Going Private

Dear Internet.

On account of people being nosey and misinterpreting my thoughts and feelings, and in general the internet being a creepy place, I will be going private next week.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Internet!! It's almost Christmas time! I love that! I made a list of things I REALLY want to do this year.

1. First Presidency Christmas Devotional. My absolute FAVE! (I don't have a date if anyone was curious... haha)
2. Make Caramels in festive clothes
3. Listen to LOTS of N*Sync Home for the Holidays/Baby it's Cold Outside
4. Decorate the house for Christmas with our REAL Christmas Tree!
5. Christmas Eve Caroling
6. Watch the Christmas Classics: The Family Stone, Little Women, It's a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Holiday.
7. Cafe Rio Salads, Tortellini, Chicken and Noodles, Greasy Chinese Food
8. Shopping and running out to the FREEZING cold car (Not really, I have auto start)
9. Living Nativity of Awesomeness... Part TWO!
10. Driving all over town looking at Christmas lights.

What the?!

Internet,

It's 27 Degrees outside... ABOVE zero! This is April weather, not November 30th weather. WEIRD. I'm not complaining though, I LOVE IT!

Raise your hand if you're ready to know what I'm Thankful for...

ALASKA!

Yes Internet, even though it's like a billion degrees below zero right now, (not literally, but it is like -20) I LOVE the 907! How can you not when it looks like this?





And not only is it gorgeous, you have fantastic stories about watching hot water evaporate on your back porch because it's so cold outside. Or never having school canceled except for Ice Fog. Or telling your friends about how you and Katie used to walk to school when it was -40* outside. {Yep. Can't wait to have kids to tell them those stories! ;) } Or how you remember all the neighbor kids riding bikes at 11 at night because the sun was still up.

Yes Internet, I LOVE this place!

YESTERDAY I was thankful for...

A warm shower! My day just doesn't go well without one! Best 20 minutes of the day. And I get my best ideas when I'm washing my hair.... just saying.

I'm Thankful for....

Oops, got behind again....

I was thinking today about what I am grateful for and I realized that I am thankful for Relief Society. My entire life has been blessed by Relief Society. As a little girl I remember when my mom was sick or had a new baby, Relief Society was there, bringing meals, cleaning the house, taking care of my brothers and sister and I.

It wasn't until I moved out of the house and went to college that I realized how much I needed and loved Relief Society. Right before I went to college my family learned that my mom had cancer. I was torn. Should I stay home to take care of my family or should I go to college like I knew I should. After much thought and prayer, I decided the best way I could help my family was by going to school. I left my family and Mother in the hands of Relief Society.

Likewise, I put myself in the hands of Relief Society. I knew no one at school, but I knew that I would have friends at Relief Society. I remember Bridgette, the Relief Society President and our Relief Society Adviser, Sister Wilkes. They were always checking up on me, how was I doing, how was my mom. Their concern got me through one of the toughest experiences of my life. While on the outside my life seemed to be falling apart I had the strength, support and prayers of solid women.

I'll never forget coming home for Christmas after my first semester at school, I had flight delays and had been stuck in the airport for almost two days, I hadn't had anything to eat for almost 24 hours. When my dad pulled into the garage I asked him if there was anything to eat because I was STARVING! I looked over at my Dad who had tears welling in his eyes. I thought Great! Dad hasn't had time to go to the store and I've upset him because I've been a jerk. My dad led me into the kitchen, I noticed the house was spotless and beautifully decorated for Christmas. My dad opened the fridge, by then we were both crying, the refrigerator was full of food! There were two hams, no family needs TWO hams! My dad tearfully explained how the sisters in Relief Society had taken care of our family. He told me stories of sisters coming to bring meals, a sister who would come and clean the toilet because she knew it had to be awful for my mom with her nausea, sisters watching my little brother while my mother was at her chemo treatments, of a sister coming to decorate for the Holidays because I was coming home. I have never felt so loved. These sisters truly caught the vision of Relief Society. They understood the Love of the Savior as the selflessly served.

