Stacie

Have you ever wondered....

2012-01-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"...but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?

Why are you IN a movie, but you are ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

(I didn't actually come up with these questions, but they definitely got me thinkin!)

Finished Cake

2012-01-19T19:10:00.003-07:00

We were able to get a picture of the ruffle cake with the flowers. Looks pretty good doesn't it?!

Word of the day.... well, of MY day at least.

2012-01-11T18:26:00.002-07:00

spoonerism \SPOO-nuh-riz-uhm\ , noun:
The transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.

Some examples:

We all know what it is to have a half-warmed fish ["half-formed wish"] inside us.
A well-boiled icicle ["well-oiled bicycle"].
It is kisstomary to cuss ["customary to kiss"] the bride.
Is the bean dizzy ["dean busy"]?
When the boys come back from France, we'll have the hags flung out ["flags hung out"]!
Let me sew you to your sheet ["show you to your seat"].

I only experience this EVERYDAY! Sometimes I worry about myself.

GOALS

2011-12-30T19:59:00.004-07:00

I'm not going to make "New Year's Resolutions" because by their very nature resolutions are meant to be broken- or at least I always break them so I assume that is why people make them... so they have something to break. I have instead decided to make goals. Goals that just happen to start at the beginning of the year. These goals are mostly to just improve myself so that I can come closer the person I am striving to be. Since it's easier to account to others and easier to keep track of if they are written down here goes....

Read my scriptures every day, at the beginning of the day not when I'm half asleep right before bed and not getting any thing from it.

Write in my journal every night, even when there is nothing to report.

Be more kind in my thoughts and actions

Do more service

Become more social (this one is gonna be a doosey! I'm not a very social person!)

Weight loss goal: lose 30lbs by my 30th birthday and if possible lose 60lbs by next Christmas... that is going BIG though, losing 60lbs would put me at my all time not likely to happen "goal weight."

Be more healthy - I'm not going to "diet" because I'm horrible at dieting but I am going to do my best to make healthier choices and exercise more consistently. (I sorta have to if I want to meet my previous goal)

Get my first kiss - I know what you're thinking "WHAT SHE'S NEVER BEEN KISSED? HOW OLD IS SHE?!" I do it too. But I have had some weird issues that I have been working out with my therapist and I think I'm in a better place to be in a relationship and hopefully get that first kiss I've been waiting my whole life for. (No pressure future boy that I will kiss!) So I definitely better get on that "being more social" goal or this may never happen! Plus I'm paranoid about having bad breath and what if I go in for the big kiss and the guy is totally grossed out because I have weird breath?? It's okay Self, you can do it! (Yes, I just gave myself a pep talk.)

Go to Disneyland again (though this one is already in the works... I'm gonna have the best 30th birthday EVER!! But that's because if I don't I'm probably going to have a SERIOUS panic attack... 30 is SO old. Not for other people, I just feel like I'm so behind and have a lot of "catching up" to do, it's overwhelming. But not this year, I'm going to be having FUN on my big day!)

So these are my goals. Hopefully this time next year I will be a better person and be able to make more goals to continue to better myself.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T22:44:00.004-07:00

“ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begottenSon, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16

What a beautiful scripture. At this time of year where wegive and receive gifts – I always try to remember the most AMAZING gift of alltime. Jesus Christ – our brother, ourconfidant, our spiritual shoulder to cry on, He REALLY knows our pain andsuffering and He is there to help you get where you need to be. He does haveall the answers and we need to remindourselves to seek those gifts and blessing that he is ready and willing to give tous if we just ask. Sorta like Santa, I suppose. Sit on his lap, tell him whatyou want or need and he’ll see what he can do.

The first part of the scripture reminds me of what themeaning of life is. “For God so loved the world…” GOD LOVES US. Each and every one of us. I wastrying to teach my little niece about our puppy. Sometimes he chews on theirtoys or shoes or eats all of my socksand that doesn’t make him a bad puppy, just a puppy trying to learn and makesmistakes a long the way and that does not change the love we have for thepuppy. That is what we as humans need to remember that we are good people justtrying to learn and making mistakes a long the way. But what is promised to usis that GOD LOVES US, JESUS CHRIST LOVES US and if we can embrace that; do whatwe can to do what is right we can feel Their love. And as we findourselves feeling the love of Christ and the knowledge that God really lovesus, enough to send his only Son to die for us so we can all liveagain, we find ourselves sharing that love with others.

Love – that is what I learn each Christmas. To really love others and look at themthrough God’s eyes and see their potential and the love he has there for thatperson, it makes it so much easier to love others – even when we don’t likethem too much. It also helps me to remember to accept that love. That is thehardest part of all. I need to see myself through God’s eyes and see his lovefor me and all of my potential.

So my message to you is to remember the reason for theseason and to just love.

I WISH YOU A HAPPY, VERY MERRY AND LOVING CHRISTMAS

All my love to you,

Stacie.
P.S. I absolutely adore this video, I may have posted this previously but thought watching it again couldn't possible hurt anyone. Enjoy.

Ruffle Cake

2011-12-17T01:48:00.000-07:00

My mom makes cakes (wedding, birthday, just because it's Wednesday, ect) and she is AMAZING at it! She usually lets me tag a long and I carry stuff and assist with different things but on this cake she actually LET me do something!! Woot woot!! This was a cake for a friend of mom's and she wanted us to try this new cake style. I got to do the ruffling of the fondant and I thought that was a pretty good deal until we had to do it. About half-way through the cake I was about done. It was 2 a.m. and my hands were blistered and TIRED but I persevered thanks to my mom's cheering and encouragement and by 3:30 a.m. we were finally DONE!! We delivered it today but they couple didn't have the flowers there yet so we didn't get any pictures with the flowers but we're hoping the gal sends us some of the FINAL final cake. So here are the pictures we do have:

By Popular Demand...

2011-11-29T11:23:00.006-07:00

So I've been told by a few people that I forgot to mention what exactly was on my PTN (See previous post if you are confused.) So here it goes....

Bread of choice - I prefer soft bread but still firm enough to hold the sandwich together. I've had it on a fresh Hogie bun and it was delicious..
Mayo - I prefer mayo but you could also substitute for Miracle Whip
Cranberry sauce - Spread on just one slice of bread
Turkey - Lots of turkey, layer on top of slice with cranberry sauce
Stuffing - Moist stuffing works best. If you need to moisten up the stuffing feel free to use a little gravy. I just take the stuffing in my (clean) hands and squish it on the other side of the bread but some people may prefer to use a knife and spread it. That takes too long so I don't even bother, plus I'm saving the planet by using less water because I'm not washing an extra knife. Except if you use the knife from the mayo and cranberry spreading... but that's not the point. Anyway.
Now very quickly so you don't lose any ingredients SMUSH it all together. I like to squish the bread a little but that's just my own thing. You can do whatever you want.

Hopefully this post isn't too late and you still have enough leftovers to make your own PTN if you so desire.

Happy Eating!!

The Best Post-Thanksgiving Nancy EVER!!

2011-11-25T19:03:00.003-07:00

I absolutely LOATH the word "sandwich." It makes me cringe just typing it. So I've decided to just change the word to "Nancy." Nancy is the name of my late grandmother. I think she would think it's funny that I chose her name as the word to use to replace that horrible other word. So if you see me walking down the street talking about a delicious peanut butter and jelly nancy... that's what I'm talking about.

Every year I long for the deliciously sweet and savory combo of a Post-Thanksgiving Nancy (known as PTN from here on out.) Sometimes when I'm having a really bad day and I wish I didn't exist, I say "Self... Are you really ready leave this world without tasting another bite of PTN?" And then I think "NO, I AM NOT!!" So I go on living another day just to have another bite (Plus I'm dying to find out how BONES is going to turn out. I love that show!) I took some pictures today of my Nancy and can I just tell you... it tasted so much better than it looked, but it did look pretty scrumptious.

Family Pictures

2011-11-24T18:00:00.004-07:00

This is one of the few times a year we actually are all together so we thought we'd utilize this time to take family pictures. You'll have to forgive the photographer, some of these pictures were taken with a tripod and a timer. Enjoy!

Isn't Dexter HUGE!! He doesn't look like a puppy anymore!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cranberry Sauce

2011-11-24T17:50:00.002-07:00

This year I decided I'd live a little on the edge and make some cranberry sauce. I love the canned jelly but thought this year maybe we'd try cranberries with class. So I found this amazing and easy recipe and it turned out great! It's going to be a new tradition.... Eat your heart out Ocean Spray.

