at the store. Last week, for our Family Home Evening, we had dinner and for our activity, we went to the golf course to go on a "walk". We waited till dark, brought our flashlights, and packed Lauren in the stroller with some blankets. As we walked to the designated water hazards, it was not to enjoy the view nor to appreciate the fairways. We proceeded to fish for golf balls with Jeff's catcher.

We even came up with a game plan if we sensed issues. Jeff was to run out of sight and I would casually continuing strolling on my "nightly walk" which just happened to cross through holes 16 and 17. We would meet up at the old house I grew up in.

I'm sure we looked very suspicious...or very curious. We only had one close call, and 3 dozen balls later proved to be worth it.

It's true, we're getting older but we're not growing up!

Lauren, Part-Time Model

2010-08-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

My sisters and I all love to take model shots when we're goofing around. One of us will come up with a scenario, we'll all get ready, and then we'll pose for that scenario while someone takes the picture. It's a pretty fun game.

Lauren was particularly playful this morning, so I tried to catch some good mommy-daughter shots.

This first one was supposed to be a regular smile pose. This next one was supposed to be "curiously suspenseful". I went for pure fierce, and Lauren went for her signature, pure frightened look.

After I saw the playback on the last photo I was laughing so hard, I accidentally took this one. I don't know if it's just my baby, but she sure has some big, wide eye facial expressions that would be perfect if she were auditioning to be cast in a spooky Halloween film!

Brian WIlliams, My News Hero

2010-07-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

I usually don't like to watch the news for two reasons. One, being that most of news is sad, depressing, or scary. As a new mom, I've got my own fears of Lauren choking on something, calling Grandma "Mom" and not recognizing me, and wanting to call the doctor when we've reached the fourth day of no poop; and that is without the news' stories of the negatives. The second reason is because Jeff and I don't have cable so we haven't had the chance to catch much news.

Recently, he figured out how to get a few select channels for free by streaming them from our HD television. We get NBC, ABC, and PBS (and a handful of Spanish soap opera channels.) Tonight, Brian Williams reminded me that there is a lot in the world that is not negative.

http://www.hulu.com/search?query=chicken+vs.+egg+came+first+NBC&st=0

I think I can rest peacefully after a story like that. I am curious, however, as to where that chicken came from?

Good Murdering Hands

2010-06-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

I know I brag about my family a lot, but I really do have an amazing family. Two of my favorite members from that family live in Idaho Falls, my aunt Jan and uncle Ray. They were my home away from home when I lived in Idaho last year. I could always count on them whether it was for a good meal, a bed to sleep in, or plain, good company!

One Saturday night, a year or so ago, my younger sister and I went up to Jan and Ray's to eat dinner and play a card game called "hand and foot". At the table sat me, Macy, Jan, Ray, Joyce (my mom's cousin), and aunt Blondie (her real name is Donneta. She is my Grandma's sister, in her 90's, and has a mind sharper than a new knife!) We had been well into the game when aunt Blondie looked at me and commented on my long fingers.

She said something to the effect of, "Those have got to be the longest, skinniest fingers I've ever seen. Those would be good murdering fingers!"

Alas, not only do I have "daddy-long" long legs, an enormous wing span, and lengthy toes I use to pick up things, but I can add "long murdering hands" to the list!

I would also like to point out that my baby girl has acquired those genes from me. She's already got adorable grasshopper legs, giant toes, and good murdering hands!

You're not the only one learning, kid!

2010-06-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over a month, and my bundle of joy comes with 8 bundles of dirty and wet diapers a day! I think I'm getting the hang of things. I'm learning more than I signed up for, but I still have yet to learn how to burp a lot better than what I'm doing! Here are the top 5 things I've learned about babies in one month:

1) Don't wear your nice clothing for the sake of looking good while you're at home. Babies (especially mine) seem to spit up and throw up quite a bit.

2) Stimulation is key: when changing a diaper, nothing holds a baby still better than a musical mobile!

3) Take pictures. I'm not ashamed that I've become "that mom". You know, the one who has 36 photos of her baby's third week of life on her phone alone (I won't count the ones from my digital camera!) They really do grow so fast. She's gained 2.5 pounds in 5 weeks.

4) Really, sleep when the baby sleeps! Week one almost killed me. It literally felt like my body was going to shut down! I tried doing everything when she slept because you really can't get anything done when she's awake. Even if she's not crying, it's impossible to not just sit and stare and watch her little eyes dart around the room, exploring her new world. Babies are so curious, and they're so fun to watch.

5) Anytime you leave the house, it is a production. Jeff and I have learned that we need to start getting ready at least 30 minutes before we actually need to leave (and really, one hour is better!)

Hey, Let's Have a Baby Today!

2010-05-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

I'm one hour away from getting induced!!! I'm soooo nervous, this might hurt...just a little! I called labor and delivery ten minutes ago and they are ready for Jeff and I. In one hour, we will begin the process of pushing a baby into the world. I wonder if she has any idea what's about to happen. Up until now, and into the next few hours, she's just been enjoying a free ride. Eating, sleeping, hiccup-ing, and kicking me when I lay down to sleep. I imagine she's been thinking, "Hey! Mom! Why are you not moving? I need that constant swaying and swishing to rock me to sleep! Wake up! Move around!" every time I did lay down to sleep!

I'm trying to really clear my thoughts and capture the moment, but currently all I can think about is how hungry I am. I would really love to eat some toast, or make a breakfast grilled cheese! I guess clear liquids will have to do. I'm also thinking how much weight will be immediately lost in one day....let me run to the scale really quick....

...I got distracted on the way and woke up Jeff. I told him he's going to be a daddy today and he said he's already a dad!

We're excited. It'll be an interesting first week or 6...or 12....or 52!

May in my Mom Jeans

2010-05-02T04:37:00.000-07:00

My goodness, is it really May already? Jeff and I are down to 3.5 days until our lives will change forever. We're experiencing a lot of different emotions, but among the strongest are excitement and anticipation. We're still throwing around names, but have it whittled down to 3 or 4 we really love so when this little, full-grown, cashew arrives we'll see which one fits her best.

I'm working today and Tuesday, then we go in on Wednesday at 5 am to get induced. That would be cool if she was actually born at 5 am on 5/5/10. My older sister said we should name her Five Nelson! My stats are as follows:

1) Pounds gained: About 35
2) Cravings: Crunch wrap Supreme (Taco Bell), grilled cheese, watered-down juice, meat, Popsicles (not all at the same time, tho!)
3) Dreams: The baby being born the size and age of a one-year old
4) Pregnancy Symptoms: forgetting...A LOT! (I asked the same question to the same co-worker three times in one hour yesterday!); minimal swelling in ankles and wrists (nothing to write home about though); minimal mood swings (I can only remember 3 or 4 break-downs/crying for no reasons...don't ask Jeff how many he's counted!); itchy belly and a growing belly!; tired--I think I've taken more naps in the past 7 months than I have in all my college years combined!

Needless to say, I'm ready to have this baby! Am I ready to be a mom? Well, not sure. I think it's like getting married and getting used to the fact that you have a husband and are a wife. A lady came up to me yesterday while I was folding and asked if we had any Capri pants that "weren't so 'mom'". She said she bought a pair last week and they fit her in a "very 'mom' way, you know what I mean?" she asked. Then, after putting the sweatshirt down that I was folding, she got red and said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean...not that you're....you're going to be one of those cute moms!"

I didn't take offense. I told her hopefully it'll be a lot of years before I dress like a "mom-mom"! And hopefully it'll be a long time (if not at all!) before I fall into this category:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10333/saturday-night-live-mom-jeans

While it might take me some time to get used to being a mom, I don't think I've ever been more excited to jump into a new chapter of life and try to be the best mom I can be.

Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Bunnies

2010-04-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

I love Easter! This is my favorite time of year. And, while it maybe should be Christmas, I stand by my differences! I love that spring is around the corner, I love wearing (and eating!) pastels,

I love the weather, etc., etc. I especially love chocolate-covered marshmallow bunnies! So, the motivation behind this post? Recently my family threw me the best baby shower ever and I saved their thank-you's for the last. This put mailing those thank you's out a couple days before Easter. So, naturally I decided to mail a chocolate-covered marshmallow bunny in each
envelope.

Just to be safe, I took my stamped envelopes into the post office, thinking at most it might be a couple extra cents or so per envelope. I was way off. To mail one, 1o cent chocolate marshmallow bunny from area code 80134 to 80016 costs about $1.22! I realize not very expensive per envelope, but do you know how much a marshmallow weighs?! The postal office man said it had little to do with weight and more that it was about 1/16th an inch thicker than the alloted 1/4 inch! Unless I wanted to risk the bunnies arriving as mulch, flat treats, I better just pay the extra $4 for my letters.

Anyway, it was totally worth it. Everyone deserves to have their own chocolate-covered marshmallow bunny for Easter. Even my sister, Kelly, who probably hates them!

Let's Compromise!!!

2010-03-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

We're in our 34th week and I honestly don't know where the past month went. Jeff and I are getting really excited and trying to squeeze everything into our one bedroom apartment while looking for something a little bigger!

I've learned that with marriage comes some compromising. We don't seem to have issues with the toothpaste cap, which way the toilet paper dispenses (top vs. bottom), which pictures should be hung where, etc. No, for awhile our biggest compromise was which bedspread to have on our bed.As you can see, he loves his classic blue and white checkered blanket and I can't part with my classy green and white duvet covered down comforter. For maybe 2 weeks we had this set up until Target saved us with a homey comforter we both love.

I think the big things in life (marriage, kids, etc.) come with a lot of compromising, but in a good way. Jeff and I have learned a lot about each other, likes and dislikes magnified, and really grown to appreciate our differences. We've also laughed off a ton of things. You have to have a good sense of humor, it's one of the greatest gifts I think God gave us to get us through some of the everyday, sometimes mundane, things.

I wonder what things we'll have to compromise when the baby comes? Already I've had to compromise and share half of my closet! My sisters, mom, and a few church friends threw me the most wonderful baby shower. I feel so loved and supported, it never seems to end! This little one coming into the world will have an amazing family and community she's coming into; and, not to mention, she'll be one of the best dressed babies out there!

23 Pounds, and Counting!

2010-02-18T21:42:00.001-08:00

I feel like my stomach is going to explode! I only had 7 small boneless wings and about a medium potato's worth of french fries for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, and I feel like my belly will rip open at any moment. Okay, so that's a little graphic, I understand, but I just want everyone to understand what this feels like by me describing in full-too much-detail what it feels like! (Side note: the Nuggets vs. Cavilers game tonight was A-mazing!)

Other than that, the pregnancy is going great. I seem to be gaining weight right on schedule. And, with 11 weeks to go, I can't possibly fathom how to gain an extra 11 pounds (the doctor recommended a pound a week from here on out.) If the baby wants to gain weight, that's great. But, looking at pictures I find it fascinating, and borderline gross how elastic and stretchy human skin is. The human body is pretty amazing on its' own, let alone with reproduction and pregnancy. A pregnant belly is predicted to double/triple in size and weight in the final 2-3 months...scary!

I'll post more pictures soon! All I can describe is what your belly looks and feels like after an all-you-can-eat buffet: not good! At least when the baby moves around, for some brief moment, I forget that I'm temporarily fatter and fuller than I'd like to be and it makes it all worth it :)

Monday To-Do List

2010-02-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

I feel that I've had somewhat of "pregnancy brain" lately and I've been forgetful. So, last night I made myself a to-do list of important things I needed to get done today.

1) Call Comcast and figure out e-mail
2) Pay rent
3) Go to my bank appointment
4) Fix inseam on maternity jeans
5) Take pregnancy pictures

The day had been going really well. I woke up at 7:45 am with my husband to eat breakfast. Once he left for work at 8, I went back to bed and took a morning nap. Then, when I woke up again I got right to work. I fixed things with Comcast, walked my rent check down to the office, and then I proceeded to walk down and across the street to the bank.