Looking back I am grateful to be a part of the world's largest organization for women. I have learned to love, and serve and have Faith in Jesus Christ, because of Relief Society, I would not be the woman I am today without this inspired organization.

This is a picture of some girls in my Relief Society at a Service Project we did this summer.

Happy November!!

Hi Internet! My sincere apologies for not starting 2 weeks ago with my daily gratitude posts, but don't worry, I will give you a super long list today and then we'll be caught up! ;)

So.... here you have My November Gratitude Catch Up list!

1. Toothbrushes, they make the world a much better place.
2. AutoStarts.... Make my life MUCH easier!
3. Cell Phone, making communication with my friends and family oh so convenient.
4. Down Blankets
5. Snowball fights in the first snow!
6. Chocolate Milk
7. Medical Insurance, I don't know what I would do without it!
8. The blessing of Agency and the power to choose!
9. My talents, even if I try to hide them...
10. Mittens, far superior to gloves.
11. General Conference and the blessing of having a living prophet.
12. Mascara. Works Wonders.
13. Fun music that I can dance to!
14. Starry nights.
15. Cousins. Friends that you get to be related to!

Stay tuned for tomorrow!

Me + Winter= BESTIES

Well Internet, as I said, the first snow was magical! The hard part of the 2nd day of snow is keeping up with the magic. (Sadly, day 2 usually pales in comparison.) However, I drove today and didn't die and people around me for the most part were driving safely. SO, success!

Anyhow. I've been thinking about how much I am looking forward to not just surviving this winter, but actually ENJOYING it! (In my own, inside dog sort of way) I'm basically 100% excited for this weekend, why you may ask.

Internet, I give you-

The last week of October/First week of enjoying Winter To Do list:

*Make a snow angel
*Get new windshield wipers. (This is essential to survival. haha)
*Snowball fight
*Watch Little Women on the projector
*Have my Visiting Teachers Come
*Halloween Dance with my Rockin' costume!
*Candy
*Watch the snow from the living room window/ LOVING the pristine scenery!
*A mug of Ho Cho!
*Listening to Grandma Marilyn's Boyfriend. ;)

Bring it on Winter! We're gonna be BESTIES!

MY BEST DAY!!

Internet! Today has been a fantastic day! Let me tell you why.

1. It snowed! The First Snow is magical I tell ya, ANYTHING can happen on the First Snow!

2. I was on time to work, despite the First Snow Crappy Drivers! (Miracle I tell you! haha)

3. I got a fantastic parking spot at work! Like Right by the front door.

4. I found $5 in my winter coat!

MAGICAL? Methinks So!

Oh Glee!

Internet. It's been a few years since I found a show that I really loved. But it's here. My Wednesday nights are booked, please don't bother me between 9-10 AKST because I have a date with Will Schuester.


And the music is... INCREDIBLE. You can find me almost everyday Jamming to Glee in the Rav.

Ah, thanks FOX for Glee!

I finally did it!!!

No, I didn't do the thing I told Mo I would call her about, even if she was married, I got a pedicure that I have been needing for many moons. Ahh, best Saturday ever.

Also, Internet, contrary to my post a month ago, the snow has not come... False Alarm. WEIRD. I've NEVER seen it this late in the year with no snow. (All I'm going to say is I had better have some snow by Christmas- OR ELSE!) And it's cold, I don't mind driving without the snow, but a small part of me really wants to have a snowball fight. I'm torn.


We did have some peeps over this weekend to have some fall fun. (A weird thing in Alaska cause fall lasts about 2 weeks and it's usually during hunting season, so it makes me nostalgic for the college days in Idaho and celebrating Fall in all it's glory!)

Here are our Pumpkins. Some are level 4, some are level 1 difficulty. I will let you decide that. Ha ha

Oh, I have some pics from our whipped topping contest, I'll post them later though.

Don't be THAT girl.

Internet. I would like to send the following letter to someone:

We're not in 3rd grade. You can't call "dibs." Get over yourself.

That is all. :)

It's Coming!!!