The recipe is as follows if you want to try this...

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
12 oz bag of cranberries

Dissolve sugars in liquid. Bring to boil, add berries and boil for about 10 minutes. Berries will start to pop open when they are about done. Remove from heat, if you choose you can put the sauce in the blender to blend up sauce and make it more smooth then put in dish. Let it cool at room temperature then store in refrigerator until time to serve. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

My Cute Babies

2011-11-08T20:47:00.003-07:00

Okay, okay... we all know they're not mine and that they aren't really babies anymore but they are my little cuties!

What a ham! Little Miss Hailey is getting so big and she's so smart (maybe too smart for her own good!) I love my Hailey!

Sweet Aiden, what a rough time he is having, watching Rugrats and hanging out on Aunt Stacie's love sac. That boy is SO funny! He cracks me up all the time, I sure do like him... I guess we'll keep him around :) That's my Aiden boy, whom I just love to pieces.

The ONLY good thing about cold weather...

2011-11-08T20:41:00.005-07:00

HOT CHOCOLATE!!!

Halloween

2011-11-08T20:13:00.008-07:00

This year I got to dress up three times. I went to a Stake Halloween party Friday night, a friend's party on Saturday night, and then I dressed up for work and went trick-or-treating Monday night with my niece and nephew (who were dressed up as a fairy princess and Thor.) It was lots of fun, I definitely got my money's worth on that costume. I was Raggedy Ann and the costume came with a red yarn wig but it was horrible to look at and while wearing it I felt quite claustrophobic so I decided to just dye my hair instead..... It was cute for the costume but thankfully my wonderful hairdresser of a cousin was able to fix me up right nice (thanks Em..) Anyway, here are the pictures from the fun.

I made these yummy Candy Corn Cupcakes for the gals at work. When you bit into them they were yellow and orange cake with white frosting. I was very proud of my self!

Alice (Liz) Cute Bumblebee (Jen) and Raggedy Ann (moi) These are a couple girls from work, we were headed to a party.

Rainbow Bright (Brittany - a friend of my brothers) and Miss Annie

Chuckles the clown (my beautiful mamma) and my Tone-Tone

Dexter the pesky dog, Princess (Hailey) Miss Annie (you guessed it... me) and Thor (Aiden)

Annie and The Joker (Heath Ledger... oops, I mean Tony - my baby bro)

Why so serious??? (Actually, Annie doesn't look that scared does she??)

Bumblebee (Jen) Raggedy Ann (me) Andy (my date) Red Riding Hood (Heather) and Alice (Liz)

Maybe we have too much fun at work.... Ann, Bee, Hook (Dr. Wise) The Devil (Tina) and a Viking Chic (Liz)

Updating

2011-11-06T00:20:00.002-06:00

So I decided that I would utilize this extra hour we get tonight to update my blog... Silly me, thinking I could do it all in 1 hour. I was wrong. I kept thinking I didn't really have much to update so I just kept procrastinating it but now I have spent almost 3 hours just organizing the photos I want to put up!! I'm too tired to even finish it tonight. So this is what you get. A paragraph telling you of my intentions. I will try to finish it this weekend but the way it's looking it might take a while, but I will do my best! Oh, and just a warning... there are A LOT of pictures!

Dexter!!

2011-09-26T21:29:00.003-06:00

We got another little puppy! His name is Dexter. We all just love him. A few weeks ago we adopted another dog - her name is Izzy! She sure does love Dexter. She's taken on the role of mommy rather well. I'll post more pictures of all of them but I just thought I would post this now.

Exercise with a 4 year old

2011-06-27T23:22:00.002-06:00

As I was getting ready for my workout Hailey (My oh so adorable niece) decides she wants to watch me work out on the elliptical. I set her up with a show to watch while I exercise. So when I finish I needed to stretch and do some crunches. She joined me on the floor. Every action, every sound I made she did also. Starting crunches she imitated me with my breathing and mild grunting (let's face it, it is tough to do crunches when your fat!) After 2 sets of crunches we took a break by laying on the floor. After about a minute Hailey turns to me and says "you good for one more?" I died laughing. Then went on to my last set of crunches! It was SO funny, I almost couldn't get a hold of myself.

2011-06-25T20:31:00.002-06:00

The movie Red Riding Hood came out this week and I really wanted to buy it. When I went to Target they only had it on Blu-ray. I thought about shopping around to different stores to see if I could find it in DVD but decided instead to just bite the bullet and buy a Blu-ray player. So I bought both the movie and player and went home. I realized when I opened the movie that it had both the blu-ray and dvd in it. Oh well, I wanted the Blu-ray player anyway so it all worked out. I went to set up the player to my tv today and realized it would not work with my old school tv that I had. So then I had to get a new tv.

So now here I sit, watching my new Blu-ray video on my new Blu-ray player on my new HDTV. I feel so high tech! I have to say though, that it ended up being one expensive movie.

My new camera

2011-06-03T10:07:00.004-06:00

I bought a new camera. A pretty one at that! So now I'm going to be taking a lot of pictures. I better, since I paid a pretty penny for it. So my new hobby is to start doing my old hobby. (I stopped doing much photography for a while, not sure why, but that is changing now!) The reason for this post is mostly a warning, I will be posting a lot!

2011-05-17T18:43:00.004-06:00

The other night my niece did the cutest thing.
She tucked me in for bed.
I got a story read, a couple of stuffed animals and a kiss on the forehead followed by "I love you, Stace." It was so sweet.

I just love my little Hailey and Aiden.

2011-05-17T18:35:00.002-06:00

We all know how much I hate worms, right?? Well, I've decided there is one thing worse than worms out there..... Twigs that look like worms!! Not only do I look absolutely ridiculous while running around, screaming and jumping across the sidewalks to avoid the worms, now I look stupid running around, screaming and jumping at twigs that look like worms. It's hard to tell when it's wet and rainy outside. They all look the same. So, I apologize to all of those people out there who may witness my irrational outburst of running, jumping and screaming over what may or may not be worms.

Cantankerous - adjective - disagreeable to deal with; contentious; peevish

2011-05-10T11:45:00.003-06:00

Everyone gets songs stuck in their head, right??? Well sometimes I get words stuck in my head. I woke up with the word "Cantankerous" stuck. It's nearly noon and I've had it stuck in my head since 6:30 this morning. Over and over again... cantankerous, cantankerous, cantankerous, cantankerous.... I'm pretty sure it's going to make me crazy!! I'm beginning to become "cantankerous" because of it!!!

Jake - Before and After

2011-04-01T19:05:00.003-06:00

Jake really, REALLY needed a haircut...

So he got one...

It's like he's a completely different dog, amazing isn't it?!

Disneyland!!

2011-03-30T18:23:00.012-06:00

My brother invited me to go with his family to Disneyland. I, of course said yes! I hadn't been there in 11 years, I was so excited to go! It was a short trip but just long enough. We drove down on Thursday, Disneyland on Friday, California Adventures on Saturday then headed home on Sunday. My little niece and nephew of course came too, they had so much fun. We went on mostly kid rides but it was worth it. Disneyland is after all a kids dream, right?! We did go on Space Mountain, Hailey was just tall enough and she insisted on coming. I was so worried that it would traumatize her and scare her to death, but at the end of the ride she was laughing, clapping and wanted to go on it again. It was pretty entertaining. Anyway, we had tons of fun. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Most of the pictures are of the little kids. They are much cuter than I am! And I apologize if they are out of order.... The pictures are from 3 different cameras so it gets difficult to try to organize them all.

Turns out that the UCONN basketball team was staying at our hotel... on the same floor! It was crazy! I don't know how those boys don't get decapitated every time they walk into a doorway. Geesh, they were so tall. I didn't even go up to their armpits. Trust me, I know, I was standing right next to a few of them and I've never felt so petite in my life!!!

2011-01-07T22:41:00.003-07:00

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant, And an elephant's faithful, one hundred per cent!" - Horton from Dr. Seuss' Horton Hatches the Egg.

I love this quote. I hope to someday be as unselfish and faithful as Horton (you should read the book if you haven't yet!!)

2010-12-28T17:35:00.006-07:00

"I didn’t even know he existed a few days ago and now he’s gone forever. It’s like I found him for no reason. I had to say good-bye as soon as I said hello… Still in a sad, awful, terrible way, I’m happy I met him… What a stupid world.”

