Treadmills Are Cool

I have two weeks left of school for this semester.

I have enjoyed this week off oh so much.

Probably a little too much considering that I got NO homework done and I had a good days worth.

I am feeling fear for tomorrow. Isn't that horrible? I am just NOT into school... at all.

I am so grateful this semester has flown by. But I'll admit I'm a little nervous for next semester to be over and then I'm finished.

Come April I have my Bachelors and..... then what?

I'll say it's a good thing I'm married and settled.

By the way... I do know what I'm doing when I'm finished. Hopefully making a baby and then I'll go back, take 5 classes, get certified to do Medical Billing and Coding. And that's that.

I'll be able to work from home and start at a very good amount.

See, I have my life figured out. It's just a little weird to live it out..... I've been going to school since I was 4.

I can't wait to be done!

Can you tell I'm in a bit of a rambling mood? Feels good to ramble.

I have been exercising for 3-4 days a week for the last month. Until this last week.

I feel like I blew right up and gained 5 pounds. When in fact, the scale disagrees....

I cannot wait to get back to the gym tomorrow.

By the way, we are looking for a treadmill. Any advice on good ones?

Hope everyone had a great week of Holiday!

Oh and p.p.s. or p.s.s. (however it works) I found couches! Beautiful, wonderful, amazing, lustful, down filled couches. We are discussing them and are going back to look hopefully tomorrow to decide if it's really what we want. (Oh... but I WANT)

My Pay it Forward Gift

I participated in Pay it Forward and was in the top three comments in Wendyburd's post

I came back from my Utah trip to find a package for me

Inside were these shirts

One for me! And one for Jaren!

She drew them herself and they are great.

Thank you!

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

I stole this image from Mindi's blog. Thanks!

Is there a more perfect day to do Thankful Thursday than on Thanksgiving itself?

I think not.

1.) my husband. he made me oatmeal this morning. oh, and because he loves me unconditionaly.

2.) blogging. it has introduced new amazing friends into my life. Especially ones that teach me that Etnies are for high school and Converse are for grownups. I now own a pair of black chucks.

3.) my home. it's cozy. and it's a home. and i can't wait to decorate for Christmas! (my tree might or might not go up tonight)

4.) my faith. It is constant through my whole life and is the one thing that always makes sense to me. makes me feel good and happy and like i have a purpose. and like i belong and can be forgiven even though i'm a feeble disobeying human.

5.) time. without which my husband would not be talking about how he is getting excited to start trying get pregnant (next year).

6.) this week off from school. i NEEDED this week to sleep in and sit around at home. to recoup from school.

7.) veggi wraps. cucumber, feta, tomato( i'm trying to like them!), avocado, spinach and a torilla. Mmmm..... so addicting.

8.) Amber. she let me stay at her house while i was in utah with barely knowing me. and then she did get to know me and still likes me!

9.) my family, immediate and in-laws and distant - i am so grateful for them all.

10.) julie's peanut butter cup cookies. i love them with all of my heart.

11.) thanksgiving dinner.

12.) my sleep number bed. so comfy.

13.) hot water. running water for that matter. ever think how easy it makes your life?

14.) my car. i live 15 minutes from town - i need it.

15.) love. it's all you need.

happy thanksgiving!!

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread??

I was on Tamn's blog looking at her post this morning. I left a comment I thought was a little funny about Labor Day being for mother's who have been through Labor. Then I am about to close out of the page and what do I see??

"Labor Looks" on her sidebar as an add.

I thought... huh, how funny. Wonder what that is. So I click on it.

Labor GOWNS! Like cute, frilly gowns you can wear instead of the boring blue one.

The best thing?? They are so affordable at $48! I don't think I do sarcastic on my blog very well... but I really can't decide how I feel about these.

I'm not at all surprised it was an add on Tamners site. So funny.

They are so modest! Closing all the way up in the back with the gown going below your knee's. Cause I'm sure modesty is an issue while you are birthing a child........

If buying one of these things will make me look as fabulous as this girl when I deliver - sign me up! But can I get that in a guarantee?

What do you think?

Here is the link to this site.

Happy Birthday to Jaren!

It was on the 19th - almost a week ago, I'm a horrible busy wife.

I haven't told enough of "Our Story" yet for you to understand exactly why I will love Jaren for the rest of my existence.

