Laura Ginny

NEW BLOG

2011-08-26T07:27:00.002-06:00

This is Melissa, sorry for my poor English skills please do not judge me compared to my little sister. Hard to believe but she actually made it to China! (I know we were all skeptical, at least I was :) I love you Laura, that just shows what a great accomplishment this is.

Anyway it seems like blogger is blocked in China (that's communism for you) so she has switched to wordpress, here is the new address http://ladyoftheorient.wordpress.com/

She already has so fun pictures about a bus trip and eating a scorpion that she actually liked. We love you Laura and Henry asked me this morning if he could come visit you...I wish!

Bathroom Buzz

2011-07-27T12:57:00.003-06:00

I can recall several occasions, when to use a public restroom, I've been given a key attached to a 12 inch long, 2 inch diameter dowel of wood; the ultimate key chain! The wood is so big you couldn't find a place to put that key and lose it.

I've also been pointed in the direction, numerous times, of difficult to navigate hallways or entrances into a restroom. For instance, when you have to carefully pass through the janitors closet, having been advised of the low ceiling clearance. At 5'2" it's typically not a problem, but some ceilings can get pretty low.

But, for the first time in my life today, I was buzzed into a bathroom.

Let me set up the scene for you.

It was a busy street corner in the west end of Malden, just outside of Boston. East or west, north or south; you pick, any direction outside of Boston and that's where I was. We were standing outside of a Dunkin' Doughnuts (the Einstein Bagels of the East Coast, they are EVERYWHERE!) when I decided to go in and use the restroom.

Respectively, a sign was posted on the door asking that only paying customers use the restroom. Knowing how much my mom loves Diet Coke, I turned around and generously offered to buy a soda for her. I then asked her for money.

I went inside, and decided to go to the bathroom first. While my hand was on the handle, the clerk said, "I'll buzz you in!"

I was not paying a bit of attention to her, and assumed she wanted me to purchase something. I said, "Oh, I'm just going to buy a soda after I use the restroom. I've had one too many drinks of water. A girls gotta go!"

She looked into my wild-wild-west eyes with her "I was born parallel parking" eyes, and slowly repeated what she had said the first time. It also appeared she didn't understand the meaning of, "A girls gotta go!" As if I didn't speak English, she raised those eyebrows and simultaneously buzzed me in.

Imagine in Seinfeld when they always buzz up Elaine or Newman, hesitantly. That sound, the unmistakable noise, signaling that you have permission to enter the building. That's what I heard.

The handle turned in my hand and I jumped back a little. Was I just submitted to a background test that I didn't know about? Is there a Do Not Let Enter the John list released hourly by the IJCSA (International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association click on link to learn more), comparable to the No Fly list maintained by the FBI?

That quasi-barista I encountered at Dunkin' Doughnuts must have endured hours of incomprehensible training to receive her buzzing power. I doubt anyone else in that store has the same power she does. They should just call her buzzer. Heck, make that her sole responsibility. Strip her of all other duties so she can fully dedicate herself to submitting prospective sitters-of-the-throne to a full background check, including any name changes.

Before I get sarcastic and start ranting, I must admit that I've never been in a cleaner Boston bathroom. There were plenty of quilted paper towels, a floor smelling of Pine-Sol and even Rose petals under my shoes. Complimentary hand lotion waited to soothe my dry skin after I finished drying my hands. It was a delightful experience.

So, if for the sake of cleanliness and unclogged toilets Dunkin' Doughnuts finds a buzzer position vital to their store and corporate operations, then so be it! We all deserve a comfortable spot, no? I just hope the CEO of Dunkin' Doughnuts is subject to the same background check as I endured today.

Hug Hug, Kiss Kiss

2011-07-26T23:14:00.002-06:00

What is it with hugs? More specifically, hugs between coworkers? Today was my last day of work at Shane Co. Apparently, this calls for hugs from all fellow female employees. Males...meh. They just get handshakes and a head nod. You don't want to mess around with sexual harassment things these days. Messy.

The first hug was initiated by my boss. I stood on the opposite side of her desk saying good-bye when suddenly she got up and ran around to hug me. I didn't want to linger longer, so I just made that hug as quick as possible. I started walking quickly to the door; unfortunately, I was stopped with a gentle touch on the elbow. A fellow lady friend was requesting a hug as well. That's when it all went down hill. I took a deep breath, and realized that these hugs were not going to stop. Awkwardly, I stumbled from desk to desk, on a hugging marathon. They got shorter and shorter, on my part. I was hoping people would start to sense my urgency to just want to get out of there. 11.5 hugs later (.5 because I HAD to make the last one a one-armed-side hug to maintain my sanity), I was out the door and feeling normal again.

Why a hug? Were my coworkers so overwhelmed at the doom of my upcoming absence that they were unable to effectively express their emotions with words? Would a nice note have sufficed? It would have worked for me. Now the last memory I have of each of them is being awkwardly smashed up into that awkward neck/shoulder concave everyone has. You know, where your head gets mangled into, mid-hug, because there is no where else for it to go. While I appreciate their sentiments and thoughtfulness, I'm not one for hugs unless there is a lingering smell of Georgio Armani on the hugger.

Until next time, hugs and kisses to you all!

Accepted

2011-02-23T19:54:00.002-07:00

“The Puppets”
The olive-green color jumps out every time, just before I hit Navarro Place, the street where my grandparents live in Denver, Colorado. It’s hard to miss: weathered shingles, the aged tree and crumbling steps lead to a splintered door. I ring the doorbell and knock loud three times. Immediately, I hear an interrogating, “Who’s there?” from the other side. The suspicious voice on the other end is, without fail, my grandpa Dale. I tirelessly announce, “It’s your favorite granddaughter, Laura!”
Every visit to grandma and grandpa’s house requires this specific ritual, everyone in the family just knows. He opens the door quickly; I run in and slip into his open arms. I never know how many baseball caps I will see on top of his head. One summer years ago, he put on a second cap, not noticing he was wearing one already. The jeans he wears are soft and blue as the sky, so faded and washed a million times through the years. A beaten leather belt, with notches he punched in the leather himself, keep his pants high. He hugs me tightly, and my glasses crook out of shape and fog up a little. I twitch slightly when his scruffy beard scratches against my cheek. Despite my numerous visits before, within moments of entering I still tell myself, “It’s different here.”
I remove my shoes. The thick shag carpet is a surprise between my toes. I enter the formal dining room, running my fingers atop the hi-fi stereo, making a trail through the dust. Spanning the length of the wall the stereo sits silent: motionless, empty, blank. But it has a presence I cannot ignore. The rich mahogany wood has entrancing knots and rings, and stands almost as high as my hips. I linger on a thought of the past life the stereo had: the room filled with the music of Bing Crosby and the bobbity scat of Dizzy Gillespie, my grandmother light on her feet swaying her hips to the beat and grandpa in the kitchen preparing an array of bread and veggies for cheese fondue. Proudly atop the stereo sits my grandpa’s dog tags he wore stationed in Guam.
I move into the formal living room and the furniture is a blast from past. The monochromatic palette is hard to digest: forest, olive, lime, pale green. Everywhere. A low velvet couch matching the green exterior of the home serves as the main seating. Two regal chairs in a surprising toasted-marshmallow color sit next to the stereo. Opposite the couch sits the lamp that seems to take up as much room as another guest in the home. Too big and always in the way, it somehow is knocked over every time I visit.
The reason for seeing my grandparents today is a first. Stairs are getting harder and harder to climb for my grandma Marilyn, and getting out of bed is nearly impossible. When music plays on the stereo, only the dust in the air seems to move to the beat if observed closely enough. Sometimes grandma must use the wheelchair to get around, something I hate to see. I rejoice for every new sunrise, but my grandma holds on to each sunset, not wanting to be in the dark. She has started cleaning out her home and giving things away. Today, I am here to look through her puppets.
My grandma spent years in Denver Public Schools traveling from student to student with her puppets in tow. As a speech therapist, she encouraged students to use puppets to improve their speech. Numbering over two-hundred puppets, they are laid before me in the living room like a museum exhibit, each puppet a distinct and unique artifact that has been carefully preserved. With so much to look at, my eyes quickly move from color to color, not knowing which to focus on. After scanning the exhibition, I return to two distinct puppets. The Beaming Rose and Raggedy Anne Doll puppets strike me as special, but my favorite is the Beaming Rose. I ask my grandmother to tell me the story of the Beaming Rose puppet.
Many decades ago at the Rose bowl Parade, grandmother noticed a peppy pink rose puppet. She looked at the price tag and was appalled. A thrifty mother, she refused to pay eighteen dollars knowing she could make it herself for half the price. She studied it meticulously. Upon returning to Denver, she stopped at the local fabric store, Cloth World, before unpacking her suitcase. Within two days, the children at Washington Elementary were learning to pronounce their r’s as they manipulated Rosie, the Beaming Rose. Grandma used hot pink felt for the petals and googly eyes to bring Rosie to life. The rose grandma made was similar to the original puppet she admired, but better.
Next to Rosie lay the darling, worn Raggedy Anne doll. On her face are the same freckles that dot the bridge of my nose. Looking at her, I am looking in a mirror. There is a smudge of dirt on her chin. I remember turning over rocks and searching for slugs in the mud of our front yard at our house on Newhall Drive as a kid. The dress on the squishy doll body is not typical of most Raggedy Anne dolls. It is made from remnants of the pink gingham Easter dress my grandma made for me when I was eight. I slip my hand into the trunk of the doll. A folded circle of cardboard gives the mouth a stiff shape, and I am able to open and close my hand to manipulate the mouth.
I realize, my grandmother’s hand has been in this same space before. Within reach of the record turntable, I stretch my arm out and touch it, another place she has been. Cautiously, I place the rose puppet on my other hand. Upon doing so, the bank of wisdom my grandmother treasures surges into my schema of how the world works. Bestowed upon me is the ability to call upon my grandmother’s lengthy, How-to Book for Life wherever I might be. I stand in the room, grandma curiously watching me. She wheels herself to me. I kneel to her eye-level and she takes my hand. Tenderly, she tells me, “Take the puppets home. And please, find a way to use them.” I do just that. Regretfully, not sure how to display the puppets, I pack them in a box and put them high in my closet.
Several months later, I sit on the couch in my living room frustrated with my wailing eight month old nephew, Henry, squirming on my lap. Having tried everything to calm him, I think there isn’t a toy left he hasn’t seen. I sit looking around the room, wishing there was someone to hand him off to. On the wall hangs a wedding portrait of my grandparents. Barely older than me in the picture, I survey my grandmothers youthful eyes, and then I remember.
I tightly wrap my arms around Henry as we dash up the stairs into my bedroom. Cautiously, I set him on the floor and close the door so he can’t escape while I climb on a chair to reach the box. Hurrying, I tear off the lid and tissue paper flies above and under me. There is Rosie, the Beaming Rose. I place her on my hand and relive the sensation felt months ago. I find a high pitched happy voice and immediately begin to play peek-a-boo with Henry and the puppet. Rosie even eats Henry’s nose as his tears subside and a smile begins to show.

My hand in hers

2011-02-11T19:08:00.001-07:00

I left my heart on the page with this one. This one goes out to you Julie!

Love,

Child #4

I remember going to the store as a child. Upon rolling open the heavy door of our minivan once we arrived to our destination, my mother would be standing there, partially blocking the sun from my eyes. A smile on her face, she stood with her feet firmly on the ground. Her clothing was nothing fashion-forward. Typical of the mid-1990’s, she wore shorts which more resembled pants, and a shirt which more resembled a floral bed sheet. Adorning her waist was a slouchy, front-loaded, water-bottle holding fanny pack. I stood at about the height of her waist, and her fanny pack always seemed to fall to her right side. I learned to avoid walking on that side of her.
Mom always stood with her hand outstretched waiting for me to exit the car. Her hand was always cupped gently, just to the degree to hold my hand perfectly. She knew my little sausage fingers well, and I certainly was comfortable with her fingers. Hers did not resemble sausage links. Rather, long strips of lean bacon. She had a solid grip in parking lots. But I didn’t mind. With my hand in hers, life was good.
Upon entering the grocery store, my mom would let go of my hand to drive the shopping cart. We would eventually overflow it with fish sticks and Jello, and a cart with eight bags of frozen fish sticks inside gets really heavy. While she compared the price per ounce for brand name Cream of Wheat cereal to the knock off Malt-O-Meal cereal, I found myself slyly dashing to the makeup aisle. If she wasn’t holding my hand I was fully unleashed.
I was on the hunt for Root Beer chap stick, made by Lipsmackers. I knew it well because my sisters used it constantly. They were lucky and responsible enough, said my mother, to have their own chap stick with their initials on the bottom. Our family does not share chap stick. With the distinct smell of a crisp, ice-cold root beer, I knew it had to taste like root beer. My taste buds brought me to the makeup aisle of the grocery store.
The aisle shelves were four times as tall as me. I could not see anything but lipstick tubes when I stuck my nose in the air looked directly up. But I knew there was something just above and beyond those tubes. I always wondered, why are the stores so secret about what’s on those top shelves? What’s up there that little people like me can’t see? People were always talking about “adult movies” as a kid, so I figured this is where they kept the “adult makeup.”
At the store, not holding my mother’s hand, was really my only chance to try the Root Beer chap stick. One particular day, the aisles surrounding me were deserted. Just me. As quietly as I could, I ripped open the package of chap stick. I got a little stuck trying to tear away the protective seal holding the cap on. My mother’s elegant fingernails would have been great in that moment, but she was picking out cereal. As I put the tube up to my teeth to try to scrape away the seal, a big black boot and large set of jangling keys on the most hairy arm I have ever seen stopped me. A grumpy person, be it a man or woman I don’t know, asked me where my mother was. I said, “I’m not sure, but I need her” and the tears came. The person said, “Little girl, you need to come with me so we can find her. What you are doing is wrong.” I followed the person. I knew they worked at the store because they were wearing a name tag. I imagined myself in an over sized orange jumpsuit being served what resembled baby food through a door the size of a mail slot, and I listened to every word the authoritative person said.
Luckily as we moved closer to the food section of the store, we crossed paths with my mom. I darted to her. My head buried in her fanny pack, I sobbed as the person explained what they caught me doing. I remember shaking, sobbing and desperately trying to hold my mother’s hand again. She kneeled down so we were eye to eye. While I do not recall her words, I recall a patient, forgiving tone. Furrowed eyebrows expressed disappointment but not anger, and a firm grip on my hand made me feel safe, not threatened. I apologized to the store employee, and my mother and I proceeded to the nearest checkout stand, my hand in hers.
It was the following summer when I experienced another frightening moment.
My mother was speed walking next to me as I was ahead on my bicycle. It was the first adventure without training wheels outside of our cul-de-sac. We were making our way down the sidewalk following Quebec Street, a road we traveled often close to my house. I was hesitant to ride without one of my mom’s hands on mine helping me steer, the other hand supporting my back for good posture and balance. But no kid can resist their first taste of independence.
The concrete pathway was an expansive sea, leading my eyes to the horizon ahead, a place I wanted to pedal to with no help. I was leaps ahead of my mom on my bike, rhythmically pushing myself forward. I balanced beautifully to keep a straight course, and moved the wind about me, ignoring the cars on the street.
I turned my head to throw my voice in the direction of my mother. While I tried to yell something at her, I slowly veered towards the street, the direction I was looking. I hit it; that awful, uneven ledge in the sidewalk. My mom says I lost control and flew directly over the handle bars into traffic.
There I lay in the street.
Over my head bowed the hissing grill of a black Ford Explorer. The sticky tar glued my elbow and chin to the sweltering asphalt. My hip was continuously stinging, like the stun of a fire alarm on unexpecting ears.
A gentle breeze filled the void in my right hand where the handle bar had been. If only my hand had been in hers..
One, single car door slammed. It was accompanied by two pairs of syncopated, pounding feet swarming to me. I was moved out of the street by familiar hands and laid down in the shade of an aged Aspen tree.
Above me was my mom. Kneeling over me, her tears fell on my face and merged with the tears streaming from my eyes. Her head was blocking the sun, and her hand cupped gently around mine.