This is how Calvin felt after his little racoon friend died.
Our dog Tobi passed away on Christmas morning. We don't know what happened and it completly broke our hearts to see him go. To some pets are just pets, but to our family, our dogs are our family. We'll miss you Tobers!

My new toy

2010-12-20T21:22:00.003-07:00

Last February I bought a treadmill. Right before Thanksgiving it decided to die. Or rather, it needed an exorcism. While I was in the middle of a workout it decided to just flip off (I'm thinking something with the power) and after I unplugged in then restarted it, it began to reset the incline, up and down, up and down, up and down. It wouldn't stop! No matter what I tried I just couldn't get it to fix. Luckily I bought it at Costco and they'll let you return almost anything. So I was able to return it and get my money back. I was waiting to purchase another one in January because I figured a lot of exercise equipment would go on sale. I was hoping to actually get an elliptical trainer instead of a treadmill, that's what I wanted in the first place but the treadmill was on sale.
A friend of mine told me about this shop that sells exercise equipment for outrageously inexpensive prices. She had actually just purchased this same elliptical for herself. I went to the store to check it out and I loved it, I also loved the price. It was originally $899, it was on sale for..... $299. How could I possibly pass up this opportunity??? So I bought it, found a way to finagle it into my room (instead of the dining room where the treadmill was because it was too big to fit anywhere else) and now I have no excuse to not use it, as it will be staring right at me anytime I'm in my room (which is almost all of my time at home!) So today was my first work-out on it. I forgot how big of a work-out you get on ellipticals!!! You know you're out of shape when after 3 minutes you are dying!! Anyway, I'm very excited about my new toy, I hope it helps me get off my tushi.

2010-11-06T23:07:00.001-06:00

Just being silly!

When Aunt Stacie babysits all bets are off.

2010-09-30T23:01:00.006-06:00

I can't promise they'll be clean, but don't worry, that's what bath time is for!

I made spaghetti for dinner the other night and I cut up Aiden's noodles so it would be easier to eat but little did I know it actually made it a harder to eat. This is how I found him eating it and I just thought it was hilarious, I caught it on video but of course it won't load on here!! Oh well, here are some pictures of it.

2010-08-30T18:51:00.002-06:00

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I am a "blog stalker." Today I was looking at someone's blog from another persons blog from another persons blog.... I don't know them at all but guess who was in the background of one of their pictures???? ME! How crazy is that?!
I always think about it when someone is taking a picture and I know I'm in the background I try to smile and look pretty if I can, but of course in this one I didn't know I was in the picture so I look a little chubby and not very pretty, but oh well, what can you do?? At least they don't know me!
Anyway, I just forget how small the world can be sometimes. It's incredible, I think.

Olive Garden

2010-08-24T21:32:00.004-06:00

I took my mom to dinner tonight at Olive Garden for her birthday tomorrow. We were waiting for our turn to be seated, sitting outside of the restaurant, when this man walks by and I think "Wow, that guy is TALL, I bet he plays basketball." As I look up to the sky I finally see his face, I didn't immediately recognize him, but he turned and spoke to someone he was with and all of a sudden my mom does a double take then turns to me and whisperly exclaims "it's Thurl Bailey, from the Jazz!!" I recognize him but before we had a chance to sneak a picture or anything, he was in the restaurant. Oh and he didn't have to wait either.... that's not fair!!! I looked it up on the internet, he is 6'11 tall. No wonder his legs were taller than I am! I've never seen anyone that tall before. Wow!!

Oregon

2010-08-16T21:28:00.003-06:00

Pictures of road trip vacation on the Oregon Coast coming as soon as I get the motivation to download all of the pictures!
To summarize, it was cold and foggy the whole time but it was still gorgeous! I just wish it wasn't quite so chilly! We did see one seal, we were pretty excited about that and we also saw several lighthouses which I loved. There is just something so mysterious and romantic about lighthouses, it makes me want to cry, but then everything makes me want to cry lately. The other day when Karl Malone was put in the hall of fame, I saw his little speech on the news and when he started to cry, I just lost it. It's not like I'm such a huge fan and this was a very special moment for me or anything, I just couldn't stop myself!
Sorry, that was off topic.
Anyway, trip was fun. Almost too much driving but worth seeing everything!

Plane? Superman? UFO?

2010-08-16T18:16:00.003-06:00

Last night my brother Ellis comes running in the house exclaiming that there are UFO's flying around outside and we have to come out and see. I was a little skeptical, as I usually am about these things, so I was surprised to see that there indeed was something flying out in the sky that was unidentifiable. What could it be???
There were 9 of us outside standing with our faces up looking carefully at the dark night watching for more sightings of this "thing" when all of a sudden, it appears. It's getting closer, closer, closer, bigger, bigger, bigger and then suddenly it was right over our heads, what in the world???? It was a FLOCK OF BIRDS!!! I bust out laughing, I laughed SO hard, so, so hard! My brother's were, I think, disappointed it wasn't anything extraterrestrial (Don't tell them, but I was a little bummed too!) But it made for a fantastic ending of the night.

2010-08-01T09:09:00.002-06:00

Leaving today.
Going on a trip,
See you next fall!

Okay, so that was lame, but I'm lame so it is alright. :)

I would like to take back my previous post.

2010-07-30T12:15:00.001-06:00

So as you have read my previous post you know that somehow in my sleep I pulled my blanket out of my hope chest sometime in the night a few nights ago.

I have to say that not having it around for a month has made it less wonderful to me. It will still hold a place close to my heart, but it's not really that soft and not as comforting as it used to be. So back into the hope chest it will go and I'm thinking it'll stay there for good now.

sometimes "going cold turkey" doesn't work.

2010-07-28T23:20:00.002-06:00

This morning I woke up and in the process of making my bed I find a surprise all tangled up with my covers. You might ask what it is? Well, I'll tell you. It was my blanket-the baby blanket that I officially removed from my life a month ago.... well that didn't happen for very long. Funny thing is, I don't have a clue as to how it got out of my hope chest which is buried under some boxes and removed from it and from it's protective plastic. Huh? Oh well. Now I have to start all over again trying to wean myself from it again. This time instead of "cold turkey" I'm going "warm soy burger"
Wish me luck!!

I'm lazy I know.

2010-07-22T18:28:00.002-06:00

Today I was at the grocery store walking around the produce department looking for some things to make dinner tonight. I realized that they have pre-sliced and/or pre-shredded lettuce, pre-cut carrots, apples, salads ready to eat, there is even pre-sliced and pre-shredded cheese out there too. I had to buy an onion for dinner and as most people do, I HATE cutting onions (almost as much as I hate cutting raw chicken) so I couldn't help but wonder..... why hasn't anyone chopped up some onions and set them out for purchase? I would buy them up in a heartbeat. I realize how lazy this may make me sound to be but it sure would make cooking in the kitchen so much easier! So to all you inventors (or whatever you would call this) I beg you to sell chopped onions!!!

Fun fact about me #4

2010-07-21T23:25:00.003-06:00

I love the song "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John. It makes me want to just get up dance a little diddy. Oh, and it's an amazing song for the yell-singing that I love so much. I wonder what I look like from other cars? I guess I'll never know. It's better that way I'm sure!

2010-07-18T15:46:00.003-06:00

Every day on my way home from work I drive past this little cornfield. Everyday I see it grow a little bit more and it makes me so happy. I know it's silly to be happy from something as little as that, but it reminds me of the miracle of life. Whether it be a tiny blade of grass, a gigantic tree or a perfect little baby, I'm amazed everyday by this and each time I drive by this field I smile and say a little prayer of thanks for such a beautiful place and life we are all given.

Fun fact about me #3

2010-07-12T21:41:00.002-06:00

Don't worry. The fun facts will probably keep coming at you for awhile. Maybe they're not so much fun as interesting tangents that I think about.

Anyway.

I have texture issues. There are certain things I cannot look at for fear I may vomit.

