An accounting of 2012

2012... A pretty happy year (well, happier than 2011)

In 2012:
- I went on a Disney Cruise to Mexico
- I went to Disneyland
- I went to Walt Disney World
- I got new carpet in the apartment
- I finally replaced my work purse
- I was called to be a Relief Society teacher (which made me love going to church again)
- I only finished reading one book, regrettably (but I did start several books. I have a recently developed habit of not finishing books I get bored with)
- I watched both the first and second seasons of Star Trek the original series
- I only bought 1 new pair of shoes (I do not know if this is a good or bad thing)

Goals for 2013:
- to be a more positive person, inside and out. I need to keep my opinions and cynicism to myself; negativity is a poison I need to expell out of my life.
- try something new I find on Pintrest at least once a month
- do my visiting teaching


PS: this is my 102 post of 2012. I wrote 101 post in 2011 and 100 posts in 2010. My goal is to post 103 times in 2013

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Happy New Year 2013!!!!

Saturday Seething, part 57 of a 444 part series

This is the last Saturday Seething of 2012!!!
The post Christmas grumpiness is something that always annoys me. Yes, I'm a little bit grumpy most of the time, but it always is difficult when it seems everyone else is grumpy too. We spend 24 days spreading Christmas Cheer and then by the 26th it's all gone. It's odd but very true.

On happier thoughts...

The best way to spend the last Saturday of 2012? Watching Lord of the Rings at the cabin of course!!
After seeing The Hobbit, a lot of things make more sense and the beginning is rather clever in details mentioning what happens in The Hobbit. I'm always a fan of cleverness.

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Christmas + Cat Nip = This

Millie couldn't stop rubbing her face on her new perch from my mom and Fiona was literally drooling. SO FUNNY!!!

Crazy Christmas 2012

So family photos were not a total failure- hooray!!!!!!!!
Half way through the shoot we did a silly face photo and turned out to be my favorite, mainly because all the kids are looking at the camera (miracle!!!).
Merry Christmas from the Deyhle, Dawson, Beach, and Powell Family

Stockings are hung by the fire with care

Thanks Cinnamon Santa

Cinnamon Santa says, "Let your Christmas Vacation Begin!!"... Well that is what I think he said. I couldn't really hear him that well as I ate his head.
Merry Christmas!!!

Saturday Seething, part 56 of a 444 part series: 198

I have worked 194 hours in the past month (only 4 more to go for a total of 198!!!!!!!).
I have 38 hours of over-time coming my way so I'm not too upset about it but I am thoroughly exhausted.
This is my fourth Christmas at the gallery; I hit the wall about 2 days ago but the season does get easier every year. I have only cried once, so far, and still feel charitable and semi- filled with the Spirit of Christmas (which is first in 4 years).
I am very much looking forward to the next 3 days that I have off from work and taking family pictures at the cabin. Fingers crossed that the kids behave and the adults don't hate me for bossing them around.

Merry Christmas!!!!

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My continued battle with Christmas Music, 2012 Edition

The most efficient music to drain a person's will to live is The Carpenters Christmas played over and over.

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Happy Hobbit Weekend!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtCOQMfNaLQ&sns=em


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Vicious Cycle (Diet Dr. Pepper)

I had a large Diet Dr. Pepper at 1 pm yesterday and I am still wide awake at 2 AM. I haven't had a large caffeinated drink in a long, long time- maybe a month or so. It never used to affect me but now I feel old. I can totally see how it can be a vicious cycle: you are tired so you drink a little in the afternoon, which perks you up but then you can't fall asleep so you stay awake which makes you even more tired tomorrow. Agh!!! Too bad I still LOVE Diet Dr. Pepper :)
It is 2 AM and so far I have watched ALL The Office Christmas episodes, a Star Trek TOS season 2 episode, an episode of Khloe and Kourtney Take Miami (all thanks to Nextflix), plus some beauty tutorials on You Tube, and I still can't calm my mind down. I will be suffering tomorrow!! It's that vicious cycle.

PS: I'm really bummed I forgot to blog on 12/12/12. It is probably the last triple digit date I will experience in my life and I forgot to mark the occasion on my blog. That makes me sad.

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Saturday Seething: part 55 of a 444 part series

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that majority of sadness is due to un-met expectations.
We plan, we dream, we set expectations and when things do not turn out how we imagined, we are disappointed.
It is really hard to deal with the repercussions of un-met expectations but then you can't stop dreaming and planning of the future. No matter how sad and disappointed you may be, it is important to keep dreaming; keep expecting good things will happen.

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Happy Christmas 2012!!!!

This video is the perfect way to kick-off Christmas!! It is Jimmy Fallon and Mariah Carey singing her hit "All I Want for Christmas" with The Root accompanying them with classroom instruments. It is BRILLIANT!!!
Happy Christmas!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEfszb9h8Q&sns=em


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Saturday Seething: part 54 of a 444 part series Agh!! Late posts

So I posted my previous post on Thursday morning but it is just now showing up on the blog- agh!!

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Scott Gustafson Christmas Show 2012!!

My gallery is hosting artist and illustrator Scott Gustafson tomorrow night!! I am really pumped to have such a famous and wonderfully talented artist come. I have been stressing about it, but not as much as I usually do for shows. Sadly, I woke up yesterday at 4 AM and started throwing up (hooray for the stomach flu). Major bummer because I have so much work to do to prepare for the show. I am back to work today and still feel terrible but at least now I am functional. Interesting connection: at least 15 or more people in my singles ward also have the stomach flu… We really need to cancel the kissing parties after Sunday School- ha ha ha!!

Please come to the show tomorrow night if you are able to. We will have light refreshments and lots of fun, charming illustrations and fine art editions from Scott Gustafson. Plus we have some of his books which make great gifts all year long: Classic Fairy Tales, Favorite Nursery Rhymes, and Twas the Night Before Christmas.  

 

 

Brother

Who would have thought that the brother that used to torment me a child would be one of my greatest friends as an adult? Happy Birthday Brother Dear!!!! Much love <3

Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

* I forgot to take a picture but I think Lesley and I looked really cute.

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Our Quick Version of Alice in Wonderland

Traditions, the end

Tonight we saw Breaking Dawn part Two. I have seen every Twilight midnight showing with my cousin Jenny. November 2008, Twilight at the Gateway, November 2009, New Moon at the Gateway, June 2010, Eclipse at Jordan Commons, November 2011, Breaking Dawn part One at the Gateway, and November 2012, Breaking Dawn part Two at Jordan Commons.
Thanks Jenny for keeping the tradition alive the past 4 years!! I'm kind of sad it's over but there are plenty of other film series to obsess about (The Hunger Games!!!).

Video of Winter Wonderland 2012

Winter Wonderland, November 11, 2012

Happy Veterans Day!!!!
It's been snow for nearly 48 strait hours. Lesley and I have been staying with Ashley and Aaron this weekend and have loved playing in the snow. They shoveled the driveway yesterday but you can't even tell this morning!