As I walked out of my apartment complex, a woman in a car pulled up alongside of me. She rolled down her window and asked me if I'd ever read this magazine before (as she handed me an "Awake" pamphlet). It's really not the Johava's Witnesses that bother me here. I'm all about sharing your religion and discussing beliefs. It was the front cover. The title of the issue was "Abortion: What's the Issue Here?" My sarcastic nature and sense of humor background had me floored.

The rest of my walk was spent on brainstorming which angle to take in writing about this and I can honestly say I'm speechless! I mean, do I look like a person who is even considering abortion?! I'm okay with a stranger wanting to share their message on religion, but why not hand me a pamphlet, "Drinking: What are the Dangers?" or "Chat Rooms: What Should I Know About Them?"

All I can say is, I've never been a victim of real-life irony. Giving an abortion pamphlet to a pregnant woman...I think that's irony? Whatever you call it, I'm laughing to myself now because I'm so excited to have a baby, I'm almost to the third trimester, and now when I look in the mirror I try to find my features that make me look like a candidate of someone to get an abortion.

As far as my to-do list goes, I finished my inseams when I got home and I took a few pregnancy photos. So, this is me around 24 weeks! There's a baby the size of an eggplant in my belly!

Post Recall

2010-01-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so my sister informed me that my last post might have been a little harsh. Let's just chalk that one up to hormones. I guess the one stranger guy who gave me 20 minutes of advice just rubbed me the wrong way. I really do appreciate advice! I just don't want to be scared going into parenthood. So, keep the advice coming, but keep it mostly upbeat and positive!

I found this widget online through a link from a parenting site. It shows you how big the baby is at certain weeks (see to the right.) For me, it's far more exciting this way because I can visualize how big she is and what shape of fruit she is this week (haha, just kidding! Hopefully she's always in the shape of a baby, but I can still get and idea of what size she is.)

The last I was able to read was about at the 10 week mark when she was the size of a cashew. (My favorite type of nut!) My little cashew baby is growing so fast! I can feel her kicking and moving around a ton...especially at night.

I love her and can't wait to meet her!

Also, I'm now excepting ideas or suggestions of favorite girl names. We have a few picked out, but I'm craving more!

Lego' My Prego'

2010-01-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

I didn't think it would happen to me, but it did. I was folding clothing at work when a stranger walked up and proceeded to ask me about the various Levi's we had on stock. I politely engaged in some conversation on the difference between "recreational" jeans and the more professional looking jeans-the ones you can wear to work with a nice blazer or suit jacket.

Little did I know, it was just this gentleman's way of starting a conversation in which it continued with one minute of him discretely finding out that I am pregnant and then 20 minutes of him giving me advice. (It's the hardest thing you'll ever do; don't think it's easy; you think one is hard, try having 4; go swimming a lot, maybe even buy a tube and fall asleep in the pool as long as your husband is watching that you don't drown; etc.) I smiled for the first 5 minutes, spent the next 5 hoping my supervisors weren't watching, then prayed for 5 minutes that I wouldn't lose my job over this guy, and the last 5 minutes finding the right exit strategy.

Finally, one of my supervisors did come to my rescue. The man said his parting goodbyes, brought up the jeans again, and then left.

I don't mind pregnant advice from strangers...if: (A) it comes from a woman; (B) it can be summed up in two or less sentences; (C) it's not about how hard it's going to be; and (D) they don't assume that I don't know anything about babies or children. For example, a woman who came through my line a couple days ago with her one year old gave me the good advice to drink a lot of fluids, maybe cranberry juice and definitely water. Simple, polite, woman to woman advice.

The only two significant things I can relay to others about advice giving are keep it simple and it's better and much more appreciated when it's asked for. Think of it like a new sport. I'm an athlete and there's nothing worse than trying something new, and someone coaching you from every angle. Before you can even try it out or try to get good at it, someone's telling you how to hold your hands, correcting your posture, it's all in the hips, follow through, etc., etc. It makes you hate the sport!

I'm going to hate parenting before I'm ever a parent if there's too much advice coming from all angles. Let me try to be a mom first! If I have questions along the way, I'm going to ask my family and family-in-laws, aunts, doctor, close friends, and my husband. I got lucky marrying a guy who's the third of eight kids, having a father who is the fifth of ten children, and having a mother of 5 kids who also did daycare and teaching.

I don't mean to be rude, but I've got plenty of amazing sources for advice. And, who knows, maybe you strangers out there know how to do the parenting thing like a pro. In which case, I fully support you in writing a book, blogging it, or twittering daily tweets all about it!

Latest Updates

2010-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

They decided to keep me on at Costco! I'm excited, but also questioned myself on whether they are keeping me because I'm expecting and they feel bad, or if it's because I'm a genuinely hard worker or good worker? Hopefully it's the latter. So, I'll keep up shop there for the next 3 months or as long as I can before my feet and legs start to swell, my stomach gets in the way of carts and members, or I'm so tired I can't make it through my 4 hour shifts.

I will also add that I've been extremely bored and have gotten several cases of cabin fever sitting in my apartment all week. (Which is why I am even more excited to start part-time this next week.) How have I kept myself busy?

(A) I've watched and almost finished every Mary-Kate and Ashley movie-to-home-videos there are on Netflix; (B) I've searched the world wide web for available early morning jobs hiring for part-time work; (C) I've alphabetized the spice rack; (D) I've stalked 50% of my friends on Facebook (in detail) and caught up on their lives; (E) and I finished a baby quilt! Let me rephrase that, I finished sewing the top part and now all I have to do is quilt the backing, the batting, and the top together.

Stay tuned for a picture of the finished product! Having so much free time is bound to help me find new outlets, new hobbies, and unfinished projects dying for a chance to become a masterpiece.

It's a Girl!

2010-01-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy is an interesting thing. Half the time, the women who are pregnant will tell you they don't want to be pregnant, that they just want the baby to come already, they're tired of feeling like a blimp, and all the extra hormones, cravings, sickness, and weight in new places can all take a hike. But, on top of that, they have the added "oooh's" and "ahhhh's" of adoring strangers.

I have the most adorable sister-in-law who has two very cute boys of her own (2 years and a 5 month-old) who has told me some of her pregnancy stories. The most shocking, yet the most common that I've heard from her and others is when strangers approach a pregnant belly and proceed to rub and baby talk directly to the bloated area.

It's one thing for friends and family to feel, but a complete stranger? Maybe my feelings on the subject are different than others'; but, if a stranger walks up to me and begins to feel my belly, give me unsolicited advice about parenting and breastfeeding, or ask when my baby is due without knowing me, I might just give them a disgusted look and say something like, "Excuse me? That is extremely rude. I'm not pregnant. I happen to have a rare case of IBS that makes my stomach bloat."

It would be fun to see their reactions! But, for all those who haven't heard or whom I have yet the chance to tell, my husband and I ARE expecting a baby in late spring (90% sure of which it's a girl)! So, don't feel bad if you've seen me lately and wondered, maybe even had to ask yourself, "Wow, she's really let herself go since she got married. I wonder if that's holiday weight?"

We are very excited, but please be respectful of feeling bellies with a baby in it. Sometimes it just makes the carrier feel fat, not pregnant!

Adventures at Costco

2009-12-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

I recently got hired on as a seasonal worker at the Parker Costco warehouse. The job is great, it's low stress, the other workers are fun and friendly, and all in all it's a good place to work. I would really like to be held on as a permanent employee, so we'll see at the end of my "try out" in three weeks.

Everyone should try working at Costco at least once in their lifetime. The greatest thing about working there is the free samples. Of course the free samples are great even if you're just a member, but because I am there a couple days out of the week, I get free samples on lunch breaks, 15 minute breaks, and inbetween running from the front end to the back end on customer requests.

I think my chances of staying on are pretty good, though I see some cons to every pro that supports managment's decision to keep me on the core staff.

1) Pro: Management likes my good attitude, how I smile a lot, and my personality.

Con: For the first week, management thought my name was "McKenzie" because my hair covered half my "Maxene" on my name tag.

2) Pro: Management asked me to extend my 4 hour shift to an 8 hour shift last week.

Con: They also asked the rest of staff if they would extend their shifts (later I found because two guys from coporate were coming to check things out at our store.)

3) Pro: Management has been putting me in a lot of different positions (front end assistant, door checker, self-checkout helper, go-backs, etc.) and teaching me a lot of new things.

Con: The other 75% of the time they don't know where to put me, so they send me to clothing to fold for the rest of the 6 hours.

The bottom line is, I actually really enjoy this job. Whether or not they keep me on, it's been a great experience. It makes for some good stories and it makes it easier for me to compare prices from other retail and grocery stores.

Time to grow up? Cast your votes

2009-11-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

I haven't written on my blog for far too long. I'm up at BYU-Idaho with a client. We went to McDonald's, and because this is our last time together I let her choose whether to play computer games or card games. She chose computer, so I finally have access to the Internet.

I'm leaving the beautiful state of Idaho in one week. It's sad, but I'm excited to be living in the same home as my husband!

The inspiration for this entry was a nice birthday present one of my old roommates gave me. I think the people that know me the best know that I have a pretty good sense of humor, and one way I keep it fresh is by keeping up on my daily Peanuts' comics. I have many Peanuts' memorabilia, and this is cause to ask myself, "Is it time to grow up?"

My old roommate got my a canister of Spiced Hot Cocoa and on the front of the tin can is Snoopy and Woodstock around a festive Thanksgiving centerpiece. I'm 24 years old and I don't think I could have asked for anything cuter!

But, I am 24 years old. Is it time to grow up? Is it time to replace my coffee table comic books with photography books of the mountains, or a Time's magazine or the newspaper with current events? Is it time to collect my stuffed Snoopy, my Snoopy mug, the several Peanuts' t-shirts, and Peanuts' mint tins and store them away in a Tupperware in the basement?

Personally, I think no. I've got a good 2, 3, or 55 years left in me before it's time to start growing up! Like my dad has said, "Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is a choice!"

Appropriate or Inappropriate?

2009-09-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

I flew home this past Tuesday for a grad school interview. I drove into Salt Lake City and parked my car in the Diamond Parking Lot and hopped on the bus that took me to the airport. It was 5:30 in the morning, so I was a little out of it, but I was awake enough to notice the tip jar on the driver's dash board. I peeked into my wallet and realized I had zero cash on me. Suddenly, I was faced with a predicament. I couldn't leave my credit card or my debit card. I had to ask myself, and text my sister, "Is it appropriate to leave a tip in the form of a gift card if you don't have any cash on you?"

The only other 3 options:
a) Wal-Mart gift card with an ending balance of $68.91 (not likely I was leaving a $70 tip...)
b) Borders gift card with a balance nearing $1.00 (I think it actually had like .56 cents or so)
c) Dairy Queen gift card for $2.82

So, what did I do? I did what any white girl with three carry-ons-- carrying them by herself without any help getting on or off--would do. I took a free water out of the cooler in the back of the bus as four or five other businessmen got on the bus, prayed that one of them would tip the driver, and was the first one off the bus when we approached the Delta Airlines curb.

These are the moments I wish I lived in Australia where tipping is unheard of.

My Bed

2009-09-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

I'm a floater. I've accomplished a lot in my life, but when it comes right down to it, I don't really know what I'm doing. I have just recently moved into the fourth, and hopefully final, place of residence in under one year. The good thing about moving so much is you get to see how much stuff you really have. This is good, because I think that I have managed to purge three or four giant trash bags full of old things. This is from clothing, to old cooking supplies, to furniture, to a lamp that never should have made it outside of my college apartment.

Now, I have moving down to an art. Most of my stuff stays in storage (a good 5 boxes) and the rest I fit into my new room:

If your attention is directed to the green/white rectangle on the floor, you may be asking yourself, "Self, what is that green/white rectangle thing on the floor with the pillows on top?"

To that I would answer you, that is my current bed. Story: I had my parents take my queen size bed back home to Colorado b/c (A) I was pretty sure I was going to move to Utah in September (today, oddly enough) and they had furnished housing there and (B) I wouldn't be living in Idaho much longer anyway, so might as well take it with them so I wouldn't have to lug it around.

