Lildonbro

Weweas the secwet weapon!*

2012-01-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

Pics from New Years Eve

We had played Frisbee in the morning and then people kept asking what the plan was for New Years. Finally we just decided to have some people over to the house. (p.s. this was the first day I started to notice I wasn't feeling well).

It's always a good time when Jim is there.

We all realized that we were wearing red - so why not take a photo?

That Face!

Ryan got in trouble for making that face!

As the night went on, things started to get a little crazy.

We watched the ball drop online since I don't have cable. We had some sparkling cider and toasted to the new year!

But in case you guys were really wondering the type of stuff I did right before the end of 2011....here's a video.

Here's to 2012!

I don't know much about God or Jesus, but I can promise you His arms are meant for you! *

2012-01-26T09:09:00.001-05:00

My nephew was baptized last Saturday and who do you think he wanted to speak at his baptism?
...
...

...

Me!

I was really honored, I can't lie or hide that fact. There were a lot of people he could have asked to give a talk, he's got plenty of aunts and uncles, he has both set of grandparents, a primary teacher, the works. I was honored and then incredibly nervous! I have never spoken at a baptism. I've been asked to say the prayer before, which is also nerve racking for me, but talking to my nephew about baptism just threw me off. So I wrote and rewrote trying to make sure I wasn't going to be talking over his head, trying to keep all the knowledge I had gained since I was 8 out of it (I don't mean that to sound as snobby as it does, it's just that I would start writing and then be like, "But wait, there's more!" and really this kid just wanted to be dunked in the water. Baptism to an 8 year old means something different than it would to say, a 20-something being baptized. It's a step in life for an 8-year-old, something they have been planning for quite some time, they haven't lived a life searching or making mistakes. So I tried to keep it to what baptism is.

Before the baptism, everyone who was participating (speakers, prayers, etc.) had a little meeting in one of the rooms just to go over the program. Jake was in there too and when his uncle (who was conducting the meeting) said when I would be speaking Jacob looked at me and gave me a big smile and a thumbs up.

I felt like I had a pretty good talk prepared (when I say pretty good I mean a good length) and then it came time to go up there and give the talk. So here's what I didn't account for:

The noise - no joke, I'm not used to having kids around at baptisms (or church in general) so the noise was overwhelming.

The uncontrollable shaking of my knees (really? I thought I had gotten past all that).

Jacob's attention span - I had his attention, I lost it, his dad nudged him and I had it again, then I lost it, then I had it again for a brief shining moment* because I brought a visual with me.

The end result, my talk was a lot shorter than I prepared it to be. I hit all my main points though, it just felt short to me...and maybe that works for kid's baptisms. I must have done well because as I was going to sit back down Jacob held up his hand for me and gave me a high five. My talk was kid approved.

It was a very interesting experience for me, being at his baptism. I think for me more so than other people because it had a similar feel to my own baptism (forever and ever ago). I mean, it was the same room, and it was set up the same as it was when I was baptized (it may have even had some of the same chairs!) I was baptized in January too, and during my baptism there were basketball games going on in the gym ('tis the season). I could remember my own excitement to be baptized and I could tell on Saturday that he was feeling the same kind of excitement.P.S. Jake picked the flag, he's so patriotic.

Say my name, Say my name*

2012-01-25T11:25:00.000-05:00

Here's a story of how I tried to get this little girl -

to say my name. Long ago I had given up on any child saying "Jessica", it's just too much for them, so I have come to accept "Ca" as an acceptable form of my name. In fact, my niece, Lauryn, is the one who started it. She couldn't say my name but she was eager to let me know I was her favorite so she called me "Ca"...but then she got confused and started to call Martha "Ca"...my own nickname was usurped!

Back on the east coast though, I'm 'Ca'. So I had been trying to get Ava to say my name for the longest time. She had a pretty good vocabulary on her too but "Ca" just didn't seem to be something she wanted to say. Her Uncle Matt (in VA) and I even had a little competition to see whose name she would say first. Despite the fact that I was over there more often - Matt won out. Matt....MA-AT. Of course he won!

Then one day I was telling her to say "Ca" like I had grown accustomed to do and she said, "Papa" (which is my dad...go figure). So I told her I would take it. The next day I said it again and I was expecting to hear "Papa" again but this time she said "Ca"! And people heard it! I almost dropped her I was so excited (no, I didn't actually almost drop her...but she could tell how excited I got and she thought it was great - positive reinforcement). I was so excited that after literal months of trying she had finally said my name.

...and then when she met Ryan, she said his name almost immediately...still trying to let that one go.

Anyway - I had a video where she says my name right at the end - but it doesn't seem to want to load. I will play around with it and post it later if I can, but no promises.

I'm feeling much better now.*

2012-01-19T12:37:00.002-05:00

Ok - so far, no one wins any blog bucks...not even me.

It's been a long three weeks, 1 ultrasound, 2 doctor's visits, three blood tests, and two (yes, two, I couldn't come up with four of anything) prescriptions later - I am finally starting to feel better.

So - Dr. A is fired. After the initial visit where I just didn't feel like she was listening to me, I followed-up with her because she was supposed to call me that Friday, which she didn't. By this time I had felt a very distinctive lump in my neck. Despite being a hypochondriac I actually didn't jump the gun and assume a tumor, but I still wanted to know what it was. So I mentioned this to her in our phone conversation where she was telling me to come in for another blood test because maybe the virus was working it's way out of my system and seemed to be trying to get off the phone fast. She ordered an ultrasound...of my neck. Ultrasounds are for babies! No really, they are. But it turns out they do stuff like that for the thyroid and what have you.

I went and gave more blood and had an appointment that Friday for an ultrasound. The ultrasound people told me it was a swollen lymph node...which I feel the doctor could have told me that if she had bothered to see me. At this point I decided that it was all in my head and if the doctor thinks I'm getting better then dangit, I was better!

I had an amazing birthday pancake breakfast on Saturday morning (hereafter referred to as the Last Meal). And then I kind of just went downhill from there. Ryan and I went to O'Charly's for dinner that night. I'm a systematic eater (meaning I eat the fries first) and that's as far as I got. I assumed in half an hour I'd be ready for the chicken - but I wasn't. So they sat in the fridge on rain check for a while.

I went to bed relatively early and I woke up several times on Sunday morning with a soar throat that made me cringe every time I swallowed. It made my ear hurt more than my throat so I assumed I might have an ear infection. Ryan and I left church and went to Patient First.

They got me to the back quickly, which was impressive after my hour long wait in the waiting room at the other doctor's office. They weighed me, heighted me, took my blood pressure and temperature. I was running a fever so they took the dreaded strep test (gag - seriously). Then they left me to wait for a while. The doctor came in, looked at my ear and told me it wasn't an ear infection and then explained why he knew that. Then he felt my neck and found the myriad of swollen lymph nodes. He ordered some blood work, we told him about my other blood work for the past two weeks. He asked what my doctor prescribed...nothing. He seemed a bit surprised by that. He prescribed me some antibiotics and told me to take Tylenol for the pain in my throat and ear (just one side).

Ryan and I left there and went to Joanna's for dinner....of which I barely ate. I slept a lot. I slept a lot the next few days. The worst was Tuesday, I got home at 5 and went straight to bed. I woke up around 11 and tried to nibble on a PB sandwich but didn't get far and fell back asleep until 7:30 the next morning. Even then, all I wanted to do was sleep.

My co-worker Pam said that enough was enough and she looked up the side effects of my prescription. One was nausea, which I was certainly feeling A LOT of. So she had me call the doctor and get a different prescription. Then she found the "severe" list. The last two were, lack of energy and extreme tiredness. Pam said, "You have those last two!" and I thought, "aren't they the same thing?" but regardless, I did have both.

SO - I am on a new antibiotic and I am feeling more myself today than I have since New Year's Eve. Still tired, throat is still a little sore, but I'm awake and I don't feel like I am going to throw up. And last night, I ate dinner...something I haven't really done since last Friday.

So - win.

p.s. sorry if this post is totally random. I can't remember what you already know and what you don't. So hopefully - there aren't total blanks in there.

You're mocking me, arent' you?*

2012-01-18T07:55:00.000-05:00

Since we can no longer play frisbee on Wednesday nights (the only field we knew of with lights got torn up and they are making it into a baby baseball diamond - what a waste of resources) we have been playing soccer on Saturday mornings.

We like to go to Bryan Park - even though there is a little problem with it.

...do you see it? The fields are "closed" we're not supposed to be on them. But as you can also see from the picture - that doesn't really stop us.

Our team moms, Brittany and Vivienne, making us snacks. Pictured in the back are Elder Pounder and Elder Wardenberg (sp?)

I'll tell you what does stop us though - Parks and Recreation. They came by for a routine visit (aka to make sure the signs were still standing) and that's when we had to quit playing.

Here's Eric, Kami and Jesse as we are trying to figure out where else we could play (where we could play that was close by).

There was a school not too far down the way so we went there - not as nice - but it would do.

I don't really play soccer - but I had a lot of fun, I stick to defense cause I feel like I'm better at stopping people than actually making goals (this is for most sports by the way). One of the Eric's asked me if I played soccer in high school and I laughed and asked him if he was picking on me, he said 'no', apparently my defense is good. ...or he's never really played either. It's a toss up*.

Ew, dandelion, must be the last one of the season.*

2012-01-16T07:28:00.000-05:00

Okay - this one is older - I was worried I would have gone on another hike before I posted about the last one of the season.

We decided to get one more hike in for the season - so before people began leaving for Christmas, we went to Old Rag one more time. I apologize in advance - at this time I couldn't find my camera so my pictures were taken with my phone (so that means they might not be good AND there won't be many).

Stephanie and Renee trying to keep warm in the parking lot while we waited for the others to arrive.
Zach - doing the "fearless leader" pose. He was like this until he ripped that shirt on a rock - then he became a big baby and kept lamenting the shirt.

Ben led us off with some...yoga I think. He called this the Tree Stump

Then we stopped at one point to replenish our calories and we had a touching moment with the gnome - Renee is singing in the background - I hope you can hear it.

Old Rag may be a hard hike at times (especially the rock climbing when your fingers are frozen and you don't have gloves...) but it is by far my favorite!

It was so cold that we found thick sheets of ice at the top. I don't know if you can tell, but Renee and Stephanie are holding it up in front of them.

And just in case you couldn't see it - they are now attempting to eat it.

Ben was being a dare devil and jumping from this one rock that made most of us nervous - unfortunately the picture doesn't do it justice - he just looks like he is stepping off it.

I think the weather and my schedule (and my new found fatigue) will keep me from hiking in the spring - but I do hope to return to it soon!

My evening's in danger! *

2012-01-13T06:15:00.000-05:00

I've had this song (this version) stuck in my head all week. (Thanks Marissa)

And for some reason the video is backwards...that's ok, it's Friday (fun, fun, fun, fun).
Happy Friday!

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.*

2012-01-11T17:37:00.007-05:00

On Saturday I went to visit my parents and talk to them about what is wrong with me. I got some medical input from my mom and I got a priesthood blessing from my dad and brother-in-law. Mom informed me that I have a condition called, thrombocytopenia. This is the fancy way of saying I have low blood platelets. Really, that's all it is. It is a symptom that usually improves when the underlying cause is treated...so we just have to fix that and I'm good.

I also learned where platelets go, because when I found out that I had low platelets I wondered how I lost them. I hadn't suffered any injury, I wasn't bleeding in any way, so where did they go? Turns out that the average life of a platelet is 10 days. Raise your hand if that's new to you.

There are several things that can lead to reduced platelet formation - here are the ones I found on a medical website.

Pregnancy

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purura - My body is confused and is fighting my platelets (sounds idiopathic to me)

Autoimmune disease

Bacteria in the Blood

I'd keep going but the others made me want to gag so I am taking a break.

...Anyway...I have decided that I would at least have a little fun with being exhausted/sick...so I'm taking bets on what's wrong with me - the winner gets 100 blog bucks (that's basically getting 10 posts correctly)!

You want to know why it's that high? Because - without a medical degree you will have guessed better than my soon to be former doctor.

So go ahead and take a guess at what you think it is.

Here are some possibilities that people have already said they think it might be, but don't let that limit you:

African Sleeping Sickness

Thyroid

Anemia

Mono

Mental (a.k.a. all in your head)

Diary allergy

A random virus just passing through, take two aspirin and call me in a month (you would get 150 points for this because it's basically what the doctor says)

Good luck and may the odds be ever be in your favor!

Weadababyitsagirl*

2012-01-10T16:05:00.003-05:00

She's here! The newest addition to the Donbro collection

Sadie

Born 1/10/12

Welcome to the family kid! You're gonna love us!

Fight the good fight, precious!*

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a little/lot behind on post. In December, a group of us went to D.C. to see the lights at the Temple. It's not like Salt Lake's, but it's ours.
Brittany likes to think that she is tall. She is standing UP on the curb and the boys are standing off the curb...and on of them might be bending their knees.Then we ran into Jesse (he had been all over interviewing for schools and he was at the train station so he came to meet us to get a ride home).

...See how excited he is to be back?

We didn't just go see the lights though, the Richmond Chorale was also up there performing. So we got (free) tickets and waited for the doors to open. We all went in as a group but at the bottom of the stairs Jesse broke off to use the facilities. I told him we'd save him a seat. They had Sister Missionaries there directing traffic and as we got into our row I said to the person behind me to leave a spot for Jesse and the Sister Missionary at the end of our row said, "No saving seats." I said, "Oh, he had his ticket he just ran to the bathroom." and she repeated, "No savings seats." and I looked at my friend and said more quietly, just leave a seat, he'll be back in a second. I didn't think he should have to sit by himself because he had to go to the bathroom. So I kept looking for him because the mean missionary was still at the end of our row. I got distracted by something but looked back just in time to see the sister missionary telling Jesse that he had to find a seat further back and I threw up my hand and told him we had a seat for him. She relented and let him pass. It was crazy, we almost lost him.

Aside from the that, the performance was great. Then we hung out in the lobby waiting for the rest of our group to get there.I just love this picture of Tia and Jesse, I don't know why, it makes me think they are on a talk show.
Then we all went to the parking lot to decide where to eat dinner.

That didn't work too well, we split up into two groups. Group A went to Cafe Rio and Group B went to Cheeburger, Cheeburger. Guess which group I was in?

(This picture was taken to show the difference in the sizes of our burgers).

The Cheeburger gang.

Excuse me. I have to go die now.*

2012-01-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

The hot flashes started Saturday evening and continued through...well, they are still going on. Every morning when I wake up I feel like maybe I have the flu.

Tuesday morning was the worst day at that point, so I got up and called the doctor to make an appointment. Then I called my boss and left an incoherent message - something about asking her if I could just go back to sleep.

I woke up from my "nap" just in time to scurry out the door with the panicked feeling that I was going to be late and bumped back to a later appointment.

The thing I ~~love~~ hate about the doctor is that ~~you~~ I go because ~~you~~ I am not feeling well, after signing in, I get to sit in a waiting room full of a bunch of other people - most of them not feeling well. Here's how it goes:

9:50 - Sign in for a 9:45 appointment

9:52 - Find a spot in the corner where I continue to go through alternating chills and hot flashes

10:26 - get called up to fill out paperwork (which I swear I filled out last year). This may be routine but I don't go to the doctor that often, the past year has been an anomaly.
10:40 - get called back to the office
10:45 - nurse leaves me to sit there staring at a wall
10:58 - Enter, The Doctor

When the nurse took me back to my own personal waiting room there were blood pressure cuffs (2) on the little patient chair, so the nurse told me to have a seat in the "mom's" chair (you know - the chair your mom would sit in if you still took your mom with you to the doctor - I miss those days, mostly because my mom is a nurse and can interpret for me, but also because I am a big baby when I am sick).

Then she enters my information in to the system. She double checks my height with me, "5'10.5" right?" No, not at all. I took an awkward second of making a little noise and then started. "I'm normally 5'11" but last time she wrote down that I was 5'10.5", I explained. The last time I came to the doctor they took down my weight and the girl entered my height as 5'10.5" for no apparent reason. I had just let it go, maybe I had shrunk. So the nurse fixed it for me so I have been reinstated as a 5'11" individual.

She leaves and the doctor comes in a little later. She has an accent, don't know exactly what it is yet, but it's definitely South American. She asks me my symptoms and informs me that I am referring to the incorrect anatomy (I was saying neck, she told me that when it's in the front you call it the throat - I am okay with this, I appreciate knowledge in all forms). She doesn't touch the ~~neck~~ throat at all though. She does stick her fingers under my eyes and above my brow, asking me if that hurts. Sinus infection just got ruled out.

I do have a fever though, so she tells me to drink plenty of liquids and says I'm viral something...can't remember the word. All I could think was, "I'm so popular" cause I've gone viral. Then she tells me she wants to put in an order for some blood work, my mind immediately went to last time...when I threw up after they took my blood. This must have shown on my face because then she asked if I would mind if they took my blood. Of course not! Where the doctor fails to tell what is wrong with you, the blood will reveal what's happening.