The Moment, The Man, The Right Time

Romney Ryan 2012


Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByRsaeiv2xc&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Revenge Or Love Of Country

You have got be kidding me!!! Obama stated at a rally event not to Boo Romney but to vote because voting is the best revenge. Are you kidding me?!!!!
Romney's counter is brilliant: vote for love of country. Simple and honest. Vote because you love America and not for all the stuff government can give you. To quote JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country"!!!
Romney Ryan 2012!!!!!!!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShdiYQ1EHvA&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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WDW- Day 7

We started our last day by sleeping in a bit, checking out of our hotel, and spending a few hours at Epcot. We rode Living With the Land, walked World Showcase again (had to hit up the Karamel shop one last time), ate lunch in Paris, used up the last of our snack credits, rode Spaceship Earth, and got a drink at Club Cool.
It was really hot but we soaked up every last ounce of sun; we came home that night to 40 degrees and snow!!
It was a great trip and I loved every second of it!!!!!!!!

WDW- Day 6 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

This party was awesome!!!!
We all dressed as Alice in Wonderland characters, trick-or-treated around The Magic Kingdom, watch the most awesome parade full of Disney "villains", had really short lines for the rides, met characters, took lots and lots of pictures (check out Facebook and Instagram), got home at 1 AM and wanted to cut off our feet since they hurt so much. It was a great night!! If you like Halloween at all, you should totally go to a Disney Halloween party for sure!!!

Real Change From Day One

Mitt Romney: "I won't just represent one part, I will represent one nation."
I know this video is a little long (aprox. 26 minutes) but this closing argument, if you will, by Mitt Romney is exactly why I am thrilled and proud to be voting for him on Tuesday November 6, 2012.
He said Americans don't need to settle for more of the same. Americans are people who build and dream. Words are cheap so judge a man by his actions and when you look at Mitt's biography you can see exactly what type of man he is: bold, giving, committed, smart, thoughtful, successful, confident, kind, honest. People in Washington don't know how to "handle" him because they refuse to believe men of such integrity actually exist; therefore they demonizes him for his wealth and success (and his weird-ness, which they invented but I guess being honest and earnest in Washington is kind of weird!).
I am very curious to hear of people's reasoning in re-electing President Obama, and not in attacking Mitt Romney. Attacking the challenger is not a good reason to re-elect a president.
Please, if you are curious at all about what Mitt Romney stands for or what he will do in the White House, please take the time to listen to this speech. Listen with an open mind and heart. If you want to counter my argument, I will listen to a President Obama speech you believe in with an open heart and mind too.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTjzzsGwbk&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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I'm With Mitt

Romney Ryan 2012!!!!!!!
6 more days people- get out and vote!!

Darth Vader: What Are You Going to Do Next?

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbH1SEsqiE&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Happy Halloween 2012!!!

Saturday Seething (part 53 of a 444 part series)

I am so disappointed in myself- I haven't Saturday Seethed in 2 months!!!
Blogging consistently is already a challenge (especially with Facebook and Instagram) but doing a series is even more difficult.
I guess you could argue, "Well Alli, maybe you are a lot happier now and simply don't have that much to "seeth" about" and you would be mostly right, but I really enjoy Saturday Seething more as a humorous joke rather than actual anger.

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WDW- Day 6

Today we did half day at Animal Kingdom then went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party that night.
AK always feel so hot to me, maybe it's all the trees and a general tropic/humid feeling. We got to the park and got fast passes to Expedition Everest, rode Triceratop Spin while Cam and Val rode Dinosaur (a ride that I am terrified on and will try hard to never ride it again. Dinosaurs are scary!!), took a Safari, ate a frozen banana (there is always money in the banana stand), had a delish lunch at Flame Tree by the water overlooking Mount Everest, and left the park around 3:30. Lesley really wanted another Mickey rice krispie from Goofy's Candy Co so we took a shuttle to Downtown Disney. We got back to the hotel around 5 pm and got ready for the party which was at The Magic Kingdom.
Stay tuned for the party post!!

WDW Day 5

Today we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We had a great time riding Toy Story Mania 3 times, Rock N' Roller Coaster 2 times, Tower of Terror 2 times, and Star Tours 4 times. We also rode The Great Movie Ride and took an animation class where we learned how to draw Eyore. We came back to the hotel for an afternoon nap and went back to the park around 5 pm. We had a lot of fun like we always do at this park. If I had 1 day at Walt Disney World, I'd go to Hollywood Studios as it has almost all my favorite rides, good food (Red Velvet cupcakes at Starring Rolls!!), and it's an easy park to walk around. I loved today!!

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure- Day 4

Yesterday we took a day off of Disney and headed over to Universal Studios mainly to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We got up early and rented a car (cheaper than hiring a taxi for all 5 of us) and drove to USIOA. We headed right over to Harry Potter which is in the back corner of the park. We walked through a Dr Suess themes land and The Last Continent to get to HP. HP was SO WORTH it!! This land has 3 rides and several shops and Olivander's wand shop where they give a presentation on how a wand picks a wizard. Valie was the "wizard" chosen during our presentation- SO cute!!!! This was a total highlight of the day (first highlight was Butter Beer but more on that later).
The main ride is a motion/projection ride on an enchanted bench through the world of HP where we encounter dragons, spiders, whomping willow, and dementors. We also fly through and around the castle and become part of the action in a quiddich match. I have never been on a ride like this before- it was fantastic!! The second ride is a kiddie coaster (which I got sick on!!) themes like you are riding a hippogriff, and the third ride is a dragon themed thrill coaster with inversions and cork screws. I missed out on riding this because I was feeling SO sick but that is when I found out Butter Beer has magical powers to cure motion sickness. Ok, not really true but it worked for me. I loved everything about Harry Potter world and think they could have an entire theme park all to themselves.
After HP, we went to Jurassic Park (similar to US in LA). After that section is a toon section with water rides (rafts and log flumes) where people were getting soaked. After that section is a comic book section with a Spiderman ride and a huge green coaster named after The Hulk. Spiderman was surprisingly good, like Indian Jones at Disneyland but in 3D. The Hulk was an incredible launching coaster with tons of inversions and cork screws.
Over all, I had a great day but I missed the Disney magic, the details and touches and service. Outside of Disney, I would say this is one great amusement park for sure- thrill rides and kiddie rides (Suess land would be awesome for young kids).

Butter Beer...

The cure for what ails ya 😃

Harry Potter World at Universal Studios

We are in Harry Potter World today!! Hogsmead is charming and magical. The castle is detailed and impressive. I got sick on the rides and am sitting on a bench trying not to puke (mega sad face) while my fam rides a dragon ride.
Happily, the weather is perfect, even a little on the cool side with non-existent humidity. I'll be happy just to sit here in Hogsmead and people watch.