Well then, now you probably want to ask me, "Max, are you sleeping on-"

"Yes, I am sleeping on 4 queen-sized egg-role mattresses folded over so it really feels like 8. And yes, I put twin sheets around them to keep them bundled together to make it look and feel like a real twin-size mattress. And, yeah, I guess you could call me frugal-or lazy-for not wanting to buy a $60 twin mattress to use or have to shuffle around for the next 4 months."

Well, well, well....

2009-09-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

So Kelly got a blog! Yay!! Check out hers...It's under my quick links entitled "KELLY!"

Welcome to Wal-Mart...

2009-08-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have made an effort in the past 6 months to not shop at Wal-Mart. They do have great prices and so much stuff, that when you go in for a dozen eggs, you wonder why you're leaving with 2 for $10 goggles, 3 for $5 pop tarts, 4 for $10 Diet Pepsi 12-Packs, and a cute graphic tee off the $7 rack. Not to mention by the time you drive home and bring your bags inside you realize you forgot the eggs you actually went in for.

My reasons for not shopping at Wal-Mart were very hard for me to explain, but ode to MSN.com, someone who is more business-savvy and economically in tune has explained my feelings:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/the-price-of-wal-mart-coming-to-town.aspx

And, what is it with Wal-Mart piggy-backing on Target? I love Target, and I just find the rumors curious (if they are true), why is it that Wal-Mart is remodeling their stores to embody Target's floor plan? Anyway, it doesn't make you a bad person if you shop at Wal-Mart. For me, I would rather spend my dollar for the same stuff at other stores.

Crazy Cat Lady

2009-07-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know what got into me. I've had many ridiculous ideas before, but this one, this one was good.

My sisters and I have the age old joke that if any three of us don't get married in the next few years, one of us may become the crazy cat lady. It's not that I hate cats, I just don't like them. Kittens, on the other hand-like the six little ones in a brown box labeled "FREE" sitting outside Wal-Mart today-are so adorable.

I picked up an adorable little orangish-red one. I would have named her "Spicy", because "Ginger" is derogatory, and "Big Red" didn't sound cool. I think I picked her up because she was making the most noise and the little "meows" were like, "Max! Take me home! Please! I won't pee on your floor! Take me with you!"

I was with a client at the time. She picked up a little black one, and two other teenage girls picked up a white fur-ballish one and a black/orange/white tigerish one. We stood outside the store like that for a good 20 minutes. 5 were spent calling my client's mom, where we got the answer 'no'. The other 15 minutes were spent trying to convince myself not to walk away with the kitten in my arms.

My reasons for not taking the kitten:
1) I would have to buy cat toys.
2) The kitten would turn into a cat :(
3) Litter boxes smell like dung holes.
4) I would unsubconsciously start my journey down the road of becoming the crazy cat lady.

I put the kitten back in the box and told the man that I would be back in ten minutes. We ran into Wal-Mart, got our snacks and goggles, and while we were making our way to the check out counter I called my roommate.
Me: "What would you say if I brought home a kitten?"
Her: "I hate cats."
Me: "Yeah, me too."
Her: "If it was a dog, that's another story. I'd be okay with that."
Me: "I agree. Cool, just checking!"

There's still hope for me!

21 Things I Want in a Lover...

2009-06-30T16:31:00.001-07:00

I've been listening to Alanis Morissette quite a bit lately. She wrote a song entitled "21 Things I want in a Lover" where she lists things that she wants in a lover. I don't think she actually lists 21 things (I think I counted 18...) but, I thought it would be fun to think of 21 things that I look for in a lover, or for a better word, a mate. Like Alanis says, these are "not things I necessarily need, but qualities that I prefer." I also love how she lists them like questions, as if she wrote an ad for the paper or craigslist.

1. Do you laugh with others, but not at them?
2) Can you sit in a room without constant noise?
3. Do you like simple things, like being okay shopping for cooking utensils on a date?
4) Are you okay with a girl changing her mind, then changing it back, and maybe changing it again?
5. Can you run a 10k under an hour, and are you up for training for a marathon?
6) Do you like watching the Disney channel on a Saturday morning?
7. Are you open to trying new things?
8) Are you into artistic development, especially within yourself?
9. Can you dance to the rhythm of a band, and not worry about who's watching?
10) Do you do nice things when no one is looking, and honestly don't wish for the recognition?
11. Can you cuddle, and hold me like I mean the world to you?
12) Do you have a good imagination?
13. Are you creative in problem-solving and creation?
14) Do you love to learn and strive to make learning a life-long journey?
15. Can you forgive and forget?
16) Do you believe in eternal life, love, and happiness?
17. Are you good with kids, aged 1 day to 18 years old?
18) Are you patient, understanding, and slow to anger?
19. Are you laid back, can you relax, even when life throws a quick one at you?
20) Do you go to church, love God, and serve others?
21. Do you want the world to be a better place, and engage yourself in good causes?

It's a rough list, but things I look for nontheless. That was fun. Maybe it'll change in a month, or a year, or maybe it will stay exactly the same.

Pre-Father's Day Special...

2009-06-20T08:21:00.002-07:00

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlematch.aspx?cp-documentid=20315727&GT1=32023

I really like this article. Especially the not putting up with crap part.

Some Songs

2009-06-13T09:55:00.001-07:00

I love music. Who doesn't, right? Well, I truly, deeply, madly love music. I think it is very powerful and can awaken emotions you never knew were inside. I also believe that when you are in love, it might become necessary to dedicate a song to the significant other. Beaware, however, if you only think you are in love. This is when you do not dedicate certain songs. I believe there are a handful of love songs out there that should only be used at weddings, on anniversaries, or the like that signify eteranal love. Case in point: "Coffee Shop" by Landon Pigg, "Lucky" by Colby Collait and Jason Mraz, "You" by Van Morrison, etc. The reason being, if the two people parted ways one day, that song would leave a bittersweet taste in one's mouth; and I, for one, wouldn't be able to listen to it without flashbacks.

I also think that music can work the other way. For example, when you do have a break-up, a bad day at work, a car hits your mailbox at 3 am, etc., there is always a song for those times. Like, I once was in a spot in my life where I could have dedicated, "Ain't Wastin' Good Whiskey on You" by Trick Pony. This isn't because I'm a closet alcoholic, but if I did like to wash down a meal (or a heartache) with some spirits, I think I would think twice about when and where I would drink my 'good whiskey'.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, there will always be a country song that has the words describing EXACTLY how you feel. Whether or not we like country, no one likes getting "a ketchup stain on his white t-shirt", we all need to tell ourselves that "if Bubba can dance (I can too)", I would like a "cowboy to take me away", I'm sure I could find someone to tell "you're the reason God made Oklahoma" to, and, wouldn't all us girls love to be the "queen of someone's double wide trailer?"

Yeah, good old country. It's always good for something.

Not Qualified

2009-06-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

I've accepted the fact there are some things in this world that I am simply not qualified to do. Sometimes a desire burns deep inside me to compete and become qualified to do certain tasks or activities. I've always dreamt of playing professional golf, but until I can break 100 on an 18-hole course, I realize I'm not qualified to play in the PGA. I did, however, take a golf course last fall semester up at BYU-Idaho.

While in the class, I met and played often with a nice young man who shared my passion of swinging a club at a small white ball into a beautiful, open green field. We got to talking about his wife and her amazing artistic ability. Again, the desire to become a renowned artist burned within me and my older sister gave me my very first acrylic art set for my birthday. I have yet to test my hidden talent on an open canvas; but, I have accepted the fact that I just might not be qualified to sell art work at a moderately placed price.

So, among the things I've come to peace with not being qualified, tonight topped the chart. My roommate and I decided to order pizza and watch a movie tonight. I volunteered to pick up our dinner on my way home from dropping off some things at the library. Total, $7.41 for one, medium, 2-topping pizza. Then I arrived at our apartment complex, got out of my car fine, grabbed my purse, the 2-liter diet ginger ale, the gallon of ice cream I bought earlier, and the pizza. As I walked up the stairs, I fumbled for my keys, missed a step, and watched in slow motion as my beautiful, medium, pineapple and pepperoni pizza spiraled to the concrete steps. The box flew open and the smell of deliciousness floated to the ground.

I just stared at the pieces on the steps in disbelief. I kept thinking to myself, "There is no way that just happened." I think I sat on the steps for a good 5 minutes before entering my apartment, picking up the phone, and mouthing to my roomie what happened in a half-hearted explanation of why we had to wait 15 more minutes to eat. I called "John" and described what happened, hoping for a little sympathy in the form of a free replacement pizza. "With tax included, that'll be $7.41," he said.

I said thank you, hung up, grabbed my keys and a Hamilton, and walked back to Papa John's. It's okay, I tell myself. I'm just not qualified to be a pizza delivery person, and I am truly okay with that.

Why Did I get back on Facebook?

2009-05-21T22:21:00.001-07:00

It was for my sister. She said she misses me. We don't talk much anymore, so we stay in touch through the magical world of facebook. Without facebook, I would have real relationships. With facebook, I can still have lots of cyber relationships.

I just wasted 82 minutes tonight alone. Blast.

Why You Shouldn't Buy a Dozen Donuts if You Don't Have at Least Half a Dozen People to Share With:

2009-05-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

I was walking around Smith's grocery about 2 weeks ago and had the essentials, or what I came in for: milk, eggs, diet soda, and bread. Sometimes I like to graze the very back corner because they often have great deals. Usually, in the back corner of any grocery they sell day-old donuts for very cheap. I saw that there were a couple boxes of glazed donuts for $1.29 for a dozen! I was on the phone with one of my older sisters and we discussed the pros and cons:

1) Pro: a dozen donuts for almost the price of what one donut costs at a bakery.
2) Con: there is only one of me. There are 12 donuts....
3) Pro: a dozen donuts for almost the same cost of one donut at a bakery!!!
4) Con: anyone who buys a dozen donuts with no one to share with is just asking for it.

My sister kindly, yet firmly, helped me keep my will power--and my self esteem--and I opted out of buying them.

Well, my younger sister and her husband came over later that night and we all had dinner together and played cards. After we ate, her husband started to watch the end of an NBA game that Boston was in, and my younger sister leans over to me and tells me she has been craving donuts all day. Naturally, I mention the great deal on the day-old dozen. The only excuse we used to rationalize buying a dozen donuts was agreeing to walk to the grocery store...which is across the street. (About the equivalence of walking from one end of a moderately large mall to the other end. It took us about 10 minutes.)

I wouldn't quite call it a disaster. Let's just say that out of the 2/3 of the dozen that actually made it back to my apartment Saturday night, 1/3 was sent home with my sister, and the other 1/3 never saw Sunday morning. Don't buy a dozen donuts unless you have at least half a dozen people to share with!

Make Good Choices

2009-05-05T08:04:00.001-07:00

I'm always telling my kids, "Make good choices. You know you have the choice, so make it a good one." Recently, Elder Bednar spoke at a CES Fireside at BYU-Idaho (Sunday, May 3rd, 6:00pm. Google it...or LDS.org it). He had a lot of great advice. One part of his talk, which I stood up in my apartment and screamed "AMEN!!! AAAAA-MEN!" was about technology and how it can be good, but it's deteriorating our relationships with each other. We are consumed by fast-pace, new age technology that takes our time away from face-to-face contact.

I've never been a huge fan of text messaging. I just think, if you're both sitting on your bums watching "The Office", you might as well save your thumbs and talk to each other. Now, in class or at work, texting is great and can really make the day go faster (haha! totally kidding, halfway. Elder Bednar would say this takes away from you making good relationships at work or school. I agree.) But, texting, I'M-ing, online chat rooms, FACEBOOK, all things that kind of got out of hand, in my opinion.

So, I'm siding with Elder Bednar on this one and I'm limiting my text messages to 3 a day plus emergencies. Kind of like a salary for my texting, with benefits! I've also recently done away with facebook for the ump-teenth time. But this time, I'm for real! I've noticed ever since I've been working 42-hour weeks between the school and after-school program, I rarely have time to check my own email let alone waste precious time on facebook. I might have to go back on briefly to collect a few email addresses of people I want to keep in touch with, but ultimately, I feel good about de-technologizing my life.

