Meanie Nona

As far as updates go, here's the latest.  Winona is a rudey cat.  

And my productivity is off the charts.

Took my final final today.  Final final for the next 18 months.  Or as Luke says, my last final "forever."  Because apparently missions are forever and someone is going to miss me...  Anyway back to Rudey Noney.  Taking your final final kinda leaves one with an excess of time, previously used for studious types of activities.  But I don't do those types of activities anymore, so I watched a movie on Netflix, sat at my office for a few hours, bounced a flashy bouncy ball with the lights off, played Spot It, Facebooked, and watched T Swift's new music video on Youtube. 

As you can tell I was pretty busy, and somehow I ran out of productive things to do.  So as usual I confide in Winona.  Inform her of my current attitude and status.  Which is ever so far from boredom.  And what does she do?  Turn on Christmas Shoes (the worst song ever) and tell me to make her cookies.  But not only does she tell me to make her cookies, she accuses me of just laying there!  Everyone is studying, and I'm just laying there.  So I could at least make cookies. 

I know right?  Since when is facebook the same as just laying there?  So you know what Winona?  Don't you try and guilt trip me anymore, I am being productive.  

Besides, we're out of flour.

It Is Better to Look Up

I have this tendency.  On nights like tonight.  That when I let something get to me, and I think too much, then that tiny something can send me into a downward spiral.  It is not healthy by any means, but I do it and I know I do.  All it takes is one little thing that makes me feel down, or discouraged, and suddenly I'm not good at anything.  My life is down, and everything I do is discouraging.

When I step back and look at myself, I realize the foolishness of it.

About a year ago I was in a losing battle with depression.  I really don't think that is the kind of thing you can fully understand unless you have gone through it.  And if you have, then you know just how dark it is.  Today I am in such a better place.  For the most part I am happy.  There are occasions, such as tonight, that I get glimpses of that awful place.  The sadness and hopelessness that consumed me.  But I'm grateful.

I'm grateful to have had that experience.  It has brought me perspective.  It has brought me knowledge.  And I think the biggest thing is that it has brought me hope, and increased my testimony.  I know now that I can endure hard things.  And silly nights like tonight aren't a big deal.

You're not the only one who doesn't have it all together, but there is one person who does.  And He is a really good one to have on your side.  He helped me through a rough spot, and He'll help you.  You just have to look up.

I've been 52-ing. Well 19-ing.

Mmm hmm... well... I lied.  If I recall correctly, I once told you that I wouldn't fizzle.  Except then I sort of fizzled.  Like not all the way, but some.  I blame it on Lazy.  She is this not so friendly friend that crushes my motivation and makes my 52-ing not so frequent.

For example.  Once upon a time the aforementioned cookie man sent me a photo.  This photo actually.

Do you see all those leaves?!  Just waiting to be jumped in...  And jump in them I did not.  Because Lazy told me not to that day, and when that day ended the leaves were gone.  So Lazy and I agreed we would just skip number 19.

What the Lazy?!  I hate her.  She totes messes with productivity.  So in open rebellion against Miss Lazy, I did this.

With my niece who is just the most adorable toy I have ever played with and cutie Liz.  Good day?  Yep yep.  Love fall.  Check!

One time when I had no hands...

And then one time after I opened my mission call, I did a happy dance and my arms turned invisible.  Curious.

Wednesday CAME!

It was more exciting than Christmas!  And I'm not even kidding.  When I saw the mail truck on my street...  well it was kind of like Dash from the Incredibles.  As in speedy quick.  I was just so smiley and happy and I've never hugged an envelope so much in my life!  Because within that envelope were the contents of my life for the next year and a half, as I put my life on hold to serve the Lord as a full time missionary.  Better.  Than.  Christmas.

The trouble with that kind of excitement is that it makes waiting seem about ten years longer.  And the 2.5 hours waiting to open it was actually a decade.  At first I just sat there staring at it.  Until I started to drive myself and my family crazy.  I tried to occupy my mind in vain.  A big white envelope addressed to Sister Ann Marie Hyde consumed my every thought.  It still is, in fact. 

I can't fully explain to you the feelings I had when opening that envelope.  Excitement, joy, some nerves, shaking and tears.  Mostly I think it was peace.  A quiet reassurance that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.  And when I read that letter signed by a prophet of God, I felt like I already knew.  Of course I would be going there!  I feel so happy and content knowing that I'm doing what I need to be doing at this point in my life.  Yes it will be hard, but I can do hard things.  So get ready because Sister Hyde is going on a mission.

Called to serve in the California, Santa Rosa mission.  English speaking.  I am so so blessed!

March 7, will you ever come?

Wednesday Will You Ever Come?

Yours truly is waiting.  Not so patiently for Wednesday.  For Wednesday is a fateful day.  For Wednesday I will open my future.  For the next year and a half that is.  

Luke (my mountain man faced friend) text me on the day of yester to inform me that someone's mission call is in the mail.  A text like that warranted an excited squeal that hasn't yet subsided.  The first squeal or two were verbal, but I found that to be an annoyment (word invented by Miss Kinsey).  So the squeal has gone internal.  The contents of a big white envelope is what occupies my every thought.  My every dream.

I'm truly terrified of Poland.  

And Russia.

And wearing a skirt in the cold. 

I've been sending some words up to the Big Man in my prayers.  Maybe He will realize that I'm ever so much more cheerful in sunshiney warm.  Either way my patience is getting impatient.  Wednesday best be comin' speedy quick!

Mozzarella Fail

I have this friend named James Robert "The Beard" Baird.  Also known as Beardo.  And this friend of mine is part ninja, part awesome.  Sometimes we have silly ideas like making our own mozzarella cheese, which is said to be fairly simple.  Record, do not listen to what is "said."  Making cheese isn't easy, and as far as I know it isn't successful.  Winona, James, and I tried twice, and although the mozzarella-ing failed, we did manage to teach them Skip-Bo (my favorite card game eva, which I will return unto you Laurie on the holiday of thanking), we watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory, ate walnut raisin french toast, and talked about our lives.  It looks like a Christmas card here in Logan today so we listened to some Christmas tunes.  Minus the fact that I got in a maybe fight with my not really boyfriend over lame-sauce nothings, I would consider it an extremely good day.  Plus I bought myself new boots.  Really cute and really needed for my Christmas card type life.

196 Children

So myself and Red Cameron (he is a very charming man) occasionally play married at dinner meetings. And by occasionally I mean every other Thursday in self inflicted finance classes. And at these dinner dates we get rather board. The dot game and Angry Birds just wasn't doing it for us tonight, so we authored.

We co-authored our love story actually. It is quite romantic so I'll share it with you. Yay you!

Once upon a time there was a hunky dude named Cammy Cakes. He had a six pack and loved Disneyland, and he had a super fly girlfriend (who was not bald). She was smitten with Cammy's expansive Disneyland knowledge.

This super fly chick had a name of course. Her name was Annie Moon. And Annie was leaving on an exotic adventure to save the world. Cammy was deeply saddened about the impending adventure, but he supported Annie and promised to send her letters by messenger pigeon at least twice a day.