WDW Day 3

EPCOT
We got to the park around 9:30 and rode Spaceship Earth first (no line and right when you walk in. It's the ride inside the geodesic dome). We then got fast passes to Soarin' and rode Living with the Land. We then hit up Club Cool and sampled different soda pop from around the world (Chinese Watermelon soda is my favorite!). We then went to World Showcase for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival- we got fillet mignon at the Canada stall. I instagramed the pic but believe me, it tasted so much better than it looked. We then went to the UK Pavillion and Les got fish and chips for lunch which we (Les, Cam, and I) shared. Cam had the great idea of us sharing a meal at several different places around "the world" and we could eat as we go. We ended up eating at Morocco, Mexico, and Japan with layovers in Germany and a cheese stall and lobster roll stall. We rode Mission Space (the less intense version- the intense version made me so sick last year) and went to Captain EO. We then went around the world and did a Perry the Platypus scavenger hunt at several pavilions. We are now on the shuttle back to our hotel.
Highlight of the day: taking a tour of a Vision Home in Innoventions that is energy efficient. The living room had the same curtains as my BFF K except in red instead of blue.
Weather was perfect today- zero humidity and in the mid 80s... Lovely!!

WDW Day 2

Magic Kingdom was great today... Almost perfect.
We got to the park right after opening (we missed rope drop by 3 minutes) and got right on Space Mountain. Then we headed over to Big Thunder Mountain and got a fast pass and got in line for Splash Mountain. Halfway through the line and the ride breaks and we exit the way we came. The ride stayed broken for the rest of the day. We then went to The Haunted Mansion, then Pirates of the Caribbean, had lunch at a place in Liberty Square. We went on Small World and Peter Pan. We got a sneak peek preview of New Fantasy Land which was totally awesome and I can't wait until all of it is officially open. We then did Tomorrow Land stuff (People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, and Laugh Floor), we went to Adventure Land and got fast pass to Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, and got a Dole Whip float (!!!). It was way hot and around 5:30 we all decided it was time to head back, go swimming, and get some dinner at the resort.
Highlights of the day were Space Mountain, Big Thunder, and seeing New Fantasy Land.
Tomorrow is Epcot and the International Food and Wine Festival!!!

WDW First Full Day

Today was our "lazy" day. We slept in until 11, went swimming, then lunch at 1:00. After lunch at the Pop Century resort, we took a shuttle bus to Downtown Disney and went to the Disney Christmas store, Goofy's Candy Co (where we got custom hand-dipped rice krispie Mickey heads dipped in chocolate and rolled in Butterfinger bits!!) and the World of Disney store. We found a great spot to take a seat and eat our Mickeys by the Lego store to people watch. We walked all the way to the West Side, basically the entire length of Downtown Disney then headed back to eat dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express (a favorite quick service restaurant). We headed back to our hotel around 6:30 and now I'm writing this blog post poolside while Lesley and Vickie read magazines. Such a fun day and a perfect relaxing start to our vacation. Tomorrow is Magic Kingdom day!!! Stay tuned...

PS: the weather is fantastic!! Still a little on the hot side but the humidity is super low so we can be outside without feeling like we're melting.

Wickedness Never Was Happiness

I have been thinking about that phrase a lot lately. “Wickedness Never Was Happiness”

I have been thinking abou the “pride cycle” illustrated by the Nephites in the Book of Mormon.

I have been thinking about the Children of Israel while being led in the wilderness by Moses.

I have been thinking about several of my friends who have chosen to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or more like chosen to live a different lifestyle than what the Church has taught them.

As children, we are taught consequences to our choices and usually those consequences are immediate. You brake a rule- you get punished. In some ways, I see the scriptures have that same instant reaction (relativley instant). The Children of Israel build a golden calf while Moses is receiving the 10 Commandments but when he sees their wickedness, the tablets are destroyed and the the CoI have to wait to receive the law and end up wandering for 40 years. Laban gets his head cut off by Nephi after threatening the sons of Lehi’s life and refusing to give up the Brass Plates. King Noah is burned by fire after killing Abinadi at the stake. Cities are destoyed because of the people’s wickedness (wicked meaning not following the commandments or the word of God. I really don’t think you can be considered “wicked” unless you know better; wicked can only be used after you have had/experienced the light of God or have been warned by Prophets).

In reality, bad things happen to good people and “wicked” people seem to go on in life without major conseqences. Good vs Evil is so clear cut in comic books or movies, but in the real world, the battle between good vs evil happens in much more of a gray area.  We were talking about this yesterday in Relief Society. The lesson was from the Teachings of the Prophets George Albert Smith manual about being on the Lord’s side. Our world today makes it seem so easy to strattle the line (one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in Babylon). In a child-like way, we still want to see good triumph and the wicked to be miserable (until they repent and apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ and experience the fullness of joy the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation brings). My favorite story in the Book of Mormon is the conversion of Alma the Younger. This guy was WICKED!! He was the son of the Prophet Alma and he and the sons of Mosiah, the king, spent thier time destroying the church and persecuting its members. An angel of the Lord was sent to them to warn them of their wickedness. The Lord didn’t mess around with them. He sent an angel to them since they were so wicked even the voice of the Prophet wouldn’t be enough to stop them. Alma experienced the pains of Hell and complete spiritual death and the misery that comes from living in your sins for all eternity. While in his suffering, he remembered what he was taught by his father about our Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins so that we could be free from them through His sacrifice. He called upon the Savior and asked for forgiveness and instantly he could remember his sins no more; he was free from the chains of misery. Alma never again turned away from the light and happiness he received from applying the Atonement and he spend the rest of his life spreading the Gospel and being firmly planted on the Lord’s side. Not all conversions are as powerful and immediate as Alma the Younger’s but it is such a great experience we can all strive for. I love when good is victorious!

We are taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only path to true joy and contains all happiness. I struggle a little bit with this; is it happy in this life? I know there will be all consuming joy in the Celestial Kingdom but this mortality is hard. Is it bad to want to be happy now and in the next life? A girl commented in RS that there are two kinds of happy: instant gratification happy and long term joy-like happiness. Going out and not caring about percieved right and wrong may bring instant happiness but most likely that feeling is fleeting and will only lead you further away from the true source of happiness, Jesus Christ. Being “the good girl” and standing firmly on the Lord’s side may be difficult in a world where you feel you stand alone but will give you deep satisfaction and long term happiness. Another girl commented that happiness is a choice. I think a happy attitude is a choice but I don’t think you can control your feelings (other than push them down and repress them) of happiness; feelings are irrational. We make choices everyday. Most of them are inconsequental and rather mundane but we make them usually estimating a happy outcome. I chose my outfit today because I wanted to be happy with my appearance. I chose what to eat for breakfast based on what would make me full and satisfied (and taste good!). The Lord gave us our agency so we could be happy, so we could make choices that would bring us happiness. It truly breaks my heart to see my friends, or even just people in general, make choices that seem to make them superficially happy but really they are sad and lonely, especially when a few simple changes could get them back on the path to true happiness. Wickedness Never was Happiness.