The snow is coming and all I want to do is make me a mug of this:



Watch a little of this from the window under a blanket:



And get my March fix!


Who's with me????

UGH! What am I going to wear tomorrow???

Internet! I smell.... SNOW! Wonderful, white, magical SNOW!

Now don't get me wrong, I may be in inside dog, but I do enjoy winter.... not in a snow-shoe - Arctic Cat - 40 Below way...

More like a mug of HoCho- snuggled under a blanket- by a fire- maybe with a cute boy way.

A little like this.
(Clearly the boy and blanket can be substituted. Ha ha)


But I digress....

The real reason for my post is quite a problem for me, called WHAT am I supposed to wear on my feet tomorrow when it snows??

I've been wearing these, but obviously that can't happen any longer, lest I get frostbite.



And this will NEVER be an option.



I have these beauties... but I can't bring myself to wear them in SEPTEMBER...



Isn't there SOMETHING a girl can wear on September 23rd? Let me know what you find!

You're Killing Me Smalls!!

I think my feelings could best be described by the 1993 classic, The Sandlot...


First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming...
you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end.


Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!


Yes Internet, that's 50%. I am well on my way to success. Stay tuned for more of my end of summer time adventures!

Progress

Fair and Elephant Ear= CHECK!
(No Ferris wheel with a boy though... next year)



FROLF...



Check!

I'm 1/3 of the way done!

It's Over...

Dear Elephant Ear,

I know that we've had some pretty fantastic times at the fair over the past 20 years.... and this is really hard to say, BUT. There's someone else. I'm sorry, but I've found a new Favorite Fair Fried Treat. The "Bear Claw" makes me happier. They're delicious, shorter line, WAY easier to transport among the crowds and don't get me started on the delicious Strawberry Toe Jam Dippers! I'm sorry, but it has to be this way.

Thanks for understanding,
Me


Seriously, if you go to the Tanana Valley Fair, MUST get the Bear Claws with Strawberry Toe Jam. It will CHANGE. YOUR. LIFE! Promise. Don't believe me? buy me a ticket to the fair and I'll buy you some. ;)

Summer 2009 Bucket List...

Ok, so I realized today that it's my middle brother's birthday... MEANING that summer in the 907 is almost OVER. Sad Day.

Even more sad. I realized there are some things I have not done yet this summer and MUST accomplish before summer's end. SOOOOO, Internet, I give you my:

99701 Summer 2009 Bucket List!

Visit Here.



Ride This Bad Boy... And after have one of these!*


+



Get a much needed Pedi.



Play a round of Frolf when the leaves start changing colors on the Hill.



And if it rains....which it will... I'd like a day to finish one of these books I've started, but haven't had time to finish.




And Last but not least.....
Build a fire in the woods and have one of THESE!


Ok, LBH (Let's Be Honest) I will be completely fine doing this one in the backyard if I decide not to camp.


Well Internet, as you can see I've got lots to do before summer ends!



*Bonus points if I can find a fella to ride with me and pay for the elephant ear! ;)

Stay tuned....

I'm promising life changing... in the form of the Anderson Folk and Bluegrass festival.

Hold on to your hats.... for a little bit of THIS action later this week...

BUWAHAHAHAHA!

Ok, so Internet, since you are my closest of friends, I'm allowing you a glimpse of one of the most funny/awkward/embarrassing moments of my life! The following convo took place at work today:

Male Co-Worker: So, how's your cramps?
Me: (Wow! I don't think I told him about that... the boss must've told him... wow, that's kinda personal, I didn't know we were THAT tight.)
Me: Well, I think My Uterus is going to fall out!
Male Co-Worker: Ha ha! Cause of Him??

(SOOO confused by this point)

Me: Huh?
Male Co-Worker: What do you think I just said???
Me: You just asked if it was cause of HIM..??
Male Co-Worker: I said 'How's your GRAMPS?'

BUWAHAHAHAHA!

Yeah, Male Co-Worker was inquiring about my Grandfather who had recently been to the hospital... not about my Women's Health Issues.

Classy on My Part!