In return Annie promised to think of him daily, and she eagerly awaited the the day she would return and they could move to Disneyland. She also promised not to get distracted by all the hunky foreign guys. -The End

Needless to say we were super great listeners! Plup.

P.S. Isn't it just the worst when married couples are all over each other in class? Yeah that is happening to my left...

Kenzie Kenzie My Kindred Spirit

It is most likely fairly obvious by this point.  But I like when people like me.  Isn't that the most charming feeling?  Especially when you think that person is lovely in return.  And then through a series of random incidences you and this lovely person discover that you are kindred spirits.

This sort of event happened to me in the form of McKenzie Smith.  My precious roommate, whom I won't even fault for accusing me of  misguided lips.  This girl is the bomb.com.  Not even kidding.  She is honest and sweet and of course beautiful.  Talents galore, I mean really she plays the violin and piano and sings and she can probably fly because we all know deep down she is a super hero.  Plus the girl's bf is all that!  (For her of course, don't worry Kenz I'm not all up in yo boyfriend business.)

Today a great thing happened.  It was just further proof of our kindred spirit-ness.  Because she walked into the kitchen to tell me how Kim couldn't take her seriously.  Why the lack?  Only because Kenzie was wearing a stick on mustache and she forgot she had it on.  Silly Kenzie, I just love living with you so much!

In Lieu of the Date...

Right now is just the coziest.  I am snuggled in my blankets and just feeling happy about my 11/11/11 day.  I had been waiting for this day.  Because as you know 11 is just the most magical of numbers.  Unfortunately my magical day didn't start off quite as magical as I'd hoped.  Though you needn't fret, it got much better.

So in lieu of the date, I feel like sharing some of my best 11 moments of all time.

Eating 11 Oreos at 11:11 whilst in the Bahamas

Getting double wishes when crossing into a new time zone while road tripping

Having 11 blog posts in the eleventh month of last year

Attending the USU vs BYU basketball game on 11/11/11 and looking at the scoreboard to see them tied at 11!

Ok so the picture is crap, but I already told you what it said.

Disneyland, riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and kissing Nate's watch to make my wish.

I have had many of these joyful moments of 11, but I must say celebrating the fateful day among cherished friends and candle wishing takes the funfetti cake.

I hope your day was simply lovely! 

Guessing Game!

I am not going to mention this person's name at all in this post, and I bet you will still know exactly who I am talking about.  Predictable.

This person is probably peeved at me because today I told this person that I blogged about Google until I got bored and didn't post it.  

This person is privy to my most juicy secrets concerning a resident of a yellow house.

This person makes me laugh like a prairie dog daily.

This person laughs at me when I can't dress myself like a normal person.

I got this person addicted to New Girl.  (Boo-yeah!)

This person needs to understand that a B is not exactly the same as an F.

This person is totes my favey fave tonight and I just want snuggle in an Ann Marie sandwich.

This person and I are H to the UNGRY.  So peace out bean sprout!  I'm off to not eat lentils.

NOW GUESS!

Today blogger is making me miss.  Making me miss like CUH-RAZY!  

Because of best friends:

And their adventures:

And changing lives.  Miss you girls!

What's Scarier than a Ghost?

2 ghosts!!!!  I was such a comedic child with my Halloween joke making...  But really I don't even like Halloween.  I think I like Arbor Day better than Halloween.  Actually I know I like it better.  Because I have a little bit of chicken in me, and the chicken doesn't handle scary well, which is kind of Halloween's life story - scary.  But it's a less bad holiday with impromptu trick or treating, a first experience with a corn maze, and cuddling with a yummy smelling boy.  This year Halloween proved to be just lovely.



Speaking of jokes...  What is a pirate's favorite fast food restaurant?

Updated and Long

Today my cataclysmic fear of time made a short appearance. The short kind that is more of a reminder than a fright. He was just popping in to say, "Hey it is almost November, do you know what comes after November?"

Yes I do. His name is December and he'll be here before I know it. And do you know what I was thinking up last December? You forgot?! I thought you might. 52 my forgetful friend! But I didn't forget, not I. So let yourself be updated.

1. Run in the Race for the Cure for my Aunt Wendy I told you about it, I even posted pictures.
2. Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover - This one will be done. I promise we're getting there.
3. Go to the temple every week during the summer I missed two weeks, but I'm counting it.
4. Start filling out my mission papers (this one is subjective) BONUS POINTS! Let's change that start to a finish and call me awesome!
5. Sew myself a new item of clothing I truly hate pleats. Truly.
6. Learn a new song on the piano - I can't even claim to have tried
7. Read 15 books
8. MAKE A WISH ON 11/11/11 AT 11:11! - CANNOT WAIT, but what should I wish for?
9. Try all 31 flavors of Baskin Robbins ice cream (just literally this time) - Literally isn't going so great, but figuratively seems to be chugging right along.
10. Go on a carriage ride - Can a hunky man please make my day? Please?!
11. Make paper boats and race them down the gutter I'm counting this, and I'm cheating. Cameron made the boat. It was a pond not a gutter, and I fed ducks while the boat sank.
12. Get a nice tan line Mexico is great in that regard
13. Fly a kite out of the back of a car - For some reason no one seems to think this would be as great as I do. If only Shay were here, it is almost like a zucchini
14. Get a scholarship Bonus points round two! A pell grant is better than a scholarship. No essay required. Just no funds.
15. Buy an entirely new outfit for under $15 - Madison, a shopping trip is in your near future.
16. Have a Lord of the Rings marathon - Who wants to spend A LOT of time with me and a tv?
17. Watch a Disney movie every day for a week - Attempted. Failed.
18. Learn how to say "hello" in 5 new languages - I say goodbye to my mama in different languages all the time. Do you think that counts?
19. Rake a big pile of leaves and then jump in them - Good think Logan fall is prime!
20. Get a new lunch box and pack a lunch in it every day for a week - When you're home at lunch time every day, packing a lunch loses appeal.
21. Go a whole day without using electricity - Most of a whole day. My Bryce trip was camping, but we did have a car, and I did make us stop for indoor plumbing which included an electrified building. So mostly no.
22. Plan and participate in a service project - Fail.
23. Play hide and seek in Ikea Got lost in Ikea, kind of the same thing.
24. Write in my journal once a week - Yes, but I won't check prematurely.
25. Fry an egg on the sidewalk (is that even possible?) - This opportunity has passed. Last I checked eggs don't fry at negative Logan temps.
26. Wear a different "do" every day for a week
27. Plant a tree on Arbor Day - Sometimes Nate gets really excited to plant a tree with me on Arbor Day, and then he gets really busy and can't, and no one else will plant with me, and I get dumped the night before so I don't feel particularly tree planty, so no tree gets planted. I'm over it.
28. Go tandem bike riding Twice, my friends. Twice. And I even crashed it and almost killed my date so good job me.
29. Start a stamp collection Started and lost it. Eh.
30. Take more pictures - This one is kind of hard when you are camera-less. Please don't judge.
31. Bring a reusable bag to the grocery store - Nona, your thoughts?
32. Hike to Timp Cave (I've lived here for 14 years and never done it) Check it:

33. Watch the sunset, then stay up all night and watch it rise the next morning
34. Learn how to whistle I tried so hard. I tried to whistle while waiting in every line at Disneyland. I even asked Kyle to teach me on It's a Small World, and my mouth is just not meant to whistle :(
35. Paint my nails at least 20 different colors All of the sudden I'm a nail painting fiend. I blame Winona.
36. Wear matching socks seven days straight For you mom, I did.
37. Pay the Nook and Cranny a visit Well, well, well, what do we have here?