Another good point he made was how our bodies are temples, and sitting in front of the computer for hours not only turns us into doughy-doughpeople, mentally and spiritually it really harms us. Then, he had a little plug about not doing things that put our bodies into extreme danger. Well, here I have a little problem. My friend, Mandy, has sent me a letter with the brilliant idea to make a list of 101 goals to accomplish in 1,001 days.

Well, goals 11-20 for me contain things such as bungee-jumping, sky diving, swimming with the sharks, hang gliding, etc. All things that Elder Bednar might argue put my body in extreme danger. I'm working on a little query to send him on that.

Anyway, it's all about making good choices. I just hope I don't get fired for teaching my second and third grade clients how to steer and drive stick, race up three flights of stairs at the counseling office, and playing hide-n-go seek in the library. Again, it's all about making good choices!

Thank the Good Lord, It's April!

2009-04-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

I mean no blaspheme by the title. I'm genuinly grateful it's April. February is the longest month for me, mentatlly-and ironically it's the shortest month of the year. March always goes by surprisingly fast. I've expereinced quite a bit the past few months, but March I learned a lot. I learned I can love children like they were my own just because I don't know if anyone in their short lives has shown them what real love is.

I've also learned (today) that when one of my little clients says, "I hate you, " and storms to her room just because I made her turn off the television to finish our reading really means, "I'm frustrated. I hate reading because I'm not good at it...but thank you for helping me through it because Mom and Dad don't read with me."

April is a great month. The grass is growing greener, the birds chirp more beautifully, and the days are longer. Today, was April Fool's day. The best one I heard went like this:

Text message @ 8 am: Were you in on this?
Me: In on what?
Text: I woke up to some pretty decorations on my car.
Me: haha! really? i don't even know what car you drive. was it bad?
Text: well, apparently i was "just married".
Me: haha! congrats!
text: oh yeah. laugh now. but there will be hell to pay when i find out who did it!

Haha! It doesn't get much better than some innocent vandalism!

Things I Love

2009-03-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

I love the rain. I love the smell of the rain, the feel of the rain, the earth after a good rain. I just love the rain!

I love the smell of campfire. I love camping, the chilly mornings, hot afternoons, long hikes, and the way your tent feels like a sauna when you get back from the long hikes. I love the smell of burning wood, roasted marshmallows, and hot dogs.

To be continued....I'm getting kicked out of the lounge where I get free wireless. They close it at 10 pm. Lame.

Sometimes Vain Things Make me Happy!

2009-03-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had a really good hair day today. I think the key is to not shower every day. Now, don't get all grossed out, but I guess I mean just don't wash your hair every day. Last week, I took 3 days off and then washed my hair last night. I woke up this morning to a tossled mess and just started curling away and hair spraying like there was no tomorrow. By the end of church, I noticed that my hair looked pretty good. (Again, now I'm not sure if it's the not washing the hair every day, or maybe because this was the first time I actually got ready and styled my hair in a week, but it...looked....GOOD!)

I proceeded to take several (2 dozen or so) pictures of myself and came to a few realizations:

1) I'm not very good at taking pictures of myself.

2) Half of my face is not very photogenic.

3) The other half of my face is only photogenic in certain light.

4) The pictures of me making funny faces look prettier than the pictures of me smiling.

I love good hair days! Good hair days makes Maxi happy :)

Belinda, My Sweet...Sweet...Belinda

2009-03-11T20:37:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we all go through things that are just not fun. Sometimes, I try to make funny the things that are just not fun, which is why I've decided to name my newly found friend on my lung. We'll call her Belinda, the blood clot. She's a real pain, I'll tell you, but I guess I have so much to be grateful for. I'm grateful there are doctors who know what they are doing, tests that can detect these little "friends", modern technology that creates research and medicine to treat them, family that stay up till 3 in the morning with you at the hospital (and stock your fridge with milk, juice, bananas, cookies, and pastries!), a mother who calls 4-5 times an hour asking for updates, a sister who scratches your back for an hour, a brother who immediately starts googling P.E, stranger missionaries from the church who give you a blessing, an old friend who can relate to you, and countless prayers from everyone. I knew people loved me, but I had no idea how much.

I'm frustrated because I can't run for awhile. In fact, I took Monday-Wednesday (today) off just because of the new medicine. I started feeling okay tonight, so I did a test run. I ran from my apartment to the lounge...and immediately regretted it. I don't know if it was the pizza and ice cream I ate right before at Enrichment Night or the 30 second jogging session, but it's safe to say I'll be taking the next few days extra easy.

I was reading some literature the nurses gave me on Tuesday morning before I left the Resort (hospital room) I was staying at. One of the side effects of the blood thinners is unexplained rapid weight gain. So, on top of not being able to run, I'm probably going to go crazy with thinking my waist line is increasing. I thought about starving myself, but I only lasted till 9:30 am--and I woke up at 9:20 am this morning. The only other option is to take the stairs, pray for warm weather to play with my kids outside, and cross my fingers that the doctor will tell me I can start running again next week. (And, of course, quit eating ice cream, pizza, and candy bars like I normally can when I am running 30-40 miles a week.)

Anyway, Belinda is my new friend. And, since she's decided to take up camp in my body, I figure I should learn as much about her as possible. Like, I know she gets irritated when I say it's time for bed, and she'll throw tantrums in the form of flare ups in my upper back. And, when I eat too much she throws fits in my chest cavity and lower back. I'm sure we'll get along just fine when I take her on a long run next month...hopefully in the form of her being dissolved by then.

It's really not the end of the world, I know, but it sure slows me down. I guess now I'll have more time to build model airplanes, take long baths, read my comic books, scrap book, write my autobiography, shop at antique and second-hand stores, embroider my kitchen towels, etc. I'm pretty sure my friends at the plasma center will miss me, but I'll catch up with them in 2-3 years when the doctor said I might be able to go back in. This is also forcing me to find another second source of income. There's only one other way I can think of to sell your body for money, but that way is a lot less safe and ten times more risky and immoral than donating plasma. Maybe the local IHOPS is still hiring for the morning shift? I'll keep you updated.

What People Collect

2009-02-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

It's funny what people collect in their life times. Me, for example, I hate to hold onto things because I'm always thinking about moving. When I'm in one place too long, I get antsy and need a change (though moving for me is quite stressful, change is good). Sometimes just changing my room around is all I need. Sometimes changing how I organize my dish towels does the trick. And, every once in a while I need a change in how I look so I'll chop my hair really short, work out harder--or the opposite, start eating more!--or buy clothes that necessitate a new look. Why, I often like to frequent the D.I (Goodwill) or second-hand stores for retro styles or antique jewelry.

Idaho Falls has a ton of second-had stores, pawn shops, and antique stores that are full of old crap. I work in the old historic down town, and within a mile radius of our building, I think I could count a dozen and a half of these stores. I walked into one the other day with a client, and we were in garage sale heaven....well, all except the prices. I swear, if anyone pays for a Snoopy camping glass, originally from McDonald's in the 1980's, for over $8, they're going to regret it 10 seconds after purchase. Now, I'm not saying it would be a bad investment. I'm just saying that I'm glad I left the store empty-handed with the rationale that I would think about it and if it's still there this Wednesday, I MIGHT indulge a little.

I used to collect a lot of Peanuts memorabilia. I still have a lot! But over the years I've been able to get rid of my duck collection, moose collection, and someday I'm sure I'll have to downsize my kitchen towel and fabric collection (that is, if I never get to the 20 or so sewing projects I have in my head.) I feel okay about my collections, because I learned from my Mother who collects dish sets. We still give her a hard time about this, but I'll tell you something, now that all her kids are moving away, it's a lot cheaper to inherit one of these sets than to go buy your own!

People collect the weirdest things. From wolves, to music that has never been opened, to obsessive cleaning supplies. I've seen it all, and I must say at this point there is no surprise and no limit to what people collect.

Valentine's Day!

2009-02-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm one of those girls who loves-LOVES-Valentine's Day. This was the first year I had a date with someone very very special...and it was a hilarious day. In the past, I've always asked the guy out. I've always been one to chase the boys and ask if he would be my Valentine. But, this year, it was a mutual thing and it deserves to be blogged. (Is that a proper verb tense?)

We started by having dinner at 4 pm at a very nice and fancy restaurant. Near the waiting area was a giant bowl of jelly beans, so of course I joined the other 3 or 4 kids in scooping handfuls to take to my table. To our left was an older couple, almost as old as the couple to our right. They both looked like they might be from Florida. We ate 3 loaves of bread, and around half a stick of butter. This place was awesome (Del Frisco's) because whenever it looked like you had just a little bread left, the bread boy would be right there switching out the baskets with a new, fresh, warm loaf. We split this amazing steak and potatoes, and almost puked walking out to the car because we ate so much! It was also still bright outside when we left the restaurant. That was new for us.

We then noted that the night was still very young (5:15 pm) so we drove downtown and walked around the Cherry Creek Mall. Of course we only stopped by the cooking stores and the watch store, everything of which was over-priced (but I made a mental list of things I'm going to search for at TJ MAXX and ROSS.)

Then, we rented "Madagascar 2" from the RedBox and bought 4 bags of candy and pop. We took our movie and snacks back to his house and got doped-up on sugar while we watched our movie, after which we both crashed into a 3 1/2 hour nap/coma.

Needless to say, I had a great time. I felt like a little kid again/older retired couple. This weekend has been great. But, for real, diet starts today...or tomorrow...we also went to the grocery store yesterday and bought day-after candy on sale. (Seriously, who passes up a 4 lb. bag of Valentine day candy for 50% off? Not this girl.)

What Makes the World Go Round...

2009-02-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

I had a really negative view on the real world and what really makes it turn. For a long time, I always thought it was money. You need money to do this, and money to do that. You need money to impress him (or her) and then you need money to keep him (or her). It was getting really draining. Living on my own has taught me: dollars in=dollars out for rent, food, utilities, etc. etc.

Well, I decided I wasn't going to take this view anymore and I've since decided that kindness makes the world go round. Really! I'm not trying to be cheesy, or greeny, or granola. Kind people real make or break it in this society. I've also learned that even if I'm homeless and begging for money and stressing over where to find my next meal, someone is always kind. The church is kind. Most people have good hearts.

I've also decided that karma, in some aspect, is real. And, if I do my part, things will just work out. How? I have no idea! But, they do for me. When I'm kind to people, and I'm talking the genuine, I-want-to-get-to-know-you kind, people respond positively. Things work out.

So, call it what you want to. Love makes the world go round. Genuine people make the world go round. Kindness makes the world go round. Honesty really helps. Last I checked, you can't buy any of those with money.

Kids These Days

2009-01-26T22:12:00.000-08:00

I love my job. Have I mentioned that before? Well, I love working with the kids. The few times the adults don't cancel, they are rather enjoyable as well. But, the kids make this job for me. They love unconditionally, they are always optimistic, and they love to play. Last week, one of my client's has a younger sister, let's call her "Julie", who is about seven or eight years old. She asked me my first week if I could be her PSR worker, and I wanted to say YES! but I told her maybe down the road.

Her sister is very fun as well, and sometimes their mom let's me take both girls to go play and do other activities. Well, the other night, "Julie" didn't want me to leave but it was getting late. She proceeded to ask me what my plans for next Friday were, and if I was free, I could come babysit her and her siblings. I was dying inside! I wanted to laugh, but somewhere inside her I could tell she was serious, and hopeful. Her little invitation melted my heart and is making this -10 degree weather not seem so bad. (And litterally, my face is frozen because it was 2 degrees when I walked outside the gym to my car tonight!)

I can't wait to have kids. More so, I can wait, but I can't wait to go to work tomorrow. If only I could talk some of the adults into playing hide-n-go-seek tag or finger painting, or trying on tacky clothing at the D.I!