So she walks me back to the lab and she tells me she'll call me tomorrow. I go in to get the needle and I'm trying to relax so I don't have a repeat of last time, but trying to relax is working me up. The girl snaps her glove and I say, "I don't like needles, so I am just going to close my eyes." She says that is fine and asks if I want to know what she is doing...No! I'm pretty sure I know why I am there and closing my eyes is so that I don't know what it's coming. I feel the needle go in and I count to 5 as slowly as I can. I ask if she is done before I open my eyes though. Then I apologize, because I thought that I would get over this needle thing as I grew older. She says, "I'm the same way" and I'm looking at her with those gloved hands that just drew my blood, those hands that now hold a vial of my blood...and she shakes it. It's like adding insult to injury - she shook my blood in front of me! I wanted to gag.

I went home after that - I went home and I got some blankets and I tried to just sleep. Ryan came over later and by the time he got there my little blanket had turned into a sauna and I was burning up. He wouldn't let me eat cake but he went and got us a pizza for dinner (yes - I wanted to eat some cake and yes - he let me have greasy pizza for dinner...and yes - I regretted it....and yes, I pined for the cake he wouldn't let me eat - you my friend are right on all counts).

Tuesday night I couldn't warm up, I had three blankets wrapped around me and I was still shivering. Ryan added two more and I think I finally started to warm. I woke up in the middle of the night burning. I got rid of all the blankets and most of my clothes. I woke up on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. I called my boss and left another incoherent message.

The doctor called me on Wednesday. She told me that my white blood cells were low and my platelets were low. She said they were 80 and my pharmacist (Amber) told me that "normal" is 120. Ryan (that little math whiz) informed me that that's a third! That explains the tiredness and the inability to regulate my body temperature. The Doctor told me I was really sick (though she didn't have a name for it and she wasn't calling anything in) and that she is going to call me back on Friday but if I start to feel worse then I should come back in or go to the hospital. She called me honey and sweetheart a lot and said a lot of "pleases", please rest, please don't do anything that would cause you to bleed, please call me if you feel worse. I'm going to admit, it was harder to function after that. I just kept thinking, "I'm low on platelets, I'm dying."

She is going to call back tomorrow, at least, that is what she told me she would do so I am assuming she will follow through. She seems kind of like Saul to me (Saul is my car salesman from September/October). He made a lot of follow up calls and I feel like she will make as many as necessary. In the meantime, I'm semi ok during the day and I start going down hill around 5 or 6 at night. I get colder before I catch fire and I'm hungry but don't feel like eating anything...and the Wii Fit says I've gained two pounds...I haven't even eaten anything! Cheap. Let's hope I get over this soon. I need to start working out.

Random tidbit, I have decided to call hemoglobin - Hemogoblins...I think it's more fun.

Maniacal laugh! Maniacal laugh! Maniacal laugh!*

2012-01-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

My dad gave me a schedule for my exterior painting - the porches before winter, the house when the spring comes. So I spent two Mondays painting porches. Luckily for me, Ryan offered to help out. Not only did the job take longer than I thought (two days rather than one) but my dad said to get a wire brush to get the dirt off. To me, this means "sweeping" the porch with the wire brush. To Ryan it meant probably what my dad meant, give it a good hard scrub.

So...that became Ryan's job.

Ryan scrubbed, then I came up behind and started painting. At one point he took on the job of cutting back the grass that had grown up by the steps...good thing he did it too because he found a nice little friend. A black widow spe-i-der!* He could have died! If I had been cutting back the grass and come across any spider I would have screamed, come down with a case of shivers and gagging, and called it quits for the day. As is, Ryan secured the area and I kept painting.

Then the next week we painted the front porch, he was cutting back grass again and wouldn't you know? He found another black widow! When we finished painting, I went around to both porches and sprayed a bunch of spider killer. I could gag now just remembering the spiders.

Here are some pictures. The porches were a "beautiful" rusty red (no clue - I don't have a refined color palette like some people). You can see the wear and tear a bit.

We went with a Super Sonic Steel (or some 's' word meaning fast!)Can you feel the wind in your hair?

Side Porch Front Porch

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.*

2012-01-01T20:12:00.000-05:00

Here they are

The 2012

Nothing too special this year, I think I may have over done it last year with a 1/2 marathon and 50 books. But this is what I have. I have set another theme for myself, after having basically failed last year's. I have set some goals for 2012 that will help me to refocus and to reach that theme. The theme for 2012 is Come Ye to the Waters: The Time Has Come to be With the Master. In Lildonbro speak it's, "Seriously work on your theme and build your relationship with God: Time to get your butt in gear, no more procrastinating." I also have "regular" goals in there too.

Turn in my first story to a publishing agent by the end of April - rejection or no rejection

Continue to work on budget and reducing debt. I'd like to stop buying random things as they come to mind (a particular book, new pillows, etc. Sometimes a "need" can wait until the budget permits).

Buy a couch - Okay, okay, I'm really reaching here...but my guests get sucked into the couch I paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for (the couch that came with the free house). I have been putting away a little money here and there for a couch and if I don't make it a goal or hold myself accountable I may never do it. Wait - I'm going to change the name of this goal to Home Improvement, because I also want to paint the house, finish the fence, and kill all the spiders (in all the world...too ambitious?)

Simplify - This one goes for two senses of the word. One - I have too much junk, I am determine to downsize my surplus. Two - to go along with the goals below, I want to simplify my life, cut out the fat, trim down to the things that matter most.

Follow through on my 2012 Theme by doing the following:

Draw closer to my Heavenly Father, build a deep and rich testimony of who he is and who I am by studying my scriptures regularly (ahem - daily)

Participate in more service by being more faithful and diligent in my callings, by seeking out someone who is sitting alone, by being a friend to those who need a friend, and by seeking out opportunities to serve the community.

Bearing my testimony at least four times a year in Sacrament Meeting (you don't understand, this scares me to death).

Going to the temple at least once a month, beginning in January - no exceptions.

Prioritizing all of my wants and needs to find those things that will be of most benefit to me not necessarily now, but things that may be of benefit in the future, such as building and sustaining good habits such as: Daily scripture study and prayer, FHE (either with the ward or on my own), praying over all meals (even if alone), eating meals at the table instead of in my room or in front of a movie (I don't want to develop a bad habit, I would want my kids to sit at the dinner table, not eat in front of a movie).

Avoid gossip - it can spring up out of nowhere so watch how you are talking about others. If it feels mean spirited or has no purpose to help that person, don't say it.

There you have it. My goals this year seem so different to me than in years past. There aren't too many where I can check them off in the beginning of the year and be done, most of them are things I'll be working on for most of my life, but I feel it's time for me to begin to focus on these things. I feel I have neglected them this past year. What are some of your goals for the new year?

I was distracted by the half-masticated cow rolling around in your wide-open trap.*

2011-12-31T08:14:00.001-05:00

Earlier this month I got an e-mail from Goodreads basically letting me know that I shouldn't feel bad if I don't reach my goal in time, I would be in good company. Here are the facts: Goodreads members set a collective goal of reading 10 million books in 2011. As of December 7th, 4 million books had been read! If Goodreads Members were just one person that person would have only accomplished 40% of his/her goal...that's unacceptable. I'm proud to present to you the facts of this Goodreads Member as follows:

January - 4

February - 3

March - 4

April - 5

May - 4

June - 3

July - 5

August - 3

September - 1

October - 7

November - 5

December - 6

Grand Total - 50!

Goodreads will now give me a special badge for my profile - that's exciting and a bonus to the goal.

The books are in reverse order (the first book is the last I read), not that you care, but I needed to get that off my chest.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The second book to be re-read (can you tell I'm getting ready for the movie?) I worried at first that I wouldn't be able to do it, but it turns out that I have my facts mixed up over what happened in which book, which made it easier for me to read it again...still good.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
My mom bought me this for Christmas and it was pretty short so of course it got thrown into the mix as I came down to the wire. I read this Christmas Eve and as I read I couldn't help but picture Gonzo in a top hat and Michael Caine.
Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
I really liked this book at first. This is the latest of three books and I've never read the other two so I don't know if she rambles this much in the others but it got to be too much for me. I got frustrated on one chapter where she talked for a couple of pages about what she was going to write but never really got to it. I can understand doing that for humor but I began to feel like the last half of the book was like that, like she was trying to double the size but had no idea what to write.
An Overdose of Death by Agatha Christie
I am liking this Agatha Christie. I like the twist in the stories. With both that I have read I have gotten the ending partially correct, but had ended up doubting myself. This one, I had the general idea but would never have guessed the way it turned out.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I believe that this is the very first book that I have reread! Normally, I remember too much and can't reread a book...at least, I haven't tried very often because the few times I have I can't motivate myself to finish because I know what's coming. But the movie is coming out...and I know I shouldn't go see it cause I'll probably just be annoyed with it...but I can't help myself. I first read this book back in 2009 (thanks Goodreads for keeping track of that) and while I remember most of the story, there were little things I had forgotten. Not to mention, there were parts of the story where I couldn't remember if it came from this book or was in one of the other two. I still think it's good.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I really enjoyed this book. I heard from several people that it was a quick read and well written, so I gave it a shot. I wasn't disappointed. The book is told from the perspective of three different characters and I love how Stockett goes back and forth between the three. A few days after I finished the book, Ryan and I went to see the movie at the Byrd...I had been told it stayed pretty close to the book, and that may be true, but I was still upset at the changes that they made and I actually did not enjoy the movie at all. The characters felt very shallow, which is sad because they are so rich in the novel. I am beginning to think I just shouldn't see movies after reading the books...

...It's Over!*

The World Spins Madly On.*

2011-12-29T09:40:00.000-05:00

Heh - I think this was supposed to be done in 10 consecutive days, but I've kind of dragged it out by a couple of months. Almost done.

Four Books

These are not my top four favorite - but they are the first 4 I thought of and why I like them.

4. The Thirteenth Tale - I love the twist in the storyline. There were times when I was like, "Get back to the good storyline!" cause there was more than one going on at a time, but by the end I saw the need to do it exactly as how it was done.

3. My Sister's Keeper - this book made me cry and there aren't many books that can bring me to tears. Loved the book, despised the movie. Seriously, despised it.

2. Fountainhead - This was a long book with tiny print and was a struggle to read because of size, but it was well worth the read. I loved the characters, I loved how the ones who seemed flawed were my favorites in the end.

1. 1984 - I don't know exactly why it is my all time favorite - but it is. It's a dark, dystopian novel and maybe that's why I love it so much. Haven't you heard? Dark and depression = deep.

You do what you do, I do what I do.*

2011-12-26T07:08:00.001-05:00

Well - it's here, the end of 2011. I can't believe how quickly this year flew by. I also can't believe that it didn't quite turn out how I thought it would. I think it's funny how in my mind I have things worked out and then life happens and the story line changes, but I'm not disappointed that the year didn't go as planned. In fact, I'm very happy with the changes that were thrown into my path. I had a great year, dispite the heartaches. I am indeed grateful for the people who helped to shape this year. To the ones who gave me my space and to the others who told me I couldn't have it, when I was going through tough times.

To my friends I say, thank you. This life wouldn't be much without you in it, so thanks for being here.

Now on to bad news - the recap. Let's see how I did.

Read 50 Books - I did it (December list to come)! There were times when I didn't think that I would make it (was it October?) but I somehow did it. I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get there by recommending books (um, everyone) or by giving me my space (um, everyone), or by reading to me when I was too sick to keep my eyes open and read for myself (Ryan). Thanks everyone for helping me to do this goal that I will never repeat. I like reading, I would like to keep that enjoyment.

Run 1/2 marathon - I did it! I felt like I was going to die and that it was the dumbest idea I have ever had but...I did it! (P.S. another goal I will never repeat).

Budget - Yup - still working on it. But I think I finally have a better chance

Finish my third story - Done and Done. I think I finished back in March and am editing all three right now - trying to make them better and getting ready to send the first one off to a publishing agent to see if I can get any bites.

Lose Weight - Maintain weight...that counts right?

Get motivated at work - Well - I got promoted and my work load increased. I have discovered that dispite a few things that I really can't stand....I like my job overall. So I am more motivated to work.

Reduce Debt - If I hadn't bought a car - this would have been green....cause other than that I've been working it down.

Home Improvement - Have I ever!

Learn to Compromise - I think I have come a little further on this. You'd have to ask people who I have compromised with.

Work on my Serious Theme (Choose the Good Part) - I didn't do so hot, I'll be honest. So - for 2012 I have a new theme and some goals to go with it to ensure that I will do better next time!

You gotta check the mirrors, just the side of your eye.*

2011-12-18T12:09:00.003-05:00

Can I just say that I realize I have been behind on blogging. I know you guys are desperate to know what has been going on in my life...and you've been checking the blog daily like the loyal readers you are. So I apologize :P. So - I will now start catching up, but trying not to overload you with posts. For the next few weeks the post may be mixed (old and current). Hope you enjoy.

The Turkey Trot

On Thanksgiving Day, Kami and I got up a little early and went down to the University of Richmond for their 30-something annual 10k run that they have every year. The funny thing is - I grew up around the corner from U of R and have never heard of this race. But Kami, who moves from Utah, knows about it the first year she is here...she's a Wellness Coordinator for work - so I don't feel so bad.

It was only about two weeks after the half marathon, so you would think that it would be a piece of cake...yeah, I thought so too. I blame the hills, the area around U of R is very hilly. Also, my foot did that painful thing it did during the 1/2 marathon (I should get that checked out).

I didn't get the time I wanted, but I finished and got a shirt. In 2012 I'll get back into beating my times rather than just finishing a race. I'm already signed up for the Monument 10k, I am trying to sign up for the Mud Run (the website isn't working right), there's the Autism 5k that I run every year and I am going to do the 8k in November (instead of the half marathon).

You wouldn't be able to tell that I kind of hate running...would you?

Does syrup have sugar in it?*

2011-12-16T13:00:00.003-05:00

Today I called a girl to follow up on a fax that she requested. I had sent it that morning and just wanted to make sure that it went through. She said the faxes don't come directly to her, but she's sure it made it alright and then she said, "I appreciate you." I waited a minute cause I thought she would finish with, "for following up" or "for faxing that over" but instead we both set for an incredibly long three seconds of silence. Then I said, "Ok, well, thank you." Then we said our goodbyes.

All day I have been randomly repeating that in my head and it makes me smile/chuckle a little.

So - to everyone who reads this...I appreciate you.

I've lost my marbles*

2011-12-11T09:30:00.002-05:00

I might have a problem. I put up my Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving and I got to see all of my penguins.

Except - that wasn't all of them, there were also the ones at work that I had forgotten about. Plus, Wanda just gave me the fat penguin on skis...isn't he the cutest little fat penguin ever!?

Not to mention that since then Kathryn has given me a set of penguin salt and pepper shakers and I now have a penguin stocking. (Oh and four penguin cups that match the penguins below and four penguin plates that match the blue penguin set above).

In fact, we all got new stockings. In order from left to right: Kami, me, Lisa, and Ryan.

Happy Holidays.

He was there and we were there and he wouldn't try!*

2011-12-07T12:23:00.000-05:00

I love these kids in my life...seriously.

So last Sunday, Ryan came over for dinner at my parent's house. Joanna's boys are pretty used to Ryan (in fact - they may love him more than me...). So Ryan and I are sitting on the couch with his arm around me and I look over to see Tommy looking right at me. I don't know how long he has been looking at us, it's a little unnerving (only because, how long has he been watching us?) and I say, "What's up bud?" He remains quiet for a moment and says, "awkward!" and then turns to watch the television.

Later, Ryan shows Ava a magic trick and she has him do it over and over (I saw that coming - but Ryan did not - anyone who has spent time with kids know that they don't easily get tired of things like that). Then Tommy sees it and wants to see it over and over. Then Tommy wants to do the trick. So he takes the quarter that Ryan was using and says, "Hey guys, watch this!" once he has our attention he throws his hands up in the air and cries, "Don't look!" so we look away and somehow, I just can't figure it out, the quarter disappears while we aren't looking. Then it appears on the floor, or in his hand, or if we are lucky, somewhere on us and we ohh and aww.

Tommy was on a roll on Sunday by the way. He comes into the dining room and says, "hey guys," (...have I mentioned that might be his most used phrase? Hey Guys...insert something here"). Back to the story, so he goes on, "What do tables eat?" Some of us waste a little time trying to think what the clever answer will be and Tommy says loudly, "Ice cream!" I gave him a pretty convincing laugh if I do say so myself. The others don't laugh as loudly and Tommy smiles and says, "it's a joke." Then he moves on the say what chairs eat (I believe they eat dinosaurs), this too is followed by, "it's a joke!" So later, I asked him what couches eat (or something like that) he answers something random in return and my eyes get big and I say, "Oh, you've heard this one." I get nothing from him, I think Ryan laughed though. My sense of humor is lost on children sometimes.