38. Learn to decoupage - I don't even want to learn to decoupage. Why is this on here?
39. Dress up for a movie premier Gryffindor/Death Eater... Yes it happened.

40. Build a sand castle I played in the sand in Mexi-land, and I made that rhyme so it's fine. (aka I'm cheating again and poeming about it)
41. Go to a wedding (at the rate people are getting engaged, I'll probably go to like 50) Tammy, Kyle & Heidi, Lindsey, Nate & Alex, more to come.
42. Declare a major! So old news!
43. Sleep under the stars Camping in Bryce completely counts. Completely.
44. Pop popcorn over a fire
45. Make an elevator ride more awkward I feel like everything I do is awkward, especially when I'm trying to make small talk with the old man reading Kite Runner.
46. Volunteer at Primary Children's Hospital - Want to hear an annoying story? I applied to volunteer and they told me they didn't have enough room for me until the Fall. That doesn't really work when you don't live there in the fall. And who says no to a volunteer?! Ba-humbug.
47. Solve a Rubik's cube - I haven't done this yet, but I have gotten really good at Angry Birds which is kind of the same level of complexity.
48. Knit a hat or scarf
49. Play in a fountain
50. Visit an art museum And a fancy nancy one in Vegas at that!
51. Have a marshmallow fight - Alvaro and I had a licorice fight. They are both sugary and fun to throw at people.
52. Make a new list

You are a champion for reading through all of this. I never realized how many silly things happen in not even a year. I have a fun life, just so you know.

P.S. I'm sorry this is so long, it is called Insomnia.

Itch

I'm not feeling particularly bloggy.  Yet I am.  I am a creature of contradiction.  My fingers are itching to share with you, but my brain doesn't agree.  The itch has been bothering for quite a few days now, however my brain has been busy with business of another sort.  Now I want to scratch.

Tonight I ate cookies with a man.  It was the sort of night that a girl doesn't know it's a date until she's in it.  The sort of night that confuses a girl like me.  On this maybe date the cookie man asked.  Questions are his forte and I the victim of interrogation.  So when he inquired as to my choice of major, I told him it is because I writer.

A writer who doesn't write.  At least not for enjoyment as of late.  I feel like my words have been sucked out of me.  Sucked into resume writing, and technology tutorials, and professional blogging, and book summaries, and discussions on global capacities.  No writing that satisfies the itch.

But I think it is coming.  I think the scratching, the zestyness, is on its way.  I can feel my brain almost ready to share with my fingers.  I'm almost ready to share with you.  

Happy Happy Friday

Last week I told my sister something about college.  You have 3 choices and you only get 2.  Get good grades, get enough sleep, or have a social life.  It just doesn't work to have it all.  But two out of three is good yeah?  How about one out of three?  'Cause this week I got jipped!  The red squiggly lies.  Jipped is sooo a word! 

Remember in elementary when you were absent from school and your teachers were really nice and gave you treats and star stickers and said they missed you?  College is not like that.  Because when you are going to Mexico they say that is great and they hate you because they are jealous and make up work isn't allowed so you have to work extra hard to get it all done before you go and you are very very stressed like a fifteen on the scale and yeah....  Moral:  I lied to my sister.  And that sentence kept on running.  And sometimes in college you don't have a social life, you don't get enough sleep, and you cross your fingers that you get good grades.

But then you talk voice to voice to your BFF who is living Ukraine and you cheer up.  And you remember that in two days you will not be wearing a coat and rain boots because you will be on the beach.  And you cheer up more.  And then when you have downer thoughts like you can't handle a mission, you read things like this, "There are far, far better things ahead than anything you leave behind."  And you remember why you are leaving.  And you remember that C.S. Lewis is fantastic.  And your Friday is just lovely.  Remember that?  Because I do :)

You're Probably Going to Hate Me

I would be jealous if I were you.  And maybe this is really rude.  But I'm going to do it anyway.

Today I can deal with this:

Because next week my life will be this:

And I'm really just dying with excitement!

Sperry's Club

Maddie has become me.  Almost.  Like she, I have become a lazy-o.  And all I want to do is sleep and eat Wheat Thins.  Except there are two minor differences.  

1.  I don't envy the hoodie/sweatpants classmates.  I am one.  And even though she won't admit it, I think Nona gets embarrassed of me looking like a hobo in public.  And also I learned on Sunday that Eric will never ask me out because of this very reason.  Ha.

2.  The biggest difference between Mads and I though, is that she is not in The Sperry's Club.  

It's this super elite club that I'm fortunate enough to be a member of.  I dreamed of membership for years before finally being inducted.  And I know I'm a real member now because climbing the four flights to the top of the Geology building, Mr. Fellow Member shouted, "Hey, nice Sperry's!"  To which I replied, "Hey, you too!"  And that my friends is membership. 

Plus last night at FHE I was referred to as the cute shoes girl.  I'm still loving my indulgence.  Sperry Top-Siders are ooh la la!

Last Pager

I have this sister Kaytie.  We share a love.  And this love is books.  But when it comes to books she does this thing that drives me simply wild.  Kaytie, my sister, is a last pager.  And by last pager I mean she reads the last page first.  Doesn't that annoy?  You might as well not even read the book at all if you're just going to ruin the end!  But after arguments a many Kaytie and I forcibly agree to disagree.

However, today I'm thinking Kaytie might be onto something.  Today I'm thinking I wish I could be a last pager.  And read the last page of my life.  Because sometimes, like today, I am very confused about my future.  Its all very unknowable.  I just want to know if it all gets resolved and if there is a happily ever after.  I bet there is, but is this one of those out of nowhere endings?  The kind where you don't expect it at all, but somehow it's better than you would have thought?  Or is it the kind where what you hope for happens and it leaves you smiling forever?  I just want to know!

Patience is a bugger.  But even if there's no last paging for me, I know one thing for sure.  I sure am excited for this!

I call this homework procrastination.

Oh, why yes.  Yes I am posting twice back to back.  I am doing that because I am a bad student revisiting my Anti-homework Thursday days.  Remember those?  Freshmen year when my hardest class was Creative Arts?  I miss them.  But not.  So in my procrastination I am choosing to please Winona.  Who so kindly reminded me that I promised a part II on weekend last.

We left off with Dal Pal cleaning the dead fish out of the tank.  The one being eaten by the snail.  Well as I was gagging at the yuckness, Dal Pal discovered just how slippery fish can be.  Slippery enough to slip right out of his hand onto the floor.  Gross.  And then we had to disinfect the place (and by we I mean I sat there and watched) and played the ultimate game for paranoids.  But that lasted only so long, because as fun as it is to play Worst Case Scenario, ok let's face it, it's not fun.