He is the most patient person I know. He loves me, ALL of me. It doesn't seem to matter what I do, he finds it endearing and I just wait for him to notice someday that I'm by no means perfect or always cute. Sometimes I even think he is just saying "your so cute" to convince himself that what I am doing really is cute. But he says that isn't so - and I love him dearly for it.

Jaren is the type of person that will sit and listen to you whine and cry all day long and help you out. He will drop whatever it is he's doing if it means making your load a little lighter.

For example. When we were dating but not boyfriend/girlfriend (my doing), I took a trip to Utah. I forgot my scriptures at my Aunt and Uncles house. They were my only set and I read them every day (something I need to pick up again).

On a Friday or Thursday... I'm not sure which, he came to me and asked if I wanted to run to Salt Lake that Saturday. I couldn't believe he wanted to run down and back in a day! (SL is 3 hours from Rexburg)

And he did. He drove me all the way down there, we had dinner at the Macaroni Grill and I doodled on the tablecloth and we got my scriptures. We also received frozen cookies from my aunt - sooo good. Then he drove me back and we got in around midnight - I had to work at 6:00 a.m. the next morning.

It took no time for me to realize what a genuinely good guy he was when we met. Unfortunately, it took me a lot longer to realize that he was supposed to be my genuinely good guy.

Here are a few of the things I love about him.

• he never complains about the house being a mess
• he doesn't complain about all my time blogging
• When I say, "I'm thirsty" he get's up and brings me a glass of water (that took NO training, he learned that one all by himself :)
• he tucks me in every single night - even when I'm going to bed before him
• he can't go to bed without me
• he misses me when I'm gone
• he switches laundry over for me (when I ask)
• he laughs at my jokes (which are pretty lame)
• he pretty much gives me whatever I want (pretty much)
• he is so understanding
• he took me to the Chiropractor and doesn't ever complain about the bill (someday I'll tell that story)
• he doesn't tell me I look nice every day, he does however, tell me I am cute and beautiful and pretty most every day, but those days when he tells me I look nice - it means I really do
• If my tank is empty he will leave early in the morning and fill it up for me (we have tanks on the farm(my front yard))
• he changes my oil and washes my car without me asking
• he mows the lawn (even though I was supposed to "learn" and do it this year (didn't happen) and now I am supposed to "learn" and start doing it next year-ya, we'll see)
• he wants to build me my dream home
• he lets me talk about babies
  
• he listens when I ramble and ramble and cry and whine
  
• he understands my need for friends and social contact even though he doesn't feel the same way

I know this list was a little longer than I intended. I could go on and on. But I wont. You will get to know him through our stories.

I will tell you this conversation I had with him the day before his birthday. Oh, and one I had with him the morning of.

November 18th:
me: Jaren, your turning TWENTY SEVEN tomorrow!
jaren: I know... I'm old
me: I know! I married a 25 year old and now your turning twenty seven. It's so weird. I'm married to a 27 year old
jaren: I even feel old
me: does it make you want kids? Your going to be 27 with no kids!
jaren: not really.... just makes me want to get everything done.

hahaha, maybe you have to know him and how adamant he is about wanting to wait a little longer for kids.... wait a little longer.... that he still says no even though. And what does "get everything done" mean anyway? My guess is finish the home we are living in (it is still under renovation) so we can put babies in it. At least.. that's what I choose to think.

Morning of November 19th:
me: okay, today you are boss. take advantage because after today, for the next 364 days I'm boss
jaren: okay.... i'm tired
me: what are you going to do next year when we have a baby (because hopefully by this time next year we will have a newborn) and he is crying and i can't pay attention to you?
jaren: (patting the pillow next to him) i will just lay him here and we can both sleep in together

probably one of my favorite things to come out of his mouth about our future children (because it's a rarity)

anyway.... enough. Here are some pictures!

He said no presents. I got him some anyway. I don't think I've ever mentioned how much I love birthdays.

I tell him to smile and this is what I get. This is how taking pictures usually goes, Me: Jaren.. Jaren smile! WITH TEETH! Jaren: (face you see above). I'm sure in his head he's thinking: probably should have never got her that camera

I frosted cupcakes and decided to write on them. These were the cupcakes set aside for us to eat right away.

The hearts are what came out when I was first trying to squeeze the tube. Then I tried to write "Happy Birthday" on two cupcakes.