I feel sad and lonely a lot of time but I would consider myself to be a happy person overall. I have the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Reedeemer which means through Him, I can return to my Father in Heaven and be with Him for all eternity. Through God’s Plan of Happiness, I can become like Him and progress for forever.  These things are what make us happy. I would never presume that I know better than God of what will make me happy. I am happy because I have an eternal family which I will not do anything to jeopordize.  My family is what makes me the happiest here on Earth and I cannot imagine being happy in the next life without them. I am terrified about being alone for forever so I will do everything I can, be firmly on the Lord’s side, to make sure I will have my family with me for all eternity.  The Lord has promised to give us all that He has and He keeps His promises. It is up to us to keep our side of the covenenant; it is up to us to stay on the Lord’s side.

“Who’s on the Lord’s Side? Who?

Now is the Time to Show

We Ask it Fearlessly,

Who’s on the Lord’s Side? Who?”

My take on the first Presidential Debate

Obama: Uh Lie, lie, lie, uhhh lie, uh lie.
Romney: Well actually that's not true Mr. President.
Obama: Oh umm, lie, lie, lie, uuuhhh, um, lie.

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Check out my cool InstaStory of our Family Disney Cruise 2011

Check out my cool InstaStory: Family Cruise & Disneyland, April 2012

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Singing Praises Part 2- 3 confessions

1. I pretty much lost it when I saw the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson walk across the stand. I could only see the top of his head but the Spirit overwhelmed me and it hit me, "I'm singing not only to the world, but to the Prophet and to my Heavenly Father" and I felt SO humble (and nervous!!).

2. I LOVED seeing all the behind-the-scenes at the Conference Center. My sister Andrea is in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and it really exciting to see what sees almost every week. There are like 5 drinking fountains all in a row in a hallway off stage, 5!!! It was also a sight to see to look out and see a packed house in the Conference Center. It's probably something I will never see again but it was majestic. The Conference Center is an engineering marvel!!

3. They gave us a rehearsal CD to listen to, to help us learn the music. I really only listen to CDs in the car and Sister Waddlee asked us to pray for the companionship of the Spirit as we rehearse. She said to let the world know about the meaningful experiences we've had in the car by showing them through our faces. I don't know about you, but my car is my mini sanctuary where I scream, cry, pray, and sing, and I guess I never realized how important that time truly is in helping me internalize the Atonement.

And an added 4th confession-
I am so honored that they asked a YSA choir to sing. Most of the girls in the choir are in our late 20s and are either in graduate school or are working professionals. I have been struggling lately with feeling like there isn't a place for single women the Church. We aren't wives, we aren't mothers, but we are daughters of God. Being a part of this choir has helped alleviate some (not all) of my worries about the future for single women. We have a lot to contribute in building the Kingdom of God on the Earth.


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Singing Praises

We had the amazing opportunity to sing in the choir for the LDS General Relief Society Meeting tonight. It's been a long day (we had a call time of 1:40 pm) but very worthwhile.
We have been rehearsing Sunday nights for a month and I will be the first to admit that it was frustrating most of the time. The first few rehearsals, I felt like they wasted a lot of time on "touchy-feely" stuff and not on the notes in the music. I appreciate how much the choir director wanted us to have meaningful spiritual experiences but I think that emphasis could've come a little later in the process.
Now that it is all said and done, I had a great time and feel humble and grateful for this experience.
We had an early morning rehearsal last Saturday and Sister Reeves, second counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, gave a spiritual thought about making scripture study a necessity of life much like eating and sleeping. She referenced the Stripling Warriors in the Book of Mormon and the intense level of faith they had. She said we have and need that same level of faith.
Our conductor, Sister Waddlee, said this was our chance to show the world that LDS women are happy and strong, not oppressed or diminished in any way. We were singing our testimony of the reality of the Atonement and our knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He Lives!!
The songs we performed were chosen by Sister Burton, General RS President (this was her first General Meeting as President). She has been a Primary chorister several times and she loves how well primary songs teach doctrine. We sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus/He Sent His Son" and "I Need Thee Ever Hour", some of my favorite religious songs of all time. The lyrics of I Need Thee Every Hour are so sacred and truly a manifestation of the pleading desires of my heart. "Stay Thou near by, temptations loose their power when Thou art nigh. I need Thee, oh I need Thee; every hour I need Thee." Wow

Strong Bad E-mail: Sisters

Do you remember Strong Bad Emails at Homestar Runner from like 9-10 years ago?
This one is one of my favorites. People would ask me all the time if I had seen this video (Ali and Ali's Sister) when we'd first meet during Sophomore year at BYUI. The boys in my Bio Lab had a LOT of fun with this, especially after I told them I was an identical twin.
Enjoy the Nostalgia!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ruRwwgWEY&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Presently Obsessed

My super amazing, talented, hilarious, awesome, wonderful sister in-law has the greatest blog. www.presentlyobsessed.wordpress.com
She posted today part 1 of the Alice in Wonderland party she threw for my nieces' 9th birthday this past weekend. Check it out- it was FANTASTIC!!!!!

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This is How I Am Sleeping Tonight-

With Fiona sandwiched between my pillows and head board with her paw touching the top of my head. Doesn't she look cute?!!!
PS: I have Millie on my feet so I'm cuddled from head to toe (literally)!!

Even Better Downton Abbey Series 3 Trailer

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvw7J26V68U&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Downton Abbey Season 3 Preview (Coming to PBS Jan. 6, 2013) | Masterpiece | PBS

If you blog it, it will come!!! A season three teaser for Downton Abbey!!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZevgdSyxlZo&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Downton Abbey, Series 3

Downton Abbey’s third season will start airing soon in the UK but we still have to wait until January 2013 for it to air here in the States.

I once again, will try to remain spoiler free (like I tried last year) but I just can’t help my curiosity sometimes *coughcough- most of the time*

With our increasingly global society, I can’t understand why they delay broadcasting by 4 months. BBC used to delay the broadcasting of popular shows like Doctor Who but now they air at the same time in the UK and USA.

 

Oh well…

 

From the series image, you can see that the Crawley family is back to its pre-war elegance. It will be interesting to see the fall out of Mathew and Mary’s engagement, how Sybil and her husband Tom fit in the family dynamic, and the banter between Cora’s mother and the Dowager Countess.

I really hope Julian Fellows stops playing with us in the will they/won’t they between Mathew and Mary (they ended the Christmas Special with him proposing and she actually saying “yes” with a super romantic kiss and happy elated giggles). They have had their share of drama and deserve to be happy for a while. One aspect of drama I am really looking forward to is Sybil and Tom, who used to be the family chauffer. I also feel it is middle sister Edith’s turn for some juicy storyline. Edith had some tragic and sometimes icky storylines last season (like when she kissed the local married farmer- gross!!!!) and I would love for her to re-kindle her relationship with Sir Anthony Strallen from Series 1, but he was injured during the war as we saw when he reappeared in the Christmas episode and doesn’t seem interested in being in society any more.