My brother-in-law, Ben, called me up on Thursday and invited me over for dinner, so of course, I went. I was hanging out with Tommy (there are other children in these stories - just wait) on the couch and he keeps sticking his finger up his nose.

Me: Go get a tissue, bud.

Tommy: You go get a tissue.

Me: I'm not the one with my finger in my nose.

Joanna: Tommy, get a tissue.

Tommy: I'm too short.

Me: No you're not

Tommy: Yeah I am, see? (he gets on his knees next to the bookshelf and reaches for the tissues up on the third or fourth shelf) See, I'm too small.

Me: Get on your tippy-toes, I bet you can get them if you are on your tippy toes.

Joanna: You just got a mushroom (Jessica is confused) to make you big.

Tommy gets up off his knees and reaches for a tissue and brings it to me. It takes me a minute but I realize what has just happened.

I've played the game...he got a Mario mushroom and grew big and tall so he could get that tissue!

Later that night it turned out that Tommy had Jacob's PJs on and it created quite the event. Somehow, Joanna got everyone to calm down, Tommy remained in Jake's PJs and then Jake was going (sadly) to put on different PJs. As Jake and Tommy passed each other in the hallway Jake starts to cry. We ask what happens and Jake says that Tommy elbowed him in the eye. Tommy doesn't deny it but he puts distance between him and Jake. Joanna comes in at that moment and starts striping in the PJs off of Tommy and giving them to Jake. I don't know why - but I thought this was hilarious.

Joanna told me a story about Ava saying, "Eat, eat" when the baby is feeding and I wanted to hear her say it. So the two of us were hanging out and I look at Ava and say, "Eat, eat!" She smiled and says in her Ava voice, "Eat! Eat!" and then pats my chest...I guess I deserved that.

This past Sunday at dinner, Jake comes in to report on Tommy's bad behavior. His eyes get all big and he points towards the family room and says, "Tommy's on a rampage!"

My Dad was going to take Theo with him to pick up Samantha from something and Theo didn't want to go or something like that and to calm everyone down Jake says, "They fight with each other remember?" Duh.

Later, while eating cake, Jake had crumbs on his back and Joanna was wiping them off asking how he managed to do that. Jake just shrugs his shoulders, keeps eating and says, "it just fell on me."

That's all I have for now.

I have a big head and little arms. I'm just not sure how well this plan was thought through.*

2011-12-01T09:08:00.000-05:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4
April -5

May - 4

June - 3

July -5

August - 3

September - 1

October - 7

November - 5

And Then There Were Non by Agatha Christie
Um - yes please. It took me a few ~~pages~~ chapters to get the characters straight in my head...but that certainly got easier as they were dying off (Dun dun dun). This book kept me guessing, even when I thought I had figured it out she would do something that threw me off. I would definitely recommend this book.

Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley
Of course this book is good - for those of us who grew up with Hinckley, it is exactly what you would expect to get from him. The man is so optimistic even if the face of so much wrong in the world. I went crazy with my pen underlining important things not only to remember, but also to do.

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

When I first started reading this book I kept thinking, "there's no way that this is real, it just can't be." I think the worst moment is realizing that it can be and that there are so many children who have to live lives like that.

A Series of Unfortunate Events - The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

I really liked this - it was different enough from the movie that I didn't have too much trouble reading through it. However, I don't think I could commit to reading all 11 million of the series (okay, okay, it's more like 11 or 13 or something).

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling This was a fun quick read that Ryan let me borrow. It was much like reading Harry's textbook on Fantastic Beasts... J.K. Rowling has an incredible imagination!

I like the night life.*

2011-11-25T13:57:00.007-05:00

I have survived one more year of the Harvest Ball! Yea!

Considering how busy I was making sure that the food was stocked and the punch was available (because my word, that punch was popular! Recipe here) I took a lot of photos! So I will mostly just post with some comments here and there. We had over 200 people there this year and it was a lot of fun!

This picture just cracks me up!

Some of you may remember my fake fiance, Matt. He grew a stash for Movember and looked like he could be from the 70's...he's kind of a big deal*

Kami took quite a few of Ryan and me. She's obsessed with us.

Bryan, Kami, Christian and me.

DaNcInG FiEnDs

He was actually trying to avoid the camera...but it looked like a dance move.

And then just some more random photos.

This is where I was threatening Zach...it's good to know that Ryan will just stand by and laugh (he's probably just happy that face isn't directed at him).
I feel like Tyson NEVER smiles - so this was big.
Jesse is so excited that the Harvest Ball is finally over!

I thought they wouldn't like this picture...but Tyson LOVED it. Must be the baby carrot.

Don't antagonize her - I love a happy medium.*

2011-11-17T07:43:00.000-05:00

Here are pictures from the hike a few weeks ago.

This video is of my friend, Ben (a.k.a. Brother Ben) he is talking about the extinction of some tree. It's a little hard to hear him because Zach is right by the microphone, but I thought Ben's improve was great.

Pictures - in no particular order

Erin and Christian racing uphill.

Zach feels that no hike is complete until he gets a picture of holding my hand.

After Kami took the picture of Zach and me she wanted Ryan and me to take a real one.

Me - beating Zach when he's down. Kami says it's because he held my hand.

Cam wanted proof that he was on a hike - since apparently hiking is a white person's activity. A funny story - the same day that we went hiking there was a 50 mile race (yes, a 50 - on foot - race). Cam and I were coming up one steep part of the hike and moving out of the way for runners. There was this black guy running towards us, he ignored me and looked right at Cam and was like, "What's up?" Cam, like a little school girl, said, "Hey," and then proceeded to giggle and said to me, "he just made my day." I thought maybe I didn't hear the guy right and he said something else to Cam, so I asked Cam what he said that was so funny. Cam said, "Nothing, but he was a black guy running." So I said, "Well Cam, you probably made his day too, he saw you and said, "it's a black guy hiking!"

I loved hiking with Cam

Ryan

Ryan and me on top of a rock - I tried to take our picture with the view in the background and the sun kept messing with us so Lauren (who is very short) took our photo).

Some of the view behind me. The trees had already lost a lot of leaves by the time we went hiking...maybe next fall we'll get them sooner.

Ben and Zach from "Two Guys and a Gnome"

Bryce, Ben, Zach and Ryan. Bryce was told to play the fiddle, Ryan was told to look like he was in deep thought, and Ben and Zach looked at nothing and pointed.

We had about 17 people on the hike - so naturally (and I mean this in that it was unplanned but kind of naturally happened) we divided up into two groups. This is group A.

We all crammed on to a rock while waiting for group B to arrive. I had to hold on to a tree and lean back just to get this photo.

That's it! Hiking is probably over and done with for 2011 - but hopefully I'll go on more hikes in 2012!

Is there air? You don't know!*

2011-11-13T07:40:00.000-05:00

Lildonbro here, live from the living room...I repeat, LIVE. I survived the half marathon!

Though I have to say, in the beginning I didn't think I would.

Thoughts at this moment: "Worst idea, ever!"

I ran most of the time, though at times it was a slow shuffle. I had to walk a little bit here and there because my left knee hurt and my right foot felt as though it were going to split open. Other than that...it wasn't so bad.

I was coming down the home stretch and the cheers were getting louder. That's normal in a race near the finish, but I decided to look over to the side and I saw a guy booking it to the finish. The street was divided into two lanes, and he was in the other, empty one. He...was the first finisher of the marathon. He beat me by a few feet and he ran double what I did. I couldn't help but clap for him. I will post my results

I met my sister for breakfast at Boychik's and finally put my sticker on my car. Yay!

Yummy biscuitos.

When I got home I found a nice little gift and note from my roommate, Kami.
P.S. the results were posted last night - my time was 2:27:46.

I'm not happy, Bob.*

2011-11-10T12:35:00.002-05:00

5 foods

5. Taco Salad - It's my favorite, which throws people off because I don't eat Mexican food...it's probably because I only like it homemade and without anything fancy.

4. Pizza, Pizza - another thing I could eat everyday (I like to think this is because I haven't moved past my college "phase" but I think I just really like pizza.

3. Chicken - all things chicken. I eat it all different ways, in strips, breaded, marinated, plain, grilled, in pasta, shredded, etc. Chicken.

2. Speaking of chicken - I LOVE Noodles and Co buttered noddles with Parmesan crusted chicken breast...and a GIANT snicker doodle cookie.

1. Fries - yes, I know they are bad for you...but I crave them nightly. Okay, not nightly, but when I go out to eat I like to get them. Especially the ones at O'Charly's they are just extra, special good.

- and now I see just how unhealthy I am. I also enjoy grapes, corn on the cob...forget it, I'm unhealthy.

Well... yeah... you put one leg in front of the other over and over again really really fast.*

2011-11-07T15:51:00.004-05:00

The half marathon is this Saturday...gulp. I live with constant anxiety and plan to until Saturday afternoon. I don't even know where to go to get my packet cause my sister isn't running with me and she always tells me where to go - guess I'd better look in to that.

This past Friday I ran 10 miles....straight. I mean - I more so did a jog/shuffle thing, but I didn't walk. That impresses me if I don't say so myself. I bought myself one of those runner belts - the kind I looked at last year and laughed (the 8k I ran last year was the same day as the half and full marathon). I thought, "Who would ever run so long that they'd have to wear a fanny pack just to make it through?" Well - I am here to say that it really helped on my ten mile jog. It's interesting how your body picks up after a few sips of water.

Of course - I went on a hike the next day - probably not a good idea. It was a bit harder than it should have been. I will post about my other adventures soon - we are getting to the end of the busy season for me; the end of pottery class, the race, the Harvest Ball. Then I can finally relax a little...right?

I'll tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but I'm going in there. There's only one thing I want you fellows to do. ..talk me out of it*

2011-11-01T22:21:00.000-04:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4

April -5

May - 4

June - 3

July -5

August - 3

September - 1

October - 7

Doctrine and Covenants

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Tbe Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling

Eternal Man by Truman G. Madsen

No summaries - sorry!

I want to reward you with five minutes of uninterrupted eye contact.*

2011-10-31T10:54:00.002-04:00

She is here!! My new niece was born on Saturday morning (while I was running in place in my living room...)

Olivia

I have already come up with some nicknames - ONJ being the most popular (ONJ = Olivia Newton John). Then there is Olive Juice (which is a lot longer than Olivia - so it may not stick). And...that's about it, I will come up with more as personality arises.

Kathryn and I went over on Saturday to see the new little one -

Then the grandparents and brothers arrived. The boys were so excited to see their new little sister! (And they are already messing up the names, calling Ava Olivia and vice versa).

And just to embarass Joanna - she kept looking at this sign, trying to figure out what time it was. Hey - she just had a baby (p.s. without an epidural...no thanks).

And I'm sitting here on Capital Hill.*

2011-10-27T16:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I got into politics.

It turns out that even things as glamorous as Politics have their ugly sides - like getting up at 5:30 in the morning (the thought still makes my stomach turn).

Marissa came and picked me up at 6:00 AM and we started our adventure to Fairfax, VA. We saw Eric Cantor's (correct me if I'm wrong Marissa) little caravan - just proving that they all have to get up way too early.

I learned about Slug Lanes - okay, so I heard about Slug lanes - I still don't really get them. But I am going to investigate them (if I remember). Maybe I'll post about this (maybe I'm the only person who has never heard of this before).

Once we got to Fairfax, we stopped at a McDonald's to get something to eat. The kid at the register asked me what I would like and I said, "Sausage biscuit." Then I realized that there may be a certain way to order these - I haven't really eaten breakfast from a fast food place in so long, so I kept talking, "is that the right way to order it?" and he was like, "huh? do you mean from the dollar menu?" The dollar menu? I don't think McDonald's had a dollar menu the last time I went, but a dollar sounded good so I acquiesced, but not before I felt super stupid for not having the confidence sufficient to order a dollar sausage biscuit.

When we got to the event, Marissa introduced herself with a whole tongue twisted name/title/location kind of thing and then there was me...Just Jess...so I started to introduce myself in new ways, "I'm Jessica with Marissa P.", "I'm Jessica, Marissa's assistant". Then we got to work. Marissa gave me a clipboard, my job for the day would be to get signatures on a petition to put Mitt Romney on the ballot. Which - as it would seem - he is not on the ballot yet, each candidate needs a certain number of signatures to be on the ballot (note to self for when I decide to run as an independent party). Let me just say - getting people to sign a piece of paper is NOT a strong suit of mine. I don't really like talking to strangers but in person beat over the phone so I took the clipboards and went to stand on the sidewalk with the sign wavers.

I had a good time - once I got more comfortable - and I learned a lot. My favorite part by far were the little old ladies who are very involved in politics. They were very opinionated and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in a crowd akin to a Twilight crowd - except it was old women and politics as opposed to young girls and Edward Cullen...okay - correction, Twilight as a whole. Their talk was the crazed talk of Twilight fans - there excitement to see this man

(Mitt Romney in case you don't know)

was equal to that first moment in the first movie on opening night when Edward Cullen first appeared on the screen (don't act like you don't know what that was like - and don't judge me for knowing what that moment was like....it was peer pressure).

But yes, the main attraction of the event was that Mitt Romney came to Farifax. It was cool, I've never seen anything political (live - I've seen stuff on TV). My desire to not treat people like celebrities kept me from trying to shake his hand, even though this kind stranger gave me tips and offered to be my wing man so I could get in and get the once in a lifetime picture...I just couldn't do it. So - I finally figured out the zoom on my camera and took pictures from a distance instead.

Overall - I had a good time. Once I got comfortable (and once they gave me Romney stickers to hand out) asking people to sign a petition wasn't so difficult. I got to meet a lot of interesting, politically charged people. Because of the clipboards Marissa had given me, everyone thought I was in charge, including some international news crews. I was asked at least 3 times if I was Iris (who I later got to meet - she was in charge). I just began to explain that the clipboards were deceiving, I was not in charge - but I could point out someone who was. It was funny to me that people kept thinking I was in charge - when I am so politically immature that I didn't even know what our Governor looked like until yesterday...oops - I probably shouldn't mention that.

Now I just need to pick up my copy of "Politics for Dummies" so I can start to catch up to the people I met yesterday.

To exotic places like...Milwaukie*

2011-10-21T22:26:00.000-04:00

6 Places

I don't know if this is places I have been, have lived, or want to go...so...I'm doing whatever. Again, this is in no particular order - it's mostly on when I found the pictures.

1. Virginia! This is my hometown. I love Virginia!

2. Rexburg, ID
3. Boston!!

4. Utah

5.IHOP

Actually - I just love pancakes.

6. The Temple

I'm a saint

2011-10-17T12:45:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I was coming up the stairs at church and there was a toddler beginning to come down the stairs...alone. So I politely told him that we should turn around and walk the other way (back in to the building). He hit his head with his palm like, "Oh yeah, that's right, I should be going the other direction" and turned around. I had to go into the kitchen which is right by the stairwell so I turned to him and was like, "Don't try to trick me and make a break for the stairs while my back is turned."

I dropped off my stuff in the kitchen, came out into the hallway, and sure enough the little tyke was two steps down the stairs. I went to talk him out of it and mentioned how we could go find his mom or something. Then another kid came into view, he was about nine years old and upon seeing the kid he was like, "Oh there you are!"

I help him retrieve his brother and the nine year old says, "Are you a saint?"

This is what flashed into my mind:

This of course left me speechless. But I finally got a hold of myself and asked the kid if he was asking if I went to church there (Because our full name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SAINTS). He nodded and I was like, "Yes, I am." I don't know, I felt like I needed to clarify before I answered.

I don't know, maybe I could be Jessica the Patron Saint of Toddlers.

Did you eat paint chips as a kid*

2011-10-13T16:11:00.005-04:00

My badge for work is broken. I knew it was coming, I could see the crack and I figured one day it would stop letting me in to the building...today was that day

I went to the main floor to let the Blood Drive people in (yay for blood drives!) and when I tried to enter the lounge on the third floor I couldn't get in. A kind soul was leaving from the other side so he walked over to let me in but then my badge suddenly worked and I got in. We laughed about it and I went to my desk to forget all about it.

Then someone needed a pedometer (don't get me started on the stupid pedramater). They are kept in the super secret HR closet, of which I have to use my badge to enter. I swiped and swiped and swiped but it wouldn't let me enter. So I got the key, got the pedometer and e-mailed Helpdesk to get me a new one (several hours later - I still don't have one).

So - I took my lunch break and ran errands with Pam. We went to Sam's Club, Party City, and Hallmark (not important to the story in the least - but I thought you'd like to know). It was after 3 o'clock when we got back to the office and I still hadn't actually eaten lunch - I was STARVING. I told Pam we needed to use her badge to get in to the building because mine wasn't working, she told me she didn't have her badge - luckily for us there were about 8 of our employees taking a smoke break so we got one of them to let us in. Pam took the elevator but I walked around to the back stairwell so that along the way I could collect the Blood Drive Signs (see - I brought up the blood drive for a reason earlier). I collect all the signs and start huffing it up the stairs. I get up to the third floor, a little warm and out of breath. I grab my badge and swipe it against the card reader only to remember in that moment that my badge no longer works.