One time I told you just how embarrassing my little laugh is.  Glen was shocked to hear it revealed.  It's frightening, I know.  But I only laughed that hard because Dallin was funny and I was 100% fun.  And maybe very excited to feed ducks.  I told you, after a fast from a social life I get a little wild.

Speaking of wild.  I sprinted to Yellow Brick to get my bread, but sometimes I can't stop in time and my face knocks out the screen door.  Embarrassing.  Luckily Adam is Mr. Fix It and he and Yosarian fixed that little door right up.  After slight delay we headed to Twizleberry, the yum capitol of Logan.  That's some darn good fro yo.  I had a moment of panic when I thought I saw someone I didn't see, and then I panicked more when Adam handed me a gun and told me to take care of him.  Good thing it wasn't who I thought and especially good that gun wasn't loaded.  Adam terrifies me.  And his car died.

Finally we made it to First Dam for duck feeding.  And I almost caught one until Cameron spread lies about me trying to put the moves on him.  My night was getting progressively more awkward and my energy progressively rising.  We went on a creepy hike on which the boys posed questions to the girls about dating.  Interesting how fine the line is between creepy and romantic.

We ended the night watching Boy Meets World.  What a classic.  Sean has awful hair, I do not understand how he has a 30 ft. range.  Then I fell asleep.

Then it was Saturday!  I applaud you if you're still reading.  Just know this is more for journaling purposes.  Read on if you want 'Ann Marie loves me' points.  On Saturday Nooney and I went to Peach Days.  It was the most precious of dates.  We ate more fried food than I care to share and rode sketchy carnival rides.  And then I saw this theft:

So we left.  And my weekend ended with crushed dreams.  The end.

Until I didn't have crushed dreams anymore because on Sunday at the Linger Longer I ate Razzleberry pie.  And got to see my family.  And I was happy again.  The end, take two.  Bye.

Would You Do It?

I willingly admit to my blog stalking ways.  Yes there are blogs that I follow and no I do not know, or know anyone who does know, the authors of these blogs.  Yet I feel like I do know them somehow, through their writing.  On the one hand that could be considered significantly creepy, but on the other hand I could just be supporting that person's choice of expression.  Because secretly we're all dying to have people 'get' us.  To know us just a little bit.  To validate us in someway.  Am I right?  And if they choose to be creeped out by my following then they should probably put their blog on private.  I mean if they don't want it to be read then obviously.  But I would think these people would probably be flattered that someone is interested and takes pleasure in reading what's important to them.  I like when people read my blog anyway...

So that's not really the point of this post, it just so happens that the point of this post came about in that way.  Today I was reading one of these blogs of an unknown stranger and she posed this question:

"If you could hear the top 10 nicest things anyone had ever said about you (not to your face, so these would be new things, you've never heard before), but along with them, you would also have to hear the top 3 meanest things anyone had ever said about you, would you do it?"


And it made me think of the literal of course, which I will get to in a second.  But mostly it made me think about people.  And I wondered, particularly where the 3 meanest are concerned, how many people say unkind words about those they don't know or do know.  What is the benefit in that?  Do you feel good bringing others down.  I don't.  But I'm guilty of gossip on occasion.  Why do we do that?  It really is sad to think of how many cruelties are spread as lies.


So then I was thinking about the question.  Would I do it?  Would I want to know?  It always makes me feel so good to hear that someone said something nice about me, something they never anticipated to return to my ears.  It holds more value, I think.  My first answer was yes.  I would want to know.  But it came back to people.  And the source.  Normally I have enough confidence to disregard hurtful things that are said about me.  I try not to care what other people think about me.  Normally.  But what about the person?  The one who said nasty?  Do I know them?  Does their opinion greatly affect me?  Are they my best friend?  A family member?  Or some stranger whom I barely know?  (Not that the stranger is okayed in being rude, but do you see my point?)  So would I? 


Yes.  Because I have faith in people.  I would just hope not to be disappointed.  And I hope no one would ever be disappointed in me.  I just want to be nice.

Becky Arnell I Want You to Know.

Well I want all of you to know.  Just specifically Becky since she specifically mentioned that I always blog about Nona.  So here is your Winona Rose Marx update for the evening.  SHE IS A BAD INFLUENCE!  

Because sometimes when I'm doing math.  And my brain is fuddled with truths and falses and valids and invalids and hypothesi and conclusions, she persuades me to buy Junior Mints.  And I'm still sweaty from the gym.

And as she convinces me to buy said treats, I inform her of her bad influence-ness.  And do you know what she does?  She blames me!  The gall!  She says she is a b.i. (that's an abbreviation I just made up) because I let her be.  And then she pulls out examples about sandwiches and brownies.  And I realize she's right.  I let her be a bad influence.  And that makes me a bad influence.  Her hypotheses is valid and conclusion true.  The pair of us are influences for the bad.  And we like to eat Junior Mints. 

I Know Better

Sometimes I'm a naughty Ann Marie.  Because sometimes I don't drive back to Logan for class and instead skip school to spend time with mama and sister.  And then I email missionary and he emails back fast, so I email back fast and a real time conversation forms.  And then I feel bad because that's not obedient, but it makes me real happy to talk to him like almost real.  And sometimes I eat cake for breakfast.  But sometimes like today, it's a very happy day.

Habit, Hobbit, Hobby

Well kids, I think we can all learn an important lesson from today.  And that lesson is, after a moderately lengthy time of little to no social life followed by a social situation, Ann Marie is wild.

I don't even know how to begin documenting this wild night.  It started out with a trip to Deseret Book.  That is fairly normal.  Then Nona and I went in search of food.  We were hoping for a cheapo hole in the wall.  The obscure little restaurant that no one really knows about.  Which turned our thoughts to The Crepery or the like.  Little did we know that big to do's were happening on that side of town.  We found ourselves in a sticky situation with little car access and lots of pedestrians.  The stress and heat got to us.  We panicked and parked.  

Our tummy's yelled crepes and we obeyed.  The Crepery is yummo and cute and that's how I feel about that.  Once the rumbling had ceased we decided to head next door to the most adorable shop.  And in this shop were the most adorable trinkets and treasures from around the globe.  We found a little bicycle toy that when you pushed it and the wheels moved, the little man's feet peddled.  That was maybe the worst description but I wanted to own it badly.  

Remember when I told you about the to do?  It was still to doing when we left the shop.  We walked around and checked it out.  It was a little street fair in honor of the Tour de Logan as I chose to call it.  Except the Tour de Logan is actually a bike race starting in Logan and ending in Jackson Hole all in one day.  206 miles and 3 states.  That is dedicated biking.  Now I may not have the biking desire, but I was happy that the race brought a fun little fair to my town.  We walked around the booths and bought Brazilian lemonade for $1.60 from 3 precious youngsters.  (They didn't know how to break my five, so they had to ask how much change they owed me.  Cute.)

