Things that I have enjoyed as of late or will shortly enjoy:

· BYU Young Ambassadors
· Utah Symphony
· Draper Temple Open house
· Taken, Lost, and Lie to Me
· Speaking in Sacrament Meeting
· Finally making my way out of the insanely large crowd at the shade clothing sale
· Ballet West
· BYU Ballet Showcase
· BYU Folk Dancers
· Bajio’s, The Olive Garden, Jason’s Deli, and Sizzler
· Brand new pair of Nike running shoes
· Cougarettes
· Steamed Broccoli

I had this genius idea

That I could come up with a themed blog that would catch everones attention and make me famous. It was to be called, " . . . for a day" and I was going to write about all of these amazing things that I was going to be or that were going on, for a day. I wrote one blog, then got bored. :) Therefore, the happiness of that blog I have decided to share with you below.

McDonald's Offers Free Happy Meals . . .
Have you ever seen that show, Supersize Me? I was going to watch it one-time. I had tickets and everything, but the day before I went to the theatre McDonald's announced that in two days they were offering free Happy Meals for an entire 24 hours. I knew the premise of the movie and I knew that if I watched it the day before I was to gorge myself on delicious hamburgers, chicken nuggetts, and french fries that I would forgo the opportunity for all the free fat I could handle. So, I gave up my tickets (I threw them in the trash) and anxiously awaited the first hour of Happy Meal Heaven. I entered the blissful fast food place and ordered a hamburger, cheeseburger, and two chicken nugget Happy Meals. Much to my dismay the cashier pointed to the sign on the wall that read, "Only one per customer, please." I was near tears when a stroke of genius came to me! I calmly asked for the cheeseburger Happy Meal with fries and root beer. I walked to an empty table, sat down, and enjoyed the lovely meal. I was happy, and that joy didn't leave as I drove to my house and pulled out my Halloween costume collection. What wig would I put on first?Brittany Spears? Hmm . . . Could I get away with that disguise? Oh, you had better believe it! I strutted into the golden arches like I owned the place, but I guess I didn't really look like Brittany because noboby even turned their head. Simple enough, I got Happy Meal number two, ate it to my hearts delight and strutted right back out. As I was getting in my car, however, this guy started chasing after me. I thought, "Yes! Somebody does recognize me!" He said, "Ma'am, you dropped your wallet, here you go." Doh! Well, at least I got my Happy Meal.I went back as Hannah Montana, Justin Timberlake, Denzel Washington, Donald Trump, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts. I really don't do look alikes well because nobody recognized who I was supposed to be, but I didn't care because nobody recognized me as the same girl who had been there hour after hour.It was the final hour of the day, one costume left, one last Happy Meal to enjoy. Steve Buscemi, it was the only option other than Barney the Dinosaur and Rainbow Bright. You know Steve Buscemi, right? He's the supporting actor guy from Armageddon, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy, etc. Yeah, well I didn't think anyone would recognize me as him either. Boy, was I wrong! I wasn't even out of my car before people started flocking to me for my autograph! Really? I'm a girl dressed as a famous guy who you might recognize if you see, but do any of you really know him by name? I just ducked and ran into McDonald's. (I wasn't comfortable signing autographs for someone else) So, I enter the glorious burger joint and the line dissolves. I guess being famous means I get to go first. The cashier says, "What do you want? It's on the house!" WHAT!!! I told 'em I just came for the free Happy Meal, but they insisted, so I said, "I'll take one of everything." I started eating, and that is how I spent my last night on this lovely place called earth.

Now that it is February . . .

. . . I suppose I should blog about my Christmas.

I took a little trip with mom and dad down to San Antonio to spend Christmas with my brother's family. Let me just say, they have adorable children! We spent a lot of time doing fun things because the weather there was so warm. We went to the Alamo and the zoo, and got some great pics with the kids.



I also got a really good video of C.A. with a billy goat at the zoo.



It was fun to watch them open presents.



My other brother's family was in town just before we left for Texas so I got to see the new baby and the other darling children. Love them! Love my family!!!

This is My Birthday Song. It isn't very long.