You're kidding me!

I thought quickly and remembered that my friend was recently moved to a desk right by the stairwell - so I pulled out my phone and called her (still out of breath - there is no air circulation in these stairwells - I imagine that if no one ever opened a door an individual could suffocate within 24 hours). She let me in - but not before making fun of me - which is expected from friends.

I get to my desk and get ready to dig in to my sandwich because by now it's 3:30, my aneurysm is acting up because of my time in the oxygen deprived stairwell, and my stomach is about to kill and eat me. My boss decides that this is the moment to catch up with me and is standing at my desk talking to me. I was trying my best to be engaged in the conversation but my mind kept picturing my desk drawer - where my sandwich was - and repeating over and over again,;sandwich, sandwich, sandwich.

I finally got to eat...but I still don't have a fully functioning badge, which means the adventure isn't over.

I've been everywhere man*

2011-10-10T14:53:00.000-04:00

(Ha-Ha! I should have posted this BEFORE the 7 wants...thought I had...sorry)

No pictures in this post because I don't want to see my fears.

8 FeArS

I think eight is appropriate for "fears" because one of my fears involves 8 legs.

Arachnis Deathicus

i.e. the spider

Even the smallest bite from... "arachnis deathicus"... will instantly paralyze...*

I. Hate. Spiders. They give me the shivers with their legs and their pincers...and their venom and their webs, and their many, many eyes.

Wide open fields - in the dark
You don't know what could be laying in wait for you out in that field (really - cause it's dark). It's part of the reason I could never live in the country.

Not being good enough.

This goes for spiritually. Being the youngest of 6. Rejection from boys, literary agents. Not doing a job right. Giving talks or lessons in church. Etc. I want to be really good at everything - which leads me to have perfectionist tendencies.

The brakes not working.

Coming recurring dream of mine - driving along and the brakes won't work. I can't stop the car and I'm running through red lights, the cops are chasing me, etc.

Large bodies of water

People think it's sharks - but it's so much more than that. It's floating in water with who knows what swimming around with easy access to grab my legs and drag me away. It's not having someplace solid to put your feet. It's drowning. It's vastness. It's the unknown.

6.

Heights

Totally legit (but while I'm afraid but it doesn't stop me rock climbing and getting up high - it just stops me from coming back down).

Dad's Phone Calls - mostly his voicemail messages that say, "Hey Jess, this is Dad, give me a call when you get this." Give me a little more Dad - his messages make me feel I am in trouble or that someone is injured or died. I always expect the worst and then when I call him back he is asking some random question.

Not being in control - not like "in control of the situation" and I don't have to be in charge or get my way. I mean not being able to really function. I hate pain meds because I don't feel in control. A reoccurring dream for me is not being able to stop the car (with the brake OR safety brake). There's also the one where I can't move cause someone is holding me back. No control - a fear.

I want a potty! I want a cookie! I want to stay up! I want, I want, I want, me, me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, mine, now, now, now, now!*

2011-10-10T13:11:00.000-04:00

With so much going on I forgot about my 10 day challenge...I figure it was never meant to be ten consecutive days...that would be silly...

SeVeN wAnTs

1. To have ALL of my family close by. Most of them are around town but there are some, I won't name names, who aren't in Virginia.

2. To magically be the recipient of a ton of money that would allow me to pay off all debts and fix up the house (quite a bit; finish the fence, new siding, new roof, and money left over to hire a landscaping company)...I'm allowed to dream big here right?

3. To have the nerve and drive to send in my writing.

4. To be naturally good at piano - instead of sounding like a six year old every time I sit down at the keys.

5. Children as cute as my sister's.

6. 5:00 o'clock....on Friday.

7. More time.

Well the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot. And the baboons are going ape over this.*

2011-10-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend I finally got to go to Carter Mountain with "the Fam" (and by Fam I mean the Rowland sect of the family - since no one else came). I love this tradition - even if the drive is much longer than the actual time spent there. The apple cider doughnuts are well worth it (and this year - the gallon of Apple Cider was pretty worth it too). Plus - I get to spend time with the Rowland clan - who wouldn't be happy about that?? So...here are some photos.

Ava cried and cried while waiting in line for the hayride, she wanted to get down and walk around. But once she figured out what was going on she was so giddy - it was great!

Good morning son, I am a bird.*

2011-10-04T14:43:00.000-04:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4

April -5

May - 4

June - 3

July -5

August - 3

September - 1

I know! I know!

Perdido Street Station by China Mieville

This book was a struggle at first. The first - oh 250 pages kind of drag. However, having read one of Mieville's other books (Unlondon) I knew that it would drag a bit - but that everything he writes - no matter how small - comes to play in the completion of the story. Once B.I.L. Ben gave me a deadline to finish the book I buckled down and forced myself to get through it - but then it hit that magical moment when the story just takes off and you can't put it down. It's a heavier book - so light readers beware. Also - B.I.L. Ben made an "edited" copy for me - I don't know what lay beyond the white out - but it very well may be offensive to some.

The story is complicated to explain - but let me try. This scientist, Isaac, is commissioned to help a Guarda (a flying man-bird) to regain his ability to fly. In the course of his research he comes across a grub and out of curiosity keeps it as it grows to be three feet long and wraps itself in it's chrysalis. This grub becomes a moth that sucks our people's dreams and memories - basically their minds. The idea intrigued me, which is why Ben edited a copy for me to read. It's a good read if you put in the effort for 250 pages or so.

The South Will Rise Again!*

2011-09-30T16:21:00.008-04:00

In 2007 I purchased my very own car. I have had cars before, inherited or "earned" them (I nannied for a whole summer to get a beautiful 1995 Ford Taurus Wagon, Gunther. He was a trip). Gunther had finally had it and couldn't keep his doors closed. That can be pretty dangerous with all the driving I was doing for work at the time. So to Carmax! (said with fist in the air). I was just going to "look" - isn't that always how it starts? It seems so harmless to just look. But then your eyes fall on a beaut and suddenly you can't remember your loyal car that you've just stepped away from. I test drove two cars and the Altima won out. Gunther was "sold" for $500 and Stewie and I embarked on a beautiful journey....to Roanoke, VA. We've been besties ever since that trip.

But about 18 months ago, Stewie started to get sick. I took him to several people to try and diagnose the problem and in the end I had spent roughly $1,000 fixing him up. Then we went to Ohio to see Cassie, Sarah, and Tami.

Upon returning - one morning I went out to my car, ready to go to work and be ultra productive, but I couldn't get the car to come out of park. I jimmied the steering wheel, I restarted the car, I cried, I beat the steering wheel, but nothing seemed to work. My dad came over and after making sure that I didn't miss the obvious, we googled options. We concluded that it must be the solenoid - whatever that was.

Having just dropped $1000 on Stewie's health and not knowing how much a solenoid could cost, we found a way around the situation. For the last 18 months I have been using a small screw driver to shift gears (it was annoying at first and at times I leave my car with it still in drive - I quickly figure it out and fix it...but I've gotten used to this).

Last week I got some coupons in my e-mail inbox from the dealership for a $16 oil change - oh yeah, I'll take that! There were also coupons for discounts on parts - so I figured now was as good a time as any to get this taken care of. I put in the work order and in addition to the oil change, added to have them fix the splash guard and the solenoid bit.

I pull into the dealership and a salesman directs me to the right place. He starts talking to me right away about why I've brought my car in, etc. He starts talking to me about 2012 models and test drives. He's got a Turkish accent and lazy eye are both are kind of endearing (I won't lie). But I resist and Ryan gets me out of there before I can be pulled into anything else.

Ryan and I walk into Kyle's office and I feel like we are at the doctor's office...I say so and then I say, "Give it to me straight, I can handle it." Kyle laughs. We are best friends. We leave the car and go to lunch. An hour later Kyle calls me to tell me that the diagnostic test has come back. For the gearshift - they can't replace only the solenoid, they have to replace the entire gearshift! What does that set someone back? $750!!

So there I am, sitting at my desk thinking, "Put me on the phone with the Turk, he can get me a deal." I ask Kyle if I can think about it. I call my dad, hoping/knowing he'll talk me out of whatever my impulsive desires are driving me to do. Dad debates it - it almost sounds like he wants a new car and wants me to get a new car. Where is the dad that would drain piggy banks on cars just to get a little more time with them? But then Dad pulls through and mentions all the other expenses I currently have or am sure to have being a homeowner. Seal the deal. No new car for this girl.

I felt confident about my decision, I called up Kyle but he was at lunch. I missed his return call but called back right away. "Let's go for it!" I tell Kyle. But I also had some questions. Kyle had mentioned the splash guard, the oil pressure gauge thingy, and the rear brakes. I ask him how much the breaks would cost - $385 *ugh!* (that's what I said) and there's the oil pressure do-hickey - did I want to take care of that now? I ask how much...$90."Is it really important Kyle? Is a dohickey really important?" Actually it came out like this, "You're killing me, Kyle!" He nervously laughed. It is like the doctor - he has to be the bearer of bad news.

I take a deep breath and think:

Oil Change - $16

Replace breaks - $385

Fixed splash guard - $25

Oil Pressure dohickey - $90

Gearshift replacement - $750

Labor Costs - $Who knows how much!?

Paying an arm and a leg to have a car like new - limbless, err, priceless

"Okay, let's just do it all now and get it over with." (Same mentally I have with a box of Twinkies).

Kyle informs me that I will pay $600 for today and the rest next week when they are able to replace the gearshift. Ryan picks me up from work and we go so I can give them all my money.

Saul (the Turk car salesman) sees me come in and runs over to tell me what else he can give. Free oil changes, state inspections, car washes, tire rotations...for life. Car payment less than what I pay now for a car 6 years newer and several thousand dollars more (before rebate and trade in). "Just take a test drive, no hard feelings if we get back and you say 'no thanks'." So - we go for a test drive.

Nothing too spectacular - nothing that would get me to purchase a new car. But as we talked about what Saul could get me and I considered what the future expenses could be on a car that has already put me through a lot - I went with it.

Sadly, they were down two people in the finance department - so Ryan and I ended up being there from 5 - 10:30 (I didn't decide to buy the car until 6:30 though). Saul brought lemonade for Ryan and me and we played Boggle on my phone. We got a tour of the place, we emptied out my car, Saul changed my license plates over (and gave me a special VIP license plate holder thingy). Saul even said that if there was anything I didn't want - leave it in the car...there were 5 bags of Goodwill stuff I have been meaning to drop off for quite possibly a year. So - new car and a goodwill run checked off of my to-do list....bonus.

And what did I do with my new car? I drove to Carter Mountain on Saturday (details to come....like tomorrow or something).

P.S. the new car's name is Diego - inspired by the great movie, Mask of Zorro. Thanks Ryan for the suggestion!

I'm sailing! I sail! I'm a sailor!*

2011-09-28T09:39:00.000-04:00

9 Loves (in no particular order)

My family

Um - cause they are awesome!

2.

My religion

I really do just love my religion (and of course this includes God and spirituality and what have you)

Adventures

I like to go places - I don't always think I want to because I feel like I am a homebody - but I really do like to see new things and be spontaneous.

Sugar (I'm trying to be honest here)

My friends

There is no safe picture to put here - I can't possible fit all the friends on want to into this area and so I am going to just avoid any drama and not put anyone :) But I love my friends - I honestly do. I feel that I have surrounded myself with some of the best people and I am so grateful to each and every one of them for what they teach me and how they inspire me to grow.

Joanna's Cakes

(And comic book heroes for that matter)

Books!

I love a good story. I even love some bad stories at first (until the end ruins it). It's not just that I love reading, I love BOOKS. I love to flip the pages between my fingers, to smell them and to feel the weight of them in my hands.

Writing

I love writing. I love getting to know my characters and see what happens in their lives. Writing is hard - but it's something that is hard but pays off for me. Even if no one ever sees the stuff (though I really hope that one day they will...on a bookshelf :)

Fall

This is my favorite time of the year. I love how it gets chilly and the leaves change colors, how it gets darker in the evenings and the way the air smells like camp fire.

What are some of your loves?

Hello Worthless, Miss Me?*

2011-09-27T11:19:00.007-04:00

Today I came to a haunting realization.

Nerds as we know and love them aren't nerds. They are really attractive guys dressed up to be nerds.

I cam to this realization when I was looking for an image of a typewriter. This picture popped up. I passed over it quickly not really giving it much though but then suddenly I thought, "That isn't a real person - that's some model made to look like a nerd." And then this blog post was born.

Then I thought it was probably just the guy from X-Men first class - but my eyes are too bad to be 100% certain.

Granted I have known some real life nerds who are pretty good looking (I've dated quite a few of them). But I was thinking about it - I have always loved Entertainment Nerds, as I will call them - the ones found in TV shows and movies. I have always shied away from Real Nerds. I attract Real Nerds and a lot of them scare me. But then I came to another realization - I am also attracted to many Real Nerds and I myself am one. I mean - how else am I connecting with these boys on things like Star Trek, science fiction and comic books.

I guess I'm not even mad at Hollywood for trying to deceive me since in some cases I can have attractive nerds...

I just noticed that Hollywood always make such endearing nerds that happen to be super attractive (and maybe they wouldn't be so endearing if they weren't attractive?) It's like when I realized that girls don't want guys to behave as guys do in the chick flicks...they want the actors to appear and behave as they do in the chick flicks. Some of the behaviors are downright creepy when guys which aren't interested in apply them to real life. Sorry - random thought for the day.

I know I'm not the only nerd lover out there (I dare say many of you are) so what are your thoughts on Entertainment Nerds and Real Nerds?

You know what I've discovered about your daddy? He likes to eat cookies in bed. *

2011-09-24T00:29:00.007-04:00

I want to blog again - I feel I have neglected it. So two things -

1) Brad Pitt is the Robert Redford of his generation.

2) I have stolen an idea from another blog. Vanessa stole it first! She is using it to get back to blogging and so I will too.

So I guess you guys luck out and get to learn all about me. So here it goes - 10 secrets...that won't be secrets once this blog is posted.

I have a giant notebook of pathetic poetry I wrote all through middle school and high school. I cringe when I read most of it but can't bear to toss it.

I used to have a picture of Jason Priestley on my ceiling so I could see his dreamy face every night before I went to bed.

When I am alone in the car I sing as loudly as I can. In the summers - when my windows are down - I will roll them up at stoplights so people nearby can't hear me.

~4~

I used to day dream about being interviewed as a famous actress (despite the fact that I can't act and I hated being up in front of people).

I secretly love being up in front of people.

I think I subconsciously hold myself back - I have been calling it 'procrastination' for years. But I think that I am too afraid of being rejected to really put myself out there (career, publishing, etc.)

-7~
I don't like to feel stupid and I resent people who do/say things to make me feel that way.

Despite the fact that I don't eat chocolate and it doesn't tempt me - I love the smell of chocolate.

I run races (5k, 10k, 8k, half marathons) so that I can get a shirt, a bib, and breakfast afterwards.

10.

When I am sitting next to a guy (any guy will do) and he leans forward, I have a strong desire to just scratch his back...but I refrain since he might get the wrong idea and it's probably socially unacceptable.

That's because you are stupid*

2011-09-20T08:07:00.000-04:00

This weekend I had the chance to go to Lexington, Virginia. Lexington is about two hours west of Richmond. It's home to VMI and Washington-Lee College, and is very close to Southern Virginia University (question - do most states have so many colleges and universities packed together?)

I saw a deer, in the daylight, on the side of the road...still alive! I also saw a dog and cat chilling together. I ate ribs for the first time too. (hmm - those contradict each other - sweet animals, living in perfect harmony and then me eating ribs...)

Friday night - Ryan and I went to see "The Wizard of Oz" at Southern Virginia University. The director has seen Monty Python on stage where they had as few actors as possible had a twist to it and so he worked with the actors and they came up with The Wizard of Oz...with a twist. There were 9 actors, the scene changes happened right before our eyes, their was a comedic twist. Nothing from the movie script was changed (though there was an addition or two). It was the way they said the same words that just made it so funny. The actors even sounded like the characters in the movie - especially Dorothy - she did a great job!

She even looks like her! This is the only picture I could find. Toto was a hand puppet - usually attached to a girl in a black outfit but sometimes just carried under Dorothy's arm. I loved the Tin Man - I think he was my favorite. Mostly - I was completely in love with the whole thing. I think they did a fantastic job!

Saturday I got to tour Lexington - which is pretty historical. I walked around Washington-Lee and VMI and they both have museums so we went in those. I got to see a stuffed horse (sorry - no picture). I also got to see Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson's graves. Here are some pictures. First from Washington-Lee

Then VMI (Virginia Military Institute):

And then Stonewall Jackson's grave:

Best official sign of the weekend (doesn't sound very mature does it?)