With full tummy's and Brazilian beverages, we were happy campers.  We made our way to Blue Light to visit 'the boys' because Dallin and I had clearly made hanging out plans at RIL, but the silly boy wasn't even home!  Until he was and we played Worst Case Scenario until Cameron and Dallin decided to remove the 3 dead fish from the tank.  I am no fan of fish, but apparently Jeff thinks having a fish tank attracts the ladies.  Dallin slipped a little getting out one of the slimy dead guys and he flipped onto the carpet.  It got pretty exciting for a second.  I think I am going to have to inform Jeff that his fish owning habit, hobbit, hobby has gone too far.  Sometimes when I get excited I can't speak well.  And that flying fish sure got me excited.  

My oh my dear friends, I am typing in my slumber!  Talented am I.  My social activity sure wore me out.  The best is yet to come.  Check back with me later to hear about prairie dogs feeding ducks, Twizzleberry, paper boats, a moonlit hike and Boy Meets World :)

I am a musical prodigy.

There is a treasure box that takes residence upon Nona's top shelf.  And in this treasure box are lots of treasures.  Obviously.  Today the treasure found was a tuning fork.  Because of course everyone needs a tuning fork in their possession.  She pulled it out and told me the pitch was an A.  The only thing for me to do was sing.  

If you know me well you know that I have a voice as lovely as a dying woodland creature.  Until today that is.  Because I sang out a clear and beautiful A note; shocking dear roommate.  She hit the tuning fork and asked if I heard it.  No.  I just sang it right.  Because I am a musical prodigy.  No more dying bambi round here!

And also just for your information, Winona is learning the Electric Slide on Youtube right now.  Why do we even go to class when all the knowledge in the world is on Youtube?

Scripture Power

Tonight we sang scripture power after studying the BOM. And I just think that's cute.

And I sleep with a pillow pet. Peter Pan syndrome? Yes.

A Full Tummy and Celine Will Do You In Every Time

Being the completely humble and amazing person that I am, I will tell you how incredibly good I am at making goals.  I am incredibly good at making goals.  Unfortunately I am semi less incredible at completing these gems.

Today I declared my semester long goal.  Which being candid is zero dates and a 4.0.  I thought it was a divine plan until I remembered how I sometimes lack self-discipline.  Sometimes being more often than not.  

My productivity fizzles out after about 3 hours of homework.  And today it fizzled faster than usual due to an exciting email and a blessing.  Followed by a delightful visit from my favorite cousin.  Happiness erased all desires of food preparation, so Winona and I decided upon a celebratory dinner.  We gorged ourselves.  Came home to kissy talk in Yellow Brick.  (Kenzie ow ow!)  And then tried to refocus our attempt on homework, until we were distracted by Celine Dion songs.

That is basically my day.  Happy.  Full.  Sleepy.  And singing with Celine.  Not nearly enough completing.  Welcome back to college Ann Marie.

Didn't Happen

Noney, Noney, Noney.  It's been too long since this girl's mention in blog land.  And without her I must say blog land has been rather uninspired.  So basically it is super duper good for all of us that her and I are bunking for the next 4 months.

Over the summer I had a facebook aversion.  But one day I saw that Winona sent me a message, obviously it had to be read. The girl sent me this → www.thedaybookblog.com (that's a link folks, you should probably link to it or the following will make you say whaaa?)  And then she said, "I hope you meet your husband in a similar way."  

That was a great idea until the first day of school came and passed.  And I didn't even meet one that qualified.  Instead I went to FHE and lurked near Nathaniel (who recently got engaged) and hung out with Kyle and Heidi the marrieds.  So basically meeting a hunky good butt boy to become my eternal companion didn't really work out.  

And I'm not even a teensy bit sad about it because Kathryn is a fabulous guesser.  

Cameron says once I tell you this I will instantly be more desirable, resulting in a wedding.  But I say he Cameron is wrong.  Marriage is not an option right now. Because friends, Ann Marie is going on a mission.

A Big Decision Has Been Made

Today has been a tearful one.  A very happy one.  And a hard one.  Today I made a decision that will alter my life and hopefully help some others.  I'm not quite ready to tell you yet, but just know it's a good one.  And I feel peace.

i knew this was a bad choice

i got home from work late-ish.  and i'm tired-ish.  and right now in ann marie land, ish means muy muy.  as in, i am muy muy tired.  cept its that kind of tired no one likes to be.  the kind where you are too tired to get up and turn off the lights or wash your face, but not tired enough to sleep.  so instead you get on your blog and are even too lazy to capitalize.  so basically the yucko kind of tired.  

i made a serious error climbing in my bed before getting ready for it.  now i'm pretty sure i'm bailing on the whole face wash/teeth brush idea.  i bet you are happy-ish that you don't have to wake up next to me in the morning.  cuz my breath is gonna stank!

also in random work news:  ben is my favorite wingers creepo.  today i said, oh no i have wing sauce on my elbow :( cept i really did a sad face, i didn't say 'sad face'.  anyway i say this and ben-jammin says i'll help you get it off and the boy goes ahead and licks it right of my elbow!  well... he was going to until i freaked out about that being unsanitary.  so instead he pet my ponytail.  what a strange fellow.  and a funny one.  i secretly love my job.

Rock, Paper, Scissors and a Hike

Apparently I'm missed.  Because one dear reader openly missed me via text.  "No blog for a while," said he.  "Unfortunately I have blogging block," said me.  Followed by a wish for unblocking.  Was that an 11:11 unblocking wish?  Because you know, all the best wishes happen at that time and all the best wishes come true.  And that was a very good and truthful wish, for here we are.

Many happenings in my life as of late.  But tonight let's just talk about Bryce.  Bryce is not a boy, but a place.  A canyon.  A national park.  And the destination for my semi impromptu road trip last week.  Laurie, Lauren, Westo, and friends accompanied me on said road trip.  We left Friday night and drove and drove.

My new favorite driving game is Theme Song.  (I just named it that.  Weston is the true mastermind behind our road entertainment.)  The game goes like this:  Someone chooses a theme and everyone pulls out their handy dandy iPods.  Each player has to choose a song that they feel best fits that theme.  Everyone listens to the songs chosen and then they vote for the song that best fit the predetermined theme.  Pretty entertaining way to pass the time if you ask myself, which I did.  Jordy definitely won the 'creepy yet beautiful' category with John Wayne Gacy.  What a psycho.

We stopped at The Garden of Eat'n (a restaurant for which I am grateful for a clever name to make up for a ranchless ranch burger).  We played many a round of rock, paper, scissors to determine the backseat rider.  I'll just tell you now that Matt and Jordan are quite awful at winning rock, paper, scissors.  They took turns squished amongst the luggage and treats while Lauren and I comfortably resided in the front majority of the trip.

We camped in the middle of the wilderness on Friday night because Weston is really a mountain man.  And Saturday adventure was the game!  It started out with stop at the Geology Festival.  There was a contest for who could build the tallest hoodoo.  And an actual erosion simulator.  If that's not exciting, I don't know what is!  Ok ok, so studying rocks don't quite do it for me.  The Geology Festival was a short stop.