Here is a list of some of the things that I cannot look at without retching:

Porous mushrooms
Gravel
Sponges
Certain kinds of metal
Fish scales
Peeling skin
Tapioca pudding

I have found myself on multiple occasions where I unexpectedly encounter one or more of the aforementioned items and it hits me like a brick and I must avert my eyes quickly or bad things happen.
This information is just so you know. No particular reason for you to ever know this, but that's why it's a fact about me.
:)

Fun fact about me #2

2010-07-11T17:52:00.002-06:00

I can NOT stand to wear socks when I sleep at night. My feet feel claustrophobic and it makes me anxious. I can't handle it.
Though I hate wearing socks to sleep at night, I particularly enjoy wearing socks if I take a nap. I don't know why. I just feel more comfy taking a nap with my socks on.
Hmmmmm..... Interesting, I know.

Fun fact about me #1

2010-07-05T23:36:00.003-06:00

I like my PB&J to be slightly smushed. Like when you were a kid and you had a PB&J sandwich for lunch packed in your lunch box and it came out all squished. I love that. I love it so much that now I smush mine up before serving it to myself.

Stadium of Fire 7.3.10

2010-07-04T12:08:00.011-06:00

We went to the Stadium of Fire last night. It was the first time I've ever gone and it was so fun. I've always watched the fireworks from outside the stadium but this time I got to see them up close and they were AMAZING! So much better from the inside!!! Carrie Underwood was the headliner performer. We all love her. We voted for her when she was on American Idol like crazy. And since then, we've just loved her! So it was such a treat to be able to see her live. My dad wanted to go so badly, in fact he was the one who so excitedly suggested we go, but morning of the show, he came down with the stomach flu :( I felt so bad. Poor guy. We were able to find someone to take his ticket, my cousin Emilee came, and we had a lot of fun! Since Dad wasn't able to come, we made sure to take LOTS of pictures and videos!

Stadium of Fire Dancers

Lou Diamond Philips hosted the show

Carrie Underwood sang the national anthem and then the Air Force Blue Angels flew over. I LOVE the flyby every year. I don't really know why, but it's always a favorite thing of mine from the holiday.

The Osmond 2nd Generation performed a song or two. They're so cute!!!

Carrie Underwood performing. She is so amazing! There were a couple of times I got a little teary when she sang some of her songs!

The fireworks!
You must forgive me and my video taping ablities, or lack thereof, but stick with it and once you get a little bit into the video it gets better. This was my favorite part of the whole fireworks show. At the end, some fireworks went off a bit close to where we were sitting, and everyone kinda freaked out! I thought it was awesome!! " border=0 alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2uJONKqOrHs/TDDXd0oksOI/AAAAAAAAAvs/sdbVwpl6nJU/s320/Summer+2010+Lisa+464.JPG">.

What a great night! Happy Birthday to my Country! On my old Bishop's (Dave Williams) facebook status a few days ago he wrote:

On this Independence Day, let us remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. Let us also remember that America is not defined by the politicians who run it, but the people who love it. These patriotic quotes remind us that patriotism in America does not mean following blindly, but rather it means holding to the ideals that gave birth to this great nation.

I really loved this and wanted to share it with you. Happy Independence day to everyone. I hope it's a great one for you.

Handsome Men's Club

2010-07-01T23:19:00.000-06:00

My good friend introduced me to this clip from youtube. It's so funny! It goes along well with my previous post! Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks Misty!

The List #1

2010-06-24T23:12:00.013-06:00

So the girls at work and I have been compiling our "lists" over the last few weeks. Really what it comes out to be are guys I think are dreamy. Since I'm not in a relationship currently I don't need a free pass, but if I needed one.... these would be the guys!

I've made a few lists. The first one is My Top Ten T.V. Characters.
So here they are in no particular order.

Ross Geller (Friends)
He doesn't mean to be but he is so funny. Sweet too!

Special Agent Seeley Booth (Bones)
He's a really good shot and looks hot in a suit!

Dexter (Dexter)
I realize he's a serial killer, but he only gets the bad guys so he's like a vigilante and that's not that bad. It's like thinking Batman is hot!

Damon Salvator (Vampire Diaries)
What else can I say, he's a "bad guy" vampire.....

Dr. Mark (McSteamy) Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)
It's something about his eyes.... even though on the outside you might think he's superficial, he really just wants to fall in love and be happy...

Dr. Jack Hodgins (Bones)
Even though he's "the bug guy" he's just so sweet. I could just eat him right up! (not too bad to look at either :)

Mike Delfino (Desperate Houswives)
He's strong and a romantic. I love it!

Luke Danes (Gilmore Girls)
There's just something about him and his grumpy self that is irresistible.

Eric Delko (CSI:Miami)
Protective, sweet, carries a gun,helps solve crimes in less than an hour, of Latin decent..... need I say more?

And last but not least....

Jim Halpert (the Office)
Awww..... Jim.

So what it all comes down to is that I watch WAY too many shows! Just so you know... I DVR most of them, I don't just watch TV all the time!

Goodbye, my friend.

2010-06-24T19:41:00.005-06:00

Today is my 28th birthday.

I still sleep with my baby blanket.

I love that little blanket.

My blanket is barely hanging on.

It must be retired. Today is the day.

My blanket has been with me for 28 years. I can only think of three times when I didn't have it. The first is when I was 5 or 6 and Mom decided that I was too old to be sleeping with my blanket so she tried to take it away, well I found it later and that was that.
The second time was when I was in 6th grade, my friends made fun of me for having my blanket. It was so soft, I just had to hold it in my hands and have that lovely softness there as a comfort! So I hid it in the back of my closet trying to wean myself off, but I ended up in the back of the closet every night so I could hold it before bed. I remember falling asleep many a times in the closet. I finally just gave up.
The last attempt was when I moved away from home and went to college. It lasted about 3 months, I couldn't handle it. It was too much!!!
It's been there when I cried myself to sleep or when I was sick, it was always there. I even took it on vacations and sleepovers. I would just hide it inside of my pillowcase and nobody was the wiser.
Though I hate it. It's time for my blanket to be retired. I took some last pictures with it, fluffed it for the last time and then put it in an airtight bag and went into my hope chest. However, I have to have something soft to sleep with, so I had to find a replacement. It will never actually replace my blanket but it'll do. On my way to Target tonight, I got teary just thinking about it. I'm so ridiculous!!! I'm sure I looked like an idiot walking down the baby isle feeling every blanket to find the best one. I finally found one that will do.... I guess we'll see!

Here are some pics from the begining to the end.

Oh, I'd really love it if nobody made fun of me for my silly hair. You'll know it when you see it. I didn't have a choice. Mom cut my hair :)

I was about six weeks old in these two pictures.

I had wrapped baby Tony up in my blanket and rocked him to sleep. If you look close at my hands you'll notice that I'm plucking at the blanket like I have always have. It's softer that way!

Here it is now. IT'S SEE THROUGH!!!

This is the new one. I hope it's good!

Funny, Funny, Funny

2010-06-16T22:44:00.005-06:00

A few months ago, during American Idol season, I was watching the Ellen Degeneres show and she was jokingly offeneded by the fact that on DVR discription of the show it lists all of the judges names but hers.... this is what it looked like:

Then a day or two later I noticed that something had changed..... take a close look. It's kind of small.

Ha, Ha, Ha! I just had to laugh. Some times when you complain, things do go your way! Gotta love Ellen!

2010-06-16T21:34:00.004-06:00

A little over a week ago one of the girls I work with asked me if I was going to the Real Salt Lake Soccer game that was a few nights later. I was a bit confused because I'm not really a soccer fan. Not that I don't like soccer, just that I don't really know much about it, so I was perplexed by the question. She gave me this incredulous look and said "Stace, David Cook will be there!"
"WHAT?!!!"
How did I not know this? I had to jump online and find some tickets, now to find someone to go with me, after texting several people realizing nobody was available to go with me, I started getting nervous.... I had to go! Thankfully, my mom was able to finagle a way to get someone to work her late shift so she could go with me. She saved me from having to go by myself! I didn't realize 'til we got there how big the game was. We were playing against the LA Galaxy who we beat at the championships last year, so it was a huge deal. (p.s. David Beckam plays for that team however he was not there that night, I think it was because of the world cup) It was a sold out game, so we were lucky to get tickets. Thanks to the annoying guy behind us and the nice lady next to us, Mom and I figured out the basics of the game. It was so much fun. I would love to go to another game, even if David Cook wasn't there. Of course if David Cook was there... well that wouldn't hurt!

It was an amazing game, we won. The National Anthem (sung by David Cook of course) was awesome. I always get a little teary when I hear the National Anthem but because I heart David so much, it just made it that much better! Then post game, he came back out and had a concert. So much fun! It was such a great night!!