 

Oh I just can’t wait to see where the 1920s takes the Crawley family!!!   

 

Migraine, part 3

Well it's almost 2 AM and I can't sleep. Probably has something to do with the 4 extra large Diet Dr Peppers I had in an attempt to knock out the migraine. On the bright side, I'm in quiet darkness so my pain level is low; most relief I've had since Monday!!

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Migraine, part 2

Migraine, Migraine go away

Come again on a day where I don't have to be at work for 10 hours!!

But at least I'm not nauseated anymore.

My friend B was right, Advil and Tylenol aren't cutting it.   

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Migraine

I think I'm having my first migraine and it totally isn't any fun.
I started to get the signs of a head ache this afternoon around 4:30. I thought for sure it was a dehydration/ low blood sugar "normal" headache so I stopped at the Maverick for a Diet Dr Pepper on my home from work. The early evening light made drivinh really painful abd i could hardly keep my eyes open. Right when I got home, I took some ibprofen and changed into comfy clothes. I laid down on the couch while Lesley made German Pancakes but the light and sounds were bothering me. My pain went from a mild 3 up to an 8 in about 60 seconds. I got super nauseated and had to go lay in my dark bedroom with a cold compress Sweet Les made me. I couldn't move for a good 30 minutes and could only focus on breathing and not throwing up. The pain was right behind my eyes and at the base of my neck. I tried to fake feeling better since Lesley had made German Pancakes that I have been craving for weeks and I didn't want to let her down. I got up and was able to walk to the couch. She had to leave for FHE with the singles ward and she left me on the couch. Happily, the nausea subsided about an hour after she left and I was able to eat some dinner and a yummy peach. I'm still in pain now but it is no where near as bad as it was.
I think it was a mini-migraine since I had extreme sensitivity to light and sound (I couldn't even watch my favorite show, The Big Bang Theory), and the nausea. I feel lucky it was only intense for about 2-3 hours. I took some Tylenol before bed which hopefully will help kick the remaining pain. Yucky!!!!

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Saturday Seething (part 52 of 444 part series)

High School Reunions have a bad reputation but I just got back from my 10 year and had a really great time!!
I wasn't even Suzy High School and still had an awesome time.

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10 Year High School Reunion

Tonight was our 10 year Waterford high school reunion. To be totally honest, I was dreading this event but happily it was a really wonderful evening. We all met at Spice, a local Indian restaurant, and had so much fun catching up and reminiscing. I went to Waterford for 10 years (Fall 1991- Spring 2002) and most of the people at the reunion started Waterford in Lower School (elementary) so basically we all grew up together. Some are married with kids, some are still in graduate school and live all over the country.
Everyone pretty much looked exactly the same which was a nice surprise and everyone seemed legitimately excited to see each other.
I snapped this photo in the car on the way to the reunion and I think we both look pretty which I think gave both of us more confidence. We weren't the most popular girls in high school and I was nervous because most of the girls I spent most of my time with during school were not coming tonight. Everyone was a friend tonight; lots of hugs and happy hellos. It was a really fantastic night.

Saturday Seething (part 51 of a 444 part series)

Bugs!!!!
Well more specifically bug bites.

I have been spoiled the last few summers with little not no bug bites (probably because I don't usually spend a lot of time outside thanks to my job). My average was destroyed last night while u was at a ward activity at a cabin in Eden, Utah.
The activity was billed as a relaxing evening with food, billiards, fooseball, ping-pong, and a fire pit to roast marshmallows. That was all true but what I didn't know was that it was all out doors so I didn't bring a sweater/ jacket or bug spray.
It was fun but once the sun went down, it got very cold very fast and bugs were relentless. I had bugs in my hair, lip-gloss, down my shirt, in my ears... Everywhere. It was really bad when our high councilman got up to share a spiritual thought. The cabin had a few outdoor lights and the bugs were swarming around them (meaning all of us gathered to hear the high councilman) and I think I slapped myself at least 20 times (because you have to slap, then itch when you feel a creepy crawly something-something- on your body).
I got home with 4 major, swollen red bites (2 of which are in my arm pit (how they got there I have no idea!!)).
A little bug spray would've gone a long way last night. If they knew we weren't going to be allowed inside, then why didn't they have like citronella candles or something to repel the infestation? It felt like I was literally being attacked and assaulted by these little monsters.
Just wait- now I'm going to get West Nile Virus and die all because I made an attempt to be social in my singles ward!!! Just kidding :)

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Over hearing is dangerous

I heard two guys talking outside my work. Now I didn't hear the beginning of the conversation so there is some benefit of the doubt on these guys' reputation. Here is what I heard...

Guy 1: I think marrying an old girl is kind of like buying your dog at the pound. They'll love you forever for rescuing them and they'll be eternally grateful just to have a husband.

Guy 2: Dude, don't let your wife know you think of her as a dog! Ha ha

This little gem is almost has hilarious as the the time I over heard the quilting ladies talking about how adoption is un-natural and if God wanted you to have kids, he'd allow you to be pregnant.

People are awesome... (massive eye roll)

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Saturday Seething (part 50 of a 444 part series)

I had the Pandora app playing on my phone and some one asked me, "you looks like such a cute, normal girl so why do you listen to such angry music?"*
My response was in jest and I said "Well, you just don't know me well enough then."
The question did get me thinking- why do I love more angry music over sacrine pop/dance music? I think it is because most music is about love and I really can't stand love songs as of late. Maybe it's because I've never been in love and I feel like I'm missing out, or maybe angry music is more fun to sing in the car at the top of your lungs.

* Pandora was on my Nirvana channel and the song playing was "Smells Like Teen Spirit" which really isn't that angry in my opinion.

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Update on M&F

I'm sure you are all dying for an update on Millie and Fiona :)
M&F are doing really well. They love the new carpet and the adjusted furniture layout. They spend a lot of time laying on my desk and looking out the window (or as we call it, Cat TV). Since it has been rather hot lately, Millie has taken to laying her head on the carpet, like a pillow, and the other half of her body on the kitchen floor. Fiona spends her time under the bed or couch in the darkness. I snapped this picture while they were asleep on the couch after I turned off the Olympics the other night. I love that they are best friends and cuddle. I only wish they were not so afraid of other people so I could show off how wonderful they are.

My niece was baptized

Hooray for Ashley!! I am so happy she chose to be baptized and become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Charity Vision

For $25 and 15 minutes, this nearly blind little girl in Egypt will be able to see. Charity Vision is an incredible foundation that empowers and funds local doctors in local clinics to change the lives of others forever. Charity Vision operates all over the world and continues to grow. Please take a look at the video on YouTube and spread the word about this great cause. You can also "like" Charity Vision on Facebook. Thanks!!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsWdx_x5oUQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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These Hands

Mitt Romney is a champion of America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lr49t4-2b8&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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New Carpet- After

I love the new carpet!!!!!!! It feels super soft under your feet and smells wonderful!!!! Goodbye decade old (or more) carpet and Hello gorgeous chocolate milk colored happiness!!!