A Few Things I Know

2009-01-07T21:52:00.001-08:00

1) I need people in my life! I was feeling lonely this morning, so I went into work early. From 10 am till 830 pm I was surrounded by people! It was so fun, and the more I learn the ropes to my job and such, the more I realize how lucky I am. I'm getting paid to hang out with people and help them. When I hear their problems, mine seem so small. I'm grateful for what I have and for everything I've been given. I sure do have it easy. And, did I mention how lucky I am to get paid to hang out with people?!

2) Wells Fargo is the best bank in the nation. Okay, so I've only banked with 3 banks in my whole life; one was bought, one went out of business, and one is staying strong, serving across the nation, and is buying other banks! And, the lady who works at the W.F on Hitt Road rocks my world! She's like an awesome aunt, or grandmother!

3) Sometimes, having pizza 4 nights in a row is okay. It's fast, easy, full of calories (and I need the calories right now! Work takes a lot out of a woman!) and it is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!

4) After being away from my home all day, seriously all day, I love coming back to a clean, warm home. I think spending a Saturday or Sunday lounging around is exactly what I'll need after a long week.

5) I don't need to run 9 miles to get runner's high. I ran 4 the other night and never felt better! I swear, exercise heals. I would be interested in researching if humor and exercise have similar effects on illnesses (mental and physical.)

6) I love my family more than anything I can describe! They have listened to every single one of my plans, and then more ideas, my complaints, my joys, they've heard my tears, and they still make me feel normal! Sometimes I think I'm crazy for having such a hard time with this new chapter, but talking to them makes me realize that I'm going to be okay, I'm not crazy, and "this too, shall pass"!

7) Life is everything. It's exciting, it's scary, it's up and it's down, it's hot and cold, it's thrilling and it's boring. But mostly, it's what you make it. So, I've decided to make it a good one! There's got to be something great to every day. (Like today: we played hide-n-go-seek tag in the office because it was too cold and snowy outside to play; I got paid to paint a picture of the beach; I had pizza with a friend; the list goes on!)

8) All that's left to do is "Carry on, wayward son; For there'll be peace when you are done". Kansas knew this whole time.

Smile, Cuz' at Least We Have Today.

2009-01-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

January 4th, 2009. I started off this year with a lot of hope; I was so excited to see what this year would bring. Right now, I'm finding a little stress, a lot more anxiety than silly exams could ever bring, and a loss of words for how a certain situation unfolded. I can't say much about the situation, or the person, but I can keep my own confidentiallity, well...not confidential at all. I'm the most broken I've ever been. And, it couldn't be more hilarious. I can't wait for the sun to shine a little brighter, for the temperature to warm up, and to find some new love this year. I don't know if it will be a new love for myself? For someone else? Or for something? I've been thinking I'd love to try new extreme activities like skydiving, surfing, swimming with sharks, heli-snowboarding, going to a movie by myself...maybe not this last one.

I heard of a talk given in church in which the speaker was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. His reply was simply, "I want to be happy when I grow up." I've decided I want to be happy when I grow up, which means I have to start practicing now! A good friend of mine recently gave me a book for Chritstmas, "What Happy People Know". At first, I thought, gosh, does she think I'm really depressed? Has it really shown? But then I thought, wow. This friend really knows me and really cares about me. She has read her book (I think she said) 14 times. I'm only through the first chapter, but I'm excited to read more.

All in all, I think happy people pretty much know that no one can make you happy but yourself. I would like to make other people happy. Hell! I would like other people to make me happy! But, we can only control ourselves, our reactions, and only we can make up our minds. Someone once said, "You are as happy as you make up your mind to be." Yeah, pretty true.

Love's Possibilities and the Possibility of Love

2008-12-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

I've been kind of down on love lately and I think it's because people (including me) do a lot of dumb things when they are in love. We become new people and we do or say things that we would never when we are a single, normal, unit. Over the past 7 months there have probably been three to four dozen things I wish I could take back. In fact, there are probably three dozen things per month I wish I could take back!

But, I can't. And that is the weird, twisted magic of love. When I look back, I have no idea how I got here but I know I want to get as far away from here as possible. Never to fall in love again, because I rather like having my mind where it is sound and my emotions where I can control them. The funny thing is, love is so fun in the beginning. It's new, it's fresh, it's full of possibilities. Then somewhere along the way you get to point B, you have no idea how you got there, and you don't have any solution as how to get out.

Then love is not fun. Love is work. And for that unknown amount of time, love is hard work. Who would have ever thought in a million years that love is work?! I mean, come on! Love should be natural, fancy-free, right? No. Not at all. Because somewhere along the way, no matter what kind of love you have, if you want to keep it, you have to fight for it and work hard at it. [And, if the other party in this love tango does not want to work hard at it anymore, enter dumb comments and doing dumb things...]

And so I'm stuck at point B, have no idea what or how to get to point C, and I'm seriously questioning, if at all, where it all ends? I'm no expert on love, sometimes I wish I was, but then my love life would be completely artificial. If there's one thing I love about love, it's not knowing, the spontaneity and the random interactions and connections couples make. The path from there can go anywhere, and that is exciting.

Love is a mystery; in its unpredictable nature, all we can do is fall and hold on for dear life.

The Things That Heal Us

2008-12-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Life is a crazy ride. Sometimes I wish this ride would end peacefully in my sleep tomorrow night. I say tomorrow, cuz there is still so much I want to do today (so, I'm grateful for all the "today's" I still get.) From my first heart aches to my present heart ache, I always thought it would get easier. I've been through this routine a few times, but I guess not enough to be expert on the quick recovery. I've learned, however, that there are a few things that heal:

1) Ben Folds...don't ask me why, but Ben Folds rocks my heart-broken-world! He just makes me feel better.

2) Christmas commercials...but not the peanut M&M one; that one is just weird. I'm talking about the Halmark and Sarah Lee commercials.

3) Strangely enough, Meth commercials...because at least I'm doing something right, I'm not screwing up my life with substance abuse.

4) Running...I live to run, I run to live. Sometimes I feel like running is the only thing I can do right.

5) Looking up lyrics from my favorite songs on the internet...and speaking of the internet, I've had some of my greatest times on YOUTUBE and quoting lines with friends and sisters.

6) Family...if it weren't for my parents, my siblings, my brother-in-law, and roommates, I'd be a train wreck waiting to happen right now.

7) Humor...I wrote a 15-page paper my sophomore year about how humor makes everyone feel better from those with mild depression to those with cancer. Humor heals (I've got the references from research studies done to support this.)

7b) Jim Carrey...Hilarious.

8) Not eating...and eating. Let me explain. My appetite has literally flown out the window. It's incognito. So, when I do eat, the food is damn good. Because I already don't feel hungry, whatever I do put in my mouth has to taste really good for me to be able to keep eating.

9) Writing...an infamous writer once said that in order to define yourself, search your soul and write, write, and write until you find yourself over and over again.

One day at a time, Maxi. One day at a time.

Untitiled

2008-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny how some things turn out? You think you are going down one path, you tell God, "Hey there, I got this one figured out. These are my plans. Thanks for being here for me, but I think I got this one." And you smile as you close your prayer to Heavenly Father, but he's smiling too, and for some of us he might crack a giggle or break into a full out laugh. I bet He's got one hell of a contagious laugh.

We don't know what we're doing, we just sometimes do things because it feels right. I never expected things to end up this way, but they did. I wished they would have panned out a little more different, but I can't blame anyone but myself for getting into this situation.

So, I'm staying out here in Idaho Falls because it feels right. Really, for no other reason than it feels right right now. And honestly, how many people can say they got rehired because the company was desperate?! That's a sign, right? But seriously, how many graduates can say they have a sweet job the day after graduation?

Life will be different from here on out. I will be a different person (hopefully better, and growing) because of the next year's experiences. My plans? Well, since I'm pretty sure my previous plans were the ones that were able to make Heavenly Father laugh, I've decided to be an instrument in God's hands. Not quite sure how to do that, but I'll just start out by working hard and trying every day to live the Golden Rule. I'll try to be a little better this year than I was last. I'm ready to let go of that big circle thing on the boat that is used to turn the boat, and let Him steer me.

This Time I'll Take it Slow

2008-12-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I have been in every mind set, in every mood, and around every corner in my mind over the past three months. It's funny how changes in life can cause so much stress and anxiety. I'm already a liability waiting to happen, all I need is one more change to push me over the edge! I've decided to revisit some of the advice I've received and learned the most from.

1) Life is a marathon, not a 200 yard dash. My Dad gave me this advice, and I have to remind myself nearly everyday that I don't have to do it all today. I don't have to solve every problem, fix every broken thing, or figure out all life's secrets. I have a long time to do everything, and I need to learn patience. God knows, I need to learn patience.

2) What are we here for if it is not to make life easier on each other? Sister Hinckley wrote this in a letter or a book and I think it is marvelous. We all to often, and me especially, get caught up in thinking "me, me, ME!" and instead we should be looking for the things we could be doing for others. Really, when we all get together and put all our problems on the table, we all take a good look around, and end up taking our problems right back. We can handle what we're going through, we wouldn't trade problems with anyone else, but we can help those others.

3) Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. Robert Collier, a sweet-ace runner, said this. It works for long-distance runners, but it also works with everything in life. If you want to succeed in anything, you work at it day in and day out. You don't take a day off (well, outside of running!) you work hard and don't lose sight of the prize.

4) If I were two-faced, would I really be wearing this one? Oh, Abraham Lincoln! We all need to have good senses of humor and be able to laugh at ourselves! Enough said....well, and he said these great lines as well:
- I will prepare, and someday my chance will come. (SO GOOD!)
- Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. (So true, I need to work on this one. I've said quite a few dumb things before thinking...)
- Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. (Again, so true.)

5) Have you decided what you're going to do when you graduate yet? How are your toe nails? My mom wrote this all in one text message! This was during a time when I had no idea what I was going to do when I graduated (ahem, last week!) But, I literally smiled and laughed to myself because here I was, making the biggest decision of my short adult life (so far) and my mom just put things in perspective. Sometimes with big decisions we feel like we're going to lose something, or this is it, this is the end. That's not the case. No matter what we decide in life, the world still turns. We still need to eat breakfast the next morning, the trash needs to be taken out, we need to see the foot doctor about a bruised toe nail that might fall off from too much running.

With huge, life-changing decisions, we need to remember that our world won't come to an end when we make a choice. We (meaning I) just need to commit to the decision, don't look back, and buckle my seat belt for the ride! That new path ahead of me, the one that, if nothing else, will yield to heaps of life experiences. And that, that will make all the difference! (Robert Frost)

Fashion magazines really promote hot and modern trends?

2008-11-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have found that the fashion industry is very interesting. I'm not sure what is fashionable and what is disgusting because some of the outfits on the runway today look like what a third-grade girl would throw on for school. There are tons of patterns, clashing colors, and belts with everything. So, when I wear tennis shoes (my cute hot pink Nike Cortez) with a cute white skirt and a fun top, I don't see how that is stepping outside of the box (me, hinting to a few sisters who question my style!) These days, you could walk into a local D.I or Goodwill and pick up practically any four or five articles of clothing and pull them off as fashionable.

It really fells like the uglier the clothes, the more hip and trendy. Go ahead and find a floral blouse with black-leafed accents, a cat-embroidered vest (maybe with touches of actual fur on it), a neon yellow, black, orange, and red plaid skirt (tweed, of course), and top it off with a pair of adorable navy kitten heels or black pumps. The rules of fashion are....well, I'm not sure there are any rules. Just go with what your style is, and if that cat-embroidered vest happens to have a "Chanel" logo, than it's definitely fashionable. And as long as the knee high boots with crocodile print and the bells on the back strap are Prada, they are hot. No other questions asked.

Economy 101

2008-10-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

I don't really get how the world works. It's a wonder to me that people eat every day let alone sleep at night with this flailing economy. I always figured it was like calories and losing weight; calories in and calories out, that's how you solved that problem. Well, in the economy, it's like losing debt; money in and money out. I suppose some day we won't really use the monetary system anymore and we'll all go back to trading and bartering. What my neighbor can offer me compared what I can offer my neighbor.