And finally - what I could see from Ryan's driveway...I thought this was pretty cool. This guy and I bonded - I mean - look at the eye contact

So that was my weekend in Lexington. Coming Soon - Dad's Birthday dinner.

Hello my blueberries!*

2011-09-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

Last night I started a 14-week Beginner's Wheel Throwing class.

This was another one of my impulsive moves I am known to make from time to time. G-sauce threw out an e-mail to a bunch to people to see if anyone was interested in taking this class with her. At the time I had one of those impulsive thoughts, the kind that get me into pickles. But then another came, I was not in a financial position to do it (wait...what? That means I actually stopped myself from doing something impulsive!)

Don't worry - it didn't last long. I responded to G and told her that I couldn't at that time, but to let me know anything else she might do later. She responded that if no one wanted to do it then (this was in the summer) that she would sign up for the fall. "Count me in." ...eek, I did it again.

I kept waiting for G to say, "never mind", but that never happened. She e-mailed me a few weeks before to make sure I was doing it, "of course!" how dare she think I wouldn't?! But secretly I was like, "I can't really afford this right now - money or time wise". Then last week she said she was registering. So I freaked out a little, what if I pay all this money, commit to this time, and I SUCK at it!? G slapped me across the face and told me I would be fine (okay, okay, she didn't slap me - she responded to my text message with a laugh and a "you'll be fine").

So last night I learned how to "wedge" the clay (p.s. the clay stinks...like nature). When I was watching the instructor it looked a lot like kneading bread - I've done that before so it seemed easy enough. Guess what? It's not exactly like kneading bread - cause you are trying to make a cone shape. She had us "wedge" two blocks of clay and then she said we could just shape the other two into cones. Wedging was easier than shaping - plus - I'm a closet perfectionist and wanted to get this down. I think I mostly had it by block 4. And by that I mean - it looked a heck of a lot better than block 1.

Then it was to the wheel! Eek! I set up my wheel with the splash guard thingy and I grabbed a bat and placed it on the wheel (a bat is like a tray that fits on the wheel and then you place the clay on it). I got my bucket of water and made sure I had my rib (wooden tool), pokey thing (can't remember the name), and sponge.

I wanted to make sure my clay was on there securely so with a loud SPLAT I thrust mine on to the bat. Then I dipped my hands in the water and stared at the clay for a while. I was trying to remember what we were supposed to do first. So I rewet my hands and pushed my foot down on the peddle and tried to smooth out my clay. The instructor went around to each of us to help and we were supposed to make cylinders. My first one was a cylinder - but I also had a lot of help from the teacher. My second one was a bowl - which we weren't doing bowls last night but the instructor said I could keep it, so I finished it up and put it on the table for the next step.

My third one...oh my third one. I mostly practiced center the clay with my third one (I had to do that with all of them but I wanted to get that part down - it's when you are spinning the wheel and getting all the bumps out of the clay - you make it tall, then you bring it back down and then you spin and spin and spin* until it feels smooth as it spins against your hands - no bumps or anything.

But I thought I would try for a cylinder again. The instructor helped me a little and then I got to work on opening up the clay (creating the hole in the middle). She came over and was like, "It looks like a..." and I know she wanted to say cylinder but I also knew she couldn't lie, "bowl." she finished with a sad little smile. Then she went on about how it naturally wants to be a bowl and I said, "if it wants to be a bowl who am I to say it can't be?"

G-sauce had the cylinder down. I told her that was great - but when we get to bowls I'm going to rock it.

I'm actually pretty excited to go back next week - and I might even try to slip in this weekend to get more practice with centering and making a cylinder...we'll see. (Tami - I will try to get pictures - just seemed a little ridiculous to try and get some last night, being the first day of class and all).

Surprise! He's the Real Hero.*

2011-09-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

So, last Saturday we had a hurricane.

The end.

Just kidding! I got up early and cleaned a lot, did laundry in case the power went out, etc. Forgot to charge my cell phone - but...whatever. Christian kept trying to talk us in to coming over to his house but he didn't have power and we still did, so we hesitated. Finally he talked Kami in to it and then he sent me a text message personally inviting me to his Hurricane Party and asking me to bring Sequence and some cards. So we went, Ryan came too cause he was already going to come over and hang out. So we all go over there and hang out. The boys order pizza and Christian sets up Dr. Mario on the laptop so we can play a few rounds. We played foosball, and Boggle, and then we played Beat Bot on some iPhones and then we pulled out the guitar, harmonica, and shakers and had a little jam fest...pretty much - you could say that we were all suffering from Cabin Fever. Christian got himself all suited up and went out in the storm. It was REALLY windy and rainy but that was about it from our perspective.

Boredom took us out on the streets Saturday night to go over to Erin's place at U of R (she still have power). Then Sunday we went out looking for service opportunities since church was cancelled.

My dad had a chainsaw and a neighbor in need so we went over there. We ran into troubles of course - there were tress down all over (we had the same trouble Saturday night).

Sometimes the trees looked like shadows across the road as we were driving up on them. Luckily, Kami was driving and she has better eyes.
The boys got out and checked out the tree while Kami and I yelled at them not to get too close to the wires.

This is Matt by the roots.

My dad's neighbor loved that we had come to help. We used chainsaws and bare hands and ripped that tree apart! He was laughing and asked if we were beavers or something. It was a lot of fun and super messy, we were covered in sap.

Here's the tree that was blocking our road for a while - this is after they cleaned it up a bit though.

We lost power for a couple of days. We hung in there and hoped for the best as far as the food was concerned - but Tuesday afternoon I went home during my lunch break and dumped everything. It SMELLED! The meat was bad and leaking and who knows what happened in the fridge. But I wiped it all down and it was as good as new.

Just in time for the power to come back on Tuesday afternoon...

That was an accident! I loved my mother!*

2011-09-01T09:50:00.001-04:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4

April -5

May - 4

June - 3

July -5

August - 3

Strength Finders 2.0 by Tom Rath
Amber recommended this book to me and I decided to do it for two reasons. 1) She said it was a quick read and I am all about getting some of those as time counts down. 2) I had gone through Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and I feel I have improved because of it, so - what the hey. I found the book's intro to be very insightful and I enjoyed reading about my possible strengths. So far it's already helped me to deal with a few situations in my life better than I would have.

Prologue: The Brothers by Chris Stewart

Volume 1 of the Great and Terrible Series...And.

It.

Is.

Great and terrible.

I got so frustrated that right near the end I started to underline the terrible lines and descriptions so I could ask someone else if I was just being too hard on the book. "Sneered with emotion" - that's an example. I just feel like saying, which emotion - how am I supposed to know? In all of my creative writing courses we were told to show not tell. I feel as though Chris Stewart never heard that. Yes - I am probably being really hard on him. I have committed to give book 2 a try - but that is it - if I don't like book 2 I am not continuing with the series (7 books).

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Pretty good. I was hesitant at first, can't really say why. Of course - it came right after finally finishing the Great and Terrible book - so I could just like it because it was so much better. But really, it's a quick read. The way it is written makes you want to keep reading - even by flashlight, at 12:30 in the morning. I started this book on Sunday and finished it on Wednesday - I would have read it quicker had it not been such a pain to read by flashlight. Warning - the book is darker, dealing with suicide, high school bullying, etc. I wouldn't recommend it to my 13 year old cousin or anything, but I think it fairly portrayed what it might be like for a (bullied) girl in high school these days. Also, it's a little more than depressing at some points but I think the main character turns it around at the end to be a bit hopeful, or at least - not a total waste. I can't say more without giving anything away. So proceed with caution if you don't like darker books.

Is there air?! You Don't Know!*

2011-08-29T12:22:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to post quickly that I am alive - but I am without power at home.

I am taking advantage of the power at work to send a quick little update out there to the world at large.

Irene was windy and rainy and she took out tons of power and trees with her. She was angry about something. But I spent a fun weekend with friends. I will post later (with pics Tami) of events and damage and etc.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!*

2011-08-26T06:20:00.000-04:00

I am not proud of everything I have done in my past. I have made decisions that have caused me a lot of pain, regret, and sorrow.

The worst thing about your past is you think that you have moved on, you think you are safe from it, but then one day it rears it's ugly head and comes crashing down on you. Last Sunday my past caught up with me:

Once upon a time I thought these were pretty stylish. I tried to take a picture of the side so you could see the confetti - that's right, it was like wearing a party on my face all the time!

One Eyed Willie!*

I tried to recreate what I might have looked like eons ago when I owned this particular pair of glasses:

I've mostly got the look down. No smile but my hair would have NEVER been that straight. I didn't discover the straight iron until college (hallelujah). Plus - I think it would be safe to say that I was at least 30 pounds heavier back then. So add a little to the face, curl and frizz the hair and wallah! You have a picture taken right from my past.

Wow, that was just like "Carrie"! I thought she was gonna kill us all. *

2011-08-23T16:11:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends (mostly Mur who just wrote on my Facebook wall and while I got an e-mail notification,

I am alive. And now famous because I survived an earthquake. Just kidding. But seriously. That was crazy! So here are some news articles:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44245009/ns/us_news-life/t/congress-pentagon-other-dc-areas-evacuate-after-quake/?GT1=43001

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44245125

And here is my story:

I came into work thinking nothing exciting would happen. Not long after sitting down at my desk one manager came over to inform me that his pregger employee was having her baby today. That was exciting - then I went back to work.

I was working on payroll today, so I was sitting at my desk when my workstation started to shake. At first I thought someone was barreling down the hallway and wondered who would be and why they would be running down the hallway like that. Then I realized it wasn't someone running so I thought maybe a delivery guy was storming through the hallway with his delivery. When it got louder and my workstation was really shaking I thought for a second that there was construction going on on the floor above but I quickly (and finally thought), "Oh my goodness, I think this is an earthquake!"

I am proud to say I kept my nerve. Which is why I am also pretty certain that I will die in a natural disaster because even though I knew an earthquake wasn't normal my first thought was, "Don't overreact." Looks like denial is a pretty big part of my life. Anyway. We evacuated and hung out in the parking lot for a while and then we came back into the building.

My legs felt funny and it felt like the building was still moving but I knew that it wasn't. So - that's my day - lived through an earthquake (a 5.8 - 6.0 - I've heard the whole range).

Just a pic of the epicenter, it was in Mineral, VA which isn't too far away from here (about 30 minutes which is almost the same distance from my house to my parent's).

So - how was your day?

So it begins* (epic)

2011-08-23T07:29:00.003-04:00

Training for the half marathon has begun.

No more laughing no more fun.

If you slow or break your run

You will pay the consequences

(adapted from "Chinese School")

I have been able to pretend that it wasn't really coming. Just something I was still talking about doing. Then Monday hit. Monday was the official start date on training. If I am going to be able to train in time, that was the last possible time to start.

So, I started off "lite" with 3 miles. ...it only gets bigger from here. *GULP*.

Actually, today is two miles - but I have found the second day is always a little harder - even if it is less. But - we have started. I am excited and nervous at the same time. As I was running yesterday I kept thinking, "No one is going to run this one with me" because everyone who said they would hadn't signed up yet. But last night Marissa informed me that she signed up! So I am excited that I will at least have someone who can get me to the right place at the right time to start the race (let's be honest, I have NEVER paid attention to where I need to be on race day - someone always does that for me).

Anyway - wish me luck.

Somebody's got a case of the Mondays!*

2011-08-20T19:12:00.003-04:00

There is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.

When is the right time to say "hello" when you are walking down a hallway towards someone? I have a workstation that is smack dab in the middle of a hallway. It's a long walk from one end to the other and there are not many "exit points". So when I turn the corner at one end and see someone else down at the other end of the long, lonely stretch I am faced with a dilemma. I could smile and wave immediately, but then I am left with the "what now?" issue. I have smiled and waved and there's still too much distance between us to say anything. Do we continued to walk towards each other in silence? Nothing to say and not even an initiatory wave to fall back on? -OR- do I avoid eye contact (like I haven't just seen them) and wait until we are closer and I can smile and wave.

Then there's the issue of when you do get closer - if you have waved right at the beginning and then ignored their existence until you are right up on them, then it's strange to suddenly turn friendly again and ask how they are doing.

Even if you take that route, you haven't slowed down your walk at this point so when you are close enough an exchange like this occurs.

A - How's it going.
pass by each other
B - Good.
keep walking away from each other.

It's as though "B" said in a rush, "I'm good. No time to slow down and ask you in return!"

Sometimes it's less stressful just to walk down the hall pretending you don't see each other and then hoping you'll reach your exit point before your paths cross. I think a lot of people would agree - I mean, judging by the number of people who join me in not waving and saying 'hello', I'd say I am far from alone in this viewpoint.

It's kind of the same reason I wait to get water in the morning and miss the 8:30 herd meeting at the watering hole. It's just awkward to figure out these social things.

You're not affiliated with me!*

2011-08-18T07:50:00.000-04:00

I have to share something that made me laugh. I got an e-mail from a man a work asking that I remove any and all evidence of his birthday from "public record" (basically, I make it so that it won't show up on the intranet). Anyway, he said he just hates birthdays and that he has never really celebrated or acknowledged one in about 27 years. Then he said, "Maybe I'm a closeted Mormon..."

This made me laugh - I don't know if you've guessed it, but I'm a Mormon and we do celebrate birthdays! Okay, I may not really do much for my own, but there is some short of celebration, especially involving cake. Then I chuckled a little more, what are the odds that he would make a Mormon joke to the only Mormon at work?

I feel like letting him know I've done the best I can with removing the proof, but that he should still expect a discrete birthday card from the CEO...and oh, by the way, Mormons celebrate birthday and holidays, you must be thinking of Jehovah Witnesses.

Let me debunk some myths that have come up over my short life span:

Mormons celebrate birthdays

We believe in Jesus and we LOVE Christmas (someone thought we didn't celebrate Christmas - I would not be a Mormon if we didn't - jk...kinda).

We celebrate ALL holidays - even that heathen one Halloween (which happens to be my favorite - less than 80 days!)

Mormons eat chocolate! It's just me and a few others who don't.

I have only one mom, biologically this is all that is possible; but in case you meant how many wives does my dad have? Still only one.

We use electricity (you're thinking of the Amish - mmm....Amish Friendship Bread - does anyone have that recipe?)

As you can tell by my wardrobe, we wear more than just all black all the time (thank you fourth grade teacher for that new one).

We are not affiliated with Dorothy from Wizard of Oz (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700166085/DC-Temple-graffiti-prank-wont-die.html)

We are allowed to dance...can we dance is another story. Mostly, no, but I think for a bunch of sober people we do alright for ourselves.

That's all I have, I really wanted to make it a nice clean '10' but I just can't. Have you heard any crazy ones (this is applicable to Mormons and Non-Mormons)? It can't be that Mormons are the only ones whose religion gets mixed up with others, so if you aren't Mormon have you ever heard any crazy ones about your own religion? I curious to read the feedback.

And for some more fun...

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Yahweh or No Way? - Mormons & God's Poll Numbers

http://www.colbertnation.com/

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

Video Archive

Monday, Monday. Can't trust that day.*

2011-08-16T17:12:00.002-04:00

Here's how my Monday started (in great detail - the times may have been slightly altered because who really remembers the exact times?):

7:06 a.m. - Wake Up

7:09 a.m. - Play words with friends

7:15 a.m. - Shower, breakfast, pack lunch etc.

8:15 a.m. - Hit the road Jack

8:17 a.m. - Feel a strange shaking sensation all throughout the car - detour to closest gas station

8:26 a.m. - Talk to Indian cashier at the Shell gas station as he gives me change for a $10 so I can use the air machine and fill up my tire. He's having a so-so day and hopes to see me around some time.

8:29 a.m. - Call Wanda to tell her I'll be late.

8:30 a.m. - Tire is full of air, quick scan shows no signs of long lasting damage.

8:41 a.m. - enter highway

8:55 a.m. - Two exits away from work I hear the sound of rushing wind...my windows are rolled up. The car shakes a little and I pull over.

8:55.5 a.m. - I call dad, he is on the way, stay in the car.

8:56 a.m. - Call Wanda to give her a status update.

8:57 a.m. - Text the roommate to tell her what a great Monday I am having

8:58 a.m. - Pull out iPod and play Vortex

9:03 a.m. - Dad calls back to say he is on his way.

9:10 a.m. - Motorists Assistance pulls up to offer Assistance. Tell her that my dad is on the way, apologize. She says it happens. Sticks around a moment and heads off to be the hero to someone else.

9:19 a.m. - Dad calls to let me know he is entering highway

9:23 a.m. - Dad calls to tell me he doesn't see me.

9:27 a.m. - Dad calls to tell me that he saw me when he was headed int he opposite direction...he'll be there soon.

9:35 a.m. - Dad changes tire. I explain to my nephews that it popped (Tommy: Like a balloon!?). Told them the spare was called a donut. They thought that was funny.