FHE Ugly Sweater Party

2011-02-08T08:44:00.005-07:00

I've returned to Rexburg. Last night for FHE we had an ugly sweater party. The pictures explain themselves.

Best part of the event was going to Applebee's afterward, in our ugly sweaters.

Don on Lane 15

2010-10-03T01:00:00.001-06:00

Wal-Mart attracts three types of customers at any given time. I fluctuate between customer types (almost as easily as my weight fluctuates) depending on my reason for visiting Wal-Mart. I suspect this is true for most people who visit the everything-you-need-under-one-roof (except a soldering iron) supercenter-retail-giant.

Customer Type One

Loner

With nothing better to do on a Saturday night at 9:35 PM, this customer resorts to the brightly lit aisles, crisply folded shirts and wide expanse of orthopedic shoes (worn by a majority of customers, possibly even this customer) for a quick pick-me-up. They are extremely tempted to purchase something, thinking of it as a Mount Rushmore thimble to add to their thimble collection. Their life is that sad. And, what a better chance to show off the new $15 hair cut on rollback at the hair salon that is actually inside the Supercenter! Props to Laquisha for making the world look better, one Wal-Mart hair cut at a time.

Customer Type Two

Shopping-List-in-Hand-Coupon-Crazy-(Wo)man

This (Wo)man has scheduled 30 minutes in his/her day to fill that trademark blue cart to the rim with Great Value products. Grocery list organized by aisle, this shopper wastes no time. He/she knows best to ignore the toy aisles for fear of fit-throwing toddlers in the middle of the aisle. For these tots are the culprits of making this shopping trip five minutes longer then it needs to be. Shame on them! They also ignore the cheese aisle. People always stand way too long, debating between fancy shredded cheddar or finely shredded cheddar (they’re the same thing). And while waiting to check out, he/she moans and grumbles about the long wait only to be the one who tries to bribe the cashier into using expired coupons. Angry and insulted when the cashier says no, the customer usually bags their own items, refuses eye contact with the cashier and moves out the doors in a hustle. The cashier always seems to breathe a sigh of relief after these guests exit. Only to welcome another customer just like the one before, waiting impatiently with car keys in hand.

Customer Type Three

These people think to themselves...“If only Gucci ran Wal-Mart”

These people think they are too good for Wal-Mart. In fact, they think they are too good for the world. They’re the ones who post pictures of us other folk on PeopleofWal-Mart.com wearing our pajamas to pick up NyQuil. They’re the ones so ashamed of being within a five mile radius of the-place-that-shall –not-be-named that they wear Armani bug eye sunglasses and a Prada baseball cap as a disguise. Wal-Mart is strictly a place to buy things they can’t buy at Nordstrom or Barneys. Things like toothpaste and band-aids. Their goal is to go in, be undetected, and get out. Similar to customer two, they also ignore common courtesy while rolling through the check out. (I have never been this customer type; I’d prefer a shopping spree at Wal-Mart any day over a sweep of Rodeo Drive.)

Considering these customer types this evening after I strolled through the store as customer type one, I came to a conclusion.

Old men named Don should not be working at Wal-Mart.

Don has a hunched back from years of picking up and swinging giggling grandchildren over his head until his spine couldn’t take the pressure. His movements are considerate, to preserve his mobility. His joints know that one quick movement or awkward twist may consign him to a wheel chair. Never missing eye contact, Don understands deeply the potential of a neighborly smile.

Don should be at home with his loving wife. If she is still living. He should be sneaking candy to his grandkids before dinner. If he has any grandkids. The folds of sagging skin under his hopeful eyes should be watching another grandchild born, a baby tooth lost and training wheels being taken off.

It is not time in life for Don to be dealing change back to stuffy, self-concerned customers. Don is beyond the hustle and bustle of life. He deserves to be.

One look at his face and feel of his soft hands as he handed me back my change tonight, and I couldn’t help but want to know more about this amicable man. After making eye contact, I could see the vague outline of a file cabinet in his eyes, containing every lesson learned, heartache, frustration and triumph experienced by this man. I am amazed I was able to feel this compassion within a matter of seconds. My curiosity was peaked as I contemplated what conditions have placed this sweet man working lane 15 at Wal-Mart. What bills are going unpaid or stock has plummeted that have taken Don away from his retirement? I regretted the angry, impatient people Don must encounter as he adjusts his glasses so he can see the keys on the register through his bifocals. I felt I must apologize for the rudeness of the person before me, who exhibited customer two type behaviors; far too often, I fall in this category. I wanted to ask him how much longer his shift was and if he was going to be able to enjoy a relaxing weekend. I just wanted him to know that I was not a heartless creature, and that I had a genuine interest in him enjoying the rest of his evening. I would have talked to that man if time had allowed. But behind me, was customer type two, credit card in hand, her 30 minutes up.

Distinct Differences

2010-08-02T11:39:00.006-06:00

My mother and I supposedly look very much alike; we also share 23 chromosomes. Although, I'm convinced those are the only two things the same between the two of us. We do some other things the same. But when it comes to organization and cleanliness, we are polar opposites. The pictures below illustrate our distinct differences exactly.

I made a pan of brownies. Several things about this brownie pan highlight how different the two of us are.

The first difference is that I hate nuts; I insisted my mother take the right side and put her choice of toppings there leaving the left side for my choice of toppings. It doesn't end there. See the strange looking claw mark on the left side? I proudly declare that's my side. Despite what you may be thinking, I did not just claw my fist into the pan. I was civilized and used a fork to pick away at it every time I passed through the kitchen Sunday afternoon. Mom, on the other hand, used a knife to cut away perfectly rectangular pieces. I'm pretty sure she uses the spatula as a ruler and tape measure in instances like this to get the perfect shaped piece.

Case Study #2
On the left is my pile of laundry. Clean laundry that has been through the wash. On the right is, yep, you guessed it, my mother's basket of clean laundry freshly folded. Typical.

Different but the same, my mom and I always exhibit our individual and unique ways of accomplishing the same task. Despite these differences I still love her! Like I always say,

"mother and daughter by fate, friends by choice" (insert extra-cheesy-heartfelt tenderness here)

Be Still, My Heart

2010-07-22T16:07:00.002-06:00

I have THE cutest nephew. Ever. Forever. Don't even try to compete. Ever. Forever.

In Case You Forgot the Epicness...

2010-07-17T21:45:00.000-06:00

Klub Karaoke

2010-07-17T21:17:00.003-06:00

The pictures speak for themselves....

My roommates and I (plus the one guy we were able to find to be the date for one of us; eye candy for the rest) went to Klub Karaoke in Rigby, Idaho last night. Even smaller then Rexburg, if you can imagine. We walked in, paid our $2 entrance fee, got our hands stamped for being part of the 18+ club (so we could go 'CLUBBING' upstairs and leave the 16 years-olds behind) and I immediately apologized for making everyone come.

The room was full of high school kids.

The High School kiddos (literally, they were kids) started singing, and it was obvious none of them knew that there are two points to karaoke. Number one is to make a fool of yourself while drunk. Considering that wasn't an option (ironically, the alcohol free karaoke club was literally next door to the only alcohol store I've seen within 30 miles of Rexburg) for the dry club, we moved on to the second point of karaoke. To entertain people! My roommates and I knew we had to liven things up. I think we did. But please, see for yourself

BYU-Idaho I~Comm Network

2010-07-15T23:15:00.000-06:00

BYU-Idaho I~Comm Network

Check out this article! I was one of the cool kids in the U. Good luck finding me...

It was an awesome event and I made history!

It's the End of the World as We Know It

2010-07-15T10:01:00.001-06:00

There was recently a massive brush fire about 25 minutes away from Rexburg in the grand city of Idaho Falls (practically the size of the Park Meadows entertainment district...it's only special in comparison to Rexburg; the only college town with a curfew).

The wind, of course, was blustery that day and not helping the fire situation at all. But, it did provide for some awesome pictures!

Calling the Police

2010-07-05T19:47:00.002-06:00

Rexburg is a strange city; full of college folk and young thriving families, there is a lot of boredom that happens. Devoid of Target, a mall, Nordstrom and a 24 hour Wal-Mart, hoodlums roam the street with nothing to do. I experienced the scariness and excitement deprived-ness of my fellow co-eds (but not really co-eds) last night, on one of the strangest Fourth of July's (which happened on a Sunday...). I was sitting at my desk, quietly. Ignoring the firework mayhem outside, I was studying like a good student.

Suddenly my ears perked up when I heard a strange, distinctive noise. The front door of our apartment opened with the loudest screech; an undeniable sound. After the door opened, I stood in my room frozen and waiting; obnoxious giggling filled the front room. Shortly thereafter, I heard the door shut quickly. Freaked out I stood paralyzed in my room for a couple more minutes. I decided after a little while it was safe to walk into the family room. I peaked out our blinds and saw hoodlums everywhere across the lawn and hanging out in our stairwell. It really freaked me out.

So I called the Rexburg police.

Yes, the police.

I expected I would tell them what happened (which I did) and they would come, drive by in a patrol car (which they did) and that would be the end (but it was not).

The policeman came to my door, knocking and yelling "Rexburg police!" Really not expecting any of this, I opened the door shocked. He came in and I told him what happened; he then proceeded to check our apartment for bogeymen. He shined his flashlight all over. I didn't tell him that my roommate was asleep, and I became concerned when he started yelling, "THIS IS THE REXBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT! IF YOU ARE IN THIS APARTMENT AND YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE, REVEAL YOURSELF NOW!"

Luckily, she stayed asleep. Whew! So, after he checked our big scary pantry (that is exactly where I would hide, with all the Oreo's and Cheez-Its!) I asked him if he wouldn't mind looking in our shower because the shower curtain was closed. Luckily, nothing was in there. Relieved, I accompanied him to the door, dead bolted it, and went back to sleep. He also gave me a lecture to always lock our door, despite living 5 minutes from the temple in Rexburg, Idaho; the only college town with a curfew.

What a crazy Fourth of July. I typically try not to involve the police in my activities, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Some of you may know the story of intruders in our house on Newhall when my parents were in Chicago. I think both of these events have transpired in result of home intruder paranoia, AKA sclerophobia.

Over the past several years I have had two incidences and counting with sclerophobia. Hopefully I begin to overcome the fear slowly and surely, or else I will have a police escort checking the shower for me with every visit to the bathroom.

It's About the Shoes

2010-06-06T21:00:00.003-06:00

You know the days when you feel down, nothing will make you feel better, the glass is half empty and you drank the last cup of chocolate milk yesterday? Those are the worst days :(

I recently discovered the cure.

Today there was no sun, no chirping birds and plenty of gray sky. Bored, I decided to be the garbage man for the day. I lifted two trash bags into my arms; moping, I walked out the door of my apartment towards the dumpster. I dropped a bag of trash, after outside the apartment, to close the door; in doing so, the trash bag tilted over. Out spewed moldy lasagna and raw meat scraps, still oozing blood. D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G.

Picking up the pieces (good song here), I moaned and grumbled about the day not able to get any worse. With one bag in each hand and a trail of raw steak behind me, I looked at my feet as I moved to the dumpster. I realized how cool my shoes were.

I was wearing Keen 'Whisper' waterproof sandals in navy blue (purchase here). Oh how my arches were supported! I felt so cool, and was desperate to be seen! These shoes make any fuddy-dud non fitness, outdoor granola guru (me, basically) feel up to date with the latest outdoor gear. For a moment, I felt like the cool kid who owns the latest camping equipment and spends Saturday climbing the rock wall at REI.

On the way to the trash can there was a puddle; I stomped in it and said to myself, "waterproof!" like a little girl. With a little sashe and tilt of my hip, I fashionably tossed the bags in the dumpster; it was nothing but net!

Finishing my duties, I walked back to the apartment with a swing in my step. The day was looking up! With each step I planned every detail of my climb across the Alps (the dumpster is very far away). Life was grand. The Keen sandals made my day. It was wonderful.

Walking back into my apartment, I swung the door open in confidence. I walked back to my room thinking about my plans to start modeling for outdoor footwear. Just before I reached the hallway, my roommate said to me, "Hey Laura, want to take out these other two bags of trash since you have waterproof shoes on?"

I have never been happier to say yes.

(to learn more about clothes that make you feel cool, check out this puffer-vest post here)

The Puppet

2010-06-06T19:19:00.002-06:00

I've shared a poem (previous post) and now I've decided to share a story which I wrote about my Grandma and Grandpa. Enjoy!