If I were teaching Economy 101, I would tell students to just ban money today. Quit going to the banks. Invest any money you have now into a nice home garden, maybe even save a couple hundred under your matress for emergencies. Just like in the 1930's. I would advise them to learn how to sew...then again knowing how to sew is one thing. Being able to afford the sewing machine, fabric, and other materials, is another thing and doesn't do much good if you don't have money to buy it....but oh yeah, I just advised all the students to have home gardens so they could trade peas and corn for fleece and thread.

The only other thing I've heard that is sure to boost our economy, is BUY, BUY, BUY. In order to be a contributing American I've decided to BUY. It doesn't matter what, just BUY. So, I bought "Nacho Libre" for $4, Horkley's 44 oz. soda every Wednesday, I go golfing twice a week, I blew $11.50 at the dollar store, online shopping counts, right?, and every time a new candy bar comes out, I pick up a few to test them out. How do I afford all this mindless spending? one asks. Three words: Paid Plasma Donations.

Donating plasma is like my cool, fulfilling, part-time job. It's cool because you get paid in cash every time you go (nope, they don't take out taxes. Come on! It's a donation!) It's fulfilling because apparently (and ask a doctor for more serious/accurate details) plasma saves lives...lots of lives. It's like a blood donation or an IV of liquids and protein. Basically my plasma money is my fun money. Donating plasma does more than save lives, it supports the economy. Here is a place where you go put in your 4-6 hours per week, walk out with $60-IN CASH- and because cash seems to burn holes in American's pockets, it is spent faster than an informercial can add, "But wait, if you call in the next 10 minutes, we'll throw in 3 free SHAM WOWS!!!"

(ps I seriously need to start going to bed before 2 am, because the only thing that's stopping me from buying a SHAM WOW is my lack of credit card possession!)

Beginning Bowling (ESS 131)

2008-09-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Don't let the title fool you. This class is very hard for most all inexperienced bowlers. I don't know whether it was my approach practice without a ball, or the fact that the teacher gave me Men's size 10 bowling shoes (I guess he took one look at my feet and thought they were large enough to upgrade me to the Men's department) but I genuinely stink at bowling. Day 4, he finally let us use balls with our approach so the embarrassment of bowling "ghost style" was out of the way. However, the lingering evidence of a bad bowler hung in the air with gutter after gutter after 2-pins knocked down after gutter ball! (Mind you, these were all my shots. My team is actually decent!)

So, the teacher has all these "practice drills" on the side that are meant to help people who can't bowl good (me). Example: stand against the wall and swing your bowling arm back and forth along the wall so you get used to the plane you are to swing on. I won't tell you how dorky this looks...or how dorky one feels!

The best part of this class is that he'll have us all sit down here and there and proceed to give us tips and pointers on how to become better bowlers. Right behind the alley (which is in one of the school buildings) is the new, and still being improved, bookstore. For some reason, they like to hammer, saw, drill, and everything in between during that hour. I swear it's like a funny cartoon where important information is being relayed, but no one can hear because the semi-truck is passing by or the helicopter flies overhead!

I was cracking up because here, this teacher who already has a soft voice, is talking away and all I can hear are the drills and hammering behind me. I see his lips moving, but I don't catch a single word (except I could read his lips say turkey, and the kid next had to explain.) I'm going to blame my sorry skills on the premise that I can't hear the advice on fundamentals.

I guess he'll just have to keep sending me to the wall for a while!

Frugal Wars Part II

2008-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

In my Money Management class we learn ways we can save money and spend money the smart ways. It surprises me that I was never really that frugal to begin with. For example, our teacher asked the class if there is such a thing as being too frugal. I though perhaps, and maybe even that I had already reached that point; but, to my new found knowledge, I am so far from being frugal that I hesitate to even classify myself as a tight-wad!

She informed us that she knew a newly wed couple who received many nice gifts from family and friends at their wedding reception. They both had a year of school to finish, so they didn't want to spend the money on renting a Uhaul or truck, so they returned all the gifts and got money in return. When they got to Rexburg, they bought just what they thought they needed in appliances at Deseret Industries with the plan that when they moved, they would just give all they purchased back to Goodwill. Personally, at first I thought no big deal...until you actually go to a Goodwill. Why anyone would sell back their brand new 6-speed blender for a 1970's malt-maker (seriously just a stick that vibrates into a tin cup) is beyond my understanding.

That's not even the best one. She also had some friend who her and her husband had some 6 or 7 odd number of children. To save on money, everytime one of the children had to use the bathroom, the dad handed them 4 squares of toilet paper and said, "Good luck!" My goodness! I just laughed really hard because I didn't know if the teacher was kidding or not. She just slowly gave a slight smile with a sigh and nodded her head with her eyes closed.

Car Noises

2008-08-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend makes these incredibly real-sounding car noises with just his mouth. Whenever I try to imitate or replicate the noise, I sound more like a laser gun going off or a gust of wind blowing by rather than a car zooming around corners. I think he said one time that girls can't make car noises. It's a guy thing. I've recently realized, however, that girls (or at least I) CAN make some car noises! When I click my tounge, I ultimately sound like a car blinker. Think: in my car, turn on the blinker, and wait for light to change green.

To do: open your mouth the long way, as if you were grinning and click. Then, right after that, open your mouth as if you were saying, "YOUUUU!" and click. Repeat this several times to the rhythm of your car's blinker, and you will sound just like it!

You've Got to Taste my Lips!

2008-07-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm obsessed with chapsticks, lip balm, lip shines, lip gloss, etc. etc. I can't stop buying new ones. My all time favorite, the one I will swear by, is Burt's Bees. At $3 a .15 oz. tube, it's not cheap but it will leave your lips feeling smooth and tingly. I also have the ChapStick Disney princess additions ("Blue Coral Berry" with Aerial, "Dreamy Cherry" with Sleeping Beauty, "Ka-Chow Cherry" with Mater from 'Cars', and others...).

Usually I'll buy a new tube every two weeks or so because I tend to lose them. Some get tousled in the wash, tucked protectively in the back pocket of my favorite jeans, (and those jeans must be re-washed if the pair make it to the dryer with the chapstick still intact; oh yeah, it's a mess!) The funny thing is, tubes start showing up left and right, so now I have a mug in my room with half a dozen or so tubes. I recently found a lip gloss I bought last year at Bath and Body Works semi-annual sale.

This lip gloss is really something else. C.O Bigelow Mentaha Lip Shine, in Root Beer. I can not stop licking my lips! Seriously, this flavorful formula is a tribute to soda fountains and is infused with original mentha lip shine with refreshing root beer soda fountain flavor (really, it even says that whole sentance on the tube!) You remember those lip glosses that you could practically eat they are so good? This one I think encourages you to do just that, at least I haven't found a warning anywhere that reads, "For external use only. Do not ingest." I'm telling you, you've got to taste this lip gloss!

The Love in Loving People

2008-07-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Last night there was an amazing lesson at institute (and my opinion may be considered bias because the teacher is my dad, but it was a really great lesson). There was one point in the discussion in which we talked about "lengthing your stride" and what that means. We came to an agreement that it basically means that you try a little harder, get out of your comfort zone, be a little better. I thought this was such a great concept! Just think, if every person tried to be a little better every day, or every week, month, or even just every year, think of the impact on the world!

That means your coworker, Bucky, starts wearing deodorant; you and your lunch partners buy an extra burger or taco off the dollar menu and give it to a homeless person on your way back to the office; Giselle, the town gossip queen, starts talking positively about people; we all start calling our parents weekly, just to say "hi" and see how they are doing; some of us who don't have our grandparents anymore adopt a grandparent who doesn't have a family.

The list of possibilities goes on and on. The point is, each one of us has little baby steps towards becoming the best we can be. If we all start figuring out what those steps are, and following through with the easy things, I honestly believe the world would be a much better place, people would be happier, healthier, and cleaner. (I mean, the world is already a pretty rad place, and life is pretty delicious; but, there's always room for improvement, right?!)

So, what I propose is that the three people who read my blog try to be a little better for the rest of this year, and they each tell three of their friends to find something they can be a little better at, and then those three people tell three more people....(I know this sounds a lot like "Pay It Forward", but it's not. It's about personal progress, which includes service, which I guess really is like that movie. Oh, well!)

I guess the real difference comes in strengthening relationships with each other. When we start caring about the people around us (and, yes, wearing deodorant shows you care), then we find joy in life and we obtain a hope that the world will continually become a better place. Because I think, in the end, it really is all about the people, not the things.

"There is no hope of joy except in human relations." -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

How to Drink Alone (an msn.com bit)

2008-07-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

I fell upon this article written by Tom Chiarella from msn.com's website. He writes on how there is an art to drinking alone and procedes to list the advice. I don't know why I think this is so funny, but it strikes a chord with me. It's like when you see someone at a restaraunt or a movie by themselves and you feel bad; like you should get up and go sit next to him/her but you're not sure if that will embarrass them more, if they even want company, or what not. Maybe there are tips on "How to Eat Alone (at a nice, fancy sit-down restaurant)" or "How to Watch a Movie Alone (at a real theater)". Thanks MSN.com, for keeping it real...

• Don’t use it as a warm-up. It’s a prelude to nothing. Drinking alone must be an event unto itself. It’s never about getting sloppy, or lucky, or even happy. Beginning and end, make it a choice. A gift, not an escape. It’s about raising your awareness, not dulling it. Be neat, small of affect, businesslike.
• Start in the afternoon.
• 2:30 is universally a good time, since the bar will be empty, the bartender busy stocking the coolers, wiping down bottles.
• Forget bar chatter, since it’s about drifting, forgetting, passing time without noticing. Instead, quietly pay attention.
• Drink liquor — whiskey.
• Get a beer back, if you must. Gin is acceptable too, but don’t put anything sweet in it.
• Ignore the television.
• Listen a little. Enjoy the muffled aural measures of a bar waking up. Watch the door or the window instead. Draw connections to the world outside, even as it recedes slightly from perception. Notice the angles of light, the pulse of the traffic, even the evolution of customers who drift in as the day twists down to its nub.
• Read a paper, sure. A book is good too. Crack the spine and lay it flat on the bar. Read, don’t pretend to read.
• Don’t eat. Drinking alone is not about buffalo wings.
• Look up often.
• Jukeboxes are an acceptable diversion, though don’t ever select Cat Stevens when drinking alone.
• If a friend happens in, do not demur. Instead, take it as an irrefutable signal that the meditative event of drinking alone is over. You aren’t alone anymore. Buy him a drink and, after a reasonable juncture, leave. Give him what you came in for. A little solitude, with liquor. There’s no shame in it.

One Thing

2008-07-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

If you could only choose one thing to worry about in your entire life (not for the rest of your life, but just in your life) what would it be? If you chose money, you can only worry about money (not global warming, not how your kids will turn out, not whose turn it is to mow the lawn, etc.) The idea is, what's worth worrying about? I've decided for me the only thing worth worrying about is whether or not I'm happy. I know how to be happy, so if I'm not, I'll just get happy right away and have nothing to worry about.

My grandma once had this little poem and I'm not sure if she wrote it or she found it somewhere, but it makes me smile because there are really only two things to worry about:

There Are Only Two Things In Life To Worry About

There are really only two things to worry about;
Either you are healthy or you are sick.
If you are healthy, then there is nothing to worry about.

But, if you are sick there are only two things to worry about,
Either you will get well or you will die.

If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about,
But, if you die, then there are only two things to worry about.

Either you will go to heaven or you will go to hell.
If you go to heaven, then there is nothing to worry about.
But, if you go to hell, you'll be so damn busy shaking hands with old friends that you won't have time to worry!

I love this because really, there is not a whole lot worth the worry. As long as I'm here I'm going to try to do my best, make mistakes along the way (hopefully most will be unintentional!), be happy, and love life; and I believe there's a whole lot to love in this world!

Going! Going! Gahhhhh-REEN!!!