Thanks Heather for telling me about the game!
Thanks Mom for coming with me!
Thanks Real Salt Lake for playing a great game!
Thanks David Cook for making my day!

Oh and there was a decent size thunderstorm that came through. They had to stop the game for a bit to wait for it to pass but it just made for a great picture. Here are some fun ones from the night.....

This was the guy who scored the one and only winning point!

Here's a video I took. It's not the best quality video but I don't care :)

Nightime routine

2010-06-09T23:51:00.005-06:00

I have a new routine.... I have to eat a bowl of Rice Krispies every night before bed. I feel so lost if I don't get my Krispies. Sometimes Multigrain Cherios will do in a pinch but it's just not quite the same.
I suppose it could be worse right??

P.S. I had a really great night prior to my recently eaten Rice Krispies and I have pictures to prove it so just hold on tight and you'll soon learn about my wonderful evening!

Happy Birthday to Me

2010-06-05T18:33:00.003-06:00

I bought myself a Kindle for my birthday this year. I just got it in the mail this week and I LOVE it! It's so wonderful! If you're wondering what it is, I will tell you..... It's like and E-reader. You can download books and magazines and newspapers right to your kindle and then you can read them. Mine holds up to 1500 books. How fantastic is that?!!! Now I don't have to buy another bookshelf like I was going to have to at the rate I was buying books, plus this is so much more planet friendly. Think of all the trees I'm saving! Yay!

2010-06-05T18:25:00.001-06:00

I only have a few words to say. I LOVE THIS SHOW! Oh and I have a secret crush on Finn (plus Finn is such a great name!)

Bored Shopping

2010-06-05T18:19:00.003-06:00

Today I wanted to just get out of the house. I had nothing in particular to do so I went to Target just to shop. Which can be dangerous at Target but I actually only bought a few things.

I bought:
new flip flops
a new hat
Season 1 & 2 of BONES (they were on crazy sale!)
markers and poster board
stickers
(I've decided to make a potty training poster for my niece Hailey, because nobody else (aside from grandma, that is) thinks it's important for her to be potty trained..... Sorry, I'm getting off the soap box.

I am glad that my "I'm bored" shopping didn't affect my wallet too much. It could have been much worse!

I have a new bad habit....

2010-06-05T18:16:00.002-06:00

I've discovered a certain new love for shakes! Chocolate, Marshmallow and Coconut to be exact. I can't stop eating them! It's SO yummy!!!! It's no wonder the pounds aren't coming off very quickly :)

2010-04-30T09:53:00.001-06:00

"Rain, Rain, go away. Come again another day!"

Preferably not until Fall.

Thanks.

Stacie

2010-04-09T10:36:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like on the inside of a clothes dryer?

I have.

Famous People

2010-03-19T01:02:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder what you'd do if you bumped into a famous person? I always think about it. I was just talking to a friend about it today. It was good to get it out so I thought I'd share my thoughts here so I could move on to thinking about other silly things.

So picture it.... I'm standing in line at Target waiting to purchase a pair of shoes and I spy the gum stand. I reach across the way to grab a pack of Winter fresh Orbit gum and suddenly I grab at the same time as Ryan Reynolds (in my fictitious story he's not married to Scarlett Johansen and just single.) Now what to do? My theory is this: they don't always want to be recognized and always want people fawning all over them. So my thoughts are that I would try to act like I didn't know who he was. But, I would still apologize for bumping into his space and then I'd bat my eyes, just like I'd do with any other good looking young man, and from there he'd think "wow, she doesn't know who I am" and then "she's cute, I should get her number." Of course I would give it to him, I mean seriously, it's Ryan Reynolds for Pete's sake, from there of course we'd fall in love, get married and have pretty babies.

Now let's be realistic, even if we were living in a world where Ryan was not married, I'm not so graceful as I'd like to think. It'd probably go down like this: I reach for the gum. I bump into him, my chin drops to the floor, in my flustration, I ram my cart into the person in front of me in the line. That person will then run into the magazine stand which would go flying and magazines would be everywhere. I'd try to recover gracefully but to no avail. I will look like a bumbling idiot and the guy in front of me would be royally ticked off because I not only threw him on the ground but I'd just smashed the carton of eggs he had in his hands into his face. Oops. All I could hope for is a sense of humor in the eyes of whomever it is standing behind me that caused all the ruckus. Please, oh please, never let me run into a famous person at Target!!!

Chicken Caccitore, Shish-ka-bobs and Tickles

2010-03-19T00:53:00.000-06:00

So I'm quirky. (I'm sure you're all thinking "Duh, Stace. Tell us something we didn't know")

I can't take anyone seriously when they say Chicken Caccitore or Shish-ka-bobs. Those two words, rather names of food dishes, makes me laugh. It's like being tickled. You don't like it, but you can't help but laugh. That's how I feel. Even now, just thinking of Shish-ka-bobs I'm laughing inside. What a ridiculous name for food!

Speaking of being tickled, I just remembered a dream I had last night. I was trying to apprehend a bad guy and he was too strong and was getting away but I caught a hold of his armpit (which is one of my most ticklish spots second only to behind my knee) and just started tickling and that was it. He was a gonner and I was able to finish my job and put the bad guy away. Hmmmm.... I do have odd dreams.

March Madness

2010-03-19T00:31:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's that time of year. The one time of year I actually watch and like watching basketball. I unfortunately get way into it and it consumes me for the days it's on. I always want to know who is winning all the time. Of course that all has to do with my bracket. We always have a friendly competition at work. The first year I did it, I won. It was when Florida won, the big upset of the year. I picked Florida because I preferred it's beaches to whatever team I had playing against them. Since then, I haven't won, but I've gotten close just listening to my ridiculous instincts. I choose them for other reasons beyond rankings. This year I chose Syracuse. I chose it because, well it reminds me of syrup which leads to thinking of french toast (which is my favorite.) Plus, I hear they are not too bad. We'll see how things go. Keep your fingers crossed!

2010-03-19T00:19:00.000-06:00

This weekend marks the beginning of a new season. Yes, you know it. Spring is here, well at least per calenders all across the world. It is also my baby brother's birthday. He'll be 21 in two days. I just can't believe it. I remember when he was born.... does that make me old that I remember 21 years ago? Anyway, I just want everyone to know that I love my baby bro Tony Baloney. Happy Birthday, kiddo.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T01:01:00.000-06:00

I love St. Patty's day! It's the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully from here on out Spring will be here to stay. I love the charmingness of the four leaf clover. I love the Irish folk, even though they are loud and drink lots a ale (is that what the call it?) they are absolutely charming to me. And I love Lucky Charms. So pretty much this all adds up to one fun holiday. I suggest everyone wear green because if you don't and I see you...... well consider yourself pinched.

Giraffes

2010-03-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite animal is a giraffe. Did you know that for every foot they are tall they have an inch of tongue? That's probably why they have such long necks.

Shake Weight Update

2010-03-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Many of you may (or may not but you're getting an update anyway) want to know how the Shake Weight I purchased a few weeks ago is working out. Well, I can't figure out really how to shake it so that my muscles work, but it works as a make believe microphone like a charm. Elton John, meet your new match. I've got the moves, the voice and now the props so I'm gonna sing Crocodile Rock like you've never seen.

Replay

2010-03-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

Question: If you could replay the very moment you fell in love with someone would you do it?

Answer: Of course!

American Idol Season 7 winner David Cook's performance of Lionel Richie's "Hello" did it for me. The moment I heard that performance I was hooked. Not just a "he's so dreamy" school girl kind of crush. I absolutely love him.... and not in a creepy stalker kind of way either. To me his music is so touching. I feel the words he is singing. And I love it. The point of my little tribute to David Cook is lost on me. I just heard his version of the song and it yet again ceases to amaze me as to how much a song can just hit the spot, just like chocolate. Mmmmm.... I love chocolate.

So in honor of this post, I am going to listen to that song and all of his other songs on replay tonight.

Eulogy

2010-03-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about what people would say about you in your eulogy at your funeral? I think about it from time to time because I want to be known for something. I want to be remembered, not because I'm being selfish but because I want to know that I'm here now for something. I don't want to be a waste of space. I want to help change the world in some way.

I'm trying to figure out who I am and who I want to become, albeit a little late, because even though I am where I am, I still don't know who I am. Who is Stacie?