9:43 a.m. - Tire all done. Head over to Pep Boys

9:48 a.m. - Get to Pep Boys - talk to cute mechanic (he looked like Milo Ventimiglia - but scruffier with a buzz cut).

9:53 a.m. - Arrange to pick the car back up after work. Dad gives me a ride to work.

9:57 a.m. - Give a cheery "good morning" to the security guards and take the stairs.

10:12 a.m. - After getting settled in - write this post - to be posted later because I have pictures!

Happy Monday Folks!

I'm not two-timing. I never one-timed!*

2011-08-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

Saturday a group of us went hiking. We chose Old Rag. I remember hiking Old Rag when I was an awkward, overweight teenager - so I figured it wouldn't be so bad now that I've at least lost a few pounds (yup - still awkward). I was still nervous though - I am fairly certain that the last time I went hiking was Mt Temp in Utah...a decade ago. My fears were not satiated when my friend said she was advised not to join in on this hike since it was going to be really hard. Even worse was when we went to pay for parking and there was something that said it was a very difficult hike. But - I was already there.

Our friend, Zach, has a gnome he likes to take adventuring with him. I feel it's like the Travelocity gnome that goes all over but I have never asked to confirm. When we first got there Kami decided to use the lovely commode and I decided that she should see a gnome when she came out.

She was pretty surprised.

We took a before picture in case any one of us didn't make it back - we would know what they were wearing.

Whenever I look at this picture I start singing, "We're off to see the wizard!" I don't know why.

Zach also has a thing for tall ladies. He can't help himself. When Kami shoots him down he comes for me. He was a little downhearted because I am seeing someone now, so he asked if he could at least hold my hand and get a picture of it. Then he told me that he never loses...meaning, he'd "win me back".

Random pit stop:

Making a fire.

Would have been nice if this were the extent of "difficult". We asked someone who was heading down if we were almost to the top and he gave us a sad little shake of the head.

And this is where the fun begins! It's about a 16 foot drop into this little crevice. You can climb down of course, I wouldn't recommend just dropping - that would be stupid.

Not long after the drop - Christan decided to have some alone time and eat his lunch. I think he was looking for some solitude - but this hike ranks "0" on the solitude scale (no seriously, it's on the website)

I was supposed to look stuck - but you can't tell from this angle how close the rocks are.

This may show it better.

Zach and me - my favorite part is the three people from our group in the background - what are they pointing at?

It was so cloudy - of course a thunderstorm was also moving in.

We did it!! Our group got divided up several times (First with Christian hanging back to eat lunch, then Zach and Ben went ahead. Kami and her Ryan separated. I stayed back and helped Maddy through the rock tumble (which I am in love with and I seriously want to go do it again and SOON!) and then we slowly got back together. Christian caught up to Maddy and me and then we caught up to the other four. We got caught in a rain storm on the way down...at least I could say I was soaking wet because of rain rather than sweat...but it was no bueno for my poor little toes. I skipped taking a picture because I didn't want to pull away from the beauty of the hike.

I do want to point out that not only did I make it - but I didn't struggle (sorry this is an issue of pride because Zach was concerned that I wouldn't make it...) It's these long legs, they helped so much during the rock tumble - plus, my experience with rock climbing walls helped as well.

I can't wait for the next hike!

I don't have time for a grudge match with every poser in a parka.*

2011-08-12T14:22:00.000-04:00

It just occurred to me that I hadn't posted the pictures from kickball. If you are friends with me on Facebook then you have probably already seen this (if you haven't, it's okay, I don't Facebook stalk either :)

I finally took my camera with me the last game of the session. Mostly I tried to get some action shots in between playing on the field and waiting my turn to kick. It was harder to take pictures than I thought. Everyone was so spread out, so I focused on the kicks and decided we'd just get a team picture later.

The last game was pretty fun. I got someone out while playing second base, we had some good kicks and some good runs. My favorite was Katie's. She kicked the ball and went running and then her feet decided she should run anymore. So she stumbled a bit and then she was down. I don't know if the person on first was shocked by this or what, but the main point was that the ball was missed and went rolling away while Katie crawl to first base.

This is a picture of the damage:
We really liked our ref too. Something I learned is that there are fun refs (usually the good ones, the laid back ones, etc.) and then there are the bad refs (who couldn't make a decent call to save their lives). Our last ref was a good one, we could joke around with him but he also called a fair game and he didn't make up rules as he went (not that any of them did that...but one of them may have). We got our ref to take our team photo and he decided to take some candid ones too, so here are all the photos he took.

I really liked these people, they were so much fun to play with and very friendly. I only knew Katie when I started to play and I'm a pretty shy person, but they made me feel comfortable right away. All in all - a good impulse decision...I would do this again.

Vampire wouldn't tell, Cyborg wouldn't know. *

2011-08-11T07:20:00.003-04:00

Years ago my friend taught a lesson in Relief Society (for those of you who are not Mormon, Relief Society is held during the third hour of our church meetings and it is a class of only women. (I will not get into the history just now - but hey, if you want to know, I will). The lessons are a bit different from Sunday School, which sticks strictly to the scriptures. And there are different teachers for each week, It's pretty cool, you should come sometime...unless you are a boy - then we won't let you).

Before I forget why I started this post...

So years ago, my friend gave a lesson. I can't quite remember the exact topic, but I remember a concept that she brought up during the lesson. She stated that she had a "feel good box". It was a small box she had and inside was filled with letters and notes from people where they said something nice about her. She would put all of these things into the box as she received them. Then when she was feeling down she would go to her box and look through some of the nice things that people had said to/about her and they would help to bring her out of her funk.

I remember really liking this idea. There are so many times in our lives where we tend to forget just how amazing we are. There are some of us who constantly forget this. From that moment, I began to collect the little things people would write.

In Relief Society (again - it's pretty cool - come) we have a board with little baby clothespins and then during class a box with strips of paper is sent around, we call these love notes. You can write whatever you want to whomever you want. The nice things is, we're all adults so you won't have anyone writing anything mean and petty. Instead, you take a moment to tell someone they looked nice, or they did a good job teaching or speaking, or just to say you think they are amazing. The whole idea is that everyone will just be sharing the love.

This works well for me, because it provides a way to get new things to put into my "feel good box". The other day I was having a bad day at work. Just cranky, nothing happened. I was e-mailing back and forth with my contact for some educational stuff and not once, but twice she threw in a compliment. Apparently I am "a doll". It reminded me of the "feel good box". It wasn't just the two little compliments that helped change my mood at work, but it certainly helped and they can be found in my "feel good box".

I think everyone should have their own little "feel good box", so when you are feeling lonely or sad or just find yourself in some kind of rut or funk, you have a place you can go where you can remind yourself that this moment won't last. You can be reminded that people love you and why they love you.

I don't often issue challenges or assign homework - but here it goes. I want you to designate a box, a container, a cork board, anything that can hold innumerable "love notes" to be your "feel good box". If you want, you can take a picture of it, do a blog post, and paste the link in the comments so I can come and check it out.

...do it. You won't regret it.

My feet are sweating.*

2011-08-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

Jimothy and I decided a few weeks ago that we would attempt to make the best biscuitos ever. We both have a love of buttermilk biscuits, which is why when we catch up with each other it's usually over breakfast. I like that Cracker Barrel gives us endless buttermilk biscuits...but let's be honest, those aren't the best biscuits I've ever had. I like Hardee's (if they are made right) and the ones from Boychik's (that's in Innsbrook for Richmonders).

We had been talking about doing this for a while, we were even going to do it last weekend but we both forgot. So this past Saturday we buckled down and got to business.

I went to the store to get buttermilk and stood in front of the vast display of all types of half & half, milk, and whipping cream but I couldn't seem to find the buttermilk. Then I heard a voice say, "there it is, buttermilk." Followed by a finger which pointed me in the right direction. How...? But then I realized that the man and woman standing next to me were also in pursuit of buttermilk, so as soon as she grabbed some I went in after and told them I was glad they were there, I was standing there unable to find it. As I left I said, "Thank you".

Jimothy and I decided to try two recipes and compare. He made one, I made the other. We cut them into shapes...

They were okay. They weren't the best, but they weren't the worst either. We have some ideas for improvements.

You can't be perfect with biscuitos if you want to use all the dough. So this little guy turned out funky looking and less perfect than his brothers...but I'm sure he still tasted the same.

I took the leftovers to Ben and Jo's house and my nephews went crazy, "Biscuits! Biscuits! Biscuits!" I thought they would be impressed with the dinosaur shaped ones, but they went straight for the round ones. I had no idea that we shared the love of biscuits - no wonder I think they (the kids) are so awesome.

You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.*

2011-08-09T09:04:00.002-04:00

Dear Blognions (minions who read my blog).

I apologize for the delay in writing a blog post. A lot has been going on and a lot less time has been available to write. PLUS - I wanted to have pictures for Tami. I am trying Tami, I really am. But alas, my computer has decided to not wake up. Yesterday afternoon I finally got some pictures on to my computer and then it froze, so I turned it off and back on and I got nothing. Last night when I got home I tried the same and it either froze or after logging in the screen stayed black (as long as it isn't blue I'm not too worried). This morning - the same. So I'm a little frustrated but still hopeful that not all is lost. All else- I will open it in safe mode tonight.

So - the point is - I'M SORRY TAMI! There will be no pictures in this post, but if you're lucky (more so if I'M lucky, there will be a post with pictures tomorrow).

As is though, I am having a bit of an idea famine. As you guys know, I like to write. It's the what to write about that gets me sometimes. As much as I know you guys love to read about my strange obsession with sharks and squirrels, I am interested to know if there is anything you want to know.

There is a game I love to play because it gives me a bit of an adrenaline rush - mostly because I am a pathological liar and this game makes me be honest. It's called, "truth or truth". My roommates and I used to play this all the time in college. Basically, you ask a question and the other person has to answer it honestly. If you guys want to play, you can post a question in the comments and then I'll do a post where I answer all of them.

That seems a bit egotistical to me, but seeing as how I write the blog I suppose I would have to be the one the questions are directed towards (plus, I really do like this game). ...and I lack the creativity to come up with something to write about. There, I admitted it.

So, questions, opinions, suggestions, etc. In the meantime - here are a few of my favorite things.*

Potato chips that are folded over

When my niece says actual words (like "ball" or "eyes" - now if only she would say my name!)

When you are driving in a rainstorm and you go under and overpass and it's quiet for a moment and then the rain hits again when you come out the other side (that one is hard to explain - we'll have to go for a car ride in the rain together for me to show you).

Frisbee

Having good, deep conversations with friends

Inside jokes

Quoting Mega mind with my roommate

Spending time with my family

Teaching (it's the adrenaline)

Yard work (If and only if you can see the difference afterwards)

Rearranging furniture

Warm food (preferably made by someone else)

Okay - that is all for now, I'm going to attempt to go back to productive life.

Kings and pawns, marshal. Emperors and fools. *

2011-08-03T09:50:00.004-04:00

Let's play a game called, how weird and crazy can Lildonbro get!?

Also known as...

The Real Facts

Jimothy sent me a text the other day asking why I don't have a pool. I told him that there were several reasons:

Insurance

I don't swim

Sharks

He understood the first two but challenged me on the whole sharks bit saying he's never heard of a shark getting in to a swimming pool (funny story, I retold this portion to my roommate and she fixated on the insurance...I pointed this oddity out to her). I kindly explained to him that sharks can travel through the underground water, swim up a well and get into a pool. Again, he challenged me on the ability of sharks to live in fresh water.

As everyone knows (or maybe you don't, and if you don't I think we're going to have more fun with this), sharks are "salt water fish". At least...that's what they want you to believe. From my understanding it's shark week - or was a week ago, not sure, I've never been with the times. To celebrate that here are the real facts about sharks -

Sharks are actually ambiaquatic. They have the ability to live in salt water and fresh water

The average shark is only afraid of two things, dolphins and gorillas. However, due to limitations of both of these mammals, they share the responsibility of shark control. The dolphins defend the ocean while the gorillas defend the land.

Shark life is a lot like organized crime. When a hit is called on a shark they are not sent to swim with the fishes, but rather, to sail with the marine biologists. (go ahead, google the article, it's real).

While sharks pretend to live mostly solitary lives, there is actually a vast social network, they try to keep it under wraps, but Finbook.com is just getting too big to be ignored.

Jellyfish actually do a lot of the dirty work for sharks. While it is debatable whether or not sharks come close to shore, it is no secret that jellyfish do. The jellyfish will choose a victim, sting them until they can't swim and start to sink...to a shark waiting below the surface.

I know these facts seem horrible, but it is the truth. Sharks can swim upriver as well as through the underground water source, which is why they can end up in a swimming pool in RVA...

Fun Fact
When a shark doesn't finish its human its mother will go off about how there are starving sharks in the pacific. Okay - so the truth? While sharks scare me and I never want to meet one, they are kind of pretty cool and may fascinate me a little. You have to have respect for something that doesn't actually sleep, won't care for it's newborns because all sharks are born with basic survival instincts, and can replace their teeth in less than 24 hours.

Imagine the things I could do if I had that basic skill set. Le sigh, maybe in another life.

I like the high ones!*

2011-08-02T07:33:00.001-04:00

January - 4

February - 3

March - 4

April - 5

May -4

June - 3

July - 5

Believing Christ by Stephen Robinson - I thought this was an excellent book. Robinson uses metaphors and analogies that really get the point across (at one point he uses several in a row to explain the same thing in case the finance and sports weren't your language) and I understood the Atonement in a way I hadn't before.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - I actually liked it, a lot of people said that there were a lot of emotions and what not, but it made sense considering what happened and the whole connection thing. ...basically, I'm just glad I made it through that beast in time!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by j.K. Rowling - The sixth movie was my favorite. I'm not saying that because it was the most recent (until the last two) before the movie I didn't have a favorite. The book lives up to that and of course, gives me more. This was the last book I read where I had already seen the movie, so I was able to picture a lot of the things from my memory, but I loved the added detail!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling - I rushed through book 7, having read it basically in 2 days because of my deadline. When I went to finish the last 100 pages that I didn't finish in time for the movie, I went back a little further so that I wouldn't miss anything. The book is better. Especially with 7.1, I didn't like 7.1, let's say that one is the least favorite out of all the movies. The book is so detail rich that it left the movie feeling detail anemic. 7.2 was really good, granted it had an awesome soundtrack, it was in the theater and it was the one with all the action...so it was bound to be better. I still had trouble with the bits and pieces left out and rearranged. The book however was amazing and I thought the whole series was really well done. I'm still trying to figure out why she does (SPOILER ALERT...maybe? Course I am probably the only person on the planet who hadn't read them yet) 19 years later rather than 20...does anyone know why??

Everfound by Neal Shusterman - The end of the Skinjacker series. It was very well done! Sometimes when I read trilogies the last book leaves me feeling incomplete or leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but then one ties up some loose ends and has an overall hopeful message. I really liked the characters and the deeper meanings found within the storyline. I would definitely recommend, and I don't usually recommend books because I'm worried the other person wouldn't like them. I'm still worried, but I'll take a chance with these books.

Is this on? I mean, I can break through walls, I just can't... can't get this on. *

2011-07-28T08:09:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love my brother-in-law.

Of course, it's easy to love someone who loves you back. So if you will indulge me, I'm going to just go off on him. Please understand that while I love writing, I'm horrible with writing about my life and about people in my life. Reality has never been my best subject. If I can't exaggerate or insert half truths or all out lies I lack in my ability to express myself. I don't know what it is, but it is. So this may not be well written, I may not be able to describe how I really feel, but just know that I have an overwhelming gratitude for him.

My brother-in-law is one of the few people who can bring me to tears, not in a bad way, but more because of my appreciation for him, because he never ceases to amaze me with how much he cares about me. Sometimes I think it's easy for me to forget that people care about me, even my family, and they have to care about me (not really, but I'm super glad that they do).

He gets angry when someone hurts me, he'll go through and edit a book he wants me to read, he calls me up to invite me to dinner, he'll mow my lawn without me asking, or risk life and limb to spray wasp killer into a hole in the ground. He's thrown in compliments here and there and helps to build me up, especially when I am having a hard time. He bought me a book on writing and a penguin (I love penguins) pillow pet (both gifts made me almost cry...okay, one of them really did, but in my defense I had had a really stressful day*). He loves my family - but of course, who couldn't love my family? And seems to go above and beyond (see below). He's just plain thoughtful folks...there, I said it, the cat's out of the bag, my BIL is thoughtful.

And that doesn't make him any less of a man.

All of that makes it okay that his life's goal seems to be to make me uncomfortable with winks and the kissy faces, but then I see him do the same thing to his brother and I know that I am really family and that makes me feel really special*. Besides, it makes it really difficult for anyone or anything to really make me uncomfortable.

It's like he has prepared me for the real world in some strange and twisted way.

I'm so grateful for him and I'm glad he knew what was best for him and married my beautiful sister and joined our family. I don't know what my life would be like without him and his little clan.

