Pink Popcorn!
Next we decided to make lemonade. Before had I did a little preperation and made some fun ice cubes. I froze mint leaves and begonia petals in an ice cube tray. It was a fun little extra for our homemade lemonade.
Next is some pictures of the nephews.
cheeky grin
Do you think he liked it?
I think I like pictures because they say it better than I can.
Then we had a barbeque!!! It was wonderful. And we spread out a blanket and ate in the shade in our yard. I had to jump on the tramploline with the boys in between bites.
We just relaxed and enjoyed eachothers company and then ended the day with fireworks. And no one was injured! A successful day!
Filed under: The loves of my life
I love Elder Holland!! There is a talk by him in the October Ensign about same-gender attraction and it is so good! There is also a talk by Elder Holland in the October New Era about being positive and not fearing the future called “Let Virtue Garnish thy Thoughts Unceasingly”. You can just feel the love that he has for everyone! I love how he addresses hard topics and just nails them! He doesn’t tiptoe around things, he is bold and he doesn’t apologize about it. BUT he does it lovingly too! And he always offers hope! He’s amazing! There are so many landmark talks of his that have given me courage to change my life, answered questions I have, and given me confidence in my beliefs! “Cast not therefore thy confidence”, “Souls Symbols and Sacraments”, “The tongue of angels”, ”The other prodigal”. I really cannot wait until this weekend! I feel like Elder Holland’s way of speaking really works for me but, all of the talks in conference are always so wonderful! Our leaders have such a way of teaching us! I LOVE General Conference!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Well I have a few minutes before I leave for the night, so I decided to write a little. I have been feeling all sorts of wonderful feelings lately! Its FALL!!! Yay!! It makes me SO happy! The crisp air, the wind, the wonderful new colors of the leaves!! Yesterday was the most beautiful day! I love the way fall makes me feel! This crazy excitement and anticipation of something… There usually isn’t really anything specific to be anticipating, But I still feel and love it! This year, though, I am have every reason to be excited! I leave for my mission in 10 days! That is SO soon! In no time at all I will be walking in the streets of Scotland, getting rained on, no doubt, and trying to teach those around me the wonderful news of the gospel!
That’s all for now.
Now, life for a pre-missionary is kinda weird. At least for me. I am kinda in a sort of limbo. Not quite a part of the world around me and not quite yet a missionary. I think the weirdest part about the stage I am in is the dating life. It seems like I was just getting used to how dating is and the whole game of it. But it’s very different right now.
The guys that I go out with know that I am going on a mission…. and soon. So, it makes me wonder why they would even ask me out. Not that I mind. It does give me something to do. And I generally enjoy them. But I wonder what really is the point? For them?
For the most part, it hasn’t been too bad. In fact in some ways I really like it. For example I am learning a ton about what I like about people. I don’t have to worry about how much I like the kid, or why I don’t like him, and instead I can just observe.
But let me tell you about my night last night. Brace yourself, it’s kindof a long story. First I must back track. A friend of mine I’ll call SS has been asking me to go climbing with him and finally I found a day that worked for me so we decided to go on Wednesday (yesterday) But then Tuesday night comes around and I get a phone call from a friend from Florida I’ll call Sam. He tells me that he is coming to Logan and I owe him a date. (I owe him a date?) So I tell him that I am already doing something on Wednesday. But I haven’t seen him in years so I should see him. So he tells me, see if you can get off your date early, but if not, I don’t mind seeing you after. As long as I get to see you before you leave. So I’m think “ok, maybe I can get SS to bring me home a little early” And we get off the phone. Now I will tell you about Wednesday.
Date #1:
SS picks me up about a half hour after work and we head to the Rock Haus. I am slightly amazed that I still enjoy hanging out with this kid because our personalities are pretty different. I am not sure if he is quite as…. silly as me. and I don’t know how much he makes me laugh which is usually really important to me. But perhapse I find it refreshing when I can hang out with someone and we can just be normal and not have to put on a show. So rock climbing was a blast! I love it! We climbed until we physically could not climb anymore. Which is great! So he brought me home at 10:00pm. I had asked him earlier if I could come home early and he was fine with it.