And here's a pic of me and my sis....Just cause posts sans pics are BORING!

Some of My thoughts on Facebook

Well, hello again internet! Since Blogger isn't cooperating and letting me upload pictures of my brother's wedding, I thought it would be completely appropriate to share some things I've been stressing about in regards to ye old Facebook.

My Rules of Facebook... to be followed by ALL who want to be Fancy AND Classy! **Disclaimer. This post is NOT intended to be offensive. If you think it may be, please stop reading and remember we're still friends.

1. Facebook is NOT for old people. Yep, I said it. I remember back in the day when Facebook was ONLY for college Students... Not for High Schoolers, or middle-agers who wish they were in High School. Sorry. I think it's a fantastic networking tool, but unfortunately, I will not be adding you, My Brother's old Boy Scout leader or my dad's cousin. If you would like to correspond with me, please send me a letter.

2. How many times is it HONESTLY appropriate for you to allow your spouse to change your facebook status? REALLY. Come on. It's funny once, maybe twice, but if I have to log in everyday and read about how your husband changed your status again.... I think it's time to change your password honey!

3. Oy with the Aps already! I mean virtual farms, and mafia games...WOW. I can say little more on this.

4. Relationship statuses... So, here's how I feel about this.

A. You should NEVER announce your relationship via facebook.... if you haven't been dating long enough for people to figure that out, probably not appropriate for the internet. And furthermore, can you really degrade your feelings toward someone to an electronic update? I should hope not.

B. What's almost as painful as breaking up with someone.... watching someone's relationship status change on facebook. Yikes! I mean what do you say to that? If a couple breaks up is it appropriate to click the "I Like" Ap? Seems heartless...

SO... To avoid the pain associated with A and B. My suggestion. The only time you should change your relationship status is when you are married. (to ward off the creepers)

And there you have it internet, my guide to facebooking in a Fancy and Classy way!

Stay tuned for pics from the fance and classy wedding!

Really? REALLY!?

Bah. Internet... this is ridiculous. Period. THE end.

This is my JAM!!!

Hello again Internet!

So, I don't know if you're like me or not, but I'm the kinda lady who always seems to have a theme song. ALWAYS. No matter what's going on in my life it seems like there's a song that perfectly describes how I feel.

Like that one time there was the boy from high school who used to pretend that we were besties... When really I hated his guts?? (For those of you who know the TRUE story, I actually had the BIGGEST crush on him... masked in "hatred" hahaha! Oh, those were the days) and Chris Karraba from Dashboard spoke my life story with "Don't be a liar, don't say that everything's working when everything's broken, cause you smile like a saint, but you curse like a sailor and your eyes say the joke's on me."

Or a few years later when another fella broke my heart in the 83460 and Avril and I were apparently telepathic and must've shared similar experiences cause we both felt "It's nice to know you were there,thanks for acting like you cared, and making me feel like I was the only one. It's nice to know we had it all, thanks for watching as I fall, And letting me know we were done...All this time you were pretending. So much for my happy ending."

OR a few years later in Utah when that guy I worked with at the magic potions place dated like every girl... BUT me! And me and the Pussycat Dolls started a club with our montera "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? "

WELL, internet! In light of my most recent situation, I think my feelings could best be described by an oldie, BUT a goodie. Yep. Found this gem on a mixed CD from my freshman year of college! It's from this CD, and it's MY ULTIMATE jam right now! "Don't call me. Don't write. Don't show up in the middle of the night. You know that, we needed, some time and space to Breathe in." Yep. There you go, he who used to be my best friend until I realized that we can't be friends like that anymore. AND, I showed you what your greatest fear (aka negative ramifications from communication) REALLY looked like. haha. I want and need some space. In the words of Dashboard, again, "This will be best for us both, in the end."

Now, now. I'm sure there are some of you that are thinking that this is not the happiest post ever. BUT, have no fear BECAUSE someday there will be a boy who does THIS...and come to my window and say "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside I've got the month of May. I guess you'd say What can make me feel this way?My girl!" And we'll be a little bit in love... I'm waiting for that day! :)

If you Care Enough to Say it...