New Carpet- In Process

New Carpet- Before

Saturday Seething (part 49 of a 444 part series)

This really isn't a typical Saturday Seething but it's more of a "thinking out loud" exercise.
Can you miss someone you've never known? Can you miss something that hasn't happened?
Today marks 28 years since my dad died and I miss him more than words can express. But, I was thinking about it and is it really possible to miss him even though I was only 6 weeks old when he died? Or do I miss the idea of him? I love to hear stories of him and see how much people loved him- he almost sounds too good to be true, but my grandma is incapable of lying so my dad must have been practically perfect in every way. My favorite story is when he helped borrow a piano from the local church meeting house and played it as they transported it in the back of a truck through the neighborhood. My mom says he was the kind of person who could walk into a party not knowing anyone and by the end of the party he'd be best friends with everyone.
I miss that I don't have any stories of my own to tell of him. Everything that I know about him is second-hand and I miss not having personal experience with him.
So going back to my initial question, in my own feelings I do feel like I miss him therefore I believe you can miss someone you don't know and you can miss something that hasn't happened. It is really odd to think about it but it's been kind of fun too.

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Saturday Seething (part 48 of a 444 part series)

The Cat From Hell... is my new favorite TV show. It's on Animal Planet and it is all about nightmare cats and how they can be trained- like the Super Nanny but for cats.
It made me so grateful that I have angelic cats but also made me feel really sad for our former cats Kitty and Tigger. Kitty was super scary and after watching several episodes of the show made me feel a little guilty for not trying harder with him. He should've had a perch where he could survey his territory so he could feel in control and confident. He also could've used playtime to get out his energy (even though he was mainly an outdoor cat who climbed trees and hunted birds and mice) so he wouldn't feel a need to attack. He started vomiting in the last few years of his life probably because he was under a lot of stress and didn't receive much affection after Lesley and I left home.
Then Tigger learned all of Kitty's bad habits only he wasn't half as good of a hunter as Kitty.
I was really heartbroken when I heard they had been put to sleep. I went and cried in the studio art lab while I beveled my copper plate for an intaglio printing. Then that night, Lesley, Margaret and I went to Leatherby's in Provo and shared a sundae in their honor.
Even when you have the cat from hell, you still love them and that is what I love about this show. Nightmare cats are only that way because you don't speak the same language- cats will tell you exactly what they need and we just need to listen. Isn't that the way with everything in life? We just need to listen and respond.

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SCOTUS and Obamacare

I'm not gonna lie, I am really worried about the ruling the Supreme Court made today in upholding The Affordable Care Act. I will only talk about two concerns but I have plenty.
First- I feel lied to by President Obama (surprise surprise). I remember being all upset because yet again his press conference was interrupting my television program and I distinctly remember him saying that the health care bill was NOT a tax and he would not approve anything that added one dime to the deficit (insert maniacal laughter here). Well now the Court said the mandate was constitutional because it is a tax. What?!! Which leads me to my next concern.
The mandate to purchase health insurance has now set a precedence in our legal system. The government, now set precedent by the Supreme Court, has the right to dictate what the American people can purchase. What is there to protect us from the government saying "you must but a GM automobile but feel free to still buy a Honda but with a fine/fee"? It reminds me of the Chinese government and how they fine/tax people when they have more than one child.
I believe in limited federal government, I believe that terms limits need to implemented for Congress and abolish the seniority system, and I think more power should be given to the states (especially on health care, immigration and education). I believe that the role of government is to provide security, stability, infrastructure, and enforce rule of law. I'm grateful to live in a Republic where we get to choose representatives and that they have to report back to us. Sadly, I think many representatives have forget whom they serve (hint: not themselves).
I believe in freedom and the less government I have in my daily life, the better. I believe in America and want it to be a leader again and a beacon for freedom; a place where we can live how we want, worship how we want, eat what we want, vote how we want. I believe in an America where we can achieve goals and make our dreams come true. The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ wouldn't have happened without the government our Founding Fathers established. Disneyland wouldn't have ever been created without the ingenuity of the American spirit and actual ability to make dreams a reality. I want that freedom to continue and not be stifled by regulation and crushing debt. We are being lead in to bondage and tragically most of use aren't even aware of it.
Thanks Supreme Court of the United States, you just turned America into a socialist state. I hope you're proud of yourselves.

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Happy Birthday Laurie-Lou!!

Lauren had a birthday... Can you guess what her favorite present was?

Yes- Snow White dress up from Auntie Lesley!!! Lauren already had the shoes which were donated to her by cousin Ashley a while ago (so sweet of Miss Ashley). The minute she opened the present, she took the Snow White shoes off another cousin who was wearing them and put on HER shoes and HER dress and kept them on the rest of the party. Ha Ha!! I thought I had the winning gift with Sleeping Beauty clothes for her Barbie since SB is her favorite princess (and she sings the songs so beautifully!! I have a recording it's so cute!!).

If it were up to her brothers, GG would've won since she gave Lauren Brave bow and arrows and sword/axe/mace.

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Brave Faces

Here are the boys giving me their best brave faces waiting to see the new Disney Pixar film Brave.

The movie was great, fantastic animation with original story-telling is always enjoyable. It had action, comedy, and a lot of heart. I loved it!!! 

ps: I keep talking to myself in a Scottish accent- it's a wee bit addictive!!

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I get to look at this today

And I'm pretty happy about it!! This is an enhanced limited edition giclee by Jennifer Vranes. An enhanced canvas is where the artist has added paint to the reproduction to add actual texture and highlights. I am really impressed by how much Vranes has enhanced, she did a TON and there are only a few spots without added paint.

Diary Entry: Explanation

A little back story to my post from earlier today.
I had a surprise visit from my mom, Ashley, and Aaron at work this afternoon. A&A had been spending all day with GG having lots of fun at her house and the dinosaur museum. I guess while they were at the house, Ash was find treasures in my old bedroom and she found my diary. She was so enthralled by it, she insisted they bring it to me while I was at work.
Talk about blast from the past!! I only wrote in it for 5 days (but skipped one of those days b/c I am who I am!! LOL).
It's actually quite a sweet connection- in January of '93 I was 8 years old and my niece Ashley will be 8 this summer. I'm so glad she found it and brought it back to me. I'll see if I can post more entries, but they get kind of silly. Oh the thoughts of an 8 year old!!

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Diary Entry: January 18, 1993

Dear Diary,
Today we had to take the cat to the vet. Today me and Lesley are going to see Alladin. My mom just asked me "if I had eney lunch" I said "no" not rudley.
Bie.

Saturday Seething (part 47 of a 444 part series)

I Really Hate It When Narcissists Annoy Me (LOL- get it?)