So in an effort to find myself I will be posting random bits of me and hopefully I'll find the someone that I want to be.

Snakes

2010-03-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

I bought a treadmill recently and was worried that my niece and nephew (since they live downstairs in our basement apartment, they visit everyday!) being the toddlers that they are would hurt themselves playing on it. I have put the treadmill down past our dining room table down a few stairs, hoping it was far enough away from the kids that it wouldn't be a problem. We told them that the big cords coming from it were snakes. Naturally Hailey (she's almost 3) believed us and was terrified to even go down the stairs. Last night I was running on the treadmill, she came in the room and as soon as she saw me she said "Stace? Why are you running with the snakes?" It was so funny. I had to slow down so I didn't fall off because I was laughing so hard. What a cute girl. Hopefully she'll continue to believe the snakes are not good and keep away, but the poor girl was genuinely concerned about me.

I have to say also that I usually hate the way people say the word "sandwich" because often it sounds ridiculous and even worse when grown-ups say it like they're little kids "samich" for example. If your 4 its acceptable if your 24 - I want to punch you (not in a violent way though!!!!) Anyway, back to little Hailey, the other day she told me she wanted a "sandrich." I had to just laugh at that. I've never heard it that way before. It changed the way I feel about the word. I still hate "samich" but I'll deal with "sandrich."

Warning: Some might not like this next paragraph as it has to do with poo.

She is potty training now and the other day after using the bathroom she runs into the kitchen where I was and exclaimed quite loudly "I pooped, Stace!" the she looks right at me and says vehemently "Now.... it's Stacer's turn!!" I politely declined but again had to just laugh. What a little stinker. Sure do love her though!

Even though as kids get older they get into more trouble and take more work, the more they talk makes up for it sometimes. I love hearing what she has to say next.

Sleep Ordering

2010-02-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last night, I don't know what happened. I remember watching some TV before bedtime and waiting for my sleeping pill to kick in. I vaguely remember watching an infomercial but that is all I remember. I only remember because today when I checked my email I received an order confirmation for a new "ShakeWeight." I must have decided to order it after the pills kicked in. I don't even know if I used my debit card or credit card. Now I have to go track it down!

Here is the website. Maybe you'll want to get one too!!

www.shakeweight.com

I guess I'll keep everyone updated. We'll have to see how my arms look after just 6 minutes a day of working my arms and upper body!!!

Eating Healthy

2010-01-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

So I've been trying to eat healthy and stay away from bad starches and the like. Well I was at the health food store and got some coconut flour. I happened to find a recipe for coconut flour pancakes and thought it sounded yummy. So today I decided I'd make that for breakfast..... even covered in lots of sugar free syrup (which is surprisingly good, by the way) it still was terrible! But everything worked out because I chased it with my favorite beverage: MILK!!! I LOVE MILK! I once said that the reason I wasn't married is because I was more in love with milk than I was with other people! So that's not true, I'd be open to love as long as I get to bring milk into that relationship :)

Mmmmmmm..... Milk....Yummmmmmm

2010-01-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pictures from Anthony's accident. I can't believe nobody was hurt. Thank goodness for that! (I kinda think the Expedition looks like two-face from Batman....)

2010-01-05T17:52:00.001-07:00

In case anyone is wondering.... I'm not skipping Valentine's Day. I actually like Valentine's day, I think it's great. However, I much prefered my background options for St. Patties day instead. Plus it gives me more time between having to change backgrounds!
In case anyone was wondering!

The Holiday Overview

2010-01-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

8 hours of preparation, 30 minutes of eating, 3 hours of cleaning.... I say next year we hit up Village inn! I'm just kidding (kinda) but it was nice to visit with the family. We spent the Sunday before with Mom's family and then on Thursday with Dad's family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We had a quiet Christmas this year. So much fun to see the little one's so excited. As Hailey put it so often "I like it!!" She sure did like everything. It was cute!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2010 IS HERE!!

Again, a quiet New Year. Anthony got into a bad car accident on New Year's eve and we spent most of the afternoon and evening in the hospital just making sure he was OK. He was, don't worry! So by 9 or so I was pooped so I took a nap so that I could make it to midnight. When I woke up we played Crazy Uno, hooped and hollerd at the New Year and then I headed off to bed! Wow, I'm LAME!! Oh well, that's what happens when you're old and no social life!

I unfortunately haven't taken many pictures lately so I don't have much to post, but I'll be better this year.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Better late than never, right???

2009-11-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from Halloween and our costumes. I was a 20's gangster, Tony was some creepy clown guy/thing, Mom was a Mexican Bandito, Hailey was a kitty and Aiden was Buzz Lightyear. Lots of fun!

I had taken the wig off at this point at my party, it was making my head itchy!

Hailey found my wig a couple days later and put it on and came out of my room looking this cute. I couldn't help but take a picture!

Rude Awakening

2009-11-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Every night I always have to have a fresh glass of water by my bed. I hate having to get up in the night to get a drink of water. I usually have a little cup, usually a kid's cup, but last night I grabbed a larger cup. I had it on the bookshelf right next to my bed. It was safely (or so I thought) away from the edge. Well, come 4:14 a.m. I must have stretched or done something of the sort because all of a sudden the cup of water comes splashing down on me. Now I'm not talking about just a little bit, I'm talking about full on soaking. My hair was dripping wet, pillows soaked, and sheets drenched. Who knew a cup of water could do so much damage?? So of course I had to get up (the whole point of having the cup in the first place, to avoid getting up) to change clothes, pillow cases and dry off. As soon as it happened I just started laughing. It was so silly I just couldn't handle it so I laughed. Needless to say, I won't be keeping anymore cups full of water near my bed, I don't care how thirsty I get in the middle of the night!

2009-11-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

So I can't help myself. I love unbaked goodies. Cookie dough, brownie batter, cake batter, etc. I hate it and always have when my mom would make something and promise I could lick the beaters or bowl and then scrape the bowl so clean you hardly got a taste. Grrr, it made me so mad!! Tonight I was craving cake batter so naturally I decided to make a German chocolate cake, but for the mix. Of course because there are witnesses I have to actually bake some of it, but no one has to know that I just "licked" (or rather scooped) up about 1/4 of the batter. Mmmmmm.... sometimes I just love life!

Zippers

2009-10-28T20:31:00.000-06:00

I love zippers. I love the way it makes that zzzzzzzzzz sound. It reminds me of sleeping bags and tents on early camping mornings when mom would wake up first thing to get the hot cocoa going and start on breakfast.

It reminds me of fall and school. Getting books in and out of backpacks. That in turn reminds me of all of the fun I had walking to school my sophomore year in high school with Virginia. (You remember how it was Ginger!!) As well as those mornings in college when everyone was getting ready for class at the same time, and when Jena would very quietly zip up her backpack at 6 am trying not to wake me up.

Zippers remind me of kids getting all bundled up in their snow suits and parkas to go out and play in the snow and sipping hot chocolate afterwards.

It's silly I know, even more so because I'm blogging about it, but last night I took my jacket off and I heard the zipper and it made me happy just thinking how much I love the sound. That's life though, isn't it? Finding things, even little things, that make us happy.

So I'm just here telling the whole world (okay, I know the WHOLE world doesn't see this, but I mean my world) that I LOVE zippers and nobody can stop me.

A girl can dream....

2009-10-24T13:33:00.000-06:00

Last night I had another crazy dream (not as crazy as the Lady Gaga one, but much nicer!) I dreamt that it was my birthday and my family got me this three wheeler motorcycle (it looked like a motorcycle with training weeks but who cares because it was pink) and we had a big party and Anthony was the lead singer in the band that was playing at the party (I mean seriously, who knew Anthony could sing?) and then, I met this really good looking guy named Pierce (who sorta looked like Mr. Brosnen himself only younger) and he helped me find my grandmother's grave when I got lost driving to the cemetery after the party to visit grandma. What a dream, right! It was so silly but actually pretty fun. Now I want to get a pink motorcycle and then maybe dreamy (ha, that pun was totally intended) Pierce will find me....

2009-10-23T20:33:00.000-06:00

Kids always say the darnedest things, don't they? At least that's what "they" say. Who's "they" by the way???

Anyway, on to my point. I love kids and their antics. I get to experience lots of funny things. Here are a few of my favorites...