Most of the afternoon we hiked.  It was several miles in the hot hot heat, but what a joyous time we had.  Matthew lost all his man cards when he borrowed my hot pink shorts, and we all suffered amusement and permanent damage from the sight.

Oh and guess what else?  Weston's nature facts knowledge is astounding.  The boy couldn't walk 10 steps without pointing out a bird, or quizzing us on the types of trees.  Did you know a Bristlecone Pine is a type of tree that can live for thousands of years in really dry harsh areas?  Because in a drought it can kill part of itself off and then bring it back to life when conditions are better.  Kind of like a phoenix, except a tree.  Not a bird.  Interesting, eh?

Our crew is also pretty good at making friends with the local chipmunk population.  At snack time we shared our mangoes.  Chipmunks really like mangoes.  And then they tell their chipmunk friends about the cool people that share their mangoes.  So needless to say there was lots of mango sharing.

Those are just the highlights of the trip.  Mostly it was pure enjoyment on a platter with pretty sights and fun fun people.  I maybe have a crush on Bryce and I hope to go back soon.  I do wish I was more granola.

The Difference Between Chickens and Pigs

I decided I sort of like speaking in church.  Not the public speaking part.  That part makes my knees shaky and my palms sweaty and I start to talk real fast.

Learning is one of my favorite things.  And church is one of my favorite places.  So sometimes it is ok to be shaky and sweaty when I get to share what I learned with all the people.  Plus even if your talk sucks, the people will tell you that you did a really super job.

If you didn't catch on quite yet, I won't judge you for being slow.  I spoke in church yesterday.  About pioneers on Pioneer Day.  Original.  And now I wish I was more pioneerish.  They were so strong, faithful, committed, courageous, obedient and they sacrificed like mucho.

But silly me, I'm sitting here wishing for something I can have.  If I have faith and I'm committed to living my beliefs, the rest kind of falls into place.  

I was talking to papa about this 'ah ha' and he agreed, but reminded me that there is a difference between being committed and contributing.  He said when it comes to breakfast, the chicken only contributes, but the pig is fully committed.  Silly papa.  But its true the pigs don't play halfsies.

I think I'll try being more of a pig.

Holy Mother of Theresa

A day off is possibly the greatest thing of my life.  I kind of forgot what Saturdays are like.  Like for normal people.  Because in the server world it means work.  Except for this week!  

Sometimes fun boys invite me to climb a mountain and then decide it's probably not ideal when the trail is covered in snow.  And sometimes when that happens, I am left with nothing to do.  

Nothing to do except sleep in till eleven.  Eat Raisin Bran for breakfast at lunchtime.  Clean my baño.  Clean my room.  Organize my closet.  Bag up hand me downs for sisters.  Do my laundry.  Partake of some yummo Rumbi salads with Laurie and Lisa.  Lay out by the pool.  Get a little lobstery.  Go to the mall.  Wish for money and Nordstrom shopping.  Have a sister date at The Cheesecake Factory.  Eat and eat and eat.  Food baby.  Walk off the calories at Target.  Find the long lost Blueberry Morning!  Redbox a chick flick including hot Raul.  (Shout out to wifey:  I think Raul's hot.  Stop it!) *And have a shoe adventure before bed.  

Yes.  I just did that.  I told you everything I did and ate today like the clingy girlfriend no one wants.  But only because I loved having a day not at Wingers and I wanted the events documented.  And also because I forgot the goodness of Saturdays.  Saturday is a special day.  And now I'm going to bed with my aloe and pillow pet.  I'm secretly glad that sometimes I don't hike 18 miles to the top of a mountain...

Oh and one other thing.  Sometimes when we're driving and there are large holes in the road, Laurie yells things like, "holy mother of Theresa that's a big hole!"  And it cracks me right up.  I love my sister.  And Saturdays off.  

*Today Laur Bar did something we never thought would happen and Mrs. Daynie Haynie would be proud.  She unboxed all her shoes.  All of them.  Laurie has somewhat of an addiction to shoe purchasing.  Which is manageable.  But that the girl keeps all the boxes, well... that a storage issue.  So she broke and bought shoe racks.  Don't worry she only has 25 pairs.  Times two...  

Inappropriate

You know I never thought of myself as the scandalous type... But according to MVHS, my blog is inappropriate for high school students. So keep reading if you dare, don't say I didn't warn you of the sketchiness I pen.

Now that that's out of the way... Holla! My rodeo queen training is well underway! Yesterday I played stow away and found myself in Big Kev's pasture with papasito and company. Big Kev is dad's BFF and he let us come ride his Tennessee Walkers. Just for kicks. I'm a big fan of Kev.

Dad made me wear cowboy boots. He drove back to the house to get them. Otherwise he would be embarrassed to be seen with me. Silly dad. But I'm glad he did. What kind of rodeo queen in training would I be without my cowboy boots?! Lizzie, Kaytie, and I had so much fun getting our country on. And I'd say my future is looking bright. Wouldn't you agree?

Thank you papa and Big Kev!  I had a great time on Rose.  I am a real horseback riding fan.

Today I'm Loving...

Adele. Mmm. I wish I had that voice.

Awesomespice

Take me to Arizona please? Mesa to be precise? Please will you take me? I'm aching to go...

Sometimes I play a game in my head. And I invent fantasies about my life. Except I think that's called daydreaming which is an invention that's hardly my own. Anyway...

Today I'm dreaming of the big AZ. I want to go at Easter, I hear the pageant's a gem. And Christmas, I think Ty Face said the lights are lovely. I want to see the visitor's center. I want to run and hike with red dirt and cacti. I want to visit in the fall. And the summer. And all the year.

Because I don't want to wear a coat in winter. And I want to sweat my guts out in summer. And their flag is charming. And I have an idealized life there.

I am like the ultimate blog stalker. And my fine Arizonian blog friends (whom don't know I exist) have convinced me of the state's delight. So please will you take me?

And just maybe I have a secret hope to tell Ashley that I believe in unicorns too.

The Poolside Lurker

There is a creepy tanned leather man that frequents our pool. Giving Laurie and I the heebie jeebies. And today when I went to the gym, he was there. Doing stretches in shorty shorts that were not ok for my young eyes. Scarring.

Today I'm Thinking About Ice Cream Metaphors

Personally, I find the word brain slightly less than endearing. The brain is just spongey whatever floating around in juice and relates to words like neuron and synapse. Brain hardly conjures a pleasant image. That being said I am a major brain fan. In that, it should be used.

The literal anatomy of the brain may not be my particular cup of tea, but the concept of brains, or thinking, is A++ in my book. Brains, smarts, intellect = thumbs up.

Now let us talk about something that is endearing. Ice cream. Literal ice cream. Now that is my cup of tea. Or shall I say bowl of frozen dairy product? Ice cream is delicious and indulgent. Something to be craved. Unfortunately today the remembrance of a metaphor is causing a decreasing interest in this frozen treat.

So perhaps your curiosity is begging, how do brains and ice cream relate? Allow me to enlighten. They don't. We may wish that ice cream could think, but it cannot. Perhaps when ice cream was younger it had the ability to think. But I'm fairly sure that ability fades with age.