Birthdays are incredible you know. I am awed by the wonderful people who I am privileged to call my friends. As I received birthday wish after birthday wish, phone calls, gifts, and meals galore I was impressed to realize that these treats were a mere expression of a love that I feel all of the time. Certainly, on this day those expressions were more concentrated, but there are incredible people in this world. People who make me feel like a million dollars on my worst day. People who will drop everything to come to my aid for even the smallest need. People who will let me open my heart to them and more importantly whom will open their hearts to me and let me in to be a friend and confidant. It is so wonderful to feel important to others but I NEED to feel as though I have something to contribute to others. Many of my friends have allowed me to do just that, even if all I could offer was a prayer for hope in their behalf. On my birthday I was reminded of how lucky I am to have so many in my life who allow me to just be me, and to have great hopes for those I care about. Thank you, to all of those people who have blessed my life with love, acceptance, and kind deeds. You are truly the angels whom God has sent to provide for me. Here are a few photos from the celebratory day.

A Tale of Two Turkeys

Ah the wonderful sights and smells of Thanksgiving; turkey, potatoes, cranberries, and Cornish hens? Wait, really? That tiny little bird should not be on the table at thanksgiving time. My mother decided she wanted to play a little trick on the only child she had coming home for the holiday of gratitude. I’m not sure I’ll be going home next year (*wink). Mom, dad, and I helped put together a delightful little meal, but mom was sure to give me the items that kept me away from the main meal, mainly the bird. She had this recipe for an a-m-a-z-i-n-g cranberry cream cheese dip and I had the privilege of making it. Thank goodness, because now the recipe is burned in my brain and it is delicious! Find a triscuit or Ritz cracker and start dippin’ baby because this stuff is good.

I was also in charge of the pumpkin crumble dessert. No pictures, but it was cake to make! So, dinner was placed nicely on the table and mom tells me to look at the turkey and how much it shrank. I, of course, flipped a little and asked, “How big was it before you cooked it!” She couldn’t hold back her snickers. Phew! I did not want to eat that bird. Then they brought out the real one. Thank goodness! It was a much prettier bird. It was a nice break from everyday life to spend some thankful time at home with mom and dad.

There's somethin' wrong with the world today

I don't know what it is
Something's wrong with our eyes
We're seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain't His
It sure ain't no surprise
We're livin' on the edge -Aerosmith

I think there has always been war waging in the hearts of men whether it is manifested in physical battle or angry words of hate. We preach tolerance in America, but do we live it? Or, are we motivated by our own selfish behavior? Is it possible for everyone to feel that justice and freedom are theirs? I am emphatic in my belief that the answer to that question is yes! But, it requires sacrifice and our very nature as man leads us to selfishness therefore denying us the very freedoms we profess to desire.

As of late I have been especially conscientious of the people in my surroundings. I am fascinated by the things I observe. Yes, we are surrounded on every side by hate and envy, greed and even terror, but there truly is so much good. I was at a bookstore and realized that the environment around me was quite peaceful. People weren’t in a rush, nor did they care if they had to wait in line to make their purchase. In fact, people were smiling and talking as they waited. The cashiers were sweet and kind. The people there were not worried about themselves and the things they had to do, but it felt as though they actually loved the people they were around. How would our definition of tolerance change if we realized that we should be caring more about other people? I think it’s important that we have our opinions and live according to our own dictates of conscience. That is what defines us as individuals, but if we are so focused on our opinions and standards that we lose sight of others as real and true beings of conscience, emotion, and love; we lose sight of ourselves as just such beings and our view of tolerance becomes something akin to the idea that I will tolerate the other so long as they live according to what I believe.
I can only strive to love myself and to love others so that my heart is open and my eyes are free to see that I might tolerate others and desire for others the best for them.

Spooktacular Halloween Stuff

I really am living in the wrong era. I can pull off looks of other ages so much better than the current trends allow. However, I do enjoy the current high waisted skirt trend. Anyway, I think the proof of my living in the wrong era is apparent in this photo. This is my look right? Well, my friend Lance thinks so and I fully agree with him. I wish with all my whole soul that I could go back to the side crimped pony and big bangs!!! Alas, I cannot as I realized the awkward looks I received when I went to vote in this very attire. YIKES! Good thing it was Halloween. Oh, and I must commend my dear Michael on his fabulously disgusting hair. Do you see how wretched and awesome it is? He definitely went above and beyond with his costume. This was my fabulous work costume.

My eveningwear was a little more scandelous. My lovely roomates and I decided to be the three fairies from Sleeping Beauty. We took it to the extreme. Me being Flora had a lot of flowers and greenery on my costume, not to mention my dress was a nightgown! Mary was Fauna and if you look closely you may see animals attached to her costume. Andrea was Merryweather and had beautiful white clouds floating around her blue and purple skies. We had too much fun putting these outfits together. I wish we had Halloween once a quarter. I really enjoy the dressing up thing. Oh happy day!