The Puppet

The olive-green color jumps out every time, just before I hit Navarro Place, the street where my grandparents live in Denver, Colorado. It’s hard to miss: weathered shingles, the aged tree and crumbling steps lead to a splintered door. I ring the doorbell and knock loud three times. Immediately, I hear an interrogating, “Who’s there?” from the other side. The suspicious voice on the other end is my grandpa, Dale. I announce, “It’s your favorite granddaughter, Laura!” Each visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s house requires this specific ritual everyone in the family just knows. He opens the door quickly; I run in and slip into his open arms. I never know how many baseball caps I will see on top of his head. One summer years ago, he put on a second cap, not noticing he was wearing one already. The jeans he wears are soft and blue as the sky faded and washed a million times through the years. A beaten leather belt, with notches he punched in the leather himself, keep his pants high. He hugs me tightly, and my glasses begin to crook out of shape and fog up a little. I twitch slightly when his scruffy beard scratches against my cheek. Despite my numerous visits before, within moments of entering I still tell myself, “It’s different here.”

I remove my shoes. The thick shag carpet is a surprise between my toes. I enter the formal dining room, running my fingers atop the hi-fi stereo, making a trail through the dust. Spanning the length of the wall the stereo sits: silent, motionless, empty, blank. But it has a presence I cannot ignore. The rich mahogany wood has entrancing knots and rings, and stands almost as high as my hips. I linger on a thought of the past life the stereo had. I imagine the room filled with the music of Bing Crosby and the bobbity scat of Dizzy Gillespie. Proudly atop the stereo sits my grandpa’s dog tags he wore stationed in Guam. I move into the formal living. The monochromatic palette is hard to digest: forest, olive, kelly, lime, pale green. Everywhere. A low velvet couch matching the green exterior of the home serves as the main seating. Other chairs in a surprising toasted-marshmallow color sit next to the stereo. Opposite the couch stands the lamp that seems to take up as much room as another guest in the home. Too big and always in the way, it somehow is knocked over every time I visit.

The reason for visiting today is a first. Stairs are getting harder and harder to climb for my grandma Marilyn, and getting out of bed is nearly impossible. Sometimes she must use her wheelchair to get around the house. I hate seeing her in that thing. I rejoice for every new sunrise, but my grandma holds on to each sunset, not wanting it to be in the dark. She has started cleaning out her home and giving things away. Today, I am here to look through her puppets.

My grandma spent years in the Denver school system traveling from student to student with her puppets in tow. As a speech therapist, she encouraged students to use the puppets to help them speak better. Numbering over two-hundred puppets, they are laid before me in the living room like a museum exhibit, each puppet a distinct and unique artifact. Oranges, teals, purples and blues of the puppets stand apart from the green décor. With so much to look at, my eyes quickly move from color to color, not knowing which to focus on. After scanning the exhibition, my eyes return to one distinct puppet, my favorite, Raggedy Anne.

She has freckles on her face and red hair. Her dress is made of fabric my Grandmother made my annual Easter dress out of when I was ten years-old. As I continue looking at the Raggedy Anne doll it is like looking in a mirror. I can’t help but see a little bit of me in that doll. I noticed a smudge of dirt on her chin and remembered turning over rocks and searching for slugs in the front yard of our house on Newhall Drive as a kid. I would cradle the slugs in my tiny hands and race into the kitchen to show my mom. She never appreciated it. Huggable and soft, Raggedy Anne gave me an instant sensation of comfort when I picked her up. The hair was so sweet in two braided pigtails tied off in frayed baby blue grosgrain ribbon, matching the dress. Her hair, made of wool yarn, reminded me of when Grandma taught me to knit.

I am a well-seasoned knitter. At the age of fourteen, I sat outside on the deck of my grandparent’s summer home overlooking the pristine Lake Granby in Granby, Colorado. Watching my grandma’s twisted hands work the needles reminded me of an old tree with deteriorating roots, scattered and scathed. Occasionally, she set down her knitting and reached for her 64 ounce Big Gulp of Diet Pepsi to take a sip. When I felt confident to try knitting, I hesitantly clutched the needles trying not to drop them between the large gaps in the deck below. Stitch by stitch I created an entangled web of memories forever sewn to my core. Never will I forget those gentle hands that taught me to knit. When school began the next fall, I started a club called, “Admitting to Knitting.” Few members came at first. But soon, every week I was teaching someone else what my grandma taught to me, the joy of knitting. When I explain the difference between a knit and purl stitch to a novice I feel a little bit of my grandma in me.

Seeing a simple baseball cap makes my lips curl as I think about a tight, scruffy hug from Grandpa. When I wear a baseball cap, I always look in the mirror twice to make sure I am only wearing one. In the winter, I walk in the blowing snow with my grandmother’s love wrapped around my neck. The scarves she taught me to knit are the warmest I know. Ever since learning to knit, my summer is not complete until I spend a lazy afternoon knitting in Granby, Colorado, sipping on an ice cold 64 ounce Big Gulp of Diet Pepsi.

Uh...Er....Poetry?

2010-03-03T22:29:00.001-07:00

This is a poem I wrote for my creative writing class.
I hesitate to put anything on this blog from my creative writing because I don't want my blog to turn into some deep depressing heavy emotional thing. I try to keep it light and heavy, but I want to know what people think.

Xylophone Tones

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
where bursts of petals sing me on my way,
and constant sunshine is in each day.

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
to find sweet smiles, warm from-the-oven kisses,
and not a single man who don’t love his misses.

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
where sticks and stones break no bones
and words are spoken in soft xylophone tones.

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
where lies my rest from the sarcastic tones
of the pitiful part of me that feels alone.

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
where red is not blood and green is not envy
but white is the simple and ultimate purity.

I would like to go somewhere over the rainbow
if there is such a place that is further then my mind
I beg and plead, if only this place I could find.

2010-02-23T21:15:00.002-07:00

Last night I decided to ignore my fifteen page research paper and watch the Olympics instead. With my jaw to the floor, I sat flabbergasted to find out that snowboarder Shaun White, a gold medalist from the 2006 Winter Olympics, has his own personal half pipe. I repeat, he has his own personal 20’X30’ half pipe which was built exclusively for him. I would argue that is probably a contender for the ultimate “I’ve made it” statement to the World. Red Bull, a sponsor of White, shelled out $500,000 to build the pristine half pipe for White on Silverton Mountain in the seclusion of the Colorado Rockies. Being a Colorado native and mountain enthusiast myself, I did a double take thinking White was shredding the same powder I find myself doing graceful face plants in. White spent one month on his private training grounds, accessed only by helicopter or snowmobile, prepping new tricks. The top-secret training mission for White was entitled “Project X”. Upon first hearing the project name I imagined White in MI4 (soon to be released this year!) rolling on the floor with a gun waiting to stick it to a bad guy. I quickly goggled “Project X” and found a website dedicated solely to White and his tricks. I watched video after video of White falling into a giant foam pit after perfecting various tricks such as the Front Double Cork Ten, Switch Back 900, and Cab Double Cork Ten. My favorite, the Double Mctwist, sounds like a delicious new dollar menu item that melts in your mouth.

After reflecting on the fact that I do not have my own half pipe, I couldn’t help but wonder what my, “I’ve made it” statement is to the World. I’m an average college student. I’m broke and have made plasma donation a weekly part-time job. So, what distinguishes me from the rest of the world? I’m not sure. But, I do know I don’t need my own half pipe to feel satisfied with life. I also know that I’m pretty content with being “average”. Sure, I hold various interests that bring fulfillment into my life, but nothing out of the ordinary. I think about what really makes me happy, and number one on my list would be my chunky nephew Henry with his toothless little grin. Second, pineapple and third, my leopard print Snuggie. I’d be content with those three things for a good period of time. Upon further pondering, I would argue we don’t need a major “I’ve made it” statement to show the World we’re happy. People without a personal half-pipe wake up to an alarm every morning and lead fulfilling lives. While I admire the persistent effort White and other athletes put into progressing various sports, I’ve realized that White’s involvement in “Project X” is not the only thing that defines White to the world. And, I shouldn’t be looking for a mountain to prop up a half-pipe on just to tell the world I’m somebody.

Better than Proactiv....Really?

2010-02-22T20:17:00.003-07:00

After I woke up on Sunday looking like this (ignore the volcanic zit) I decided that University Medical Severe AcneClear product has no validity to claim "significantly better than Proactiv". I've used Proactiv and I've loved it and I had no problems with it. My eyes may not look very swollen but in these pictures I'm opening them as much as I can. It was also interrupting my visibility. My lips look a little fat in these pictures too, but I guess that's normal. So, after seeing myself this way, I marched back to WalMart and returned the product. It gets a big F from me-an F for FAILURE. I've decided that any product which compares itself to Proactiv is a joke. That's like saying JCPenny's is better then Nordstrom. The two just don't compare.

Silence Bothers Me...

2009-12-14T23:54:00.003-07:00

There is something about the silence of a house that is eerie and uncomfortable to me. I much prefer the persistent hum of the fridge. It reminds me that I am not alone. As the clock ticks, I am assured that time continues to press on towards the new day. When I listen even closer, I can hear the walls creek; one sound after the other, constant and comforting.

I do not like silence at night. During the silence, noises that keep me from resting easy hollow a spot in my mind. They continually nag me, trying to convince me someone is maneuvering through the dark basement or picking the lock on the front door. But, magically, if there are enough noises distracting me together then they all seem...natural. I become suspicious of hardly anything. Thus, why I am able to sit in my great room with the blinds open and the lights off while my parents (and the baseball bat) sleep out of reach.

This need for noise at night began when I was a child. The first book I loved was The Napping House. I remember going to the library and insisting that we borrow the book on tape. Engrained in my mind is the sound of the narrator, reading that story to me over and over in a calm, soothing tone. This need for soothing sound evolved to wanting to fall asleep to music. Somewhere between The Napping House and my broad collection of We Sing tapes, I chose a Fleetwood Mac cassette.

I still vividly remember laying in my bunk bed with my bedspread tucked around my hand drifting away to Fleetwood Mac nearly every night for years. To this day, I still must listen to music to fall asleep. While I no longer listen to Fleetwood Mac, the habit is still there.

If You're Feeling Down, Put on a Puffer Vest!

2009-12-10T08:34:00.003-07:00

I don't know if you have been watching the weather in Denver this past week, but the temperatures have been frigid. Frosty the snowman has even complained to me about how chilly it's been (there's more cheese where that cheesy joke came from!) Currently, I do not own a winter coat. I sold the one I had at our garage sale this summer because it was trashed and falling apart. I planned on eventually purchasing a new coat by winter. What I did not plan on was our Fall turning into Winter, with an October storm to start of the season. Since then, we have had several large storms.

So, without a winter coat, I have resorted to wearing my Dad's insulated puffer vest! Oh, it's so nice. It is lined with fleece in the pockets. Luxury! Mmmm....so warm. I wore the puffer vest on my way home from work last night. When I got in my car and I was reaching for the seat belt behind me, I wrapped my right arm around my chest and kind of gave myself a hug. The softness of the puffer vest felt so nice, and I felt like I was hugging a marshmallow. It made me love myself even more! I felt soft and squishy (in a comforting way....not a 'gotta-get-rid-of-this-muffin-top' way) and wondered if this is how marshmallows feel.

I realized as I was driving home from work last night that we forget to love ourselves in the hectic world we live in. That's the moral of this strange (pathetic) story. So, I would like to present a TOAST TO THE PUFFER VEST! Not only do they keep you super warm and keep your arms free from a heavy coat, they remind you to love yourself.

From Grandpa

2009-11-30T09:38:00.002-07:00

For those of you who missed a Colorado Thanksgiving, here is a poem Grandpa wrote and shared at his 85th Birthday party.

An Ode to Tomorrow

I guess you could say we met on a blind date those may years ago.

Surely not without conscientious study and investigation befitting such a momentous occasion.

But alas I could not resist taking home such a beauty. Those sleek lines and elegant form cried out for early action.
And so we became a pair for a fruitful, long and productive joining. What a perfect relationship it has been.

With devotion and pride we raised a most exceptional family. Far better than most and favored with a joyous and lasting love. What fun we've had.

Soon this family grew and grew. No more loving association could have blessed our union. Fun we had and many joyous romps together.

Memories are what we stored. Too special ere to forget. Under the bluest sky and among mountains most wondrous in all the world.

What more could God appoint than such a special World. Brought closer still because of such a favored time.

Ah yes time!

Alas! It can't stay suspended as if tomorrow forever will wait it's turn.

And so we see changes inevitable to all. Fewer outings, certain aging, all the price paid for tomorrows turn. Thankfully not robbed of precious memories engraved on hearts so many.

So here we are not comely as once perceived. Parts worn out but thankfully not beyond modest repair. The spirit shines still through the fading past.

Happily those about us are mostly kind. Still comparisons and forgetfulness join hands with time.

I have heard "Snub Nose" sometimes used. Certainly without disrespect...after all some of the greatest beauties of our time are so adorned.

Time again! Inexorably it will further mar those features that were once so fair. Even memory of some may further fail. But for me she's still a beauty lacking only chance to once again delight. Pride so long displayed demands the care for joy received.

Yes, to love that pug nosed beauty will be my fate. To care for her a keep her well as long as tomorrow last.

Life Simplified

2009-11-09T22:14:00.004-07:00

Inventors are always trying to invent the next-big-thing that will make life simpler and easier for millions across the World. I have decided this past week that we really don't need anything new to make life easier. What would make life easier is already in place for us to use, we just don't use it. Here are some things I have realized make life easier and have existed for years.

1) This past week I should have used those two little things called water and soap more. I wash my hands after using the restroom and throughout my shift at work in the Pantry. Other then that....I'm not the one running to the sink if I hear a big "A-CHOO!" from the shopper next to me at Wal Mart. After a second wave of bronchitis in a month hitting me, I've changed my mind about that. Unfortunately, it took breathing treatments, an inhaler and amoxcicillian pills the size of my pinky toe (I measured with a ruler to the millimeter) to tell me how important washing hands is.