One of my favorite kid stories was when I was getting two children ready for their physicals. While I was measuring their height, the first boy (we'll call him Jimmy) was about 4 or 5 years old and I told him he was 37 inches tall. His brother, about 8 years old, was 43 3/4 inches tall. As I told him how tall he was, little Jimmy got very upset, he told me he wanted three quarters too. He thought he was getting jipped.

We had a little girl in the office who was there for her check-up. She was very concerned about having to get a shot. I assured her she wasn't getting a shot, but she was still wary. After doing everything I needed to do I left the room. I went to the next room down the hall to give another child some vaccines. Right after giving the shots and the baby is screaming, I hear at the top of her lungs the girl yelling "THEY KILL PEOPLE IN HERE, LET'S GO!" Of course mom was mortified and we all got a good laugh. Yes, indeed that is what I do for a living. I kill people :)(that was a joke, I don't really kill people...)

I have so many more stories, but suddenly I can't think of any.... maybe I'll remember soon.

I know it sounds terrible but for the most part I'm so used to giving shots I don't really think another thing of it. However, there are some times when I feel terrible. I once had a little 15 month old baby who before I gave his shots came right up to me, gave me a hug and snuggled his little head into my neck. It broke my heart to give him his shots. Another time, I had a little kindergartner who so dreamily told me how pretty I was. Oh Jeez!! But a job's got to be done. If it weren't for their own good, I don't know if I could do it. The worst thing is when a Mom cries. I feel terrible. Like I just hurt her baby.

At the end of the day whether it's good or bad, funny stories or sad stories, parents yelling and screaming or sending "thank-you" notes, I love my job. People ask sometimes why I don't go on to nursing school, the reason is this. Most nurses end up in hospitals because very few offices can afford a R.N. these days, and I love being able to do what I do. I love that I work in a small office that I get to know many of the patients well. I love it when they come in and not only do I know them, they know me. It makes me happy.

2009-10-08T18:33:00.000-06:00

Why is frozen chicken so buoyant? It seems whenever I try to defrost chicken in a sink of warm water, it always floats to the top. It's so frustrating. Oh well, I guess it's just part of life, floating frozen chicken. What can you do?

Cool Ranch Doritos

2009-09-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

I always thought I was allergic to Cool Ranch Dorritos because it made my nose itch like crazy. Well today I learned that I've either never really been allergic or I've grown out of it because I just ate my weight in the Doritos without any itching whatsoever. It's too bad I'm not allergic because at least I might have some self-control! However, as I'm writing this now, I'm becoming quite itchy.... shoot! Oh well. What can you do?
Anyway, I ate them with our homemade salsa and it was so yummy!

"I'm alive"

2009-09-21T20:25:00.000-06:00

So I heard this song the other day and really liked it. Life's always got it's ups and downs, always, but it's nice to know that it's going to be okay one way or another.

These are the lyrics to "I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. If you get a chance to listen to it, I'd recommend it. I like their voices, particularly Dave Matthews. His voice reminds me of my high school years and all of the painful high school woe's of a teenager, so hearing this song with him singing it makes me happy.

So damn easy to say that life’s so hard
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to thank my lucky stars that
I’m alive, and well

It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I’m alive, and well
I’m alive, and well

Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, when there’s not a soul in sight
But this boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I’m alive, and well

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can’t you see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well

Gotcha!

2009-09-20T12:25:00.000-06:00

In case anyone is concerned about me and my welfare regarding the mouse, no need to worry any longer. Last night, I was lying in bed reading a book and all of a sudden I hear scuttle, scuttle, scuttle, SNAP!! I shot out of bed and ran to find my dad. Thankfully he was able to get the trap and relieve it of it's catch for me. I was so happy, I could sleep peacefully after that. Though I did feel a little bad for the mouse.

Drama Queen

2009-09-19T15:08:00.000-06:00

So if you don't know me very well you might not know that I can be a titch on the dramatic side (okay, even if you don't know me you'd probably be able to figure that one out yourself...) and that I'm a scholechipobe (fear of worms.) Well this has nothing to do with worms but about me being dramatic. Last night I was walking through my room and about a foot away from me all of a sudden something dark and about the size of a large quarter (maybe the size of a 50 cent piece, hard to know for sure, I didn't get a chance to pull out a measuring tape) zoomed past me and straight under my bed. When I say zoom I mean zoom. I don't think I've every seen anything move so fast. Because it moved so quickly I couldn't tell for sure what it might be but I knew that a few weeks ago we killed a little mouse in our house (just call me Dr. Seuss if you will) so I proceeded to question those around me about how fast mice may or may not move. Well, it turns out they can move very quickly. By the way I screamed like a maniac when he ran past me. Anyway, as I learn this information standing halfway down the stairs of our house, I start jumping around and sobbing. My dad set a trap in my room to try to lure him out from under my bed, but had no luck then. So the whole point of this story is that I never thought of myself as a squirmy kind of girl (well except for worms as noted above) but it turns out I am and it all stems from my dramatic personality! Now I have to run across the room and jump about two feet to my bed and land on it just in case he runs out from under my bed until we catch him.... or her I suppose. It made making my bed this morning quite tricky :) Here's hoping that we will catch the mouse and be able to move on with life!!!

Warning....

2009-09-17T19:33:00.001-06:00

Okay, I have a billion things to be blogged about but kept putting it off, but now I'm catching up. So beware, lots of posts coming your way!

2009-09-17T19:30:00.000-06:00

I took a couple of random pictures of a little pretty rose I'd like to share...

I'm biased I know....

2009-09-17T19:14:00.000-06:00

So I realize everyone thinks that their kids, or nieces/nephews or pets, etc. are the cutest, but my niece and nephew really are pretty cute. Take a look at their latest pics!

Trace Adkins, Toby Kieth and Darius Rucker

2009-09-17T18:44:00.000-06:00

It's another hot concert summer for me. I went to a lot this summer. Trace Adkins and Toby Keith came together. It was such a great concert. The girl next to us won backstage passes and front row seats just before the concert started. I was so jealous! Toby is on my "list...." He's so dreamy!! P.s. My mom loves Trace, I thought she was going to explode when he came on the stage.... so funny! P.S.S. Take note of the 10th picture, someone walked in front of my camera as I took the picture but the way it turned out it looks like a ghost... kinda creepy I tell ya!
The Darius Rucker (the lead sing to Hootie and the Blow Fish gone country) concert was AMAZING! We were only 10 rows from the stage and he is such a fantastic performer. I cried a couple of times. I had been having a sort of crummy day, I just felt a little like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, and didn't really want to go. My dinner was super gross (it tasted like I was eating a campfire log) but the waiter was so cute that I didn't want to be a pain, so I didn't mention it. So by the time we finally got there, I was just ready to go home. But once he started singing, it was like just what I needed to hear. It sounds absolutely cheesy and corny but I loved it. If you ever get a chance to see him, I recommend it with all my heart!

Work Party

2009-09-17T18:35:00.000-06:00

Every summer, everyone at work and their families, go to a local baseball team (the Owlz) game per Dr.Wise's treat! It's always such a blast. This year I took Anthony with me as my "date." Such All-American fun... oh and lots of hot dogs. I learned this summer that hot dogs with mustard only is the most delicious even though I've always been so adamant that ketchup only was the way to go. Boy was I wrong and I'm humble enough to admit it!!