Date #2:
So I called Sam and he was mad! He was mad that I didn’t get home earlier. He said he didn’t care if “this guy’s” time was cut short. And then he grumbled about now not knowing what we were going to do because everything closes at 10:00 and how he WAS going to take me to Hamiltons blah blah blah… Anyway, so I get off the phone with him and he comes to pick me up. We went to Maceys and picked up some ice cream and then went to Ryans Place Park. To eat it and to play on the playground. He wanted to go on the swings and so I sit down and then he goes behind me and starts to push me. Why does it make me uncomfortable when guys I’m not dating touch me? Anyway, so we talk reminissed and I don’t know how it came up but he said that I had a crush on him when I lived in Florida. And I did NOT have a crush on him. And I told him that. I could have gone into detail of why I never or would never have a crush on him, but I refrained. Anyway, we argued about that for awhile, then he decided he wanted to play tag… I wasn’t in the mood. So I chased him a little… and then when I decided I was done. I said “Ok! I’m going to eat the ice cream!” And he eventually came around when he knew I was serious. So the rest of the date he talked about how amazing he was and how he will be the best boyfriend when a girl finally gives him a real chance. Anyway, then I told him my curfew was 12:00. Then he dropped me off. and then he texted me and told me that I was just as beautiful and even more amazing than he remembered me. I don’t get it! I was not the funnest person when I was with him. He wants to go out again before I leave….
One thing that I have found though, is that dating isnt as important to me as it used to be. And the game is quite annoying. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting old, or if its just because I am going on a mission. But I remember when I thought the more dates I had the more successful my week was. Kinda silly huh? Anyway, I hope I feel better about things when I get home from my mission. I have to date before I get married… But I don’t have to worry about that for awhile!
Filed under: The life of an "Almost Missionary"
Ok, this was the title of a post I started to write a long time ago and never posted it. And I looked at it today and I wondered what I had written about this subject. Unfortunately, there was nothing written. I decided to keep the title anyway. Maybe by the end of writing what I had originally planned on, I will think of something to say about me being a pushover. Maybe not.
Ok, life is bueno bueno BUENO! (That’s good good GOOD in spanish) And it really is.
Last night I finally had the desire to work on my picnic quilt and I am in the sewing stage now! The fun part! Only, my mom’s machine (the one that is working) is about a million years old and it kept doing weird things and I never knew how to fix it and after about the 5th time of asking my mom to come down and help me with it I decided it was time to stop. Hopefully she will be able to get the other one fixed so I dont have to use the dinosaur anymore. I really hope that I get this quilt done before I leave on my mission.
Which reminds me, I have a month and 2 more days until I leave. It is crazy how fast it has gone. I have grown so much since I recieved my call but I still feel somewhat lacking. But it is finally setting in that I am really leaving and I find that I really just want to be at home doing things with my family more than anything else. And it’s kinda fun because generally they want to spend time with me too! Today is my day off of work and maybe I will go shopping for my mission. I still have a few things I need to get. Like a camera!! yay! I’m excited about shopping for that! The other stuff…. not so much.
Filed under: me
TAGGED!!!
- What songs/books from your childhood are the most meaningful to you? Well I know that I LOVED the Little House on the Prarie books. I loved the idea of living out on the plains and having nothing to do but chase prarie dogs. When I was younger though my favorite book for my mom to read to me was The Berenstien Bears and the Spooky old Tree my favorite part was “and one with the shivers!!” Read it and you will know what I am talking about. OH and I also really liked a book called Jamberry I think I think that was what it was called. AND there was another one called Something like Sylvester and the magic pebble. A book about a donkey that found a magic pebble and it granted wishes and somehow something went wrong and the donkey turned into a rock. I think one of the most meaningful to me was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Anyway, I had a lot of favorite books. I could go on and on. Each book reminds me of another one tha tI loved. I still love childrens books! But I will stop. And songs, well there are WAY too many to talk about. My mom ALWAYS sings. We would sing rounds on car trips and we had a singing club when I was younger where I learned a whole bunch of silly songs. But I guess the song that sticks out to me the most is the song “I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills” I actually dont know the real name of it. But my mom sang that to me a lot. I am sure I will sing it to my kids.