2) While I was sick I was constantly blowing my nose. It was so annoying, it made my lips extra dry and cracky. That's only where the problem began. My favorite pink pajamas don't have pockets, and I was constantly losing my chapstick. So, I took a ziploc and a safety pin and made a pocket on my pajama pants. I have yet to take it off. While I was still recovering this weekend, I put ibuprofun, kleenex, a jax kit, the remote and my pet hermit in the ziploc. Wherever I went I had all the comforts of home to help me get better. I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier. Who needs to invest in purses or pockets anymore? You can even forget about pocket protectors, nothing escapes a ziploc. Just make sure when you zip if the part that zips turns PURPLE!

3) Short hair makes life much easier. I got my haircut today. If you have ever lived with me, you know I hate showering. It's not the showering that really bothers me. It's the drying your hair, putting on makeup, getting dressed, putting on lotion and all that other stuff after the shower you have to do. It's just annoying. So anything I can do to shorten that time I do, hence why I like having short, really short, hair. My hair barely touches my chin now, and it's so short the lady had to use a man's-neck-razor to cut the back of my hair on my neck. I have to spend 5 minutes, if that, drying it and it practically dries straight. It's wonderful.

So consider THIS short and easy to remember acronym

SIMPLE

Short hair

Perfect for

Living life

Easier

And if you hear that in General Conference in April, you'll know where it all began!

Not So Sweet Dreams

2009-09-27T15:26:00.000-06:00

Not So Sweet Dreams

Who are these people? It's people like this that really make me kick myself in the butt and say, "They're a Child of God too". If you have not seen this website (Thanks Mom for the tip!) It's called Peopleofwalmart.com It's so funny it makes my mom snort while she's looking at it. It takes a lot to get her to snort. Please check this out, there are pages and pages of crazy happenings. Wow. It just makes you speechless.

Am I getting old?

2009-09-14T08:59:00.002-06:00

This morning I went on a walk. I left at about 7:00, so I was prepared for the fact that I would probably encounter some...ugh....teenagers going to school since we live so close to a High School and a Middle School. I do have a little bit of a problem with teenagers. They intimidate me like CRAZY! I have a somewhat insecure complex when it comes to people younger then me. In this one-upping each other society we seem to live in, I have fallen victim to feeling I must be cooler then people younger then me. So, on approaching this teenage boy this morning, who was extremly emo (urbandictionary.com) if I do say so myself, I immediately started to evaluate my coolness. I went through my outfit thinking, I've got wide leg black workout pants, a cute green shirt with cool designs on it, a purple ipod with a pink case, comfy shoes that don't look too momish. I reassured myself thinking, I'm good, I'm cool. I just have to walk by and give a quick half-smile smirk with the quick double eyebrow raise. I continued walking towards him at a brisk pace minus the speed walking Mom arms I had going before I saw him. The moment came. I successfully smirked with the fake eyebrow raise that somehow seemed amicable and gave myself a pat on the back thinking I was successful. Then, disaster struck. I was so freaked I was walking so far to the right of the sidewalk, that my foot when off the sidewalk and I got it stuck in the dirt. I of course fell forward and it all happened just after the somewhat amicable eyebrow raise he didn't seem to take as friendly. Still making eye contact when I fell forward, I could see his face cringe up and scowl as if he was saying, "Ma'am, really? Go back to 1990. You're too old."

It was at that moment I realized how ridiculous this entire moment in my life was. I continued walking and whispered to myself, "I'll show him and all these other hooligan teenagers running around town wearing what can hardly be called pants!" I started up my Mom power arms and continued walking, reflecting on how ridiculously old I seem to be getting.

Not even five minutes later I saw some Mom's standing at the Bus stop waiting with their kids. When I saw them my first thought was, "Hey! some new friends!" That's when I decided I was really getting old. I quickly fumbled to change the song on my iPod to Cobra Star Ship and Metro Station. I knew those Mom's would have never heard of those bands. I felt young again...until my ears started to cringe at the noise level of my music. I then succumbed to aging and it's natural process and finished my workout to Il Divo and Michael Buble. Let the Momification process begin.

2009-09-13T23:07:00.003-06:00

I have NEVER liked Kanye West. His lyrics are ridiculous and he's just dumb. This video of him tonight proves just how idiotic he is, and that he simply needs to get over himself. If you didn't see it, Taylor Swift was given the award for best female video and Kanye thought Beyonce should have won, and felt the need to make an outburst and a scene over the event. Later Beyonce, who's wonderful!, won best video of the year. She graciously gave her moment to Taylor Swift and allowed her to finally have her moment.

Calling in Sick for Work

2009-09-11T16:12:00.003-06:00

Last night I felt as if I was going to die at work. I had a headache that was in my eyeball sockets, it hurt to keep my eyes open, life was not good. Then, I saw a light, and Iwent towards it. Reaching up with both arms. Then I realized I was staring at the light in the ceiling. I had been stepping up on a step stool to get more potato chips to refill the shelf of chips in the pantry.

That was when I knew I wasn't doing too well. Luckily, that happened at about 8:45, so I did not have long to go left in the day. My plan was to come home, take three TylenolPM and go right to sleep. I did just that. I woke up and I was not feeling well at all, I had some....stomach flu....like symptoms. I will spare you the details.

So 1:30 rolls around, and I'm still not feeling well. All day I had been hoping that I would get better eventually, but I didn't. So I decided to call my manager and let him know that I was not feeling well enough to come in and since I was in the Pantry, I really shouldn't come in because I would contaminate the food. I felt really bad calling, this was the first time I had called in sick and I didn't really know what to say. I told him the truth though, that I had some stomach flu symptoms an just don't feel well enough to be at work. But, like Sonnie always tells me, "Watch out for number #1!" So, that's what I had to do today.

2009-09-08T23:44:00.003-06:00

I'm not looking to get married tomorrow. In this lifetime, yes I would like it to happen. In the next 6 months? No. The next year? It's pushing it, but you never know. To quicken the process, I picked up a "beach-self-help-not-satisfied-with-life" book. Of course, like millions of other women who have been vying for this book, I'm not willing to pay for it. So I went to the library. It took 15 minutes of standing at the spot of the book to finally decide to just go along with it for fun. I was blockading a 3 foot buffer zone to the left and right of me including the sewing, crafting books, right next to the "beach-self-help-not-satisfied-with-life" books just to make sure no one else picked up the same title, which there was only one copy of! Sign number 5 I need to be reading this book. If there's only one copy left, it's hot! If there are no copies, then my oh my it's white hot! Ok, I've talked this book up enough. It's called "Get Seroius About Getting Married: 365 proven ways to find love in less than a year". Now, let's not all roll our eyes at once. Believe me, I rolled my own eyes at myself plenty of times within the past 12 hours pondering what to do with this book. I've past it for weeks now at the library, every time I go I think how funny it would be to get it, follow it and blog about it. (Secretly, I'm just trying to become a movie, like the recent Julie and Julia movie. Next I'll be reading 365 tips to be in a movie in less then a year!)

So enough of the chit chat, let's get down to business. Part one of the book talks about preperation being everything. UGH! I go to work and I prepare rolls and cakes and mints and chicken salad for the next day. At home I prepare dinner (when pigs fly) and make sure that I prepare my clean clothes for work tomorrow. Why is everything about preparing. ENOUGH with the P word. The author, Janis Spindel, also referred to "preparing" as "laying the groundwork". I'm sorry, but am I simply the foundation of a house? I'm not just the foundation I AM THE HOUSE and everything inside of it! And the lawn! I see her point, yet I also am sick of preparing. I want to go and do as we have been dilligently taught since sunbeams! Go and Do not Sit and Stew!

Ok, I'm 3/4 of the way through the first chapter. This is for desperate people, women in particular. I would like to make it clear that I am not desperate.

I just finished flipping through the book. What was I thinking? I'm in over my head. Me, married?!?! Silly me. While I was looking forward to providing a month of entertaining blog posts of me "finding love in the Mile High City" its not going to happen with this book. I should have read the back cover before I brought the book home. It reads, "The ultimate guide to finding your soul mate for the smart, sophisticated 35+ woman".

DESTRUCTION!

2009-09-02T21:25:00.003-06:00

MY PARENTS BEDROOM HAS TURNED INTO A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. WE (yes, I've been helping) HAVE BEEN DOING THE DEMOLITION OURSELVES. AND, SOME THINGS WE DIDN'T WANT DEMOED HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATELY. FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS A MIRROR THAT HANGS AT THE END OF THE LONG HALLWAY ON OUR FIRST FLOOR THAT ENDS BY THE BATHROOM FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR HOUSE. IT SHARES A WALL THAT IT HANGS TO WITH THE CLOSET OF MY PARENTS BEDROOM. THIS WALL WAS PARTIALLY DEMOED ON THE SIDE OF THE CLOSET, BUT NOT ON THE SIDE THAT HOLDS THE MIRROR. WELL, THIS MORNING WE ALL AWOKE (Dad didn't hear a thing!) TO A VERY LOUD CRASH. I THOUGHT MY MOM WAS UNLOADING THE DISHWASHER AND UNLOADING STRESS AT THE SAME TIME AND BANGING PLATES AND CUPS TOGETHER REALLY LOUD FOR SOME REASON. THEN WHEN I WOKE UP AND REALIZED THE MIRROR CRASHED I ASKED MY MOM WHAT HAPPENED. SHE THOUGHT THE LOUD CRASH WAS ME DROPPING THINGS, AND THEN SHE WOKE UP WHILE I WAS STILL SLEEPING AND SAW THE CRASHED MIRROR IN MILLIONS OF PIECES. SO, LESSON LEARNED. WE MAY NOT BE THE SMARTEST ABOUT DEMO, AS DUST IS ALL OVER THE BASEMENT JUST BELOW WHERE THE BEDROOM IS, BUT WE GET THE JOB DONE. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR DEMO HELP, I CHARGE $10 AN HOUR, HAVE MY OWN CROW BAR AND A RECIPROCATING SAW. I KNOW HOW TO USE THE CROW BAR....BUT NOT THE SAW. OH, I ALSO CHARGE AN EXTRA $50 A DAY FOR ANY ACCIDENTS SUCH AS SLASHING MY HAND OPEN.

2009-09-02T21:16:00.004-06:00

Where do you get water when the water is turned off, and will be turned off for a while? The other day I was making Mac and Cheese spirals for lunch and was in desperate need of water to boil my pasta. To my dismay, Stan, our handyman, was working on the bathtub and had turned the water off. So, I spent about five minutes trying to figure out if maybe the hose still worked. It didn't. So, I resorted to melting ice cubes! Ta-Dah!

2009-08-27T07:40:00.002-06:00

It's now Thursdy. I've been waiting for something good to post about from Saturday, but I really cannot thinkof anythng too funny.

There is a website I've become fond of. It is called 'Mylifeisaverage.com' People go on the website and publish mini stories about things that happen everyday that make them average. Then, average people go online and vote on submissions. Once a submission has beed voted average enough, it will be published. I think it's a little obvious I love to write, and being published would be wonderful. So, I have spent the last week relentlessly submitting some Mylifeisaverage stories in hopes of being published as one of the best of all the stories. Hey, being published is published, and this site publishes people based on how much they like you. So that's even better to bepublished because you KNOW the people like you! It's success and a self esteem booster that you have friends rolled into the same CA roll. Someday...

It's Saturday

2009-08-22T07:20:00.002-06:00

You should be impressed. I learned to count the drawers, and close the store last night at work. I'm not giving you any details because that would be the safety of me and the store at jeapordy. Some times LDS people can get desperate too and do CrAzY things!

Today is Saturday! I think we all know what that means. May all the LDS people across Colorado and Nebraska flock to Deseret Book and the temple for "fresh"cinnamon rolls (that were actually made like 5 months ago and then flash freezed...good nonetheless) and the world famous chicken salad. This flocking brings about many good stories for me and reflection time as I will be working from 8:30-6:00. So, get excited for the post I will post tonight. It will be good. Check back later!

Going Green!

2009-08-20T19:43:00.002-06:00

Well, I personally may not be going green, but my shoes sure are. Why you ask? Because I was finally trusted with the lawn mower. After (doing the math in my mind...) 617,226,452 seconds and counting of being on this Earth, my Dad finally realized I can handle mowing the lawn. Be it the new machine recently purchased that propels itself or the idea of me being "on my own", maybe that I can handle a powerful serger, I don't know. Whatever the reason behind the decision of me able to handle such a tool, it is simply another thing I won't have to nag my husband about as well as something to put on my resume!

While mowing the lawn, it brings upon the mowess time to reflect on the day. Often, I find myself spelling out four-letter words in the grass. Bad words, yes. This allows me to get out my frustrations of whatever interrupts my knitting and cross-stitching. But I usually let the machine self-propel itself through the grass to cover them up, just in time before my Mom pulls up (yikes!)

I also like to make crop-circles. There are things I don't tell other people. Deep Dark secrets that I keep to myself. Crop-circles allow my to symbolize those secrets I don't speak of. Secrets I can't reveal to anyone, but intelligent beings higher then me. After tonight, I've decided to stop the crop circles. I was rounding the corner under those huge pine tress in our front yard, when I saw it. In the distance, a being with 5 heads, 1 arm and colored like a trout stared at me, and pierced my soul. That creeped me out. For weeks of mowing the lawn, I've cynically and jokingly made the crop-circles, in a somewhat mocking way yet still hoping someone would see. Now I know someone does see, and they do know what they mean. So I now have no more secrets and trust no one.

Henry gets a head scrub

2009-08-20T15:11:00.004-06:00

Henry had strange dandruff, and so Melissa would rub his head with olive oil before his bath, and it seemed to help get rid of the stuff on his head. Here's a video, it's a little lengthy but too precious to not watch the entire thing.

More pictures then you can handle...

2009-08-19T21:33:00.007-06:00

Here are some pictures from the past few weekends as Mel and Douglas came from Boston with Henry as well as Brent and Lisa from the Vineyard; or, MV as my Mom wittingly called it the other day. It took me a second to figure out since I went to MV High School. And I didn't add captions because, no offense to others, but I never read them. I go directly to pictures. I can figure out what happened usually.

Mile High

2009-08-12T18:29:00.003-06:00

I had a wonderful shopping trip today! I purchased a black vintage purse, a silk top, a pretty pink cardigan, a ruffley black top, a Jackie O. black sweater and a white under shirt. How much did I spend? Make a guess....