So, when I was in High School I used to babysit this family that had twin girls. They were about 3 when I babysat them and their older brother. Now these girls were pretty funny, and I could tell when they were passionate about something because the conversations usually went something like this. "Hannah! I HATE, HATE, HATE you!" or "You are NOT, NOT, NOT my Friend anymore!" or "Rachel, you are STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!" or "I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Clifford!"

Are you noticing a pattern? My sister and I always used to laugh, because they would ALWAYS say things that they really felt 3 times! I'm noticing with myself that I've picked up on this little habit. Sometimes, you have to say something more than once. The past 2 weeks I've realized that sometimes I have to say something more than once to get my point across. Maybe the twins were on to something. I am NOT, NOT, NOT that girl. There. I said it thrice! :)

Stress

Hello internet!

So, I'm not sure who, if anyone, reads this. BUT, I'm pretty sure that it's a whole lot safer than facebook... and I really find writing cathartic, so sorry in advance if you don't want to read this. If you're looking for fluff, I guess you'll have to try another blog. Sorry!

So, Stress. I feel like I get an overly healthy dose of it. I mean dude! I look at other people and I find myself asking, what's she got to stress about?? Now, don't get me wrong, I fully recognize that everyone has trials in their lives, sometimes I just wish they had a few of mine. :) This has been a rough week. WAY Rough. I was hurt by someone I trusted, Dug out the giving up on life pants for round two. (Some of you may remember that horrible time 4 years ago when the G.U.L.P. made their initial debut. haha!) And the worst part about the whole situation is that before I was called as RSP, this kinda drama happened, I'd eat some ice cream, wear my sweat pants and within a few days I'd be all right. However... I've learned that my calling makes things exponentially more complicated. The RSP can't have a bad day. The RSP can't be bitter. The RSP (in our branch at least) apparently can't win! :) I recognize this isn't entirely true, but to some extent, it is.
Which got me to thinking. I have no reason not to be happy. I have an amazing family, a good job, a great car, solid friends, the Gospel of Jesus Christ! What more can a girl ask for?? I mean did someone I love and care about "do me dirty," yes. Is being the RSP one of the loneliest things I've ever done, yes. But then I was listening to this, and I started to bawl. Talk about a Tender Mercy! Someone understands PERFECTLY how I feel. Jesus Christ knows what I felt like last week at 2 am. He knows how it feels to be so completely alone in room full of people. He knows what it feels like to have to do something hard and seemingly impossible. What a blessing! I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm going to make it! It's not going to be easy, but I deserve this. I deserve and choose to be happy. I choose to NOT let this event ruin my life, but make me into who my Heavenly Father needs me to be. And THAT is something I do NOT need to stress about. :)

The Past 50 Days of My Life... In Picture Form!

Don't worry. Some of you may have thought I had disappeared. Not the case. Life has been crazy/fantastic/stressful/amazing all in one moment. For sake of my time, which is now precious. I have taken the liberty to show you what my life has been like... in picture form. Enjoy!

I cried a little bit and wore these...

I got made the boss of this in my Singles Branch...

Now my nights look a little like this...

I found out that I get to be related to her!!


I got to go here and it was on HIT!


I met Julie Beck and she told me I was "NEAT!"

Next week, I get to see this...

with them, my FAVORITE people in the world!...

All in all... pretty fantastic!!

Raise your hand if you’ve marked THIS on your calendar!

Now, there are many of you who are aware of this guilty pleasure of mine… The Duggar Family! Yep, it’s true, I’ve been watching this family for a few years now, and really it’s like a car wreck, you don’t necessarily WANT to watch, but as you’re flipping through the channels- you can’t HELP BUT watch! For those of you who have not yet been introduced to the magic which is the Duggar Family, here’s a low-down.