Nothing says "Happy Birthday, Love!" like, YOUR OLD! If you can't read the last cupcake (I mean, you should be able to read it if you have 20/5 vision) it says, "YOU NEED TO HAVE BABIES" subtle?

There is green frosting on his mouth. I made him stop eating so I could take a picture... I'm so mean. He wasn't too happy about it. Can you see the camera despair again in his eyes?

Twilight All Night

So, naplobomo didn't work for me this time. Maybe next year. I'm still in Utah and I just got my internet to work at Amber's house. Woohoo!

I decided to let everyone know what I thought about the Twilight movie.

First, I liked the books. I think they are a fun escape from reality, they are complete fiction which is why I don't get to critical of them. And I think it's great that Stephanie Meyer wrote these for fun and now has enough money to use as mattress stuffing. I wish I could come up with a story that could make me millions.

Maybe something like this...
Once upon a time there was this girl who wanted so bad to be a fairy, and she tried and tried to make herself one. Like flying off the trampline with wings.. didn't work. Jumping from flower to flower.... that just made her mom mad. And then one day, she found a tree stump with a large hole in the bottom. She crawled in and....

Are you curious what happened? Would you pay 20 bucks a book to find out WHAT HAPPEND??

Give me some feedback, I need to make millions so I can buy everything on my lust list down below.

Back to the Twilight movie.

I tried to go into the theater with no expectations. And that I did. I thought the movie was great. I think they followed the book better than a lot of other book movies. The only thing I didn't like.... were the awkward camera angles. It killed the moments for me! The beautiful romantic moments... killed them.

Other than that. Great! I'm going to go again this week and take my husband. I just know he'll want to read the books after seeing it. ;)

p.s. the meet and greet was great. I'm sorry I had to leave early and that I didn't get to talk to the middle of the table. Next time maybe I'll invite a select few, and then rotate through my blogroll every few months. Would that work?? Oh! And Julie gave me a flower pot looking thing with tissue paper. Well, come to find when I opened it there were these AMAZING peanut butter cup things. Julie- I WANT that recipe. Not only have I eaten all of mine, I'm eating Amber's, too.

And Amber is being the best hostess. And Alexis keeps crawling into my bed at night because she can't sleep without me.

Noproblemo?

I have officially (besides the first of November) fallen off the nablopomo bandwagon. I didn't post yesterday. Too much to do!

I'm late to go take my test, which will probably make me late to my class, oopse.

I'm really excited for tonight. So excited that I hardly even studied last night (that's my sinky excuse, I hope it's a good one and my teach will give me a few extra points on this quiz... hahahhaa..ahh...).

Just a reminder:
Dinner tonight at Sampans in the South Towne mall at 7:00 p.m. - be there!

I hope to see everyone! Sorry Antarctica, you lose again.

I'm sorry for the MIA on your blogs lately, I haven't looked at one since Wednesday. I probably wont be able to until Tuesday.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Meet and Greet 2

I know your all so excited! I know I am.

If you haven't voted in the poll, please do now. We need the number to reserve a table. Even if you can't go, let me know so I know how many people to cross off my Christmas list.

Dinner is officially at 7:00 p.m. at Sampans in the South Towne mall on Friday the 21st. Reservations will be under both Kristina's and my name. So.. Whitney and Kristina, or Kristina and Whitney, however you like your green eggs and ham Sam I am.

I really hope everyone that is around can come. Believe me, the last one was so much fun you'll want to be there.

P.S. Today is my wonderful husbands birthday. I'll post pictures and about this wonderful man tomorrow :)

Lookey What I Can Do!

Shauna at Trying to Stay Calm posted a sweet post about how to make those hearts.

You know.... ♥♥these ones!!♥♥

Here I am, just about computer illiterate, I know how to blog and sort of use Word. So sad all the time because people do such cool things with a computer and keyboard. No one wants to learn me how.

Finally someone is going to teach me how to show my love out loud on the internet!

Not so fast, Whit.

She only showed how to make them on a keyboard with a number pad.

*tearing up* But I have a laptop!!

I thought about commiting bloggy suicide (no I didn't). I gave up all hope. Knew I could never love a comment.

I was wrong!

Shauna emailed me and told me how to do it on a laptop. So here it is. I know I know, the masses are squirming at the edge of their seat in anticipation.