I'm betting you guessed $150-$200. I spent only $28.83! Beat that! Where did I go? MILE HIGH THRIFT STORE! It's Heaven on Earth (second to the temple). I am so thrilled with my purchases. I did not pay full price for anything, and everything is in brand new condition. Did I mention one item still has tags? I'm telling you, the Duggars (family on TLC with 18 kids and counting) are doing it right as they also buy used clothing. Their slogan, which I have now adopted, is "Buy used, save the difference". Me encanta Thrift Stores. There is something thrilling about shopping at Thrift stores. At a regular store it seems I sift through 15 different pieces of clothing. I find one thing I like. Then on Sunday, I get excited to wear the pretty new blouse to church I just purchased. To my dismay, everyone else wears the same blouse as me on the same Sunday I wear it to church.

Let me explain what happens after a shopping trip to Mile High. I sift through literally, THOUSANDS of different pieces of clothing, rarely finding the exact same style of shirt. Each piece is unique at Mile High. I find oh....20 things I think may fit. So, I go and try them on. I end up liking 6 of them. They are ALL different, and not one other person in that store is buying the same item. On Sunday, I wear my pretty new blouse to church. Comments right and left asking "ooo la la where did you get that?!?" I hear murmurs behind my back saying, " I want that."

The Thrift store is just wonderful. You never know what you are going to find, and whenever you find that shirt you KNOW was purchased full price for $50, and you get it for $4.95, it feels awesome.

THE tube crash

2009-08-08T23:09:00.002-06:00

If you missed the reunion, all you need to know to catch up is this.

Strawberry Tang didn't cut it

2009-06-22T23:41:00.003-06:00

Can we please discuss Jon and Kate plus 8 and their recent decision to split up? Yes, they are splitting up.

I have been on this kick this week that whenever I'm in a bad mood, tired, any negative emotion, I mix up a glass of strawberry Tang. It always makes me feel better and pumps me up to get things done and do what I have likely been ignoring. I wish that Jon and Kate had the same insight.

If only they were able to drink a glass of strawberry Tang like I do, their problems would be fixed! Voila! Instead of having Jon minus Kate and the 8, we would be able to continue to enjoy Jon and Kate plus 8 under one roof! At least the ( did I mention the bear we saw in Yellowstone this weekend was in fact a real grizzly bear not some black bear) Duggars are still rolling strong on TLC! Go Duggars (They're the ones with 18 kids and are stuck dressing in the 1800's). Unfortunately, I think even in this situation the strawberry tang may not have fixed the surface of their relationship problems they are working through. Unfortunate.

2009-06-22T08:04:00.002-06:00

This weekend my Dad and I went to Yellowstone. We left Rexburg on Thursday evening, and stayed until Saturday evening. The adventure began Friday morning as we entered the park. Determined to find a grizzly bear, I told my dad I WAS NOT going to leave Wyoming until I saw a bear. There was no way I was going to return to Rexburg a grizzly-bear-in-the-wild-seeing-virgin. Friday came and Friday went. We had no bear luck that day. We saw more bison then I have ever seen in my life though. Never need to see one of those again. We also saw a cute little fox on the side of the road. So, dismayed, we left the park Friday. That night we went to the Playmill theatre in West Yellowstone and saw Footloose. So much fun, next time you are up in this area definitely make it to the Playmill theatre for a live performance that is so energetic. I went to bed that night thinking of different ways to attract the bears. I came up with a couple ideas, and the next day we put those ideas to the test.

First off, who doesn't like peanut butter. And I think that if there is anyone that likes peanut butter it is grizzly bears. So on Saturday morning we were in the park and stopped for gas. I bought peanut butter M&M's and a Reeses FastBreak. Both packed with peanut butter. I knew that if I smelled like peanut butter and left a trail, the bears would flock to us. The next thing I did is keep my bear eyes open! I was ready with the binoculars around my neck and the windows rolled down. The determination was on fire inside of me! My dad and I decided that we would come up with a key word that we would say if we saw the "B" word (bear...). I suggested the word Subaru. Somebody (Dad) did not like that, so he suggested Legacy. I decided I could live with that. So we continued driving, and I was saying "legacy" continually in my head over and over again. I was determined to see a bear. After hours of driving around the highest areas in the park, where the grizzlies were, I had lost hope. The bonfire of determination inside of me was doused. It was unfortunate. So I did what any child...adult of my age would do. I said a prayer. Yes, a prayer. I prayed that we would see a grizzly bear in the park before we left! With that prayer in my heart, I went to sleep, continually chanting "legacy" in my mind.

Some time later I woke up to my dad telling me there was a huge pack of cars, and something worth getting out of the car to look at. He was right! It was a grizzly bear! About 100 yards away lay the majestic beast that rules the lands of Yellowstone. After pinching myself I ran out of the car through the pack of people up to the very front with the pack. I threw up the binoculars in front of my eyes and looked in awe. Trying to find something to eat, the bear went from log to log breaking them open searching for whatever food would satisfy him.

I must unfortunately report that there has been some speculation behind the validity of this story. Some people (mom...Jme...the boys in Rockland 209....my FHE brothers....my ward....my Bishop....) seem to think we saw a "brown bear". This is false. It was a grizzly bear. A grizzly bear is a grizzly bear is a grizzly bear. Have I made my point clear?

Somebody has to say it...

2009-06-15T22:53:00.002-06:00

At BYU-Improved, there is a specific part of the honor code that states the following:

"Casual dress is discouraged on campus and is not appropriate for the classroom. Casual dress includes knee-length shorts, Capri's, T-shirts, PE-type clothing and flip-flop shoes"

There it is folks! The Honor Code specifically discourages wearing flip flops on campus. So what does one do when he or she sees a fellow student breaking the honor code? Well, the cool kids who let things roll of their back say nothing. Let me emphasize that I am a cool kid, but things do not always roll of my back. So, the other day I observed a girl wearing flip flops on campus. This was not the first time I saw this that day, and at this point it had really gotten to me. So as we passed each other, I looked deep into her eyes and smugly said, "I like your flip-flops." I went merrily on my way thinking I was doing a service for the school and making things easier for the Honor Code police (Yes, they do exist in real life). It was not until after I made this comment that my roommate who was walking with me, (she keeps me in line) asked me, "Did you really have to say that? She can do what she wants."

I hate to admit it....but she was right. I really did not have to say it. But, at the time, I was thinking, well, this is a crime! Somebody MUST say something to this girl! What could she be thinking ?!?!?!?! In the end, does somebody real have to say it....I think the girl knows she is doing something wrong. I'm sure she will feel guilty about it later from all the glares she gets from me and other students. Isn't that guilt enough? If I was having a rough day and wore flip-flops so my feet don't sweat (hey, I'm NOT saying they do!) the last thing I would want is someone saying what I said....

I caught them in the act!

2009-06-12T00:42:00.003-06:00

It was about 6:30 Wednesday night. I was full aware that SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance....for those of you that didn't know, please try to catch up...) was going to begin in 30 minutes. I had timed it out perfectly. I would leave now, pick up Celeste, go to the store with her, allow plenty of time to decide between peanut butter and chocolate M&M's, then hit the novelties aisle, and then be in our places ready to watch by 6:59. It was a no fool plan. I knew it well. As I walked out the door I heared a squeal and saw two girls run up the stairs of our stairwell out of the corner of my eye. On my door was two dozen hearts cut out of construction paper and various colors taped all over. In the middle was a big pink heart that read "LAURA". Scattered on the floor were smaller confetti size hearts. It was so hilarious. I caught them in the act! The silly girls were doing this in the middle of the evening. I think that is the best part of all of this! So they quickly told me to shut the door, I did, and we continued on as if nothing had happened. 5 minutes later I heard a knock on the door, and then saw them run past our window. I was so surprised and thought it was so sweet of them. Moral of the story, DO NOT try to surprise me untill after 7:30 at night.

2009-06-12T00:32:00.002-06:00

It's come to my attention that there really is such a thing as "being in the right place at the right time." As I have continued to be here in Rexburg and live surrounded by single college students dealing with an array of emotional and physical challenges, I have found myself doing unusual things at odd times of the day only to find someone in dismay in need of a listening ear. While my impact is often simply no more then a "sorry, I know how you feel" or "well, that sounds like that bites. I've never dealt with that but I'm sure it stinks" or even " I think you should talk to you Bishop," time and time again, I am reminded that we are not sent to life to further the progression of our selves, but in turn, help others reach their ultimate potential as well.

There is an overwhelming humbling sensation that comes to me after I do something that I typically will not do, and the effect is in favor of someone else. Whether it's walking home a different way to stumble upon a stressed friend, or staying a little longer after class to find someone didn't understand the teachers explanation. The examples of being there when someone needs me and I didn't know it go on. As I continue to recognize how often they occur in even every day to day life, I am amazed the impact I have on the lives of other people. Watching these moments reinforces to me that I cannot simply walk through life expecting and waiting for someone else to make a difference in my life , but I must strive to make a difference in someone else's life.

Reflections Over Cheerios...

2009-06-07T19:42:00.002-06:00

It is impossible to make someone else do something they truly do not want to do. We can hip and hooray and give as many thumbs-up as possible, but in the end, we all have the ability to choose. Frustrating? yes. But, what if we really could not decide. The first thing that comes to mind in this situation is a communistic society I crinkle my nose in disgust at. I like choosing to not eat vegetables because I hate them and using a pillow that gives my neck no support. If there was a mustached-scary man telling me what to do, I would have to eat my vegetables and someone would make me use some stuffy pillow that would prop my neck at such an uncomfortable angle. Therefore I choose to choose. These no bake cookies I'm enjoying; I would be forced to put coconut and peanuts in simply because they are part of the recipe. That would ruin the cookie. Unless you are my mother.

So I ask myself, should we celebrate our ability to choose even when so many choose to booze themselves up every moment of the day and numb themselves to the adversity they must face with the fake "comforting" effects of drugs? Yes. I argue that from that choice they are making, eventually their concious will kick in and they will realize what they are doing and the other side of life that is awaiting them. So HOORAH to choices!!!!!! If you want to do something, do it. I decided today I wasn't going to eat anything healthy. I just didn't want to. So I didn't. 12 hours later do I regret the choice I made? Yes. Was it worth it? Eh, yes. Will I do it again? Not until my Birthday.

First Semester Grades!

2009-04-15T18:10:00.002-06:00

READ 'EM AND WEAP!

Here are my grades for this semester. ALL A's! My GPA came out to

3.84

can you believe it? I'm very proud of myself, and I kept my scholarship and will be able to get even more money for next year (hopefully!) Let's see if I can keep it up for next semester!

Personal War Time!

2009-04-04T12:33:00.002-06:00

Last night, Shayne, Marsha and I went to play racquetball. It was the first time to play for all of us. We had no clue what we were doing. But it was fun...Despite the welt I gave Shayne. We took pictures, but it was right under her chest, so that wouldn't be appropriate to put online. But it was the size of the racquetball. I hit it straight at hr, I don't know what I was thinking. She was right in my line of direction, so it's my fault that I wasn't able see ahead in five minutes what was abut to happen and stop my arm from wacking that ball right into her. Here is my mean racquetball face. Yes the gross sweaty goggles worn by twenty 50-year old men before me were required, they were not a choice. But it's a good thing they are required because there were some close calls. I entitled this post Personal War Time because I think I Will go back this week and play racquetball alone. It sounds dumb, but I was getting a really good work out just hitting those balls against the wall and chasing after them myself.

Bad Idea

2009-03-31T18:37:00.002-06:00

Today, I decided to skip my second class today, American Foundations. When I checked my grade last night, I had a 98% in the class, so I knew if I missed one class it wouldn't matter a whole lot. Plus, I didn't do the required reading for today, so it would have been pointless to go, fail the quiz, then sit there for 1.5 hours while we talked about the reading I had no clue about. So I didn't go. I wrote a HUGE research paper that is due tomorrow and after working on it for 2 hourse, I went to the Hart to workout. Right when I was finishing, the professor of the class I skipped was there and said hi to me. I sit in the front row of the class, and he knows my name, so how could he not have noticed I was gone. He said hi to me and I just past by quickly. It was not cool. So to all you young ones out there, DON'T SKIP CLASS!

sidewalking

2009-03-30T06:42:00.002-06:00

Well, I shouldn't be telling all of you this, but I will. There is a thing up here called sidewalking. It's a very mysterious activity that my roommmate Tiffany has been doing all semester, and Shayne (my other roommate) were finally privelaged to be able to go sidewalking. For weeks we had been given random clues as to what the activity entails. For one, it must be done at night. That made is sound scary. Tiffany also got burns from doing it one time. That made it dangerous. So we pull up to campus last night around 9:30, and we start walking toward the Romney. Then we see Tiffany lay down, and she tells us to lay down, but in strategic places. After a minute o my stomach on the cold concrete, I began to warm up! Below the sidewalks of BYU-I are waterpipes that run hot water to heat the sidewalks and melt the ice and snow on them. Under this sidewalk, the pipe was broken, so it released steam through a crack. It was surprisingly very warm, and there was enough room for about 10 of us to lay there and keep warm. Very interesting activity, but if someone asks you if you know what it is, don't tell them I told you ;)

The Next Best YouTube video

2009-03-29T18:35:00.000-06:00

pearls and ribbon

2009-03-25T21:08:00.005-06:00

I've made more jewelry! I wish I could say this was an original...but it's not...I
got the idea from other a necklace I saw and bought, and I decided to make a bracelet. I think I'm going to try and sell some like this at something.

The Hair

2009-03-25T19:06:00.002-06:00

I cut my hair! I was a little shocked at how short it was, but within the last hour it's grown on me. I showered and did it myself (yes mom, I am showering every day!) and after that I liked it a lot better.

4:30 wake up call

2009-03-24T12:17:00.004-06:00

(Turn your sound on to make this post a 2D experience!)

It's 4:30 am and I am dragging myself out of bed. I experienced this morning how quiet a college town is at 4:30am. As I got in my workout clothes and went to my car, it was pure silent bliss. I can't remember the last time I heard pure silence here in Rexburg. It was nice.