So my mother, grandmother, and I were in the car and we stopped at a light waiting to turn left. It was a nice day so we had the windows down. We were the fourth car in line to turn and my mom mentioned that if drivers paid more attention then more cars could get through the light. Then we started talking about a chandelier she had in the back of the car that she thought might work for my sister's house. We are animated speakers and use our hands quite a bit. We were talking about where my sis could hang it and how it could swag nicely to center over her dining table. As I'm agreeing with my brilliant mother, the woman in the car just ahead of us gets out and starts walking toward us (super weird!!). She looks angry and hollars in my mother's window "Are you talking about me?"!!! My mom and I both look at each other and almost start laughing but we just look at her and reply that were not talking about her. The angry woman turns around and heads back to her car while we burst into hysterical laughter and are simply stunned by this course of events.
I don't know about you but I don't watch the people behind me when I'm waiting at a light, let alone long enough to think they are talking about me, and then to get so worked up that I would physically get out of my car to confront them. It was all just too bizarre and too funny.
The light finally turned green and we all continued on our merry way. My mom and I were still laughing and I made the comment something to the effect of "what a narcissist that lady must have been"- I am huge into narcissism and know a fellow narcissist when I see one. LOL

We will be laughing and joking about this for a long long time.


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10, 20 Years Ago

June 6th is a rather important day in my life.
10 years ago today, I graduated from high school.
20 years ago today, I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.

Other fun June 6th events:
-84 years ago today, my grandfather was born.
-My nephew Jack was supposed to be born on June 6th 5 years ago but he decided to make his entrance 1 week early.
-And of course, today marks 68 years since the D-Day Normandy invasion of the Allied forces which led to the end of World War II.

There is so much to be thankful for on June the 6th!!!

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Little Drops of Heaven

I am so happy I found these at the checkout line. I can eat 4 for only 2 weight watchers points and boy are they refreshing!! They are really helping with the dry mouth that comes from my allergy medicine and I probably could not get through my day without them. Yay sugar free candy!!!

Heaven is spelled...

T-H-R-E-E
D-A-Y
W-E-E-K-E-N-D
A-T
F-A-M-I-L-Y
C-A-B-I-N


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28

So I am 28 years old today- hooray!!! I've always wanted to be 28 as a kid because it sounds so great and looks so great.
I had a really fun day- started with sleeping in and cuddling with the kitties, then going to lunch with my mom, grandma, and Lesley at Market Street Grill, then my mom and I spent the whole afternoon at the new City Creek Center in downtown SLC. We went to Nordstroms, Tiffany, The Limited, H&M, Forever 21, Disney, and Brighton. In the evening, my Dad and Lesley met us and we ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory- delish!!!
It was such a fun day and I loved spending time with my mother. I really have not been able to spend long periods of time with her in what feels like years.
Honestly, all I really wanted for my birthday was to spend time with family and I couldn't have hoped for better.
Thank you Mom for taking a whole day to spend with me; I'll always be your baby even when I'm old and grey (you know, like 35. Just kidding!!).

For the 2nd time in my life...

I got my own birthday cake!!! Boy, it is hard to blow out all the candles by yourself.

Saturday Seething (part 46 of a 444 part series)

Elevators are not toys!!!!
Why do some mothers think it is okay for their children to play on elevators? It is not a babysitter while you shop; It is not an amusement park ride. The elevator is a useful tool for helping the disabled get to the second level and for deliveries of products.
The elevator in our store is just your basic elevator, only has two floors to choose from, but is rather temperamental. It frequently brakes or gets stuck between the two floors but only because little snot faced kids get in there, push both floor buttons and then they just can't stop themselves from bushing the red, ominous, stop button and yet they fail to realize is that button does indeed stop the elevator. We've had kids stuck in there for hours all because their mother let them run wild.
Here is The saddest story of a kid getting stuck in the elevator: an 8 or 9 year old boy kept running up the stairs and taking the elevator down. He did this about 15 times in 20 minutes. After the first 3 times (and I realized what he was doing) I stopped him and said that elevator is not a toy and suggested he find his mom. He nodded his head as if he understood but 2 minutes later he was back. So I repeated my little lecture in my nicest voice. He did it again. By now I was getting a little mad at this brat. Well after the 15th "ride" the elevator got stuck. He of course starts freaking out and we have to page his mother over the store intercom. She starts freaking out and we call the electrician/elevator repair people. After the mother calms down a bit, we find out her son has autism (oh great, I called him a brat earlier so I feel super guilty). It's about 2 hours before we get him out. He cried hysterically the entire 2 hours. I am still haunted by his screams. Once he was out, he promised his mother he would never play in an elevator again. Ya, that promise lasted only a few weeks because he came right back and played on the "ride" again the next time they were in the store. Seriously- this time I blamed his mother for letting him run wild. He only rode the elevator 3 times and then I guess his mother grabbed him or they left the store.
That is one of countless stories. We had a group of 3 kids get stuck this week but they were only stuck for 5 minutes. The didn't realize you had to push a floor button for the doors to open.
I am so grateful for my nieces and nephews who love to ride it but know how to properly use the elevator.


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Saturday Seething (part 45 of a 444 part series)

I get so angry when people drive with their blinker going without a purpose. I followed a car to work today who had the right blinker clicking THE ENTIRE WAY and I kept anticipating them to turn to change lanes THE ENTIRE WAY. The car then did change lanes but to the left lane and still had the right blinker clicking away. How do you 1. Not see the light flashing on your dashboard and 2. not hear the little clicks?!!

Needless to say, it drove me nuts for my 20 minute commute.

 

Happy Saturday

Saturday Seething (part 44 of a 444 part series)

The Post Vacation Hangover

Hello all my readers (all 5 of you- j/k!!), I've missed you!!!
After spending the past 4 months looking forward to the Best. Trip. Ever. I'm kind of mourning the loss of anticipation. I call it the Post Vacation Hangover, much like the baby blues post pregnancy.* You spend months looking forward to the Big Event and once it's over you feel a little sadness enter your life. I am now currently thinking about my next adventure: where do I want to go? what do I want to do? I'm thinking another Disney Cruise but cannot decided between Alaska or Bahamas (with a stop at Castaway Cay). Or I might hold off a cruise for my 30th birthday.
Another part of the Post Vacation Hangover is pure exhaustion and a little bit of sickness. We were on a cruise where all we really did was play games, lay by the pool, and eat, and yet I arrived home super duper tired and still feel like I haven't caught up yet. I know what your probably thinking b/c I'm thinking it too, (in a mock sympathy voice) " Oh poor you, you had a magical cruise on the Disney Wonder to Mexico and now you're tired. Boo Hoo for you!" That's OK, I deserve the mockery :) LOL
I have determined that they only bad part of a vacation (Disney Cruise in particular) is when it is over. I feel like Captain Jack Sparrow in Curse of the Black Pearl when he says, "but why is the rum gone?!"