Okay, for those of you with a laptop, find the blue Fn key. Then find the Alt key. Press them both down then press your blue 3. Mine is on the letter "L".

Fn+Alt+L= ♥

For those of you who are lucky enough to have a key pad, you hold down alt and the 3 on the key pad.

For some reason this has really excited me. I'm in a super good mood. See... I'm very easy to entertain and please.

you just have to surprise me with something from my lusting list 2 posts down to bring me true happiness. Kidding! sort of....

Leave a heart at the end of your comment

X♥X♥X♥ (see.... so much more personal and people can figure it out w/o having to guess what that darn O means.

Paying it Forward

I decided to play "Pay it Forward". Wendyburd is paying it forward to me and I am going to pay it forward to three other people.

"Here are the rules: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward in their own way. This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry (please leave your email address if I don't all ready have it.).

In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And remember that kindness doesn't have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around."

Comment away!

p.s. Wendy, feel free to scroll down to my last post and send me one of those. Kidding!! kind of....

p.s.s. no, I'm not sending potatoes (especially one in the shape of a heart)

ps.s.s.s.s.s.s.s.s COME TO DINNER FRIDAY!

Top 11 Expensive Things I Want

But can't afford.

For any of you who have an extra few grand lying around wanting to be spent on a bloggy friend- Here's my list of things I can't afford but would LOVE!

#1

Bose: Ipod Sound Dock $299.00

#2

16 Gig Ipod Nano in Green $200.00

#3

Rock and Republic: Richelle in Black Patent $278.00

#4

William Rast: Daisy Super Flare Jupiter Wash $220.00

#5

Rock and Republic: Kasandra in Pandora Charm Blue $234.00

#6

Anthropologie: Bracing Gale Overcoat $248.00

#7

Anthropologie: Castellum Top $148.00

#8

Coach: Madison 1 Point Graffiti Tote $898
OR/AND

Coach: Lindsay Vintage Leather Shopper $798

#9

Anthropologie: Secret Joy Dress $168.00

#10

Anthropologie: Fruit Moon Dress $198.00

#11

Camper Shoe $123.00

I'll add a few things that are more feasably priced.

BKE Sole: Surfer Shoe $27.o0

On Your Feet Actress Shoe $19.75
Restricted: Swan Shoe $29.62

Someday I'll be rich and then I'll have everything on this list! (yeah right. Jaren's laughing at me on my Indian couches)

Stephanie's Baby Shower!

Alright. Today was the big day. Stephanie's baby shower. I woke up a little after 8, ate breakfast then got started cleaning at around 9:30. Not kidding when I say I cleaned ALL DAY until the shower. My house was filthy! I ran into town to pick up some things for games for the shower and some groceries. I came back, we hung up streamers and then everyone started walking in the door.

Lindsey even came out to help. I bribed her with promises to buy her lunch, of course.
She get's ahead of herself. Here she was putting up streamers but couldn't find the tape. I couldn't resist a picture in her helpless state. I found it in between the cushions by her left foot. (she did this repeatedly until I finally told her to put the tape in her pocket)

Food!

Going to get food!
Steph was super excited to open her presents. And can I just say she got a TON of stuff. There were a lot of people there!
Don't quite know why I was looking behind me. After Steph opened her presents we passed them around so everyone could see them.
She got a lot of cow things (because my family owns a diary farm). It was really funny. If you click on that picture you'll see the cow blanket she has.The girl behind me in green is less than 4 weeks away from her due date. Her baby shower is the one I went to the Saturday of Kristina's meet and greet I wasn't able to make it to.

(What I'm thinking in my head): Look at all these PRESENTS! I want some. That is the cutest little boy outfit I have EVER seen! I want one. I want a baby boy. I want a baby. I WANT ONE (or two)! Let me tell you something. That positive (or demanding) thinking thing does NOT work. I am not pregnant!

This is the cutest diaper cake I've ever seen.

This little boy was so cute. He was dancing to his mom's ring tone "It's a hard knock life, for us" It was so funny (as you can see on everyone's faces).