- If you didn’t have the constraints of family, work, and time what would you love to be doing now with your life? I really dont have any constraints… I basically am doing exactly what I want to be doing right now in my life. Maybe, if I wasnt going on a mission, I would be going to school for all the things that I really want to do but can’t because of money and well, timing. Like interior design, culinary arts, cosmotology, floral decorating… things like that. Mostly I love just learning. And all of those things sound fun! Oh and I would LOVE to visit every museum in the world! Well, maybe there are a few that I wouldnt want to see, but mostly all of them.
- Who did you have the biggest crush on in middle school/junior high – celebrity or real life? Celebrities? Harrison Ford. I once had a dream that he and Willow reseued from a swamp monster. But other than that I think I basically liked any boy that liked me… which probably wasn’t many… because I can’t think of any specific crushes.
- What is something you can’t seem to keep yourself from purchasing? Gumballs. I have a really hard time passing a gumball machine and not putting all the quarters that I have in there.
- What, specifically, have you done in your life that you are the most proud of? Wow, I really cant think of anything that would sound good to anyone but myself. Although, I just got a letter from my friend Ron and he said that I inspired him to start flossing. Which is a BIG thing! And I am VERY proud of that! Oh and one time I gave a police man a bloody lip! That’s pretty cool!
Filed under: random thoughts
This last week I was a volunteer EFY counselor and oh man!! It was AMAZING! In every sense of that word! I had a group of 8, 16-18 year old girls and then I was teamed up with a guy counselor with 7 boys and another girl counselor with 7 girls. We had so much fun! It was so cool to be able to teach and learn about the gospel all day! Except for at the dances of course. Which were also SO fun! They actually expected counselors to be that way! And really it just came natural to me! AND my co-counselor Clif could dance swing! So I got to dance with him and it made him look REALLY good in front of his guys. They were in awe! As a counselor you can basically act as crazy as you want and the kids still think you are WAY cool! Anyway, I learned a lot about teaching the gospel and ways to invite the spirit and things like that. It just made me not so scared to talk about the things that I know. I just can’t even tell you how good it was for me! I am not so sure how much the girls got out of it, but it was life-changing for me!
Here are some of the things that I did that may prove why I wonder if I was the best counselor. First, I started off the week hitting on a married counselor…. yeah…. Who know that they could be married? Apparently in the area sessions they can be. (Area sessions are when the kids just come for the day and then go home at night. Those are the sessions that you can volunteer for) Then… I told my girls that I kinda thought that nose piercings were kinda cool looking. THEN!!! When we were talking to some of the head counselors and the session director (the man in charge of the whole thing) and everyone was quoting the movie Cool Runnings and I said “How ‘bout I draw a line down your head and make it look like a butt?” -Silence- (There I go again) sigh, I think I kept forgetting that I was an example and not just one of the kids. Oh well. I quite enjoyed the week. And I made a few goals to better my life at EFY and I start this week. It’s going to be great!
So now I am back to real life. I talked to a good friend Smelly on the phone today. Funny thing about her nickname. I really do call her that. Anyway, she inspired me. I just got off the phone feeling so empowered! And ready to do what I know I need to do! Something I have been putting off for too long. (long story) Anyway, I got off the phone with her and finished up 5 missionary letters that I wrote today! yay! I love Sundays. BRING ON THE WEEK!
Filed under: random thoughts
I got off work early and I decided to do a few things that I have wanted to do but haven’t had time to do. (go to boarders and just read and listen to music, clean my room, update the blog etc.)
My Uncle who went to England on his mission when he was a lad has been emailing me about my mission and such. He just started this new thing where he gives me a little quiz and as soon as I reply with all the answers he will send me another one. This week’s quiz went something like this:
Define the following terms: Fortnight, Cheerio, Ta, Cars Bonnet, Cars boot
I have figured out most of them. Fortnight– I am not really sure but I think it is 14 days or something Maybe just a week… I dont know. Cheerio–obviously a type of cereal! jk, it’s goodbye. Ta– I have no clue. Car’s bonnet–The hood of a car. Car’s boot–The trunk of a car.