I drive the literal 2 blocks to the gym (that's how lazy I've gotten) and I arrive in the PERFECT parkng spot, which would only happen at 5:00 am when me and the janitor are literally the only ones awake. So I go inside and change clothes into the official HART clothing. You have to wear the HART clothes to work out there. I rent them for free every time, too cheap to buy them. So I lag myself down to the cardio area. The TV's hadn't even turned on yet. I was literally the ONLY one there! So I jump on the elliptial and I just go. It was so hard. I have not worked out first thing in the morning in a long time. Usually I go right after lunch, and with no food in me and just waking up it was really hard to go, but I went.

Since this morning was especially difficult, I played the song you are hearing now probably a solid 5 times in a row. Literally. I couldn't get my but to move so this song was encouraging me the entire way. What an interesting morning.

#256

2009-03-22T18:02:00.004-06:00

I couldn't think of a good name, so I went with #256 because this is my 256th post! I made a pillow in my Practical Homemaking class this week, and this is what it looks like. This is just the top, and this week we are going to sew in the zipper and then put it all together. Isn't it cute?

I embroidered a big "L" in the middle in case you can't tell what that is. Next we are making aprons out of recycled jeans!

I also added something new to my room. Ta-Dah! Curtains! Now I don't have to change clothes in the bathroom or in the dark! I had little slits on the side of my blinds where people could see in, and it was a little uncomfortable since Rockland across the parking lot is a guys complex. So now I can rip of my jeans in the comfort of my room with no concern of peeping Toms! Yay me!

2009-03-09T21:03:00.003-06:00

Ok, first off, who is anonymous commenter leaving comments on my blog? I would like to know, because if you are asking me out to dinner, I'm there. Dad, was that you? Mmmm...interesting.

So here are some "you know you're in college..." statements I've made this past week.

1) You know you're in college when instead of buying a new vacum bag, you simply empty out the old one into the trash can.

2) You know you're in college when you look in your pantry and say to yourself, "Brown rice, white rice, cereal...mmmm...." every night when trying to decde what tohave for dinner.

3) You know you're in college when you don't use your kitchen table EVER! The couch is so much more comfortable.

4) You know you're in college when you include airborne in your everyday diet to not get sick.

Here are some other things I just thought were funny...

1) You know you're in Utah when the KSL channel 5 meteorologist wears a white sports coat and uses "nevertheless and therefore" in the SAME forecast! Can you say Mormon?

Peace out from RExburg, I'll try to find somthing interesting to talk about tomorrow.

2009-03-07T14:17:00.002-07:00

I am so ashamed! I haven't posted anything in forever. Hopefully this will catch you up!

i took a test yesterday for my American Heritage class, and I got a 94%! Isn't that insanely good! Yes, it is. I was excited.

I have been doing a lot of soldering in my surprisingly vast amount of spare time. Here is my favorite thing I've made so far.

Friday Nights in Rexburg

2009-02-21T12:21:00.002-07:00

This is what Friday night consists of in the burg.

2009-02-15T10:24:00.001-07:00

This will put a smile on your face

The Pink Face Mask

2009-02-11T21:20:00.003-07:00

Late at night tonight (ha, at 9:30. Hey,that's late for me...) I decided to do a lava hot face mask! And it was really, really hot on my skin! But if felt good. Although I wasn't expecting it to be so pink. I look like a giant bubble of chewing gum smacked all over my face. It has been, oh, 30 minutes since I rinsed it off. My face literally still burns.

This I Believe

2009-02-05T12:20:00.003-07:00

It happened one night. I decided to believe in the power of me. I threw off the puppet strings that controlled me and decided to choose for myself.

I realized what I want, and the things I hope to accomplish in life. It was at that moment I realized things I want can be accomplished by me and through me. But I also realized that me is not just me.

There is more to me, and behind me is the support of my family, friends and Christ. Me is the environment I grew up in, the mistakes I make every day, the trials I strive to overcome and the things I regret I did. All those elements of me are things I am proud of.

I’m proud that I have made mistakes, it makes my human. I am proud I have trials, it gives me empathy. I am proud I have things I regret, it makes me really think before I act.

I have the power to make every day mine. I own every day. No matter what detours I hit or potholes I get stuck in, I claim it as mine.

I have the power to dream and hope; to dream things unreal and hope for things unseen. My head is full of ridiculous, childish, unrealistic hopes and ideals, but I do not care. They are mine.

I have the power to ignore the negative people in the world and shut them out of my sphere of influence. I have the power to choose who I listen to and who will influence my actions.

I have the power to control my own happiness. People can do what they want in front of me, but I have the power to let it get to me or rise above it and stay true to myself. It is a choice, and a choice that I own.

I have the power to do it. To climb Mount Everest, graduate from college, be a mother and live to be 103.

I have the power to be me. Outrageous, flirtatious, outgoing, loud, self-conscious, interruptive, intrusive, nosy, divine, fascinating me.

I wrote this paper for my English class, it is a "This I Believe" paper. For extra credit, I submitted it to the website, and who knows, they may publish it!

Practical Homemaking!

2009-02-04T18:09:00.003-07:00

Yes, there is a class at BYU-Idaho called Practical Homemaking. It's been really fun so far. We do three rotations throughout the semester, and tomorrow will be the last of our cooking/baking rotation. Sad, sad day for me and my roommates. I've had to make so many recipes at home and my favorite so far has been the homemade buttermilk syrup. It's just a heart attack waiting to happen, but oh so worth it. Here is the recipie!

½ c. buttermilk 1 c. sugar 1 cube butter
Stir until boils. Remove from heat.
Add:
½ t. soda 1 t. vanilla

So good, and do easy! Here are pictures of what I've made. yes, I had to include pictures when I turned in the assignment.

I made breadsticks for an FHE pizza party. Homemade noodles and alfredo sauce, don't I look lovely in that picture? A double crust maple apple pie, a cinnamon sugar bread braid and a tofu smoothie (not my favorite.)

The FHE of DEATH

2009-02-03T12:57:00.002-07:00

I almost died last night.

We went sledding at the Dunes in the pitch black! You know all the drop offs in the sand dunes, we went sledding off those! We went searching for the best hill we could find. We found more then that, we found a bowl! It was litterally, a bowl. You know at waterworld the zoomerang ride where you go down, and then come back up the other side, like a half pipe. That's exactly what this was like. You go down a straight drop off practically, and then you go up and up the other side, and the motion continues. It was CRAZY, but so fun. I'm glad I went. But it was so freaky, you couldn't see anything when you're going down with all the snow flying up in your face, and the complete darkness surrounding you. Probably something I will never do again, but it was not until later that I realized how stupid it was! (But worth it...) Oh, to top things off, my roommate lost her keys! The snow was so deep, and underneath that it's just sand and dirt. It was not good. She didn't realize she lost them right away, so people were trudging and walking over them and they got burried in the snow a little bit. We were so freaked out what we would've done if she has lost them. It would not have been good. But we did find them after a prayer and desperate searching, so we arrived home safe. Don't worry Mom :)

My pink sign is working really well! I got called on twice today in class, so hopefully that will bring up my participation grade (can you believe they still do that in college?)

Cloud Nine!

2009-01-31T11:53:00.002-07:00

I got a letter from Elder Fillerup today! (my best friend...second to Celeste....Peter)

I'm going to a concert tonight with a guy in my ward.

I bought a new black dress that I love! Black dress #3 for me!

I got 100% on a science quiz!

I found $20 in a wallet my mommy got for me for my birthday!

Today is a fabulous day!

New SpringWidget

2009-01-30T11:48:00.001-07:00

Get this widget!

Genuis Me

2009-01-27T19:01:00.002-07:00

In my American Foundations class, there are 80 people. To answer questions, my professor has us hold up a piece of paper that has our name written in bold, and then he calls on us one by one. I sit on the very edge of the class, and on the very right hand side of my professor when he stands up to teach. He NEVER sees me when I have my piece of paper raised. So today, I came up with a solution. As I was searching through my backpack for the white piece of paper that matches everyone elses, I saw a hot, fluorescent pink piece of paper. That was my solution. So I put my name on it big and bold and I got called on twice today! I was so excited! Yes for me, I was really proud of myself.

A Wonderful Thing

2009-01-26T09:52:00.002-07:00

Have you ever been sitting in a science class, viewing spectacular pictures of the galaxy and hearing the teacher blab on about how this was all just created in the blink of an eye by some cosmic boom or something crazy like that? I have and I hate it.

The one thing I've discovered about BYU-Idaho that is so unique is the combination of secular and spiritual knowledge. In my Science, English and American Heritage classes, part of the cariculum is the scriptures and general conerence talks. How cool is that! It's not everyday you can sit in your science class and explain the formation of the universe based on scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and other modern day revelation from the prophets. So cool.

Tomorrow is DEVO (devotional, i'll try to help catch you up on the lingo), and Elder Christofferson of the twelve is coming. It's a ticketed event, and I got myself one! I'm really excited, it's like our own personal General Conference.

Well, an update on last night....an hour after they "stopped by to say hi" (as Sonnie would say 'boys drool') one of them called me to apologize, he said he felt really bad, and was sorry, there was just a really bad miscommunication and he would like to try to get together again. So that made me feel better. I invited that guys roommate, not the one that came with him last night, to go to a work out class with my tongiht. Directly after I hit send for that text message, I began hitting END over and over and over and over hoping that it would delete the sending of the message. NO hope. I kind of regret sending it, because I don't know if I reallywant to go to a workout class with a guy. It didn't hit me 'till after how awkward that could be....oh well. He told me the other night he wanted to start working out again now that Christmas is over, so I'm hoping he will accept the invitation. Ok, I have to go to class. Peace out!

Worst night in Rexburg thus far...

2009-01-25T21:16:00.002-07:00

At 1:30 today, my roommates and I decided to invite over some guys that we hung out with last night and Friday night to play games. No big deal, something casual. I told them to come at 7:00, 7;15 rolls around and they tell me they're eating dinner, be there soon. 8:00 rolls around, they are not here. Finally they show up just after 8:00. They come to the door, and I answer. They ask, hey, where are your roommates? I tell them that one is just getting off the phone, one is out with another guy, and one is watching a movie in her room. Then I invite them in, and one of them (there were two of them) says "oh, well we just came by to say hi." mmmm....say again? I invite you to play games at 1:30 this afternoon, you are an hour late, and you tell me you just came to say hi? I was not happy at all. To make things worse, one of them was holding Apples to Apples in plain sight under his arm. Seriously? Really? (I'm still pretty angry, if you can't tell)

Here's my theory; they were worried that there was only two girls and two guys. Come on now, what do you really think are intentions were during these games. Ugh, I'm so so angry they couldn't have simply said "oh, sorry, we don't feel comfortable with only the four of us. But hey, next time let's get more people together, and it will be great." That would have been so much better, and I honestly would've totally understood. Yes I would be upset, but and understanding upset. Very opposite of the rage within me right now!!!!!!! I'm hoping tomorrow is better. I hope something wonderful happens to make up for it.

Happy Hour

2009-01-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to IF....ha. How pathetic, I've been there more than my roommates went all of last semester and it's been what, three weeks? Anyway. I was really close to home, and my roommate told me to meet them at Applebees for Happy Hour. I thought it would be us two, and our friend Marsha. No, there ended up being nine of us. It was really fun though, we got appetizers 1/2 off for buying drinks! I was downing the pina coladas all night long!

Today we are going to a brial shower for a girl in our ward. My roommates and I bought her fuzzy handcuffs we saw at Wal Mart for $2.00. I will end this post there.

Things I've Learned About Rexburg

2009-01-21T16:46:00.002-07:00

1) There are 3, count 'em, 1, 2, 3, THREE (tres) Subway resturaunts in Rexburg. And no Target. That's a shame.

2) IF is the place to be! If you don't know what IF is, I'm sorry, it's a local thing ;). I went there today, and everywhere I look there are cars with BYU-I parking permits. Interesting.

3) The "Grand Teton Mall" ain't so grand.

4) If you've got one pair of red underwear to wash, it goes in with your whites. At $2.25 a load, I ain't paying to wash those sinful red panties alone. I never said I have red panties just to clarify. Just something I've observed.

5) People think you're wierd when you pronounce Broulims "Broomlims" as I've been doing the past two weeks. Thanks roomates for telling me on Monday.

School is going great! I love my pilosophy-ish class. It's called "Quests! Heroic, Ironic and Spiritual" Right now we (as in the rest of the class...I'm not totally caught up) are reading "The Hobbit" and it's a lot better then I thought it would be. I may turn out to be an art critic...but don't tell Grandpa!

Tomorrow is a special day. If you don't know why, pray about it and you will. Good day and Good night!

It Hasn't Even Been a Week...

2009-01-11T14:15:00.002-07:00

Oh my oh my, it hasn't even been a week and I'm already burnt out. Classes just started on Wednesday, and I'm already just done. All I can think about is going back home for my break in April. Isn't that bad? I know it is. The snow has gotten old, falling 4 times in one week on the ice is routine and the walk from here to the Hart, which I do everyday, is getting so blazey. But I've gone to some fun activities. For instance, I went to Comedy Improv with Kirby Heyborne and other actors from the Singles Ward, and it was hilarious! I enjoyed that thoroughly, it was just like Whose Line Is It Anyway.

I guess school is just so much more work then I really thought it would be. My classes require more preparation time than homework after the class. It's like, here spend 2 hours reading this, then we will discuss it for about 10 minutes and move on. So you don't do much after-work as it is mainly preparation work. Many of my classes also require that you meet with a group for an hour a week. Mmmm...not a lot of time for that. My orchestra class also requires one hour of alone practice and one hour of practice with your stand partner. That is much more difficult than one would think, trying to find time to practice and a quiet place to practice.

Speaking of practice, I think I will go do just that. So peace out! Sorry I don't have any entertaining stories :(

Great day!

2009-01-05T18:27:00.002-07:00

What an exhausting day I've had! It all began around 8:00 when I woke up and went to work out. My complex has a workout room equipped with two treadmills,an elliptical and some weights. One of the treadmills just doesn't work and the elliptical is a "sticky one" you know? It works the quads more then any elliptical I've ever been on! So I worked out for about 15 minutes at my complex. Yeah, not too impressive. Then I went back to my room, put on warmer clothes and was going to go for a "run". HA! How silly of me. It was hard to find good sidewalks, and it was snowing, so snow was building on ice and it was so slick. So after 10 minutes of literally running laps around my building I went inside.