1/2 of the room (I counted 15 people, not including the babies)
The other half (I counted 11 more, not including myself and the other people up and mingling). There ended up being around 28 people)

Lindsey Lady Lovely Locks and I

We played a candy game and his mommy won a Baby Ruth (for baby girl) and he got very upset because she wouldn't let him open the WHOLE candy bar (in which I thank her for the sake of my newish (is just over 1 1/2 years old still new?) carpet)

I couldn't resist taking this picture. I tried to get him when he was screaming and throwing his head back. I don't know why it was so funny to me.

All in all everything turned out wonderful. I didn't have to worry about food because Steph, her mom and sisters took care of it. My house needed a good deep clean and it got 95% of one. The other 5% will come throughout this week. Jaren FINALLY put up lights outside and they are so bright! I don't think anyone knows how excited I am. I hated how dark it was, no porch light-NOTHING since we got new siding back in January. I'm SO EXCITED!!! I can see!!

Okay, thanks for all of your advice and suggestions of great games to play. I decided less was more and only did a few things. I had a friend, Breanne, give me a great idea. You give out cards to each person with random letters on them. For example, "DLSDI" or "SKEFD" or "MLDAIC" and they make a saying, advice, scentence anything that partains to stephanie and her baby. It turned out to be pretty funny. I let them rearrange the letters to fit their scentnce as long as they only used one word that started with each of the letters. I also bought a small notebook and had it passed around so that people could write advice in it. I was a bit bummed that it didn't make it around to everyone and only 15 people wrote in it.

I also played the candy game, where you take a word about babies/pregnancy and match it with a candy bar. Like, OBGYN= Butterfinger, Baby Girl=Baby Ruth, Baby Diaper=Mounds. It was fun, BUT. For the life of me, I went to 3 of the 6 stores in Rexburg(I barely had time for that today) that I know carry candy bars and I COULD NOT find a Big Hunk OR a 100 Grand that wasn't in a pack of 30 assorted candy bars - that only had 4 100 Grand's in it! Uhg. Frustrating. So instead I bought "Pay Day" and told everyone that when the delivery happens a huge chunk of would be happiness comes out of your... fill in the blank (with Pay Day). Oh! And I couldn't find a Fast Break! I had to buy a 10 pack of mini Fast Breaks. SO. ANNOYING.

But everyone left and everything got picked up and my house is CLEAN! Wahoo! Who wants a shower is next???? (As Jaren get's up to hit me upside the head)

My First Kiss

I read Jay's post and it got me thinking about my first kiss and how awkward it was. I decided I would tell the story.

Come to think of it, I don't really think I've ever told my parents this story. This should be interesting.

Aren't you automatically exonerated for anything you ever did wrong when you get married? That's when I felt okay to tell my dad I snuck out of the house right after I graduated high school to go climb hay stacks with a friend. Really, believe it or not, we climbed a hay stack. He just laughed.

It was 1999 and I was 13, in 8th grade and just starting to get out of my ugly phase. I had this huge crush on a boy named, Cade. I had heard rumors that he liked me too.

Finally, he asked me out(on the phone). It's so funny when I think of what, "going out" was. I think we "went out" for 3 months. We talked on the phone, sat by each other at basketball games, called each other boyfriend and girlfriend and that was about it. I don't even remember writing notes to each other. I have my journal from 1999 to make sure I get the details of the story correct. I was reading this entry and I mentioned how my friends had to tell him to give me hugs. And we were supposed to be "boyfriend", "girlfriend".

One of my best friends at the time was Melissa. She lived about 1/4 of a mile from him out in the country. One Saturday I went to her house and after a while I called him to see if he was home. No answer.

I remember going over to her house another time. We were playing basketball (I believe we were on the same team) and I would yell randomly really loud hoping he would hear me and know that I was right there. Just a house away! So funny.

After a while I decided to call him again to see if he was home; he was, he had just got back from Tri Cities. Melissa came with us, making three of us standing there in the road late at night talking. We were laughing and having a good time when Melissa had to go home - she said she'd be right back. I was a little relieved becuase then I could be alone with him. Oh, and I knew I wanted to kiss him.. but I also knew he has kissed other girls so I was a bit shy - I mean, I didn't know what I was doing!

She left and we talked, a car would drive by and we would jump in the ditch and wait for it to pass. About 10 or 15 minutes after Melissa had left he told me he had to go. I knew it was coming.... I was waiting... then he said this:

"Before I left my mom told me to wear a coat, watch for cars and brush my teeth"

me: (in my head) So he IS going to kiss me!

him: "I guess I'll give you a goodbye kiss."

me: (in my head again) AHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Him as he steps closer to me : hahahahaa, giggle giggle, chuckle chuckle

me: (everything goes on in my head) Whaa? what's so funny?!