So in my research I have found some other interesting things. Brekkie= Breakfast, Juice= all soft drinks, Tattie= potatoes and toastie= a toasted sandwich. ALSO Sean Connery and J.K. Rowling live in Edinburgh! Maybe I will teach them the gospel!! 
I finally cut my hair! I dontated it to locks of love. And it’s really short. But I am liking it. At first I really wasnt sure how I felt about it and I didnt want anyone to look at me. Now I am realizing that short hair is so much easier and therefore worth it! And I have gotten mostly good feedback. Although my neighbor did tell me that he is now rethinking asking me to be one of his wives… (I took that as POSITIVE feedback)
Work is going well. I had a break from swimming for a month and I am glad to be back! I have 4 classes this time and they are “nice and easy!” I love it! Most of the kids are between 5-7. I can really teel the difference between classes at the begining of the summer and ones at the end. The August classes just seem a lot more used to the water! One of the classes is for the swimming merit badge and so they already know how to swim so basically I just get to play with them! Anyway, I love being busy and it is definitly one of those weeks!
I just got off the phone with my grandmother. She just informed me that there were no huckleberries this year. At least not in the places we usually look! Can you believe it? And I was actually looking forward to picking those tiny little things!
Today I was thinking a little about what I was going to miss when I left for Scotland. And the funny thing is that what made me start thinking about it was the conversation I heard as I was leaving the house today. “Why dont you put your feet on somebody ELSE’S head for a change!” It was Gini yelling at Lando while Lando was yelling at Trin saying “Don’t touch the rubber bands!” I just kinda sighed and smiled to myself and it set me off on a train of thoughts of all the little things that I will miss. Like making Lando dance with me in the kitchen. Who am I going to do that with in Scotland? My companion? It didn’t make me sad thinking about what I will miss though. They will be good misses. It’s ok to miss some things I think. As long as it’s not consuming.
Ok, funny thing that happened today… this will be especially funny if you know how Trin can get sometimes. So yeah, I upset Trin today by trying to joke about something to make her feel better about something she was annoyed with. In the end it just sounded like I was mocking her and she ran out of the room. Anyway, she came back in and I told her I was sorry and I reached out my arms to give her a hug and she kept walking and it seemed like she was going to let me hug her BUT she kept walking. Now the thing you must realize is that I was sitting on our computer chair that has wheels and as she kept going so did I… then the chair hit something and as I started tipping, the chair went backwards, and I went forward. Then I hit the floor. Hard. I feel like I broke my tail bone and I scraped my elbow, sprained my wrist and bruised my sholder. Now you may be thinking how I did ALL of that in one landing… Well that will just tell you what a rediculous situation I was in. So at that point I didnt know whether to laugh or cry. So I just layed there in my painfully humerous position. For a while. Then I got up laughed a little to myself and got back up and finished what I was doing at the computer. I just wish someone could have seen me. Trin saw me, but becuase she was mad at me she just looked at me like “serves you right for being such a dork”. I would have much rather someone laughed at me. sigh so that is why I write this. Maybe someone will laugh at me. So anyway, between that and my burnt wrist from making chocolate chip cookies and stubbing my toe while moving a church pew uptsairs for my mom I am a mess! But I am still in a fabulous mood!
Filed under: random thoughts
“Getting to know [me]! Getting to know all about [me]! Getting to like [me]! getting to hope you like me!!”
I found this random quesionaire and I decided to answer it. So here ya go! It’s kinda long…
Are your parents married or divorced?: Married for eternity
Are you a vegetarian?: No…. I don’t eat that much meat really but I love a good steak!
Do you believe in Heaven?: SURE DO!
Have you ever come close to dying?: not that I know of.
What jewelry do you wear 24/7?: Used to be a CTR ring. But I loose it occasionally.
Ever thrown up in public? Yes. Soccer conditioning after running REALLY hard.