Ice cream is brainless, and ice cream is scared of commitment. Ice cream can't define exclusive whilst living in exclusivity. I'm not just talking about personal ice cream drama. I'm talking about all the stupid flavors that taunt the ladies with their smoothness and suave and good lookingness.

I'm am concluding now that ice cream totally sucks, because ice cream is a chicken and is good for nothing. Ice cream makes you fat and unhappy. Lisa wishes that enjoying ice cream didn't involve emotion. Laurie's wishing ice cream was decisive. I'm wishing ice cream wouldn't masquerade as favorite and then relocate. And we're all wishing ice cream could be smarter.

P.S. Happy birthday flavor #3. I miss you regardless of the brains.

Sitcom Friends

Last weekend I met some fellows whilst daydreaming of yellow wranglers. As you may know, last week was the Lehi Roundup Rodeo. I was in attendance of said rodeo when some gents joined our party. Their names are Joey, Zach, and Jordy, and when I saw Zach in a bolo tie, I knew he was a champ. They are a riot. And hot though he may be, Joey works at Victoria's Secret. AWWWKWARD!

This weekend I went on a mountaineering adventure with the same crew. Joey can always be on camp food duty because that peach cobbler was delish. And Zach is a clever cat with some racey jokes. Jordy is a pretty good nighttime football catcher that crashes into sleeping bag piles. And Sam I only just met, but the man has hidden ladder ball skills. It was clearly a good time, obviously. And I just decided that I don't know why I'm telling you all this. Perhaps it makes me feel cooler to have new friends with cool sitcom names... Jealous?

In other news... Today was meat market day at the church. Because apparently in singles' wards the gospel comes second in importance to dating. Lisa is not messing around on her mission to find me a hottie mchot face date. So we went to her ward to scout out my 'prospects'. I would say it was pretty successful. I didn't talk to one of them, but I met his mom and sister so I'd say things are progressing well. And Mr. Borehistestimonylookinrealgoodonthefrontrow, well Laur and Lisa think we should date. I can't say I would mind.

All in all, pretty funny weekend. I'm glad Laur Bar, Westo Face, and Lisa Tadje let me cramp their style and play with them. If my life were a sitcom, I'd probably watch.

Ducks

Truth be told, I'm not entirely coherent at 5:30 in the morning. So you can imagine my confusion when I woke up to the sound of quacking. I couldn't remember changing my alarm to sound like a duck. It took me some moments to process my surroundings. And that's when I realized the quacking was quite authentic and originating from the back yard.

There were a bunch of ducks just taking a swim in the pool. Clearly they were enjoying themselves. In fact they were rather vocal in their delight. I can hardly blame them. I'm pleased to know our pool can service more than just the human variety. It brought a smile to my tired dazed face and I went back to bed. I truly hope my feathered friends come visit again, preferably at a more reasonable hour.

Philosophy of Life

Life is pretty simple. There are only two priorities: one is things and the other people. People are always more important than things. Some things are more important than others: i.e. education, food and shelter; but things are never as important as people. Now for mortals -- some people are more important than others. In order, they are, spouse, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, neighbors, ward members, church members.

If you never put things above people and never put less important people ahead of the important people, you won't go wrong. It's a lot easier to like people you don't live with, but that does not change the formula.

Almost all problems happen when you put things or less important people ahead of the most important people. Money, pride, honor, power and houses are just things.

You kids take care of one another. I know you will take care of your children. God makes that easy. Remember: people, then things. Your people are more important than other peoples' people.

-Ed Hyde 2000

My grandpa wrote this to his kids before he passed away. I'm grateful for his wisdom because at least for me, whenever I read his words, it puts life back into perspective.

Happy almost birthday Grandpa Pepper! Miss you.

I Kind of Really Love My Dad

Bandwagon time, and I'm hopping on. Because I too have a father to celebrate. Happy Dad's Day Papa Hyde! I probably don't tell you enough, I assume you know, that I love you. Laurie told me what assuming does... I don't want either of us to be the first 3 letters of that word, so I will just public share it.

I LOVE MY DAD!

And a Happy Father's Day to all the little daddies out there. Because although my completely unbiased opinion states that my father is the best in all the land, I'm willing to bet there are some who would argue. You're wrong, but I hope your papas had a good day too.

Oh and Jare Bear, thanks for being the best daddy to my adorable niece! You're a good pops.

Kathryn Thinks I'm Sparkly

I don't know about you... but I love when people love me. And even more, I love when people tell me they love me. I'm guessing that is why I mucho love the Jolley family and all its members. Because today even with new locks I was tired and work started out bummy. And then Kathryn, whom I adore, said I'm sparkly, as she so often does, and I snapped right out of bum mode. She also said I'm talented with language and I just think she's a doll for it! I like to write, but I had no inclination that people enjoyed what was written. I would like to submit that Kathryn is the sparkly one.

So add some sparkle to someone's day, and tell them you love them. I triple dog dare you! Because happy and sparkly are terrific things to be, and you just might be as cool as Kathryn if you do.

Well that's today's challenge. Stay tuned, tomorrow there may be another one. If you're up for it. Now I'm off to play barbie and sparkle at the Wing :) Perhaps you should come in and have a snack, I'd be honored by your presence.

They and Me

Remember them? I'm pretty sure I evicted them from my life. And do you recall their quarrel with me? Well things were going just swimmingly on my end, until I forgot to change the locks and they weaseled back into my head. But this time they brought a friend. Loneliness and Doubt have since recruited Fear, and Fear is a simply dreadful fellow. Not much for company.

Today these goons just waltzed on in, interrupting my thriving Think Happy party. Because today the goons discovered the unchanged locks. Hence the waltzing... Loneliness and Doubt are pretty good at lying to me. But the real trouble this time around is Fear. The guy sends me into a complete puddle. Leaving no bucket for bailing.

So there I was drowning in my own eye sweat (I was just cutting some onions, making a lasagna) when it dawned on me! I don't even like lasagna and onions aren't my fave. And I knew they needed to leave.

So I knelt down asked Father how he was with locksmithing? He said, "perfect." And I said, "good, because I need new locks." And He did it. So I said, "Thanks" and He said, "I love you."

I felt that "I love you." The Master Locksmith doesn't make me feel alone, doubtful, or afraid. He is my biggest advocate of Think Happy. He lets me feel peace, compassion, and confidence.

So when Cindy says things about being your real self and there in finding balance, I know she's right. My Locksmith knows me. He made me. He likes me to feel balanced and happy. Cindy the therapist is so wise. Perhaps that is why she's a therapist. I like when Cindy's words find my ear in the form of realization.

I'm not saying they won't bug me again. Or even you. Because they are known trespassers, all I'm saying is I know a really good locksmith.

Lickety Split

I don't know if Weston knows it, but he's kind of a cool fellow. And occasionally he says lickety split excessively. And by occasionally I mean oftenly and by oftenly I mean often. And the reason for his oft used "lickety split"? Well I think he just does that. But also he's helping me find a man. So does Weston know some winning gents that will meet my qualifications?