Run home, Jack!*

2011-07-22T09:12:00.002-04:00

This week at kickball I actually made it around all the bases...twice!

It makes up for the fact that my very first kick was my worst ever. I wanted to kick it in a straight line, right down the middle, but what I got was the ball hitting the top right of my foot and going to the beefcake who was on first. (Who's on first?)*

So I started the game not too sure of myself. Then everyone on my team started to get really good kicks and I was thinking, "Yeah, um, no pressure or anything." So I went up to kick, the ball came rolling towards me. Now, there are orange lines on the ground indicating the kick zone, you can kick if the ball doesn't come between those lines, but if you don't it's a ball. So the first one comes to the right and it is not between the orange lines, it's close though, it's kissing the orange line, but not in the orange line. I look at the ref, the ref looks at me and he calls a strike and I smiled and was like, "From where you're standing, come over here and you would have seen it was out." He just smiled and I determined that no matter what, I would kick the next one.

And I did. I made it to first, then the person kicking after me got it so I ran to 2nd, then with my team yelling to keep going, I went for 3rd, where I stayed for a little while but then I got to go for the orange home plate. I can't say I had gotten to do that before so I was pretty excited.

After kickball I went to Byrd park to play some frisbee. I was kind of tired and while it had cooled off greatly, it was still humid. I ran down the field once and my arms were covered in sweat, no bueno.

Around 9:30 or so three dudes on motorcycles show up and start parking their bikes. I started to joke around that the motorcycle gang wanted to join our game, but they didn't, rather they seemed to multiply and before we knew it there were about 20-25 people headed towards the little baseball diamond next to the field where we play. Guess what they were playing??

Kickball.

Apparently kickball is more popular than I realized, even motorcycle gangs play...they should put that on the shirts. Anyway, so we keep playing, not really paying attention to the giant kickball game taking place next door. When we stopped playing we were all hanging around the bench drinking water and talking and I couldn't help but look at the kickballers, there was no light on that field (cause only authorized Little league baseball teams are supposed to play there) so they were borrowing the tennis court lights, like we do. This gave them a faraway look, made it easier to forget that they were there. I say something about it to one of the guys, Ryan, and he was confused for a bit and I said, "You see them don't you?" and suddenly I felt like I was in Field of Dreams. Ryan picks up on this right away and we start making Field of Dreams references. I called out (but not really cause I didn't want them to hear me) if there was a doctor, and then I pointed to one of the girls, "she's choking on a hot dog". It was fun, I love pretending I'm in a movie.

Then I looked out at the kickballers, cupped my hand to my mouth and said, "Run home, Jack!" and Ryan said, "No, no, no! They've got it backwards!"

"He's stealing second!" *bang*

Oops, short circuited on the movie madness.

Out! Back to the sixties! Back! There's no place for you here in the future! Get back while you still can! *

2011-07-21T08:48:00.004-04:00

When I see something I like, I steal it. This comes from Meggan over at Roughin' It In Alaska. You should check her out, she's pretty cool.

So let's check out my booty (and by 'booty' I mean as in 'argh!' not junk in the trunk)

Things I am

...funny (I hope, I hope, I hope)

...procrastinator

...creative (aka pathological liar)

...hard on myself

Things I am not

...musically gifted

...confrontational

...motivated (at least not this week)

...sure

Things I love

...my family!

...writing

...my religion

...frisbee

Things I do not love

...sweating

...hitting a pothole

...when something at the house breaks

...cleaning my bathroom

Things I like to eat

...peanut butter ripple ice cream

...chicken strips

...buttermilk biscuits

...turkey sandwiches

Things I do not like to eat

...everything else...

...seafood

...veggies

...anything with a funky texture

Things I have

...a job

...good friends

...a house

...a blog

Things I still want

...to be debt free

...to be a published writer

...a boyfriend

...a more engaging job

Things I want to do tomorrow

...get to 5 o'clock

...fix my oven handle

...be productive

...I don't know, something amazing I guess*

Things I want to do in a year

...lose 20 lbs

...get some courage and send in my writing

...take steps towards a "career"

...continue to grow and be a better person

Things I wished for and received

...peace of mind (it will be a constant battle though)

...For things to work out for the best (sorry I'm being vague)

...To not have a lot to do this week (at work)

...to know the right thing to do

Things I keep wishing for

...a magical source of money

...a boyfriend (a rich one?)

...courage

...the perfect job to just show itself to me

Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I'm free at last*

2011-07-18T09:57:00.003-04:00

I'm done, I'm done, I'm done!

I have to be honest here, I had a hundred pages left when I stopped reading on Thursday. I thought I could read and watch Harry Potter 7.1 at the same time, but I couldn't, I realized I wasn't actually paying attention to either. So I watched the movie and then we went to the theater. I have since finished it completely though, I went back further than 100 pages too because I felt like I had rushed it. But the point is, I'm done. I feel okay not finishing the last 100 pages beforehand because that's a lot of Potter in a short amount of time.

Because I went to the midnight showing, I took Friday off. I had an eye doctor appointment for 11:15 because I figured that would be late enough in the day that I could get some stuff done and then get over there...I slept in until 11:30, no beuno. So I called the eye doctor and told them I got held up (no way was I admitting that I just woke up). So they rescheduled me for 1 p.m.

I get to the doctor, update some info and then...I wait. Finally around 1:30 or 1:45 they have me take my eyes out and take me to do all the little test; the green field with the white house that auto adjusts, the puff of air, and the peripheral vision test. For the last one (for people who don't get their eyes checked often and do not know) they put a patch over one eye, have you put your chin on the little chin thingy, and then you stare at an orange light and click a mouse every time you see a white light blink in your peripheral. I knew it wasn't going well because I barely clicked the mouse and I remembered clicking it a lot more last time I took the test. We switch eyes and the same thing. All I could think was, "There's something seriously wrong with my eyes." Okay, so really I thought, "I'm dying....I'm dying." Because eyes and life force are so deeply connected, it's why there are no blind people...

So we finish and the lady is quiet for a moment and then she says, "Did you know that the lights will pop up all over?" I, not liking the idea of having failed a test just shrugged my shoulders and tried to act as though I didn't, but part of me didn't really understand what she was saying then. Give it to me straight, Doc, if I failed, I failed, let's not make excuses. Then she tells me that this test tests for 12 different things, one of which is glaucoma. Apparently 40 lights will appear and I hit the mouse 13 or 14 times...

Then she looks at the results from last time and says that I got 100%, so we'll do the test again after I see the doctor. Then she holds out the test results for me to see...which I can't because I took my eyes out and am legally blind. So I lean in close to try to make something of the results and though I don't see anything (even inches from my nose) I say, "Oh, okay." This must have given me away and she checked my prescription and it was her turn to say, "oh, okay." So I go to sit in the waiting room, blind as a bat, and she talks to the other woman in the office who reminds her that she needs to use a lens. So it's back to the test and there's a little device that pops up this time where she places a lens with my prescription. The patch is put back on my eye and I lean in for the test again, one eye, the next, all done. 100%. I went back to my seat in the waiting area with the feeling that I narrowly escaped glaucoma.

The eye doctor in total took about 1.5 hours...seriously? Once I got my new eyes I went into the Wal-Mart to pick up a few items. As I was walking down an aisle I overheard a man talking to his wife on the phone and he said, "This is Wal-mart honey, there is no one to ask."

...and that pretty much summed up my Friday afternoon.

Conversation in the Park

2011-07-08T09:15:00.002-04:00

Last night we played some Frisbee at Byrd part. There is this homeless guy who rides his bike up sometimes and watches us play. Last night he showed up and we were finishing and some of us were just throwing the Frisbee back and forth. He called out to one of the guys to throw the Frisbee to him, so the guy did. Then the homeless guy threw the Frisbee back and I have to admit, I was very surprised by how well he threw! It was perfect! Now I get why he comes to watch us, this guy must have played before. Anyway, more and more people started to leave so we stopped throwing the Frisbee. I walked over to the bench to get my stuff and say goodbye to the few remaining people and then the homeless guy calls out and this conversation followed:

Homeless Guy: Cheat-toes and milk!
No one says anything
Homeless Guy: Cheat-toes and milk, some people say that's a funny combination.
Me: Well...they're both dairy, kinda, right?
Homeless Guy: That's right. (something-something) Scary and mean, (something-something) God and Jesus.
Me: What was that?
Homeless Guy: Sometimes God and Jesus can be that way, scary and mean.
Me: Oh, like Cheetos and Milk?
Homeless Guy: Exactly.

...I'm still not really sure what that was about, but I feel like he understood.

This is death con 5!*

2011-07-06T10:31:00.001-04:00

They say you can't...

They say you can't drink a gallon of milk all at once.

They say you can't swallow a teaspoon of cinnamon.

They say you can't move your leg in a counter clockwise circle and draw a '6' with you hand at the same time

They say you can't read the last three Harry Potter Books in 8 days...

...

...
...

They may be right.

I have completed the fourth and am into the fifth. I'm trying to read at lightening speeds but I am just not a speed reader, I find that I want to ensure I am picturing the descriptions just right and I keep thinking, "Blast it J.K.! Don't you know I'm up against the clock!?"

Meanwhile, I am having really weird wizardry dreams, like finding bogarts in the shadowy places of my house...

In other related news, I have the seventh (the first part one) movie at my house via Netflix so that I have it ready to watch before I see the movie on Thursday at midnight (which means, I will probably watch it after work on Thursday afternoon).

Looky, Looky, I got Hooky.*

2011-07-01T09:20:00.000-04:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4

April -5

May - 4

June - 3

Just three this month...it was rough.

Everlost by Neal Shusterman - I bought Everlost for a couple of reasons. The first being, the literary agent that I am going to send my stuff to had this author listed on their website as books that they helped to get published. I liked his first book, Unwind so I thought I would give it a shot. Also, one day I forgot Harry Potter, when you are trying to read 50 books in a year you can't waste a perfectly good lunch hour not reading, so I went and bought this.

Neal Shusterman has a thing for car crashes on the highway (Unwind had a pretty nasty one too). I really liked this book, the premise is kind of, "what happens to people who are heading towards the light at the end of the tunnel but get knocked off course?" They end up in Everlost, living in a world that is kind of an overlap of the living world. Not that Unwind was poorly written, because it wasn't, but you can see a major improvement in Shusterman's writing from that book to this one. I really enjoyed it, so much that...

Everwild by Neil Shusterman - I went and bought the second book. Did I forget to mention that Everlost is the first book of a trilogy? Not only did I buy the second one (and read through it in record time) but I went ahead and bought the third too because I knew that I would want to read it right away...however, I ran into my Harry Potter debacle so Everfound is on hold.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
I have finished the fourth! Only three more books in 13 days!

By the way, I loved you in the Wizard of Oz.*

2011-06-27T14:47:00.004-04:00

I've made a boo-boo.

I challenged myself to finish the Harry Potter books before the last movie came out. That's in about 19 days. It seemed easy at the time, I couldn't put the first three books down and so I read them quickly. I thought for sure that speed would stay with me through to the end so I took a break, telling myself I would read numbers 4 and 5 in June and somehow miraculously read 6 and 7 in July. I guess I didn't realize that Harry comes out on the 15th and I'm still stuck in book 4. I think my main problem is that I am starting to remember the movies; I have never read books where I have the movie first. I think it has something to do with already knowing what is going to happen, cause I can tell you, when I want to know what is happening I fly through books!

My second problem - my dumb book fell apart! Do you know how hard it is to want to pick up a book where the pages keep falling out? I eventually solved this problem by removing half of the book, but still.

It's time to buckle down and get reading. I don't actually think I can do it, but if I do it then that would be amazing. Not to mention, a huge boost for my overall "read 50 books" goal. So...it's off to my little room, locked away, reading.

They say taupe is very soothing.*

2011-06-24T15:03:00.004-04:00

I have decided that I'm kind of the Dr. Frankenstein of office furniture. We have some really old chairs at work...some really old and dilapidated chairs. We have decided to slowly start replacing them. If it were up to me I would say, "Out with the old and in with the new!" but there's a budget and responsible spending getting in the way.

Therefore, ever so slowly (and by that I mean, we have a grand total of 2) we are getting new chairs. This chair dilemma kind of gets in the way of a small portion of my job. A new chair can take 2-3 weeks to get to us from the time of ordering. Not that long...when you are purchasing the chairs in advance (I think that's what Steven Covey means by being proactive), but when you realize you need new chairs as you are setting up a new hire who starts on Monday...not such a good thing.

So today, I was setting up two new hires and realized that both of their chairs were just dismal. I found a semi-descent chair only to realize that the arm had a hole in it, not too noticeable until you put your arm on the armrest. So I went to my little "chair graveyard" (seriously, that's what we call it), found a chair with a decent right arm and then went to work removing it. I took the arm to the other chair and replaced the bad arm with the good. "It's alive!"

...sadly, I have the feeling I will be doing this for a while before it can be proven that we should just buy a bunch of new chairs to have on hand. Then the chair graveyard can be converted into a...a...a chair incubator.

Fingers crossed we get some new chairs soon, I think the issue is slowly driving me mad.

He's too fantastic!*

2011-06-23T09:17:00.002-04:00

First of all, I want to wish my brother, Matt, a happy birthday! I don't think he reads my blog, but it's the thought that counts (and if he does read he should leave comments so I actually know that he does). This blog, after all, was started so I could keep my family informed with what was happening in my life. Then...well, I don't know what happened to it. I just have a lot of feelings.*

For those of you who are interested, my life is going pretty well. I've had some rough patches recently, but overall I am feeling pretty optimistic about life. I won't get into details because then this post would turn into a novella, but recently I have come to learn a lot about myself and I may be self-centered, but it's an incredible feeling to figure things out. To begin to see a bigger picture and to realize that you are being lead to better things than what you were trying to lead yourself to.

Anyway. We had the Institute Open House last Friday and I think it went pretty well. We had a lot of people sign in at the front (and then we did door prizes) and on Tuesday we had a few new people at class. It was nice to be able to just wander from room to room and relax and not have to worry about if the food is filled or if the trash is picked up, either because someone else was fretting and I didn't know or because these people are clean and threw away their own trash.

...I ate a lot of Lofthouse cookies. This probably explains why I don't have a substantial memory of the evening. What I do know is that I almost won Foosball.

This summer, for Insti, the students are leading discussions on old Conference/BYU devotional talks. I will be leading the discussion on July 5th and my talk is a BYU Devotional, "Remember Lot's Wife" given by Holland. I am nervous, like when I see people giving a talk in church and I get that sinking feeling that my time is up, any week now it could be me on the stand. So I see the others leading the discussions and think, "My time is coming". I will let you know how it goes.

Kickball is going well. The day of a game I am not in the mood to go play, I think, "maybe I can tell them I'm sick and not go." Each and every week I have thought this. But I go and when I get there I feel alright. Everyone is still super nice and I am finally getting some names down. Our opponents this week were nicer and more fun by leaps and bounds than the team we played last week. The game is much more enjoyable when you don't have die hard kickball players. I mean, the opponents this week had socks (and one had shoes) that matched their jerseys and they actually "warmed up" for the game, but their attitudes weren't as crazed.

In other news, I am working on my query letter to send my story to a Literary Agent. In case you don't know, I like to write. I have written three stories and I am working on a fourth. The first three are a trilogy and this fourth is a new venture. I have to say, the hardest thing to write so far is this query letter. I can make up three books worth of fictitious life for fictitious characters but I struggle with a one page letter. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed, the plan is to send in the query letter and the first ten pages of the first book to a literary agent by July 15th.

That's kind of it for now. Hopefully my adventures this coming weekend will result in pictures, because sometimes that's all you really want from a blog post.

Call me Ishmael*

2011-06-20T19:53:00.000-04:00

Ever try going to the bathroom with something like this standing behind you?

I have.

And I'm pretty certain that almost every horror movie I have ever seen, partially or in full, ran through my mind. I had to keep looking over my shoulder just to be certain it wasn't on the move.

I am lucky to be alive.

The morgue?! She'll be furious!*

2011-06-15T08:15:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, we (Amber, Lindsay, Marissa and I) kidnapped Jim for his birthday and took him to see something he has wanted to see for all of his adult life.

Foamhenge: A full sized replica of Stonehenge made entirely of Styrofoam.

While kidnapping wasn't a surprise (Amber thought it best to let him know so he didn't go making other plans - it was wise) the location was. So we drove and drove and drove and then we stopped off at a Cracker Barrel miles and miles from home for breakfast. Jim loves Cracker Barrel, we began a brief fake relationship at Cracker Barrel several weeks ago when an old lady told us that it was so good to hear us laughing so much during her brunch (long story short, I actually thought she was coming to tell us to settle down).

Good morning kidnappers!

Cracker Barrel gives you syrup shots with every order of flapjacks - Jim drank one of those on a dare.

He kept trying to figure out where we were taking him, but after breakfast we told him that was it, we just wanted him to think something exciting was coming.