Canning

2009-09-17T18:14:00.000-06:00

Mom and I have been quite the Betty homemakers lately. We're not usually the homey kinda gals... I never thought I had it in me to do it. We had tons of tomatoes is our garden and decided to make salsa. It was so spicy that while we were cooking it we had to cover our faces so we could breath! It was so much fun!

~~~~~~~~~~
The next weekend we went to the Farmer's market and bought peaches and strawberries and raspberries. We made lots and lots of freezer jam! Halfway through the freezer jam making process we found out we had a leak in the pipes under the sink.... that put a "damp"er on things. He,he,he,he! But we still had fun.

Peanut Butter

2009-09-02T12:23:00.000-06:00

I love peanut butter. I love it creamy and smooth as well as the crunchy kind. My whole life I've loved peanut butter (now to be addressed as PB.) For awhile I didn't eat it much because I thought it was bad for you, granted it's not great but it's loaded with good fats and lots of protein. Perfect on a slice of bread before heading to the gym. I also love when you first open a jar and the top is all smooth and untouched.... I LOVE to be the first one to mess it up. It thrills me! However, my love for it is hampered by the fact that as you get farther down in the jar you are on the road of not reaching the bottom quarter of the jar. Today I was trying to spread some on my toast and my utensil was not long enough so I had my entire hand shoved into the jar to get to the PB. There is still a good amount left in the bottom, but I can hardly reach it. So after I finally got the PB on my utensil I pulled my hand out of the jar and it's naturally covered in PB. Now I have to lick my hands off, then wash them and I still smell like PB all day long. Can somebody please invent a way to fix this problem??? I know my friend's husband (Ben...the husband of Jena) was on to something a while ago but I haven't heard anything since. I will forever and always love it but I'd like to not have these problems with it. I thought about just purchasing a smaller jar but that is not as thrifty as a big jar. I hope this message reaches the makers of PB and they'll think of a clever way to create the jars to more appease my demands.

Backgrounds

2009-08-28T21:28:00.001-06:00

So in case you haven't noticed, I get really ancy when it comes to my blog backgrounds. After several weeks, I feel like I'm going to explode if I don't change it, so bear with me folks!

Stupid Delicious Comfort Food!!!

2009-08-28T20:23:00.000-06:00

I don't know if you've ever had this Jolly Time Mallow Magic popcorn but it'll get ya! Today I got home from a long day at work with a hankering for a little snack. Wanted something sweet, something salty.... and suddenly I find myself face to face with this popcorn. Hmmmm.... I think this will do. So I pop the pop corn and of course have to put it into a big bowl to spread the Mallow Cream all over the popped corn. There was nobody there to stop me and I ate it all!!!! Well, minus the unpopped kernels and those I even sucked all the creamy goodness off of! I'm so terrible. Now I'm stuffed as a turkey and have a bad tummy ache. If I gone to the gym with my friend (who was almost very convincing... but I was grumpy) maybe I'd have not consumed so much junk. Oh well. At least it wasn't an entire bag of Oreo's this time :)

Soft Pretzels

2009-08-27T13:56:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was craving a soft pretzel. The only place near my work that has them is at Target's(trust me, I've called around)food court. So yesterday I went there by myself and ordered my pretzel and sat in the middle of the seating area packed with mothers and screaming kids and ate my food and read a book. There is something about sitting all alone and reading that really makes me happy. It's liberating (not as much as skinny-dipping but that's a whole other story!!) I like to think all of those moms were jealous... it's a ridiculous concept but I'd like to think they were rather than thinking I'm super weird to come all the way to Target to eat a pretzel and a Slurpee. The moral of my story is lost on me. I can't even remember why I thought I'd share it but here it is. Take if for what it's worth....

Oh and I have some pictures and posts of the Trace Atkins and Toby Keith concert. I just have to get off my lazy caboose and download the pictures and videos. So soon to come more exciting posts and pictures!!

Bizarre Dreams....

2009-08-17T23:36:00.000-06:00

So I just woke up and thought I'd share my weird dream. So in my dream I was next door neighbors to Lady Gaga (eccentric new pop star) and I didn't know her real name and I was so worried because I didn't want to call her Lady Gaga because often famous people want to be as normal as possible so I didn't know what to do, so I started calling her Christine.
I wonder what her real name is. I doubt we'd ever be neighbors but if we ever were, I should probably find out what her name is. Or maybe the moral if the dream is that I should meet my neighbors and learn their names. My dream is telling me to be social. Hmmmm.... I'd rather eat cookie dough.

Shopping makes me happy.....

2009-08-01T19:56:00.000-06:00

So today I went shopping, mostly to find something for my dad's birthday coming up. I found somethings for him but I also bought some things for myself. Naturally. I bought another pair of shoes, another purse and two jackets. Last week I spent $100 dollars on jewelry. I'm running low on my savings because I keep shopping. But it makes me happy, at least I feel happier. I need to find another hobby because this one is getting to be expensive. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't know what I like to do and what my hobbies are. When anyone asks me this, I try to change the subject because I don't know the answer. So I shop. I'm on a quest to find myself and need to do somethings different. So if you have any suggestions of things I could do to make me feel happier other than shopping you're comments would be very much appreciated!

Yearbook yourself

2009-07-22T19:37:00.000-06:00

I've seen a couple friends do this and I thought it was quite entertaining.

1992

1988

1986

1984

1980

1976

1974

1966

George Strait and Blake Shelton

2009-07-19T11:28:00.001-06:00

I went to the George Strait concert on Friday with my mom, Gwen and Amy. We had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the concert and the people watching after while waiting to get out of the parking lot (which took 50 minutes to do by the way!) Both George and Blake were really great. Blake Shelton opened for George. I just can't help but wonder how great it must feel to hear so many people singing along with all of your songs.

Funny story, while we were standing in a line waiting to buy a t-shirt I turned to my aunt Gwen who was in another line to tell her something and a lady behind me tapped me on my shoulder and when I looked at her she exclaimed "you're the nurse at my pediatricians office!! I could tell by your voice!" huh... that's odd. I recognized her after that and we chatted for a minute but later I couldn't help but wonder if that was a good thing or a bad thing that she recognized me by my voice. Either she calls a lot or I have a very unique voice, I had to laugh that out of the thousands of people there she recognized me not by my face but my voice. Oh Jeez!! I hope it's not an annoying voice!

July 4th Weekend

2009-07-07T20:32:00.001-06:00

Fourth of July is one of my all time favorite holidays. I don't know exactly what it is about it that I love so much. It could be because I'm fiercely patriotic or because I love summer so much or the parades and fireworks and family and bbq's and everything that makes us American. Anyway, this year my mom and I went to the Craft fair down in Provo on the third. Got to see lots of things, bought a couple of silly things like a giant bubble maker and ate a chocolate dipped frozen banana. On the fourth I had to work so unfortunately I didn't get to go to the parade but that night I went to a friends house for a bbq and to watch fireworks. It was nice. On Sunday the fifth we had another bbq with my mom's side of the family. It was a great weekend and I can't wait until next year's Independence day.

Here are a couple pictures from the bbq on the Fourth. I didn't get too many pictures of the weekend.

Toddlers and fashion

2009-07-07T19:41:00.000-06:00

A couple days ago this is the outfit Hailey had dressed herself in. Necklace, Pull-up and fuzzy socks that went up to her knees. I had to laugh!! She and I are best friends! I love being an aunt, it really is so great!

Mom's Talent

2009-07-07T18:54:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago my cousin got married and my mom made her wedding cake. She did such a great job. She has done quite a few but this was the most recent.

Creativity

2009-06-28T08:42:00.000-06:00

About 2 weeks ago my friend invited me over to her house to make cards and to scrapbook. As most of you probably know I'm not very creative when it comes to stuff like that. But Father's Day was coming up so I thought this would be a great time to make a card. It took me 3 hours to make these two cards but I was and still am so proud of my hard work!

Babysitting

2009-06-28T00:12:00.001-06:00

I got to watch the kids for a little bit tonight. After I gave them baths and got them into their jammies we colored and sang. I taught them the Hokey Pokey, Head-shoulders-knees-and-toes and Ring around the Rosies. We were exhausted by the end!! The reason I took pictures was to try to capture Aiden's curly Afro hair. It's getting long and out of control, it's adorable! So these are the pictures we got...

My Birthday

2009-06-27T23:39:00.001-06:00

We decided to go to Lagoon on my birthday this year. It was lots of fun. Here are some of the pictures....

It was such a great day to go because it was in the middle of the week so there weren't very many people there. We walked right on to most of the rides. The most we had to wait was about 10 minutes and that was because a kid vomited as they were finishing a ride. It was great!!
Anyway, we rode on the rattlesnake rapids first and we got soaked but it cooled us off for a while. At one point everyone wanted to ride the ferris wheel... everyone but me that is. I hate ferris wheels. They scare me to death but I went on it anyway and the whole ride I was gripping the center pole and had my eyes closed. Not so good!! The only other ride I was a bit hesitant to go on was the Wicked. It's a roller coaster ride that at the beginging shoots you straight up and over the top just to go straight down, after which it had a bunch of twisty turns. It was just the first part I was scared of. After Ellis and Katrina had gone on it once I decided to give it a try. I was so nervous I was shaking and almost in tears as we were buckled in. Katrina said my lip was quivering as we started off... (I'm embarassed by that) but once the ride was over I actually liked it. I thought it was the best ride that day.
To sum it up we had lots of fun. I kept forgetting it was my birthday, which was nice.