2008-07-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well, the world might be heating up at a rapid pace, gas should be replaced by water (which I found out recently some have already done; gas companies, however, don't want people to find out that motors have been invented that can run on H2O...youtube it if you're curious!), we're running out of fresh water by the way, and the only trees that will be around in 15 years are those little fake plastic ones. (*disclaimer: I'm not sure how much of this is true by the way!)

A couple of months ago, I was assigned the project of researching "Going Green" for ways my office could help save the planet. I'm big on conserving energy and resources for the sake of saving money, improving our living conditions, and so my kids (some day) will have a pretty cool place to live (some day). While surfing the world wide web, bless it, I found all sorts of good-and not so good-stuff.

The obvious: carpool, turn off lights and unplug appliances not being used, don't leave the water running when you're brushing your teeth, etc. etc.

The odd: sun tan more (you'll help soak up those UV rays poring in through the abused atmosphere...I may have misinterpreted or read that one wrong...), hitch hike to work/school/stores/etc. (I may have made that one up too...), and Sheryl Crow's classic-only use one square of toilet paper when you go to the bathroom.

To Sheryl Crow, I one up her and say, "Why even use toilet paper then? Honestly, how much is one square gonna do?" (side note: see previous post: "Frugal Wars") Then I thought of another way we could save water-just don't flush the toilet. This has already been thought of, "If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, let it mellow." Okay, got it. Now, I thought maybe toilet companies will start making smart toilets, like the ones in Japan. We've all heard about the ones that talk to you. Well, this new toilet I'm going to try to invent will flush every third or so push on the flushing handle.

Yeah, now reading this, I don't think it sounds as cool as it did in my head when I thought of it earlier this morning.....add this one to the odds!

Disney's "The Parent Trap"

2008-07-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was eating dinner last night and watching the newer version of "The Parent Trap"; the one with Lindsey Lohan when she was tiny, still red-headed, and freckeled. My favorite Lindsey, if there was one. I love this movie, especially the older one. My mom happens to share this love. It never occurred to me, however, that the story line of the film is somewhat morally wrong. I mean, really, who in their right mind would ever think it okay to split up their twins? Especially if one is staying with the father and the other with the mother? I could understand (maybe) if the twins were split up through adoption, but honestly, where both parents are very wealthy and could easily take care of two kids but decide, "Hey honey, our marriage isn't quite working out. Here, let's split everything 50/50...you take the BMW and I'll take the Lexus...why don't you keep the timeshare in Vail and I'll take the condo in L.A...and oh! perfect, you take one twin and I'll keep the other, but let's never tell them they have a sister!"

Sounds a little screwy to me! I guess there are more crazy family stories in real life, though. I still love these movies. My only other concern is the fact that neither Lindsey Lohan nor Hayley Mills has a twin. I was young when I saw "Parent Trap: the making of the film" with Lindsey Lohan on the Disney Channel and found out she played both roles. I'm almost embarrassed to say I didn't know about Hayley Mills until recently. I guess I just figured that a movie originally made in 1961 wouldn't have the technology to film the trick. In "It Takes Two" we all know the Olsen twins are, in fact, twins.

Well, they sure fooled me! I could have sworn Hayley had a twin Heather or Hannah or Heidi Mills. Oh, that Disney pulled a quick one on me, alright!

Dress Code at the "Rexburg Country Club"

2008-07-10T10:52:00.001-07:00

For the fourth of July holiday, my family and I drove up to Idaho to visit friends and family. We planned a jam-fun-packed weekend of activities. First, we went to a lake and boated. Two of my uncles own boats, and they couldn't be more different; exibit A: the Mudlake relatives have a super sleek speed boat in which my uncle performs back flips and serious hang time on the wakeboard and in which the rest of us just try to get up. exibit B: the Bancroft relatives own what we like to call "the boat that qualifies for the White Trash Yacht Club"! This boat is actually amazing. At a top speed of 15 mph, you can really feel a light tug as you are pulled from the back on a giant tube. We set up a picnic table and grill and had a barbeque right there on the lake. Pretty amazing, if you ask me!

The rest of the weekend was full of golf. I asked my uncle if the course we were going to play on the 4th had any dress code (aka, do we need to wear a collared-shirt?) He said (what I thought was jokingly) that there is a tight dress code: tank tops, short shorts, wife-beaters, and flip flops are to be worn. I wore the usual bermuda shorts and a tan shirt with a collar. On about the 15th hole, a young man came through some trees looking for his ball that he thought he had hit from his 18th hole onto our fairway. I thought he was working construction because he was shirtless with raggedy jeans and, yes I don't lie, flip flops!

I guess the dress code at the "Rexburg Country Club" is slightly less strict than other courses!

What's the big deal with Potter, anyway?

2008-06-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Last summer I challenged a friend to a puzzle-putting-together contest. Since me and the boys I nanny do puzzles a couple times a month, I was confident that I could finish the "Starry Night" by Van Gough puzzle in four hours when it had taken this friend of mine probably a little under a month. Recently, the youngest boy and I tried to complete a 300 piece puzzle with Harry Potter print; it came with a magic decoder that revealed hidden images, only visible once the puzzle was complete. After four hours on the first day, I would say Alex and I barely put a dent in it with the completion of the outer border (the easiest part because they all have straight edges so you're positive they are on the outside.) I was pissed when I had to leave work that day because we hadn't finished and therefore couldn't get the secret messages.

Thanks to the Harry Potter puzzle that took us a little over 16 hours to complete, I have learned that I was way out of my practice when I thought I could finish a 1,000 piece puzzle in 4 hours...and maybe I shouldn't be so cocky. Thank you, Harry Potter. Even though I won't read your books, you still find ways to teach me important lessons.

Turning the Light on

2008-05-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Do ever feel like no matter what happens to you, everything will be okay? Like no matter the trial or tragedy, you'll come out on top. Lately I've felt like I'm on top of the world and I can't figure out what, why, or when it happened. I didn't get a raise at work, I still don't have a car, my legs have been hurting for the past two weeks because I've been running in the oldest, hole-iest shoes a person should not be running in, and I still don't know what I want to do when I graduate in December. I think it might have something to do with the Big Guy up there, but I haven't been praying like I should so I'm curious where these feelings of happiness and joy are coming from? All I know is I don't want this to go away, I just want to share it with others. I want to be like the people I look up to who you can just see the light of Christ in them. Like my Aunt Jan. She glows, and the people around her glow just because they are near her. You can't not smile or feel at home when you're around Aunt Jan. I think that's cool. I don't know how she does it, but I would like to share something like that with people.

Oh, to be Jewish Again

2008-05-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've almost finished "You are SO not Inveited to My Bat Mitzvah!" by Fiona Rosenbloom and, I must say, it nearly almost completely reminds me of myself growing up (minus the split parents, private school, and that tiny detail of not being Jewish). I feel for Stacey Friedman though because I once knew an Andy Goldfarb, only his name was Ben Veross. All the same, I fell for him hard.

I had been to a few bat mitzvahs, but never actually had my own. I think I even knew of a kid who had one but he wasn't even Jewish. I did, however, have a massive 14th b-day bash in which I invited about 2 dozen girls and it was pretty fun. When I look back at the pictures, I can't believe how awkward-looking we all were. Anyway, from that party I learned that one of my good friends (I'll spare the embarrassment of exposing her name) hooked up with Ben (though when I say "hooked up", in the eighth grade that means barely past holding hands)- yes I was devestated.

The real reason for this post comes from a passage in the middle of the book in which I inevitably agree with. The Rabbi is trying to give Stacey advice with her broken heart and drama-filled life:

"I think that the only way a person can be happy is to want happiness for others. That's called righteousness. The path toward righteousness begins with acts of loving kindness. When a person performs acts of loving kindness, they do so munificently without expecting any recompense. The actions become the reward. With each deed he is fomenting a connection with God." (p 76)

I love the idea that true happiness comes from serving others and wanting others to be happy. I think when we really love someone, all we really want is for that person to be the happiest they can be. Whether that is a boyfriend you have to let go because you know he will be happy somewhere else, or a sibling you go fly out to see because she had a bad week, or an "I LOVE YOU" sticky note secretly placed inside your mom's desk drawer just to make sure she doesn't forget. It really is easy to make others happy, you don't have to search so far all the time. You just try sometimes.

Week In Review

2008-04-28T23:55:00.000-07:00

Though it is a Tuesday, it has in fact been a long week since my little sister went back to Idaho with her boyfriend. I thought it would suck for a long time, but after the first three or four days, I think we'll both be okay. We're trying to start a book club; I picked the first read: "You Are SO Not Invited to My Batmitzvah!" We'll probably try to dive a little deeper as the summer carries on.

I started work again, and for the next five months will be faxing, scanning, stuffing and licking envelopes, and driving two kids around to all their activities (tennis, some smart math camp, tae kwon doe, etc., etc.) I tried to teach my dad how to play Guitar Hero, and it hasn't been as successful as I'd hoped. I'll continue to work on that. Speaking of Guitar Hero, I might need to take it easy for the next few days because every time someone is blessing the food and I close my eyes, all I see are little blue, red, yellow, and green dots streaking across a stage in the formation of "Cary on Wayward Son" by Kansas.

I got a birdie for the first time this season at a par 3 course-awesome. I finally went out on a date with a boy I've had a crush on for a decade (though I think it's a dead end; however, Dad always says, "It's not one strike and he's out. It's three strikes. You need to give him [whoever "him" is at the time] a few more chances.") Oh, and I think I'm in love with a dozen new guys....nothing new, I know, but quite exciting.

Runner's High

2008-04-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's harder to find Him and I really have to keep searching. My last day at school this semester I woke up at 5 am and ran to my favorite hill that meets a vast potato field, barely beating the sun. As it rose I found Him again. I'm pretty sure He mainly dwells in nature, far from the city. I turned off my ipod and there was this incredible silence. The air was as quiet as it was crisp and I thought I could stay there all day. The only thing that brought me back was the frost bite growing over my body. I feel His presence most in the quiet solitude of long runs, through trees, around lakes, past fields, along mountains. This is when I feel and I wish I could run forever. I don't want to go home and put up my shoes. I don't want the sounds of birds chirping to be replaced by rush hour. I don't want to leave the enlightenment and inspiration I get, only to return to the "To-do" lists and problems of the world. I just want to run and run and run, until I collapse in His arms. I know He will never forget me, and while I think I will just meet Him again tomorrow, He actually never leaves me even when I leave the trails.

A Crack Went Off in My Head

2008-04-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

My brain physically hurt today after Cognition. I swear, the more this class has gone on, the less we talk about psychology and the more about philosophy. If psychology wants to be a real science, this class is no indication of the domain going down the right path. It was like someone was throwing little fire crackers off in my head. What is reality? Is your reality the same as mine? Can you observe the law of gravity? No, you can observe the EFFECTS of gravity, but no, not at all the LAW of gravity. I could hear a fissure from my brain combust till my jaw dropped. Not the surprised drop; more the "I've been watching t.v for hours" jaw drop and too paralyzed to close my mouth. It got better: "Does God govern our natural laws? Or does he have to obey the natural laws?" Trust me, you may think you have it figured out; but, whatever you say, someone's coming back with fire. The devil's advocate, knocking at your front door, to make you see with new glasses and question everything you've ever learned or believed.

I tried to make a few comments, stay with the discussion, until my injured brain went back to freshmen year when psychology was rats pressing levers for rewards; personality assessments (and the ability to analyze my roommates' personalities); invalidity of Freudian concepts and interperting dreams to everything sexual just because they were so outlandish and much funnier that way. The deeper I dive into my major, the more I see psychology is just the sister to her older brother, philosophy.

I wanted to raise my hand once some question about the day when computers outsmart humans will be, and ask, "WHO CARES!" (and then add, "no, that's impossible" but I didn't have energy left in me to lead the discussion down that path.) I want to know the most effecient way to help people! How do we help our neighbors get over their deep bouts of depression? How do I help my best friend sleep at night and get rid of her anxiety? How do I help a loved one get over his OCD and Bipolar disorder so he can live a normal (what is normal?...) life?