He has to be at least 6'0''. I like my men tall. And I'm a fan of the brunette variety. With blue or green eyes. But I've been known to love brown too. Slender to athletic build. The big and beautiful build isn't quite my type, but I don't judge. And I would prefer him to have stunning good looks, as opposed to just average.

Obviously I have more substance than that, but those are the only things the LDS dating network asked for...

Haha are you concerned that I've been driven to desperation? Because I clearly remember stating here that I did not need online dating. Well that remains. It is Tyler that's the desperate one. Pitiful and alone in Montana, filling out an LDSPlanet dating profile. Poor boy. It's really a shame he has to compete with his hunk of a brother ;)

Apparently dating is the topic of discussion here tonight. Blame it on the MAW (men ask women date dinner in my ward) or blame Journey, either way Weston is aiding in the 'find Ann Marie a hottie for the Journey concert' back up plan. Thus far he says my options are good and I'll be making out by the end of the night... I can only hope.

When I get fat, I will blame Maranda

It is summer. Which rhymes with swimsuit season. Ok, so it doesn't rhyme. The point here is that I'm supposed to be shedding my winter coat, not adding another layer!

I don't think Maranda understands that. Maranda is the work treat bringer. Every day I go to work and she has some new delicious and irresistible yummy in the treat jar. The jar is big. And it sits on the counter tempting me with candy of the fruity and chocolate varieties. So naturally every time I pass the treat jar, I grab a piece of candy. Also naturally, the jar is conveniently placed at a very passable location. Resulting in my consuming a lot of candy.

And sometimes when Miguel and Martin take a long time for table's food to come up, I have to patiently wait. Patiently waiting sort of has the same effect as jar passing. Consumption of candy.

So I eat a lot of treats. And it's not even my fault! It's Maranda and Miguel and Martin!

This absolutely positively has nothing to do with my lack of self control.

That Bouquet Should Have Been Mine

I may or may not have joked about marrying Kyle Berg. He was in fact #1 on my most marriagable/datable gents in the 26th ward. But today Mr. Berg has a ring on his finger, and I do not. I'm a broken hearted girl.

Ok but really people, Kyle and Heidi are the most adorable couple I've ever had the pleasure of befriending. They were made for each other, as cliché as that may sound. They are so right for each other that divine intervention was needed to see that they wed. And lucky me! I had the joy of aiding in their engagement in magical California and sneaking peeks at wedding plans in the green notebook. Now here they are all grown up and married!

The reception was twinkly and Heidi sparkled. I about died of happiness when they danced! It was by far the best wedding dance I've ever beheld. They were so smiley and precious! Oh and for the record that bouquet was totally headed my way...

So fun to attend the Mr. and Mrs. Berg event. Keidi I love you guys. And I never really wanted to marry Kyle.

P.S. Garters are awkward.

Me, Lorraine, and I-15 + Other Adventures

As far as best friends go, mine are totally boss. They are the cheese to my macaroni. And yes, sometimes I do quote Juno in my secret online journal... But if you must know why I have such cheesy boss BFFs, I will tell you.

The last couple days, I have been road tripping. Just Lorraine and I and I-15. We went to Logan to visit McKinsey Maurine and friends and then continued our journey northward to the Allen abode in Pocatello.

It was an educational and needed two days in the tundra lands. So this is what I learned:

• Kinsey is the epitome of hospitable. And seeing as she just got a new cook book, she'll be a smashing future Mrs. Bieber.
• The Chi Omega house (in which I stayed in Logan) has a sketchy history. "The incident" resulted in the house being shut down and allowing only two days for its previous residents to vacate. No worries though because the incident was a few years ago and Katie and Kenneth the house parents will make sure no such incidences reoccur.
• Apparently someone living in Chi Omega really loved owl pictures prior to "the incident."
• Cafe Rio, Justin Bieber, and visiting my boys and friends on Darwin was the perfect cure for the human interaction I've been so seriously lacking.
• Pocatello is a pretty cute town and will shortly be my future home. But that is only because I saw Rapunzel's house and I fell in love with it and it was for sale! Home owner at 20 in windy Pocatello!
• There is a stairway to heaven, and I climbed it. Heaven may have a good view, but it was a lot colder than I had envisioned.
• I like weird/sad movies I guess. Does that mean I am weird and sad?
• I suck at choosing. Anything. Of course this wasn't exactly learned from my road trip, but my awareness was increased when the Allen brothers ganged up on my quoting apostles and making me be decisive. It was hard, and I think I'm annoying. It's a work in progress.
• And last but positively not least, the Allens are wonderful people. I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and made the trip. I'm a lucky girl to have met them and I hope that wasn't my only stay in Pokey.

So clearly it was a good couple days. And do you see why they are cheesy and boss? Kinsey and Tyler both let me crash in their homes, they fed me, entertained me, and gosh I just love em! This life of mine is a good one.

I might be flattered if I weren't so peeved

What kind of missionary writes a letter asking you to date him when he gets home in 10 months?

First of all, 10 months is a long time. Almost a year. Which means a lot can happen in that amount of time. What does he expect me to say? "Sure I'll just stop my life and wait until we can date." That's not how it works. At least that's not how I work.

Secondly, the kid just got Dear Johned. Thank you. That makes me feel like such a winner. Oh how I love being a rebound second choice.

Third, and probably most important, is that he is on a mission!!! The last thing he should be doing is lining up a girlfriend for when he gets home. He shouldn't be thinking about me, or any girls for that matter. Because right now he is on the Lord's time. Letters like that are a waste of that time and it genuinely saddens me. On level of importance in his life right now, I should be ranking very low.

The letter was nice enough. I mean I guess it could be considered flattering that someone so far away is still thinking of me, but really, it was a fling like 2 years ago. Get back to work.

Sorry. Vent sesh is now closed.

Wendy's Bosom Buddies

Good thing I have a super splendid fam! Would you like to know why so splendid? Well clearly I am about to tell you...

So this last year my Aunt Wendy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a champion fighter and thus far she is doing just swell, but I still wanted to do something to show my love and support. This little brain of mine got cooking and came up with this.

I got real excited and emailed everyone. Lucky for me, they got excited too! Uncle John took my idea and ran with it, quite literally. He had team shirts made and handled all the logistics. Our team consisted of the Morris and Hyde clans. "Wendy's Bosom Buddies" was able to raise $2,000 for breast cancer research.

Race for the Cure is quite the big deal. I didn't even know how big. But Saturday May 7 we all woke up bright and early to run along side 30,000 other people in hope of making a difference.

That sea of pink and white are all participants. Talk about a lot of people!

It was a wonderful day! I'm so happy I have a good family who loves and supports each other. Plus we were very entertained by the team names and costumes. My personal favorite: Team "Stop the War in My Rack" Oh so clever.

Haha so dear family of mine, thank you for going along with my idea. I hope you had as much fun as I did. And Wendy and Claire, we love you! I'm glad we could run for you! Let's do it again next year shall we? Mmkay!

P.S. Number one. Check!