Apparently, in my journal I say that he is laughing because he had found out that I had never been kissed. Me, an ameature, him not.

so then I said: "It's my first time"

So he hugged me and gave me a little peck on the lips. I'm going to now quote my 13 year old self from my journal,

"My first kiss. I was so excited. My first kiss. And it was kinda wet. I don't know if he had opened his mouth a little or what." I do remember being grossed out about the wetness. haha

And when I signed my name to end the entry I wrote very big, "My first kiss! Holy CRAPPER!"

Crapper? I don't remember using that word. But I am by no means surprised.

So there it is. My first kiss. Is 13 too young to you? Jaren says yes. I'll just say that was the only one from that boy. We "broke up" not too long after. My lips must have been too dry.

My ugly phase (from age 5-12). The summer before 8th grade when my hair was long and scraggly and I tried to curl my bangs. Lindsey (sister) is in the blue Hiawatha (grade school) shirt, the little girl in the red USA shirt is my cousin Roxanne who is 19 and married now, and the purple shirt is Chantile, my cousin who I grew up doing things with every summer, who is 22.
Still not the cutest thing, but my hair looks much better! This is Chantile and I in our sand box in my back yard back in Washington. We would dig huge holes, fill them with water and then sit in them, or in this case just stick our legs in them.
Probably a bit better of a picture of my 13 year old self. With Lindsey, Roxanne and Chantile again. I really hope every one can figure out which one is me in all of these pictures.

Thanks for the pictures Mom!

Also, scroll down to, "Will You Be There?" to let me know if you are going to be at the dinner in one week from today, the 21st at 7 p.m. at Sampans in or at? the South Towne Mall in Sandy. And vote on the poll! Thanks bundles.

Pink and Say

My Child Language and Lit class has been just a bunch of busy work for me this semester. I learn a few new things every once in a while and I have some interesting discussions during class.

Every week we take a quiz, write down a quote from the chapter, ask a question, then do research to find two sources with answers. (busy work)

Every Thursday we bring a childrens book to class and read it to a group of three other people. I usually forget to bring a book and luckily someone brings two and I get one of theirs or I run to the library at 7:40 a.m. before my 7:45 a.m. class.

This week's book was a stage 7 book which is for ages 5-7. We were supposed to bring a historical biography of some sort.

Tuesday was Labor day and so my teach had a special book to read to us.

I started this class not really caring too much about childrens books. I mean, I knew I was going to read to my kids. I just don't remember any favorites (besides R.L. Stein when I was in Elementary School) from my childhood like so many others in this class do.

But I have seen some pretty amazing books. If anyone ever wants a list, I'll gladly give you a list of some really good ones.

The story she read was, "Pink and Say" by Patricia Polacco

I don't want to give all the details, because I think you should read it. I've never had a book meant for 10 year olds move me like this one did. It's beautiful. A true story and written by a descendant of the main character. I'm definitely buying this book for my library. I'll tell you what it's basically about.

During the Civil war, Sheldon Curtis (Say) tries to escape his unit and is wounded. Pinkus Aylee, (Pink) a slave from Georgia finds him and takes him home where he and his mom take care of him and nurse him back to health. While there, Say realizes why Pink wants to fight this war so badly; to free him from this disease(slavery). Say decides to face his fears, he doesn't want to fight anymore, and help his friend Pink. During the story Say tells Pink and his mom that he shook Abraham Lincoln's hand. Say tells Pink to shake his hand so he can say that he, "Shook the hand of the hand that shook President Lincoln's hand". It's amazing to think of a 11-15 year old boy going through these things these boys are going through. I'm going to end there because I really can't spoil the ending.

Just know it's beautiful. Read it. Buy it and have your children read it. Read it to your kids. I'm going to buy it and read it to my husband :)

Have any of you read this? If so, what did you think? Don't spoil the ending for those who haven't read it.

p.s. - don't forget to let me know if your coming to Dinner Friday night the 21st at 7:00 at Sampans in the South Towne mall in the post below.

Will You Be There?

Aren't in this picture?

Weren't there last time?

You missed out, my friend.