* It is really nothing like the baby blues b/c I really have no personal reference point.

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Teaser for a Future Post

Disney Cruise!!!!!! Here is our ship, The Disney Wonder, in the bay of Cabo San Lucas Mexico. As a Disney Fan(atic), I loved every single second of the trip. The Disney music playing the halls, seeing Characters everywhere, the Disney service and attention to detail, the food, the complimentary soda and ice cream 24 hours a day- it was The Happiest Place on Earth but at Sea!!!!
So stay tuned and I'll have a detailed post coming soon to a computer near you.
Btw: I'm blogging from 32,000 feet (hooray for free Wi-Fi on airplanes!!)

I Kissed a Storm Trooper

And I liked it!!

If "C" is for Cookie...

...Then "S" is for Stress.

AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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What If?

What if everyone in the church was like me? That was the topic of the talks in sacrament meeting today in my singles ward.
That got me thinking. If everyone in the church was like me, then everyone would do their callings (albeit begrudgingly) and everyone would comment in RS and Sunday School.
On a more serious note, if everyone in the church was like me, then church would be pretty boring. The whole point of "going to church" is to meet with other saints and be edified and uplifted by each other by the fact that everyone is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. The speaker quoted Elder Uchtdorf's latest conference address when he quoted a bumper sticker that said, "Don't judge me because I sin different than you" and isn't that the beauty of gathering the saints? We can help one another become the people the Lord needs us to become. Together, we can fulfill the three fold mission of the Church: to proclaim the gospel, redeem the dead, and perfect the saints.
I'm glad everyone in the church is not like me. I'm a lazy, know-it-all, brat who thinks she's smarter than she really is. Church opens my eyes to things I do not know and reminds me that there are nice people in the world and I need to be nice too.

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Saturday Seething (part 43 of 444 part series)

First off, let me say that I love teachers and I know their job is very hard.

I am SO annoyed when my Facebook friends who are teachers complain that they don't get any time off. Umm... June, July, and August?!! Half day Fridays and 3 day weekends every other weekend?!! Spring break?!! Christmas break?!!

I want to tell them to suck it up and see what it's like for those of us that actually work 40 plus hours a week, without any breaks, of any kind, at any time.

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Happy Easter 2012

Saturday Seething (part 42 of a 444 part series)

We survived another Ladies Night!!!! Our feet may be sore but not our hearts :)

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The Story of Friends, a film

Happy Hunger Games!!

The Best

It's funny because it's true (and a little sad)

Desert Paradise

I've had such a great weekend here in Yuma!! We went to Mexico the first day we got here, then a delicious seafood buffet (hello All You Can Eat Crab!!) at the Q casino. Saturday we hit up some local farmers markets, Dillard's, Marshall's, Kirkland's Home, indoor swap meet, then the yummiest slow cooked pork roast dinner with fresh asparagus and sweet potato pasta. Is there anything better than Grandma's cooking?!! No, no there is not.
Sunday was a different experience. We had to leave the house at 7:00 AM in order to get a seat at church which starts at 7:45 AM. The snow bird ward is very much like my singles ward except instead of talking about marriage all the time, they talk about death- but other than that it is eerily similar. They have branch FHE, the RS meets in the chapel, and Sacrament meeting always goes into the over flow. It's really fun!! After church, we followed the Sunday tradition and went to Home Town Buffet. It was delish and we all ate so much we didn't need to eat the rest of the day. Then we went home and took a Sunday nap and watched golf. That night we played Five Crowns and had a blast. Now I'm sitting on the front porch, enjoying this gorgeous morning. Grandma made the most delicious biscuits and gravy this morning that I will be dreaming about for weeks. I'm so sad to leave- a weekend is just too short. Thank You Grandma and Grandpa!!!!

South of the Border

I'm so excited I get to visit my grandparents this weekend!!!! My mom and I are flying down to Yuma, AZ and we'll go to the swap meet, a date farm for date shakes, Algadones Mexico for shrimp tacos and knock-off designer sunglasses, and I'll get to see what a snow bird ward is like- yay!!!!!! My grandparents are my two most favorite people in the universe and I'm so happy I get to spend the weekend with them. Plus my mom is coming and I love spending time with her since she has been extremely busy these past few years. Hooray for mini-breaks!!!

A SAD Confession

Today is St. Valentine's Day. Some people call this day Single Awareness Day or SAD, I for one have a slight issue with this title. I don't need a day to remind me that I am single; I have that already every day of the year. I wish it was only one day a year that I'm aware of my lack of marital status then I could go on for 364 days and be completely oblivious :)

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I'm going to watch a couple of books before I go to bed tonight

The Onion reported:

"According to a report from the U.S. Department of Education released Thursday, watching a single episode of the British TV series Downton Abbey is the cultural and educational equivalent of reading an entire book. "It's a period piece with British accents and drama that hinges on each character's place within an aristocratic peerage system, so needless to say, viewing one show from beginning to end is basically the same as reading a book," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. "Also you really have to pay attention to the storylines, so it's also like reading in that respect. And it's not as if you can stop watching Downton Abbey for a while, come back to it, and remember exactly what's going on. You'd probably have to start over from the very beginning, just like you do with a book." Duncan then excused himself from the press conference so he could go home and watch a couple books before he went to bed"

Nevermind about literacy, kids- The US Department of Education says you can just watch BBC production of Jane Eyre rather than reading it since it is the "education equivalent" to reading.

I love Downton Abbey!! It is such better television than anything we have seen recently (well incomparision to all the reality show crap that I am also addicted to, ahem Kardashians and The Bachelor) but I would NEVER suggest that watching an episode would replace reading a book. Reading creates the image and events in your mind which encourages creativity and imagination. Watching a movie puts is on the screen for you- no imagination required.

This is a really good argument for private or home schooling- these are the idots that determine what our kids are taught and apparently it is OKAY to watch the 6 hour Pride and Prejudice (which is awesome!!) rather than read one of the best books ever written. It brings new meaning to "I'll wait for the movie to come out"

Stuff you find on Pintrest

I'm Elmo and I Know It

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fzw5VjnOHk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Saturday Seething (part 41 of a 444 part series)

Seriously- How dumb do you have to be to NOT know that George Washington was the first president of the United States of America?
A middle-aged woman was in the gallery with her young grandson and she was talking to him about the art. When they saw "Prayer at Valley Forge" by Arnold Friberg, she at first told him the picture was of Captain Moroni, but quickly realized her error and said "Oh, that's George Washington.... (pause for thinking) one of our presidents." Really?!!! She couldn't remember that he was our 1st president?!! It's un-American to not know who our first president was.

On a side note- I understand it must be hard to have a kid throw a tantrum when you're in a store, but I am SO sick of hearing toddlers scream and watching them throw themselves on the floor. I have seen 7 temper tantrums today alone over at Mormon Handicraft. One was by a 7 year old- I thought they were too old to pull that stunt.

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