Would you take a bullet for anyone? I’m not sure if I would for just anyone. I am not that brave. But there are a few people I would for sure!
Have you ever seen your best friend cry? yeah.
What kind of vitamins did you take as a kid? Only the kind I could swallow.
Are you eating?: No… weird! Do you eat the stems of broccoli: yep yep yep!
Do you wear makeup?: should, but don’t. I wear mascara about every other day.
Would you ever have plastic surgery?: no, too risky. And I like how I look.
What do you wear to bed?: T-shirt and pj pants
Have you ever done anything illegal?: I stole gum when I was little. And other than that and my drug addiction, no.
Can you roll your tongue?: Yeah
What is your Hair color?: Brown
Eye color?: Poop green
Future child’s name, not sure exactly except I want to give one of my boys the name Kent and another the middle name of Loyal after my dad.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?: Um, Scotland!
Do you sleep with stuffed animals?: Not anymore. Now I sleep with books.
If you won the lottery, what would you do first?: Go with Liz to see Wiked on broadway.
Gold or silver?: usually silver.
Hamburger or hot dog?: Hamburger. Although I love hot dogs rosted over a fire. Everything tastes better when you are camping!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?: Oh dear. I don’t think I would like anything for that long! Maybe raspberries, celery or cabbage. I think it would take me the longest to get sick of one of those.
City, beach or country?: Oh I like em all. but right now I want to be at the beach.
What was the last thing you touched?: my hair
Where did you eat last?: At home. I ate crackers and cheese!
When’s the last time you cried?: A couple nights ago I think. It was out of the blue! I dont even remember what it was that made me cry! All I remember is I was looking in the miror… I don’t think that was why I was crying though… plus it only lasted like 2 seconds. And I think it was a happy cry.
Do you read blogs?: yeah.
Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?: I wear my brothers shirts all the time.
Ever been involved with the police?: Not other than speeding tickets
Do you talk in your sleep?: yes. I laugh too.
Ocean or pool?: OCEAN hands down! Although I’ll take a pool if there is nothing else.
What’s your favorite song at the moment: “Hey there Delilah” by plain white Ts Or… “I told you so” by Keith Urban. And that will probably change tomorrow.
have you ever had a cavity?: sadly yes. Window seat or aisle seats?: WINDOW Ever met anyone famous?: Thurl Bailey
Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?: It depends on what you think is successful. I’d say yes!
Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?: kinda twirl. Mostly just slirp.
What is your fav. sport to play?: Play?? Soccer? or volley ball. or ultimate Frisbee, I really like that… I don’t know. I’m not particularly good at any one sport, so I just like ‘em all!
Basketball or football?: Basketball I think
when was the last time you went to the bathroom?: weird question. About 2 minutes ago.
Do you drive a stick?: NO. (sigh)
Cake or ice cream?: Ice cream generally. but sometimes I really like cake. I hardly ever like them together though.
Are you self-conscious?: SOMETIMES… wait, was that a bad answer?
Do you like any of your close friends?: Well, they are my close friends
Have you ever given money to a bum?: yes
Have you been in love?: yes.
Where do you wish you were?: In Scotland
Who was the last person you kissed? Skyler
Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?: NO.
Can you tango?: Heck yes! I Love the tango!
Last gift you received?: a book from my friend Erik
What occasion did you recieve your gift?: Early birthday present
Last thing you spent lots of money on?: My passport
Where do you live?: ProvidenceLast
wedding attended.: actual wedding? My sister Nicole’s. A few years ago
Favorite restaurant?: From most expensive to least: Le Nonne, Firehouse, or Wendy’s.
What is your favorite kind of car?: anything that runs? I like SUVs and right now I am driving a F150 truck and I am really liking it. I just like all cars I guess.
Most hated food(s): red onions I think.
Most loved food(s)?: right now, chocolate chip cookies. Can you sing?: I like to!
Person on your mind?: my dad
What’s your least fav. chores?: mopping
Favorite drink?: water
Currently have a Crush?: I usually do!
How long was your longest drive in a car?: The longest straight drive was from Florida to Utah. 2 days!
Feel free to answer these random questions too!