Never fear, I'm coming again and hoping some of my new friends will want to dine with me for either a second or first time.

You may have noticed the poll on my sidebar that's been there for a few weeks asking if you would like to have dinner again.

Since there are 41 votes and I voted twice(I think) that makes 39 voters.

I'm pretty surprised only 4 people thought I was weird. I wonder what these people's version of "normal" is? It's really a good thing I don't blog about every mood swing I have.. that number would go right on up.

14 people say, Yes! I would LOVE to have dinner with you! But only 7 of those say they can make it the weekend of the 21st, which is the weekend I will be down. Since I'm two of those votes, that makes 5 people. The more the merrier!

6 people said they weren't there last time, but they want to be this time. Did those same 6 people vote for the weekend? Man. I should have only made it possible to click one bubble.

Please leave a comment letting me know if your coming or not. Or if you think you can come. I had so much fun last time. I think when I come down I'll set aside a night/day/morning for food and those who can make it can come.

For those who live in Antarctica, you stink! You should live closer to the nexus of the universe.

For those of you who need a ride; I'll only go as far as San Diego to pick you up, so sorry Antarctica... you lose again!

For those of you who can't afford the gas, you MUST have voted when the poll first opened and now gas has gone way down. Want to change your vote?

For those of you not willing to make the trip for me (1 person), you must either
a. live in Antarctica
b. only visited my blog once, and that was to sabotage my voting thinger
c. not read my post about self esteem issues and paranoia at night when I'm by myself
d. were one of the 4 (or all 4??) who said I was weird
e. all of the above

We have 3 people who want Dennys (their booths are huge) and 5 who say a nice (meaning more than 8 bucks a plate) restaurant. I'm thinking it might be better if I just pick a place... maybe no poll. But I will take thoughts and discussions and I'm up for suggestions. I'm thinking Sampans in the South Town Mall; they take reservations and Kristina says they are pretty good. Dinner would probably be a little later 7 or 8. I do have to drive 3 1/2 hours. So, let me know what you think!

And for that one anonymous (Mary) person who had yucky chicken at Carinos. I'm sorry, better luck next time. Maybe this time you wont order a nasty mushroom brown saucy monster. :)

One other thing. Wendyburd is having a sweet giveaway for her 100th post. Check it out, it's pretty fantabulous.

Oopse, Forgot!

If only I had a super snazzy camera would this picture turn out NOT blurry. Sorry, my friends. I'm workin on it. Maybe next year sometime after I've saved up for 10 months.

This should have been with the last post but me being the tired person I am every time I post at night, forgot.

But, hey! This gives me something to blog about today. This blogging every day for November thing is getting really tiring. Can't say I'll do the same for December.

Today I only had 2 things due, and I finished them. I don't have anything due tomorrow! But, I do have some stuff I need done by Thursday and I'm considering getting them done today with my time. That would be the smart thing to do, right? But what kind of procrastinator would I be if I actually got something done BEFORE the last minute?

One that might be trying to change her ways... maybe.

Tomorrow I'm going to post about how I'm going to be coming to Utah on the 21st and about how I'm pretty sure I'll be there in time for dinner Friday night and whoever wants to come can come. But.... I'll save that for tomorrow :)

Baby Shower Invites

November 1st I got together with Stephanie to work on her baby shower invitations. Nathan (the husband - my brother) picked out the paper. Surprisingly, he did a very good job at matching.

An eye for the crafty, Nathan, eh? :)

I looked up all sorts of different ways to word an invitation and I settled on what you'll see below. (had to scratch out some vital information that only those VIP's invited get to see)

Stephanie seemed a little bit overwhelmed with 40 invitations to do!

Luckily they started to crank on out rather quickly once we got the hang of it.

We worked on them for a few hours then I took the rest home and worked on them the next night. (do you sense a recurring theme in some of these pictures? Besides my Indian couches.. I always have to have a blanket on me. This one in particular was made by my grandma and given to me as a gift when I graduated from High School)

The end product!! I'm so very proud. I knew I wanted to make the invites because I loved the way one of my friends turned out. It took quite a bit of time but in the end, for 40 invites it ended up being less than 20 bucks. Not so bad, eh?

I hope you can all see the super cute giraffe stamp we used. I made sure to buy an extra (just in case I need to use it someday)

I'll let everyone know how the shower goes. Thanks for your great ideas!