Then I went to more of the "Get Connected" stuff, which was surprisingly really fun. There was a BBQ where we played games and te games I thought were a blast! Hard to explain online, so I won't try. But a lot like EFY games for those of you who went.

Then I went on a campus tour. Oh my heck, that did not help at all. I still don't know my way around. It will take some time.

The BEST part of the day? I fell. Twice. The first time in a parking lot, I was walking alone, and I fell right as a car was driving by, and of course, he laughed as he drove by, and of course, I COULD SEE HIM! Jerk. Good luck finding an eternal companion with that arrogance! Anyway. The second time, it was me and 10 other people in my orientation group. I was walking in front of the group, and of course, the perfect spot of ice came along for me to fall flat on my but on. It was hilarious though, even I was laughing this time. And everyone was so nice to put out their hands and offer to help me up.

Good story about last night (congrats if you're still reading! You rock for reading my long long posts! I love you for it!) Two guys from our ward came over last night. I was in my pink pajamas, the ones I do everything in, and chilling in my room. My roommate then knocked on my door and said "Hey, two guys from our ward are here! Come visit with us!" My immediate response was, "Uh, I'm going to change real fast!" She convinced me other wise. So I went out there and talked with them in my pink pajamas as well as my huge slippers that look like I literally look like I have pillows wrapped around my feet.

Then they invite us to watch a movie, and we went. It was so funny, on of the guys is from Ghana, so he is very dark, and he turned off the lights and said "Wow, you can't see me now!" It was hilarious. So the guys I've met have been so nice and sincere. Ok, I'm done. My little pinky hurts from typing. Maybe I'll go to the Student Health Center and see what they can do. Not that I'd be able to get there! Ha. Peace out.

My New Home

2009-01-04T16:47:00.002-07:00

Here are pictures of my apartment, I was FINALLY able to decorate!

Leaving the Nest

2009-01-03T21:32:00.002-07:00

My mother, standing right next to my car, looking at me forming the biggest
"B-Y-U-I" letters that she possibly can with her body. It is freezing, frost bite will set in any moment, and she is wearing capris. Where are we? Rexburg, Idaho, directly outside of AmericInn. I am flying away towards my apartment, off to the next adventure in my life. I am free and the only thing I think about is, "Where is my Queen CD so I can blast to 'I Want to Break Free'?"

Behind me is Colorado, Highlands Ranch, High School, my old ward and everything that I am ready to throw off my back. Yet, there will always be that place for those things in my heart. While those "things" if you will, did and do define me, they didn't mold me into the perfect Laura.

I'm ready for something new to come along and shake my life up and around. Something to spit me out and spew me across the surface 'till the ice cracks, I've got no clue where I am, and I must find a way to quickly get back to the ice before I drown. That's what is here at BYU-Idaho. Lots of ice.

My camera has NO battery, so pictures of my room and new hair must unfortunately wait 'till tomorrow. Sorry, I know you all were very excited. But I must be off to bed. Church is at 8:15!

The Last's

2009-01-01T21:34:00.002-07:00

Tonight is the last time I will...

sleep on a pillow top mattress
sit in the same worn out spot on the couch
watch the office with my dad
blog from this home
brush my teeth in the bathroom upstairs
fall asleep to the sound of the swooshing fan in my room
get tucked in by my mommy
for now at least....

Tomorrow I embark on a journey to Idaho. Am I sad? Right now, no. Will things change on Saturday night when I've said good-bye to my parents and am thrown into the world of unknown on Sunday? Possibly. But at this point, I'm feeling good about things. The car(s) are packed, and I'm almost off to bed for the last time. 'tll April. It will be a long drive on Friday, and we will probably have a good story or two about something that happens. But 'till then, know that I'm more excited then anything.

Humorous happenings of 2008

2008-12-31T20:30:00.002-07:00

First and foremost, I dropped my phone in the toilet. Ok, I'm glad we got that obvious one out of the way.

Melissa got married. Uh, this isn't a humorous one, but a very joyous one. Douglas and Melissa are happy and expecting, and starting a wonderful eternal and blissful journey together.

I graduated from High School. This, some may find humorous. I can understand if you do, I mean, I did barely pass the minimum attendance for senior year. But then again, half the time I ditched no one knew. If the Mountain Vista Administration only knew the special deal Mrs. Lammers and I had going on, my diploma would be revoked!

I lost 20 pounds. For a year, mmm...that's not a lot of progress. But hey, it's progress, so I must give myself credit. I'm hoping for more this year.

I made a twin size quilt!

I worked at Deseret Book. That job had many benefits. I killed two birds with one stone by eyeing cute missionaries and checking them out (someone PLEASE pick up on the pun there...if only Peter could see this...) . Tuesdays were the best days to work, P-day for these missions; and I didn't work them often, so it was a sweet treat...for the eyes ;)

Oh my, how could we forget the incident on the cruise. The shuffle board incident? Someone else may have to tell this story. For those who don't remember, I was on the slippery shuffle board, got myself all reved up like a car, and had my leg out behind me, and the other in front, the front leg slipped, and whew, there you go. My back leg flew up, my front leg was still stretched way out in front, and I fell right into the splits. I finally found some good and funny videos to illustrate what happened. So, imagine me doing this without the Rollerblades, and it was definitely not on purpose. Keep scrolling down to see the videos.

New phone

2008-12-31T11:38:00.005-07:00

It's been three months since I uh.... er..... "flushed" my phone down the toilet. For the past three months I decide not to be cell phone-less. Ha, that would totally kill my social life. So I began using J-me's phone. It had absolutely no phone numbers in it of MY friends, so it made complete sense :). So the other night, my dad and I went out to get a new phone. We got a very basic, but very cute, purple flip phone, very similar to The Razor. After using it for one day, with the millions phone calls I got, I noticed a nasty echo that was very annoying. I couldn't ignore it so I decided to get a new phone. So we go to the store last night, and picked out the enV. It's pretty slick, I know a couple people with it, and it' a stylish, sleek phone. I like it. I also got a hot pink silicone cover for it because of my tendency to drop things, particularly phones.

Good News!

2008-12-28T17:57:00.002-07:00

Yes! I got into Practical Homemaking last night! I was SO excited. I got home and thought, eh, what the heck, I'll check to see if there is an opening. And there was! I'm so excited! This way I figure I'll have connections with the professor, so I can use the sewing machines for other things maybe. Hopefully. Fingers crossed!

Did I mention that when you type in "So You Think Can Knit" on YouTube, by video is the first that comes up? Try it, and then watch it, and then email it to everyone you know. I'm hoping it will get popular, and maybe even "discovered" by someone who ahs the ability to give me something really cool. Anyway....

For those of you outside of Colorado, you are missing an incredible going away party for myself. Sorry you can't be here, I will miss you. Even those of you I don't know who read my blog, like you in England. Speaking of going to school, I know I will forget something, so I'm asking all who read this to leave a comment with the one thing you A) forgot yourself or B) think I may forget. Thanks for your helping me.

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T11:56:00.004-07:00

Christmas morning was a little different this year. I was the only child home, so a little lonely :( It all started when I thought I didn't have a stocking. Oh was I mad. We opened gifts and I got a TON of clothes, a rack for the back of my door in my apartment, a clothing shaver for my clothes that pill because I HATE that and lots and lots of cinnamon gum. Dad also made us yummy omelette's. My Dad got my mom a racquetball kit, and everything she'll need so they can play racquetball. Mom got Dad an electric blanket, so he can be warm without having to heat up the entire house. My mom likes to be cold. So then it was getting late, so I decided to go shower. When I got out, there was my stocking. I was so happy. I thought I wasn't going to get a stocking for the first time in my entire life. And it was probably the best stocking ever! Thanks mom. Then mom burned the cookies. Oh boy. She put in only 2 cookies to bake. The picture below, they look like chocolate cookies, and they ARE NOT chocolate cookies. They are

honey cookies, supposed to be a carmel color. Here are my slippers I wore Christmas morning too. They are supposed to be blueberries.

Christmas

2008-12-25T11:23:00.004-07:00

Christmas Eve has many traditions in the Brown Family. It all begins with a party at Grandma and Grandpa's home. There is a grand feast with potato skins, home made chexmix, cookies, a roast, cheese and crackers, a lot of food. So we eat dinner, then the singing begins. We start with the "fun" songs. Rockin' around the Christmas Tree, Silver and Gold ( personal favorite ), 32 Feet and 8 Little Reindeer, Jingle Bells ( Ben especially requested that one ), O Grandpa Brown ( to the tune of 'O Christmas Tree' ) and of course, Santa Clause is Coming to Town. For the last song, Santa is coming to town, we have props, and a big act that happens. But, this year, things were a little different. Usually it's the big finale, but....it was different this year. We had some newbies, and Jeff, Brian and I were the ones who were supposed to direct things, but we were a little rusty. It's a complicated act we put on, the older Grandchildren all know that. Hard to explain, something you have to see in person. So anyway, we did that, and it was funny this year, 99% of the time our backs were to the audience. After the "fun" songs, Grandpa reads the Christmas stories intermingled with hymns. Very beautiful. Then we open the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa. The boys get rockets, and the girls get a different decoration that has to do with some holiday. This year we got Christmas wreaths.

Some of the best parts of the evening?

The piano. Oh the piano. Katie does a wonderful job playing it. It's so out of tune, and unfortunately doesn't give Katie justice for how well she plays.

When Brayden asked Ryan, "Why are we singing Silent Night three Times?" We sang it twice, and Brayden was getting impatient to open gifts.

When Allison asked Grandpa if he had to eat every single popsicle to get so many popsicle sticks that made up the fences on the wreaths. (See the picture belo

w). Grandpa was really hilarious about it.

When Grandma told me that when the kids were younger, she would have successive cookie baking parties for all four of them individually! They all would invite friends over, individually, and for four days in a row, she would bake cookies with them. So much work!

When Grandpa got Grandma the beautiful double strand pear

l bracelet. It was so sweet, while we were eating dinner, Grandpa whispered to ask me to get a present behind the bar for Grandma, and act like I just found it, and didn't know who it was from, and then give it to Grandma for her to open. She was so surprised and had no clue, it was special.

My Dad told me to mention the salmon dip. Good job Uncle Scott and Aunt Laurie.

My Mom told me to mention simply being together under one roof and singing together.

We didn't get a ton of pictures, so refer to the best blog ever here :) for more of your Brown family Christmas fix!

Things I do in my Pajamas...

2008-12-25T10:51:00.007-07:00

I have a special place in my heart for pajamas. One pair I've recently acquired are very special, they are what Peter and I call my "cloud" pajamas. As you can see, they do not have clouds on them. They have pink roses instead. They remind me of a Grandma, but that's ok. I still like them. So anyway, on Christmas, this post is an ode to my pajamas.

Oh pajamas I love you so

Pants so long to cover my toe

'Tis not my foe, but friend indeed.
Just perfect for a good read.

Cooking in you is so fun
I'm not so sure about wearing you for a run.

Unless that run be to the market.

In Boston, Mel and I went the market in our pajamas at, oh, 8:00 in the morning...I thought it was acceptable.

I sift flour in them for Honey cookies on Christmas Eve...

I grind peppermints in the food processor for peppermint bark...

I make silly faces in them while grinding the peppermints...

Thrift Store Day

2008-12-23T21:54:00.002-07:00

I went to the Thrift Store today with madre. I was SO anxious and excited because I was sure I would find some really good stuff, especially after my awesome day there last week. Well, it didn't go as well. It all started when I was pileing shirt after shirt, sweater after sweater, into my cart. After, oh, an hour, I was ready to try on. So, I did. I literally tried on 30 different things. And came home with 3. I got a cute cable sweater that matches my glasses, a really cute workout shirt that's hot pink, and a crazy blue zip up pullover for "running" that has neon yellow adidas stripes on the arms. Pretty sick.

Then I went to work. Oh my, what a disaster. We had about 60 dozen rolls on order for Christmas. As of 5:00 this evening, we had literally only 8 dozen in the freezer. Things went wrong when the snow hit Wyoming. Thus, the truck that had 180 dozen rolls to deliver never made it. The truck is still stuck in Salt Lake. We had to call people one by one and tell them the bad news. These are people who REALLY like our rolls. I don't really understand the concept of having another person make rolls for you because I've always grown up with homemade rolls, whether it be Grandma, Mom or Ryan. So anyway, we called the people, some OK with it, some very upset. A lot of gasps and "You're kidding me! I have 30 people coming over!" It was a little awkward. There were a lot of silent moments after telling them the bad news. One phone call, I was slightly concerned the lady slumped over in shock.

Stick Shift

2008-12-17T11:57:00.002-07:00

I learned how to drive stick shift this summer, and here is a video my amazing driving professor Sonnie took. It's pretty good, make sure you watch the ENTIRE thing. ;)

2008-12-15T20:57:00.002-07:00

The first full day in Boston we went Candlestick bowling. It was so fun, but harder then regular bowling. The balls are a little bigger then a grapefruit, and the pins are straight, no curves. They don't have hips. Ha, I crack myself up. Anyway, we played two games, and Melissa beat me by only one point, BOTH GAMES! I was winning and had a great strategy going, but I guess it just wasn't good enough.

We also went to Mr. Bartley's burgers, a delicious burger place that is the epitome of the Boston dining experience. In the heart of Harvard Square, we were packed in that place like sardines! It was very fun, but cramped. The best part was the menu, and the menu and the way the orders were given. the waitress' would scream the orders at the top of their lungs. The funniest part, the names of the burgers range from the "Brittany Spears" to the "Viagra Burger". So the orders always sounded...interesting. I took a pic of the menu. If you enlarge it, you can probably read it.

The Ferry

2008-12-15T20:55:00.001-07:00

The ferry ride was king of fun. A little sea sick, the ride back to Boston was worse, but it's the only way to get there, so you have to take it I guess! As you can see it was freezing.

The Beach

2008-12-15T20:50:00.001-07:00

We went to the beach, despite the freezing cold. It was still beautiful, and fun because I found sea glass! Very unique sea glass may I add, it had a neat-o design on it, and it was a lime color. Lisa also found some sea glass, she found some smaller pieces that were some really pretty blue and green colors.