Basically, there’s a family that lives in AR with their 18 children. One mom, one dad, only 2 sets of twins. AND, all the kid’s names start with the letter J. Some are a bit of a stretch, Jinger… please, but I guess they’re running out of options. So, Jim Bob and Michelle (Dad and Mom, and that IS his real name) are kind of quirky. You know those people where the girls never cut their hair or wear pants, which is NOT. MY. JAM. But it is very much the Duggar Family! While they are a bit eccentric with their polygamist wife clothing, there are some things about the family that I can’t help but give them mad props for. Mom and Dad REALLY love each other, and genuinely care about their kids, (Which is more than can be said for some parents out there.) their kids are all pretty well-behaved, AND they don’t have ANY debt.

BUT, the real reason for my post today is that on January 25^th the Duggars are bringing life changing in a MAJOR way! The eldest Duggar boy recently got married, after the world’s crappiest proposal and no pre-marital kissing and LOTS of pre-marital hand-mauling. (Homegirl’s FAVORITE past-time) You may be curious as to what hand-mauling entails exactly. Well, on account of the Duggars encouraging their children to save their first kiss and YOU KNOW until the wedding day, their children are left with no option but to hold hands… and boy do they HOLD hands! It’s like unto thoroughly washing your hand… with a partner. Pretty revolting. BUT, hand mauling aside, on January 25 TLC is showing the world Josh and Anna’s wedding in all its glory!!! You had best believe I’m going to be watching in my long denim skirt. Now if only there was a boy to maul my hand…. I’ll get right on that!

2009- I Bes Looking FLY!

So, usually every year I set the same goal for New Years- Find a boy to kiss my face at the stroke of midnight the next year. Yep, pretty sure I've had that goal since New Year's Eve 2001 (The same year that my cousin and I made a newspaper hat with an 18" picture of the naked guitarist from Blink 182 for her mom to wear- Clas-sy!)... and can I just tell you that this year was my BEST new years... to date!! No kiss at Midnight or anywhere near that time. BUT, I realized some fantastic things about myself: Like I'm SUPER fly, and I can do hard things! "Ah Ha" moment if you will!
I'm thinking that 2009 is SOO going to be my year!

**And yes, of course I made my own hat!**

The Living Nativity of AWESOMENESS!!

Ok, so let's be honest. I really wanted to have these posted like 15 years ago... but because of situations beyond my control... also tied to some drama that is SO beneath me (If you really want to know about it call me, but honestly, I'm WAY too classy for this.) I just got the pictures today. But I digress...

SO, around Thanksgiving I came up with... what I'm pretty sure is my BEST idea... oh wait, EVER! So, I bring you, the first, and hopefully not the last... LIVING NATIVITY!

TA DA!!!!

Pretty fantastic if I do say so myself! So, it was pretty funny, cause those of you who REALLY know me, know that when I get an idea that I REALLY love, It's going to happen, and it's going to be done right, and it's going to be huge. So, mad props to all my friends who came through to make this such a success!

Special thanks to my sister for taking the picture, Angel Donkey for not putting up a stink about having her costumes separated, to Ears for contemplating building me an ACTUAL manger, to Creamer's Field for having an "ACTUAL" Manger already built, to the man who shaved twice that day to make sure that the Baby "didn't have ANY stubble," to Homegirl for looking FLY in her turtleneck and to Spencie for being a good sport about wearing the Asian lady robe. :) I have GREAT Friends!


The following convo took place during our photo shoot:
The Man playing the Baby: "Should the baby Jesus be smiling?"
My Sister: "NO!! You already look CREEPY!!"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

You're maybe thinking Wow, could that lighting be hitting on the manger bed anymore perfectly? Well, here's the thing, we didn't even plan that, it just so happened that The Man Playing the Baby, just so happened to park his jeep in just the most perfect spot with his headlights on to create this heavenly effect. Magic!

So, I'm pretty sure that was a HIT! Can't wait til next year! And I think I'll be Mary again, on account of me just being the best Mary out there. :)

This Blogging Thing is Tough!

Ok. So, first off let me begin with this. I have like 900 Billion ideas for blog posts... However, I'm really bad at the actual execution. BUT, have no fear, because 2009 is SOOO my year, and I'm pretty sure that applies to blogging too. Don't worry.