As we drove on towards our destination, we did a good job not telling him where we were going. Then, a few miles away we started to see giant billboards for Natural Bridge and Foamhenge (oddly enough I have never seen any type of advertising for Foamhenge), so he says, "Are we going to Foamhenge?" and everyone got quiet, turns out we all suck at lying (or being quick on our feet but that can't possibly be it).

So...surprise!

We pull up behind a hippie van and to this day I am not sure if Jim giggling like a school girl was because he was finally at Foamhenge or because of the hippie van.

Darwin Loves You (that's what the sticker says)

Pretty sure there are signs that state you should not ever touch anything at Foamhenge. Also, pretty sure that Marissa and Lindsay are illiterate.

Amber and I jumping from an actual rock (meaning: we were allowed to stand on it)

The hippie van owners also had these two spacemen. Legend has it that they haven't seen each other in 20 years! Ever since they were handed out as wedding favors to select guest.

Again people: you are NOT allowed to touch Foamhenge!

And last but not least - Jim and I taking our engagement photo by Merlin (you know that Merlin resides at the real Stonehenge correct? Just making sure). Shhh - don't tell Matt I was briefly fake engaged to Jim, I'm hoping Matt and I can work out our fake differences.

Happy Birthday Jim!

Don't Call It A Come Back*

2011-06-12T09:55:00.000-04:00

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere to go."

~Abraham Lincoln~

Today I want to express my gratitude for the Lord. For a while I was writing gratitude posts every Sunday and it kind of tapered off. It's not that I am no longer grateful it is that I didn't build it as a habit, and I should have. I think that I need to remind myself of all that I have to be grateful for. Sometimes I get so caught up in my busy life, my routine, and mostly myself that I forget what great things are done for me.

I have come to realize as of late that I am one incredibly selfish individual. I mean, I always knew that I was selfish, but I don't think I realized before to what extreme. I don't want to be so selfish but I don't know how to change. I don't know how to stop being so self absorbed. A few posts ago I mentioned how I am ready to be more than I am (at least I hope that is the message that got across). I am ready, I am willing, I believe that most of my obstacles to achieve that have been removed (whether I wanted them removed or not), but the biggest one of all remains - what exactly am I supposed to do?

The other day I received more bad news - but it's the kind of bad news that only affects me. It struck me down in that "my world is over" kind of way we selfish people see things. I spent a lot of time on my knees unable to decide if I was angry, hurt, lost, or in denial. The emotions kept switching on me for a good thirty minutes if not more. Then I realized that no amount of crying was going to change anything and that if I wanted to change to be a better person I'd better get praying. So I prayed for the necessary strength to get through my trials and I prayed to know what it is that I should be doing. I'll admit, I have no idea where to begin. I guess in a way I see myself a little like C.S. Lewis wrote, a living house (quoted below). Except that I want to throw in there that I feel like I am handing God a dilapidated shack to begin with.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” ~ C.S. Lewis

The Lord knows what he is doing even when we are not sure. Sometimes I feel like the world is ripped out from beneath my feet, which is all the more shocking when you felt you had your feet so firmly planted. I used to have a plan, an idea of where I was going, but now I don't. At first this hurt the worst, but ever so slowly I am coming to realize that maybe my plan was all wrong for me. I can see where the Lord has prepared me, little by little, to face this trial. I know that what I have learned over the years has also helped prepare me for the things I am struggling with.

My gratitude to the Lord (today) is this, that He sees what I have the potential to become, even if I can't see it and that He removes obstacles that I refused to acknowledge and though I struggle and doubt from time to time, he provides me with an indescribable peace I can find nowhere else.

Don't Want to Pull a Hammy*

2011-06-09T15:44:00.002-04:00

Remember that kickball team that I randomly joined? Well, we had out first game last night. I was a little nervous, for a couple of reasons:

I only know one person on the team

I didn't really know where I was going

I can't claim to actually be good at kickball (but then again - can anyone?)

I printed out directions, I glanced over the field map, I considered finding a way out of it, but in the end I went. I had to circle the field at least twice because I couldn't find a spot, but then I found a nice little neighborhood to park in and walk over. I spotted my friend, Katie, on my second time around the field so that took care of some of the anxiety.

I got my shirt but there was no where to change, Katie suggested I old-school it by putting on the shirt then taking off the other one from underneath. It's been years since I have had to do that (let's think, 10th grade gym class I believe). I put the shirt on and then struggled a little, probably looking like an idiot with my arms tucked in, and then I just gave up, popped my arms back out, and decided that I would wear both shirts. It was only 98 degrees out, no problem (p.s. I really wanted to say "no sweat" there but instead I've written it right afterwards so you know that it was on my mind).

The game moves pretty quickly, I guess I didn't remember that from elementary school (either that or now that our arms are proportionate to our bodies we can actually catch the ball right away - easily/quickly getting three outs). A few innings passed before I was up to kick. I tried to follow all of the rules, kicking from behind the plate, eyeing the orange plate by first that I would have to touch first. Then the giant bouncy ball came towards me, I stepped back, then came forward and kicked it. I stood still (mistake) because I assumed that they would catch it right away (mistake) so when they didn't catch it right away I had to make a haul for it, I almost made it to the plate before they got me out (my speed must have increased because I ran up the hill at Foamhenge - pictures to come soon - not of me running, just from the adventure). The next time - I kicked and ran and took my chances, I made it to the base.

I finally figured out why a bunch of adults would sign up for a kickball league (aside from the obvious - it's awesome), it's a drinking league. I've never played on a sports team that drank cozy covered beers while waiting to kick. Katie and I brought our water bottles, and Katie offered to let me borrow a cozy, you know, so the children wouldn't see me drinking water.

All-in-all, it was a lot of fun. The whole team was very friendly; they cheered everyone on (even with bad kicks); and they thought I was funny (could have been the drinking?).

Oh - and we won! That of course was the best part. This morning I woke up with a sore kickball muscle (real life medical term there) which surprised me because I technically only kicked about 4 times. I'll be sure to do my stretches in the future - and once I am a bit more comfortable, I will take some photos.

Some thoughts

2011-06-06T17:15:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, at church, my friend admitted that he has an empathy problem. Then he started to talk about when his grandmother passed away and how he knew it was hard for his mom but he never really saw his grandmother. I related to him then, all of my grandparents have passed and I know that it is difficult for my parent's, but it has been hard for me to truly understand because I never really saw any of my grandparents. I'm not saying I was a robot when they passed, I cried, trust me, but it was different. I cried that they were gone but also because I felt bad for not crying right away or because I hadn't really gotten to know them.

I told my friend that I had the same problem, though I don't believe it is as severe as I once imagined. If I let myself sit still and think about it, I have no issues with the empathy/sympathy. In fact, I really feel it, which is probably why I don't let myself dwell on these things very often.

This weekend I found out that a coworker passed away in a boating accident. There was the initial shock which I think most people have. I was immediately sobered when I heard the news, but then I went into denial mode. I had to keep going, I talked to whoever would listen about anything except this bad news, I watched a movie, listened to music, read, anything. In the moments I had to myself to think (which happens at church quite a lot) it started to sink in. I have cried a few times driving from Point A to Point B. I dreaded going to work Monday morning because it would somehow make it real.

I told myself I didn't want to go to work because I don't know how to behave in situations like this, but I think mostly I don't want to admit that it happened. If I don't go by her workstation it's as though she is just out of the office.

Her passing came on top of a few weeks of introspection about where I am going with my life. What am I doing and what am I waiting for? I have felt recently that the Lord was trying to tell me to do something more with my life and then with the news on Saturday I received an unfortunate reminder that we shouldn't wait. Another coworker wrote on her Facebook page that things like these really make you look at your life. I was already looking at my life but now there is a bit more urgency. I don't want to pass away from this life still waiting to pursue something better, something more for myself.

Yesterday, during the Relief Society lesson, the teacher said, "We're destined for greater things." I wrote that down, along with all the other little messages I have been receiving and then I changed it ever so slightly to read: "You are destined for greater things." Then I added, "Start today".

I think a lot of us live beneath our potential for whatever reason. It could be that we simply don't know what our potential is, or it could be that we are scared to put ourselves out there and try. I think I have a mixture of both but starting today I am going to do something about that. I want to realize what I am capable of and to stop being afraid to achieve it.

Will everyone just calm down! For the love of God and all that is holy, calm the hell down! *

2011-06-03T17:06:00.000-04:00

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family.

Meet Troy:

Ole' Faithful passed away the morning of May 21st due to complications of the...filter or some kind of valve or what have you. He was a good lawnmower, he had last a long time, and he had been free to me. He may run again some day, but summer and grass waits for no man (or woman or lawnmower).

It was time.

So the young, new whippersnapper joined our ranks and took Ole' Faithful's place in the work shed. He started up on the first pull of the string and he cut the grass quite well. Now if only his cousin, the weed whacker would get here, then maybe my lawn would really look nice.

You should know that this is the strangest thing I have ever done!*

2011-06-01T21:35:00.000-04:00

January - 4

February -3

March - 4

April -5

May - 4

Bossy Pants by Tina Fey - I knew Tina Fey was funny but my word! I started to read this book on a lunch break, I went into our department conference room so I could plug in to my iPod and read. I was laughing so hard by page 14 that I had tears rolling down my face! The best part was that someone opened the door to let the Shred-It guy come in and she thought I was crying and was like, "Oh crap! Sorry!" but I told her I was just laughing so hard I was crying, "This is the funniest book," I told her. Then I had to keep from reading while the guy was in there emptying the Shred-It bin so he wouldn't think I was snickering at him.
Maximum Ride, the Angel Experiment by James Patterson - I had trouble getting in to this one and I wasn't 100% sure why. It was a good book, but I won't be rushing off to get the second anytime soon. Eventually I will probably finish the series.

Isaiah for Air Heads by John Bytheway - very informative and helpful in understanding Isaiah! If you read it, read it alongside the Isaiah chapters in your scriptures, you'll get the most out of it that way.
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers - Another one I had a hard time getting in to, but once the twists and turns get going it was incredible. I loved that I was able to figure out certain aspects in advance but didn't feel like it was because it was too easy (if that makes sense). Tim Powers laid the clues down for you to find easily if you were looking, but you could easily be just as surprised as the characters if you wanted to be. I liked how he pulled bits and pieces from the histories of famous people and then wove them together to create this crazy, fictional history for the people. It's not what I would call a quick read, but it's a read that it worth it.

I always feel like, somebody's watching me.*

2011-05-31T21:45:00.001-04:00

Happy belated Memorial day!

This weekend felt like forever and made going to work this morning all the more difficult! Saturday morning I got up super early (okay, not that early) and ran a 5k. As you may recall from my 10k experience in April, I was a bit nervous to run. I know it was only three miles and I always know that I don't have strep, but the 10k left a bad taste in my mouth. I was nervous of how I would do, and even more nervous that if it didn't go well I would shun running for life (which would suck because I have signed up for a half marathon).

My roommate, Amber, came to run this one with me since Kat cancelled (yes, I just called you out). Amber and I got to the start line and got up near the front, I've always wanted to get up near the front. So I am in "the runners section" and they announce that if you cannot complete it in 20 minutes or less please stay away from the front line. I was relieved to find that I wasn't the only one scooting away from the front, in fact, most everyone was backing away. Behind me there was an older woman, maybe in her late 60's (no joke, white hair and all) and an official came up and asked her what her mile time was. I was thinking, "Oh crap! They're checking us all out!" The woman (remember how old) said, "9 to 10 minutes". She seemed nervous, like she was thinking the same thing I was. Would they remove the "slower" runners from the section? So the lady asked the official why she asked and the official says, "This lady's (point to woman) son is running the race on his own and we were looking for someone to run with him." So the old woman turns to the mom and asks what his time is and the mom says the last 5k he ran he finished in like 23 minutes.

Boys...they are naturally faster runners and it peeves me a little. Anyway, so then I was sitting there thinking, out of all the people in the runner's section you pick the visibly oldest woman to see if a boy who can run a 5k in 23 minutes can run alongside her? Struck me as a bit odd.

Needless to say, I had picked my mark. Usually when I run races I pick a child to keep up with, I guess it's easier for me because I feel that if a child can do it then I should be able to. Children are reckless runners though, they expend all their energy in quick burst, and then worst of all, it doesn't take them long to recoup. I can't run like that. Anyway, this old woman, with her 9-10 mile was exactly where I wanted to be, so I picked her. I kept my eye on her for the first mile or so, and then somewhere between 1-1.5 miles, I passed her. From there I just pretended to be running my 3 mile "track" through my neighborhood.

My goal for the 5k was 30 minutes. Last year when I ran the 5k I did it in about 33 minutes. When I came around to the finish line and saw the clock I picked up the pace and crossed the finish line at 28:51. I was extremely happy.

You would think that this success would pep me up for the half marathon, but really it only made me more nervous. A 5k is just a fraction of a half marathon, but I'm determined to do it now.

That was just like Cary, I thought she was going to kill us all.*

2011-05-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

I didn't even shout out that Friday night I went to a farewell dinner for my friend, Ashley. She will be leaving for an 18 month mission to Arizona. Sorry Ashley! That's how crazy my weekend was. I am also really proud of Ashley for making this big decision and big commitment! I am always in awe of missionaries who basically put their lives on hold for 18 - 24 months! I couldn't imagine doing that, but then again, I've always been kind of a selfish person. At the same time, I am a little envious that she gets to focus completely on missionary work and the gospel for 18 whole months.

The dinner was good, we all went around the table and shared one thing we loved about Ashley. I may have said more than one thing but I've never been good at following instructions. Then Ashley said that she felt like she should say something about each person in return and everyone was like, "No, this is your night" and I said, "Call me, I want to know" (again with the selfish/self centered). So she told me that my blog makes her laugh so hard, which surprised me a bit because sometimes I don't think it's very funny (I mean, one hopes but never knows) and then she brought up that two funny posts were the 5 best and 5 worst dates, so I'm thinking she's going to share with me how funny the 5 worst are. Instead she said that the 5 best made her laugh (and feel sorry for me) because even my best were bad...ouch? But then I thought about it, and she's probably right, but man did they make good stories!

Just in case you missed it:
Top 5 Best

Top 5 Worst

She looks like Magnum P.I. for goodness sakes.*

2011-05-23T12:21:00.003-04:00

If you are reading this it means you weren't taken up in the rapture...I'm not sure exactly what to say to you. Congratulations? Sorry? You're in good company?

As you can tell by the very fact that I am writing this it means I wasn't taken either.

Or I was but they have blogger here too and I didn't want to gloat. It's so bright here and there's tons of gold. Good thing it happened at 6 pm, I was outside at a BBQ with my sunglasses on, so at least my eyes are protected from all the heavenly brightness. They have amazing snickerdoodles here too.

Mmmm, snickerdoodles.

Anyway, this weekend was crazy busy! I kept forgetting that the end of the world was supposed to happen. My roommate, Amber, graduated from VCU school of Pharmacy this weekend. I went to the hooding ceremony on Friday. I felt like such an underachiever as they hooded those students who also received their Ph.D or Masters. "So-and-so, her thesis, Ionic compounds of molecular dysentery pertaining to a totalitarianistic autoimmune system." (note: don't read in to that, you might realize I'm full of crap). Great, a full of crap underachiever. But I was really happy for these people, obviously they had worked hard to get to where they are. I was very proud of my roommate, I don't even have to imagine that Pharmacy is a program that will kick your butt, I semi-experienced it. It kicked my butt trying to understand what my roommate said when I listened to presentations or when she would go off on a patient case she found fascinating. I should have been hooded somehow - I mean, I know what necrotitis facsciitis is now (you don't want to know).

Point being - super proud of my roommate for her accomplishment!

Saturday morning was also crazy busy. I did some yard work and attempted to mow the lawn (until the lawn mower said it was just too much and died). I entered into a fake Facebook relationship over a two hour breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I got all the hair removed from my face (resulting in a 5 lbs weight loss and a compliment (I think) on my chin). I went grocery shopping, cleaned a bit of my room, got furniture out of the attic, finally got a shower around 2pm, baked a little, my roommate had a graduation BBQ, I got taken up in the rapture (kidding...obviously), then I had Q&A and ice cream thing at church, ice cream, and then a late night eating with some friends.

About the rapture, I have decided that what we were really waiting for was the raptor (of which I saw none). So then my friends and I started to make little raptor arms. I mean, talk about scary, waiting around for a raptor to come get you. If that's the case, count me as one of the lucky ones for Saturday, the raptor passed me over.

Sunday was pretty busy too by the way, I had visiting teaching, a meeting, church, dinner at Jo's. It doesn't sound like much, but it was exhausting (could have been residual from Saturday though). All I know is that by 5 o'clock all I had had to eat was a bowl of cheerios so I was cranky. I was so happy to finally get some food in my system. I was falling asleep on my sister's couch and when I got home I was ready to crash...which I did.

How was your weekend? Did we lose anyone to the rapture (or worse, the raptor)??