The Christmas festival

2008-12-15T20:42:00.002-07:00

On the second night of the trip, we went out to dinner at a really fun little bistro as I would describe it. Oh, and the next day we went to a Panini place that was so good! You must go there if you ever make your way to Martha's Vineyard. So back to that night. We went to this...thing...I don't know how to explain it. It was a garden store that had a big festivus of Christmas celebration! Lots and lotThe s of people and spiked egg nog. It was fun, the picture is of Lisa with snowflakes that she decorated with her preschool class. This festival we went to was like a Holiday show. Lots of trees decorated with ornaments that you could buy, and it was intensely decorated. I mean, this was not your ordinary room full of Christmas tree. There were at least, oh, 50 trees, each with a theme. Anyway, it was interesting. Hard to explain, but fun.

Christmas

2008-12-15T20:38:00.002-07:00

We got some great gifts while in Boston. Melissa and Douglas got me a really cute louis Vuitton wallet from China. Lisa and Brent got me a really cute journal, ornament, BYU-I magnet, and BYU-I car sticker of course! And how could we forget, melissa's little announcement. Mom made these really cute aprons for Lisa and Melissa-I got her hooked-and we had a fun time with our early Christmas presents in front of the beautiful tree Lisa decorated!

The Market

2008-12-15T20:35:00.002-07:00

Today was our last day in Boston, and the weather was beautiful! So beautiful that Melissa and I walked to the market in our pj's to get milk and eggs to make dutch babies for breakfast. Neither of us had gotten ready for the day yet, so we went in out pj's. We got some looks, but we like the attention.

Nightmare

2008-12-13T05:54:00.002-07:00

I had a TERRIBLE dream last night.

I've been knitting scarves all this time I've been waiting to go to school. I've made about 10, and love each one of them; with so much work put into them how could I not? So in my dream I was at the thrift store, and I realized the guy checking out next to me was buying a ton of scarves. So I look closer, and they were all mine! For some crazy reason I had donated all my scarves to the thrift store, and this dumbo was buying 'em all for $3.99 a piece! Uh, hello! The yarn for those scarves cost more then that. Then you have to add in money for the time that was spent, and not to mention a sort of "creativity fee", paying and rejuvenating the creativity within me. No not really. But anyway, it was so sad to see all my scarves go away like that :(

That's it for today. We we are having a wonderful time on our vacation.

Somebody has some exciting news...

2008-12-11T07:25:00.001-07:00

Shoveling Snow

2008-12-09T10:11:00.002-07:00

I've lived in Colorado all my life, and today was probably the...second...time in my life I've shoveled snow? I usually leave it up to my Dad. But today, my mother convinced me to go out and shovel the driveway. I spent, oh, 20 minutes dinking around just making it harder for myself. Like, I didn't clean my car off before I shoveled which was sitting in the driveway before i started, and without realizing it I was throwing snow into our walkway up to our house. That was dumb, it took me a while to figure that out. Major blond moment. After I finally figured out what I was doing, I decided to get serious. So I came up with a system, as inefficient as it was, but I finally got it done. Our driveway faces south, so the sun melts the snow in th morning, and I would say the sun was melting the snow faster then I could get to shoveling it all out of the way. But regardless, it got done. If only someone would visit us today, so they could walk on a clean driveway. Then I would feel like my work went somewhere.

My Sunday

2008-12-07T19:37:00.004-07:00

This evening I made breakfast for dinner. And I've never made them before, and I've always wanted to try them so I made Dutch Babies! Very easy and delicious! Here is the before and after if you've never made them before. And they are fun to see how they will grow all strange.

Dad is resting and recovering very well from his surgery. He seems to still be in pain, and he's still limping, but he went to church and all his meetings today, so he's doing really well. Let's hope it continues to get better for Boston.

Has anyone seen Journey to the Center of the Earth? While there are some major cheesy parts, it's still really good. I think the part that is the cheesiest is the very end when they slide down the hill. The special effects in this part are pretty bad. But other then that, my dad and I were really impressed. I realized as we were watching that originally it came out in theaters as 3-D, so there are some scenes that are meant to be 3-D that you see not 3-D and you're just sitting thinking, "mmm...odd". So if you're looking for a good movie, give that a try.

Things I've Learned Today

2008-12-06T21:38:00.002-07:00

1) Soup is hot. Don't test it directly out of the pan, you'll burn your tongue. Then, you will proceed to eat the rest of the day, and everything will be tasteless. Good lesson learned at this late age.

2) Ward Party Banquets aren't always a five class dinner to look forward to. I got off work at six, and I was excited because I wanted something good for dinner, and I knew there would be good stuff at our Ward Christmas Party. So, I head over there all excited, and I was wrong. The casserole wasn't cooked, I got lectured about not taking any salad by the lady serving salad, and the meat was...bloody. So I stayed, oh, 10 minutes, then left. Better luck next time.

3) Hancock is dumb. The movie does take a surprising turn, yet turns into some romance sci-fi three-quarters of the way through. Just strange.

4) Listen to your manager at work. Today at work I was getting a special order off my managers desk for a customer. He told me as I was getting the order that the items should be $5.00 a piece rather then $15.00 because the customer ordered 12. I said ok, thought nothing and processed nothing of it and proceeded to the register. Then, the woman was shocked when they rang up for $15.00 a piece. I said, I'm sorry, I don't know what to tell you, this is the price, I can't change it so dramatically to $5.00. She then told me "your manager told me it was $5.00 a piece, not $15.00". I was like, uh, nice try on trying to get a better deal. I then was fed up with it, so I went back to his office. It was not until I was telling him about the ordeal that it occurred to me what he had said just before I left his office. Hey, give me a break, Saturdays are long days at Deseret Book.

5) Never try to rip reinforced packaging tape. I was boxing up something to be mailed out today, I couldn't find any scissors and I was in a hurry. In the past, I've been able to rip tape. I know, you can close your mouths now. So today, I thought hey, I can do it again. This was not your normal tape. It was the kind with the chicken wire looking thread running through to reinforce it. Ah, so painful. I didn't get far needless to say. Lot's of bandaids were necessary....

Looking back on my day, before I lay my head on my pillow to sleep, I realize now these are all "no-brainers". Hey, the best teacher is experience, and the best experience is...(nothing's coming to me...I was trying to go for a new quote everyone would start telling their grandchildren, and put on bookmarks and in inspirational books, but I spent five minutes thinking about it and I'm blank) So I can now add these stories to my journal, and infinite bank of wisdom tucked in my head.

Funny Thing I Did Yesterday

2008-12-05T14:33:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, I went to pick up my laptop which FINALLY came in the mail to Dad's office. He works in the tech center, and for those who are not familiar with the area it is a little confusing on some of those streets. Well, as I was exiting the parking lot I ended up turning left....onto the wrong side of the street. Lucky me, there were no cars coming. Really lucky me. I only went about 20 feet and then quickly turned left again correcting myself. Looking back on it now, it was very blond of me. and hey, I'm usually not a blonde, I consider myself pretty smart :).

My Favorite Things

2008-12-04T18:25:00.003-07:00

This year, i thought "Oprah's My Favorite Things" show was LAME-O. She did "How to Have a Thriftiest Holiday Ever" show. Now, I know, we all should be careful where our money goes, but still, we want to see the people who walk out of there with literally thousands of dollars of electronics, clothing and luxury items. It's just fun to watch. So, I've decided to make my own "My Favorite Things" of the things I have I love most.

Mittens on a string
While these may seem "childish" I wear them everywhere. When Melissa gave them to me for Christmas years ago, I didn't realize how cool they were. Now, I know. And, I've had them for years, because it is impossible to lose them! Thanks Melissa. You've had that motherly insight in you all your life :)

iPod Nano

Uh...mmm....I bought an iPod today, the new purple iPod Nano. I revolve around music. Now I know you're thinking, why the heck did you buy an iPod Nano? I wanted one to use with the Nike arm band system. It was only $150, and I had a very generous pay check this week thanks to my holiday bonus, so I figured, why not. The Nike system will also help get me in tip top shape! I'm finally to the point where I can run if I want. I have to push myself really hard, but I can now say "I'm going on a run. Be back in 30." And that's been one of my goals for a long time.

Cameras
What a wonderful invention these babies are. No, I didn't buy a new camera too like some of you may suspect :). Think how dull our memories would be if it wasn't for cameras. Pictures trigger the memories we may have never remembered without. Love 'em.

Purple Tulips
Last week when I was at the grocery store buying flowers for Thanksgiving, I saw a bouquet of purple tulips I really wanted, but I knew that they would not be the best flowers for Thanksgiving. So, I didn't buy them. But, ever since I've been thinking about their pure, simple beauty. Some day I'll travel to a giant tulip field and run through it.

Unfortunately, you reading this will not get you all these items and then some like you would get if this were Oprah. Sorry.

But what are your favorite things? give it a thought and respond in a comment below. Can't wait to hear!

Dad Update

2008-12-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Dad is having surgery tomorrow night around 5:00. I haven't heard much back from him, but I assume that mean he did tear his meniscus. So, wish him the best! Hopefully, he will be up and going before we go to Boston in a week!

Ruffles!

2008-12-03T12:20:00.004-07:00

Ladies, ruffles are IN this winter season! The feminine touch can be seen on shoes, sweaters, blouses and purses. This little detail adds a romantic flair to any outfit and aid in you looking fabulous. I went shopping this morning to return stuff (don't worry, I didn't buy anything) and I saw them everywhere!

Here's where you can get your ruffle fix!

Target has Merona cardigans for $22.99 in an aray of colors! The ruffle goes along the collar and lines where you button the cardigan. They are a little tricky to find when you are going through their clothes, you have to look hard, they are folded on a table. At the store I went to they were hidden in the back.

Old Navy is featuring ruffle sweaters in many colors, but good luck finding one! I couldn't find one at the Old Navy store here, but I did find the exact one, STILL with tags at MIle High Thrift Store for $5! Good luck finding one there too... But if you look online, you can buy one there.

Check out Ann Taylor Loft for some more ruffle cardigans! Many colors to choose from

Next time you are shopping just keep your eyes peeled, and you will see ruffles everywhere like I did.

Update on Dad

2008-12-03T09:57:00.002-07:00

About a month ago, I convinced Dad to come to one of my insane workout classes with me. We went to "Everlast Shadow Box". Prior to going together, I had been several times, so I was familiar with the routine and knew Dad could handle it. It's just like what is sounds, a boxing class. With moves focusing on punching, I thought of all things Dad would hurt it would be his shoulder, arm, etc. Especially with his super high upper-cuts which were very impressive ;). So for a couple weeks after the class, Dad complained a lot about his knee. Then, last week, while working out with his trainer, it popped. Instantly, he could not walk, and the pain was immense. His trainer immediately helped him sit down and ice it. Long story short, he got an MRI last night, and it looks like he tore the meniscus. So, I'm the one to blame, because I insisted Dad come to this class with me. Let's just hope it gets all healed before we go to Boston next week, or things might not be so fun. Wish him the best please, and keep him in your prayers.

If it is a torn meniscus, he said they will dig around and clean things out. So, as soon as we find out the results I will update again.

No Go

2008-12-03T08:22:00.002-07:00

She's still here! Vicki is still on the Biggest Loser, and that is just wrong, as Dad would say. But, the good news is, as Allison announced last night during a commercial, America will decide who the third contender is in the competition. And I think that there is a good size of Americans strong against Vicki.

Don't rent the Music Within! It's rated R. I got it in the mail from Blockbuster, and was so sad to discover that it is rated R. It looks so good, and sometimes I forget to check the rating when I add movies to our queue online, and this was one of my forgetful moments I guess. So I guess you could call this a "recall" like with toys, because I was racing about this movie once I saw a preview, again, not realizing it is rated R.

Anyone know what to do about charlie horses? I got a charlie horse last night, and I continue to get them once a month. They've always been in my left calf in the exact same spot, and last night, it was in my right calf just below my knee! And why do they continue to be in the meddle of the night. Melissa, do you have answers?

She's Bad

2008-12-02T17:59:00.002-07:00

If you watch "The Biggest Loser" you know Vicki is bad. Real bad. She's a witch that will stop at nothing to get what she wants. For weeks, she has had the blue team, except Amy, wrapped around her finger. She leads them on in the battle of the bulge, which for Vicki, has turned into the clash for cash. She seems to no longer care for the true purpose of this game to lose weight, but seems to be focusing solely on the $250,000 grand prize. Tonight, it's out with the old. We want to see Vicki go! Watch this video to see just how bad she is.

I wish I could take credit for it.

Biggest Loser 6: Vicky Gives 'Em Hell @ Yahoo! Video

Class Schedule Change

2008-12-02T07:57:00.002-07:00

I had to change my schedule around, because apparently, college algebra is class 110 and you can only take it if you've taken or test out of class 108. Sorry, I was under the impression things began at 110, and that 110 was the basic math class. So, I thought, hey I can pass out of 108 easy. The last class I took was AP Statistics with Hazelwood. I was wrong. Way wrong. I went online, and tried the "pass out test"; failed with flying colors! So I'm thinking if I have time, I can study for it first semester and try to pass out of it second semester and take college algebra second semester. We'll see if that happens. So, I had to rearrange my schedule and added a new class. I'm going to take Baroque art. What will I do with that you all wonder? I don't know. We'll see what I come up with. But I was telling a good friend the other day, the idea of a career excites me, but not like it does other people. So, I don't know what I'll end up doing. But, I figure this will give me a taste if I want to go into art or not.

Well, bad news :( Mom and I didn't buy enough fabric to finish my quilt, so we are going to have to trek back to the fabric store to get more. Hopefully they have the original fabric we wanted to use, or that will be a bummer. So for those of you dying with anticipation to see the quilt, hang in there a little longer and breathe. It will be done hopefully by the end of the week.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T07:30:00.003-07:00

LIke every other blogger on the world wide web, I have photos to post from the annual day of thanks which occurred last Thursday.

Dinner was scheduled to start around 2:30. For those that were there, ha, you know that didn't happen. Rather, we ate about 4:15. The turkey was not cooked, rolls had to be backed and casseroles were still waiting to be cooked. But, regardless of our late eating, we had plenty of fun.

There was a Loopin' Louie' contest, and Ben was quite the player. Brayden hardly got a chance to hit Louie' because Ben was hitting him so hard on his turns, it was funny.