I got into psychology to help people from the inside out. I don't want to sit on a rock on a high mountain and ponder if the rock I'm sitting on is real or if it's a figment of my imagination. And then is my imagination my subjective reality, just like yours is yours? Let's not go there. Let's just try to make each other's lives easier. I should have stuck with math...or geology...or education...or maybe I will just be a flight attendant after all, and analyze passangers based on what drink they order from the complimentary in-flight beverage cart.

The Context of a Tear

2008-04-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

People cry for all sorts of reasons: a break up, a broken ankle, a death, a birth, a bad day. I never thought that crying can have so many different meanings. I was watching a paid programming about starving children around the globe and I wanted to help, but all I could do was cry. These two little boys had nothing and one was full of tears. It never occurred to me that you could cry because you haven’t eaten in days, maybe a week, and all you wanted was a slice of bread, or a string of cheese. The older brother buttoned up the younger brother’s shirt, maybe the only shirt he owned. A poor and homeless brother helping his younger brother look his best, regardless of their circumstance, the small act of love, and I bawled.

The dilemma is you want to help. You want to help everyone in your reach, everyone out of your reach, just everyone who cries or suffers. But you feel helpless because no matter how hard you try or how many people you do reach, you’ll never reach them all. You can’t help everyone, and that is discouraging. So, where do you start? Who do you try to help first? How do you know if you really made a difference?

I can only think that we all have to start somewhere. We may only touch one single life. But who knows? Maybe that one life was a woman who will be the root of generations. Maybe a wealthy tourist or two will see you volunteering in a Romanian orphanage and want to follow your example. Maybe you have to take baby steps, a smile or a hug here, pick up liter there, perform small acts of kindness, etc. I don’t know, but it never hurt to start somewhere.

Worst April Fool's Day EVER!

2008-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

I got the usual text messages yesterday: "I'm engaged!" "I'm pregnant!" "I'm on my way to Rexburg to come see you!" and then the culprit, my sister, raised my blood pressure to an all time high with, "I'm going to the Suns vs. Nuggets game tonight!" I immediately surfed the nba.com wedbsite for information about the Suns schedule, as I knew they had just played in Denver March 5th. It was NO April Fool's....she really went to the game. I can't believe I missed seeing Nash in Denver twice in a little over a month's time. What are the odds? I'll be home in less than 10 days. Really, here I am in the butt crack of Idaho while my (I wish) boyfriend was in my home town last night. A-gain, what are the odds?!

Have I Learned My Lesson?

2008-03-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

I should know by now when to keep my big mouth shut, but I can’t help that there are cute boys everywhere. If in your head you notice beauty, handsomeness, a chiseled physique, etc. you ought to speak up. There’s nothing wrong with admiring the attractive people around us. Well, unless it backfires on you. Case in point: J.G,J.B, A.?, and my favorite, T.M.

So, first story: cute boy sits next to me all semester in Cognition. I didn’t know his name for the first half of the term, I thought it was Blake. Anyway, I know it now and I opened my big mouth to a friend who told a friend, who told his roommate, who told him. Naturally, we went out, and no horror story, but nothing left to pursue. (Unfortunately he thinks the date gave him the green light to pursue me. My bad.)

Number two: my sister’s boyfriend’s roommate happens to be tall, bleach-blonde shaggy hair, balla’ for real! (He dunks, and 75% of the time makes it in every time.) Again, I confided (what I thought was) secretly to my sister during one of our sleepovers. (Yes we have adorable pajamas, yes we paint nails, and yes we spoon.) She told her beau and he told his roommate. I must say, he had a fighting chance. Not only is he adorable, he’s funny, athletic, all-in-all a blast. Again, nothing to pursue (at the moment!)

Three: I just met him but apparently he’s been in my school ward all semester. We bowled together and I informed his FHE sister how cute he is. She’s working on a quick last minute hook-up before I go home in 2 weeks. The good news is nothing serious can bloom (I don’t think, anyway!) He’s from Idaho, which makes me think I should stay over the summer….it’s not too late to change plans and spend the summer up here!

Last: Okay, another one I just met last week. My absolute favorite-T.M. (And I’m pretty sure if any of these prospects got wind of my blog they’d recognize their initials, and well, no harm done.) He is gorgeous! And way tall. I actually have to look up when I stand next to him-YUMMY! And he’s hilarious (which might clash in a long run, cuz he’s 98% fun-fun-fun, 2% serious/deep.) The minute he left my apartment, I ranted and raved to my roommates that I fell in love. Seriously, I never believed in love at first sight, but OHHHH! it exists! I am smitten by this boy and I don’t even know why. I think my roommates spilled the beans because tonight we were flirting a little, then I got all shy and awkward cuz it occurred to me that he probably knew!

Moral of the story(s): I should keep my mouth shut from now on. I can admire cute, gorgeous, handsome, etc. men to myself…then again, what’s the fun in that? I wouldn’t go on all these awkward/fun/unforgettable dates and realize he wasn’t quite the one for me. At least at the rate I’m going I never have to live with the regret of not knowing!

Old Fong’s Fortune Cookies, Actually Truths?

2008-03-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I feel about fortune cookies. I think they taste alright, not too sweet and not too bland. Tonight for FHE we went to New Fong’s (actually the Old New Fong’s because the real new one is built on 2nd West street.) My fortune read: “Everything will soon come your way.” I feel good about that, except maybe that means everything good and bad? And I'm already getting most of the good, so I don't know how I feel about the rest of everything coming my way. I was hoping for my roommate's fortune which read: “You will take a big risk and win.” If I got that fortune, I’d be halfway to Vegas right now getting ready to take “big risks.”

Then I thought, why don’t they make up real truths, instead of fortunes? If I were typing away in the back, I would give 'fortunes' like: “The big giant one is coming your way”. In the end, I guess fortunes are like horoscopes; they are meant to apply to everything and everything. I think they should switch to more advice giving cookies than fortune cookies, like, “Don’t forget to floss”; “Wear your seatbelt”; “Too much candy will turn your poop green”; real stuff like that. Yeah, I’m gonna send a suggestion right away to New and Old New Fong’s.

Oh, to be in love!

2008-03-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

I’ve heard a lot of proposal stories ever since I’ve been up at BYU-Idaho. Most of them are moderate, some are super lame, but some…WOW! Like early today, this guy set the bar. Not only did he get tons of family and friends involved in a Renaissance theme, he got the town horse to go along with it. This proposal will go down in Rexburg history. You would have to be there to get the full effect, but if you’re really curious, contact any girl from Tuscany or any guy from Rockland to give you complete details.

Throughout this magnificent event, which I am proud to have witnessed, I couldn’t help but think about how I want my guy to propose to me. In high school, when I was “in love”, I always thought my boyfriend at the time would pass notes in class and finally he would get caught by the teacher who would then read the note aloud in hopes to reprimand the trouble maker. But, while he stood up and read the note, somewhere among the sweet nothings about me would be, “Will you marry me?” Then the class would cheer and he would whisk me away and we’d ride off into the sunset in his 1996 Subaru Outback. (Though, he’d have to get me back by 3:30 pm for volleyball practice.)

Now that I’m a little older, a little more mature, a lot classier, I’ve put a lot of thought into this. I’ve come up with new ideas. 1) We would go to the zoo and walk around. When we got to the monkey exhibit, there would be a huge gorilla who we could feed and he would hand us things; one of the things he would hand me would be the ring box. Then, a parrot would fly down and squawk, “Will you marry me?”

(Okay. So because this is very unlikely, I came up with something else that would be special to me.)

I always fall in love on the golf course, I can’t help it. It has the right setting, good feelings; everything happens on the golf course during the summer. Idea 2) We would be on the 18th hole at the end of a round and putt our final shots. When we walked to retrieve our balls from the hole, my guy would kneel down to pick up both balls. Since he would be on one knee, he would look up at me and open a box that looked like a golf ball on the outside, but had the ring inside, and ask, “Will you marry me?”

Who knows how it will happen? It better be creative and original. It doesn’t have to be fireworks and horses and a circus; but it has to be meaningful and creative.

We All Get Distracted

2008-03-14T01:25:00.000-07:00

So, I definitely should have been studying for my Cognition test tonight. I’ve known about it for at least a week; the teacher even pushed back the deadline to take it, he dropped a chapter from the entire test, and he minimized it from 100 questions to 45. What more could I possibly ask for, right? Well, I had all the best intentions of cramming this week. Monday I had FHE-I didn’t actually make it, no excuse. Tuesday I planned a group movie night at the cheap theater-I couldn’t really stand up all my friends. Wednesday, America’s Next Top Model, need I say more? So here I am, Thursday…well, Friday morning really.

Just as I finished my midnight snack, I headed to my room determined to study. On the way I passed the bathrooms and the mirrors. Naturally, I let my hair down, gave it a shake, and blew myself a kiss. Something didn’t feel right. My hair was too flat. Ever since it’s been growing longer I’ve always wondered if I could create the Farrah Fawcett look. So, I curled my hair and topped my do’ off with a dozen spurts of hair spray.

My point is, we all get distracted. Exhibit A: My nephew sat down in the basement with me this past summer and tried so hard to help me with my sewing project. I love my nephew, but when pins, needles, and scissors scatter the carpet floor, it’s an accident waiting to happen. I created a diversion: “Max, I need you to go give this pillow to Grandma. She needs it. Can you go run upstairs and give it to her?”

He gave me his biggest smile and clutched the pillow tight to his chest as he rounded the corner in his awkwardly cute waddle-run. I waited to hear his feet clomping up the stairs when he disappeared behind the corner, but then all I heard was, “SHOES!!!!” Next thing I know, he comes around behind the basement door clunking in Grandma’s big old shoes, no pillow in hand. So, I couldn't help to drop what I was doing, and top off his outfit. We all like to dress up once in a while. It makes us feel good. And we all get distracted.

I may not get a great grade on my Cognition test later, but my hair could stop bird watchers in the mountains. Let’s just say if I were hiking by, they’d be getting more shots of a massive brunette bouffant rather than White-breasted Nuthatches or Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.

I Used to Hate Life

2008-03-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

Because they get soggy within ten seconds of immersing them. I tried them plain, without milk and they tasted delectable. But something seemed off. I came to the realization that it’s okay that they get soggy because at least they don’t cut up your mouth like Captain Crunch (also very good, but you can get that same taste without the pain by eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon).

Italian Stallion

2008-03-06T00:51:00.000-08:00

The last time I had an honest, sincere crush on a guy, I still wore converse sneakers, ribbons in my half-pulled back hair, and overalls. Yes, the last heart-throbbing, day-dreaming, palm-sweating crush I had was my best friend’s brother. We were in second grade, and he was a cool fifth grader. I remember having my girlfriend tell him every day after lunch that I liked him and thought he was cute.

These days I try to go about revealing my crush through more subtle ways such as smiling, talking, maybe even a little flirting. That would seem to work out, but for the real thing, here’s my story. Last winter, I thought I found the man of my dreams. The one I would marry some day. I just could never get his attention long enough to start a conversation or at least get a name exchange. For that reason, he remains the anonymous Italian Stallion. He’s a cup of hot chocolate: tall, dark, and delicious. (Actually, I don’t think he has a drop of Italian blood in his gorgeous body. He might come from Greece or somewhere exotic where the sun shines most the time.)

Recently, I ran into him at our gym up at school. Midday, not too crowded, plenty of open treadmills, and he just happened to get one right next to mine. Time ticked away. As he warmed up, I saw I had only 3 minutes left till my cool down. I frantically conjured up a plan to get his attention. I would speed the pace up to 10 MPH so he could see how in shape I was. Then, just at the climax, I would “trip” and go flying back off the moving belt. It might hurt, I thought, but the action would prove its worth when he came to my rescue.

Well, this never happened because just as I built up the guts to go through with it, my machine signaled the end reading, “COOL DOWN…5 MINUTES”. I walked out my time, a sweaty mess, and got off. I made my way to an empty corner in the gym and proceeded to stretch. Off in the distance, I could see the Italian Stallion going full speed. Maybe next time I’ll challenge him to a race, I thought. At least I have time before the next rendez vous to think of a more natural (and socially acceptable) approach.