Shocking!

Wow...I am completely blown away. Not by this "startling" revelation (because, seriously, who DIDN'T see this coming)...but by one "Claymates" reaction to this news (as reported by the Associated Press):

"This is really shocking news as I had no idea he was gay," read a comment posted by "Sheridansq." "And now I have to deal with this. I am not sure what to say to people who know I was a fan. ... I didn't go to work today and am not answering the telephone."

Seriously? Seriously?!? Who does that? Who lets themselves get so consumed by pop culture that they can't function in society?! Yes, I enjoy reading about pop culture and celebrity gossip every now and then, but never to the extent that the people around me would feel compelled to host an intervention!

Now What?

Friday was the last day of the 1st quarter at my school...I cannot believe how quick it went! And now that the quarter is over, I have 2 weeks of vacation (thanks to the "modified year-round" schedule that Chandler has)! The only problem is that I think I may be kind of bored during these 2 weeks...I've never not had school and/or work, so I have no clue what I will be doing during my vacation. Sure, I probably should clean my house and it wouldn't hurt to do some laundry, but it definitely won't take the whole 2 weeks to do that stuff! If you are looking for a friend to do stuff with, call me up!

GNO!

My super awesome friend Sarah is in town visiting from lame old Washington, so we got our fantastic foursome together for a good old-fashion GNO (girls night out, for those of you who aren't as cool as me!). Amy, Alisha, Sarah, and I were practically inseparable during our single years. I have so many memories of horrible YSA activities, "awesome" dates, and general ruckus with these fabulous girls.

Aren't we pretty?

Hm, maybe not.

Yeah, definitely not!

No GNO would be complete without a trip to happy hour at Applebee's...

and someone always winds up with whip cream on their face!

By this point, it was WAY past my usual bedtime (which is 9:00!) so we were all getting a little punchy!

This photo will probably be sent in as our application for America's Next Top Model (if a he-she can be on ANTM, so can I!)

GNO is not just about having fun. We had many deep, philosophical discussions...topics included: ex-boyfriends, worst kisses, the affect of birth control on your bra size, and many others.

I have missed hanging out with these girls and this was definitely one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time. We will definitely have to do this again (maybe when Sarah comes back next month!).

TRUNK REPORT

A Conservative Blogger for the Ages

If you know my husband at all, you know he is passionate about many different things, especially politics! He is a political science major, he has worked (and continues to work) for different campaigns, and he has recently ventured into the world of political blogging. A few weeks ago TJ started a conservative blog called Trunk Report and it has already attracted over 800 visitors DAILY (and its continuing to grow)! Visit his site, read his posts, let him know what you think. I think its pretty great (but I am slightly biased!).

Things I {LOVE} About Mi Casa

1. The fact that I cannot open this drawer next to my stove without first OPENING the oven. How inconvenient is that? And since there isn't tons of storage space in this kitchen, I need to utilize this drawer. What really sucks in when I need something from this drawer when I'm cooking something in the oven...cause then I have to open the hot oven (and make my kitchen hotter than it already is) and try not to burn myself as I reach over the hot oven to get something out of the drawer. Lame.

2. Did you ever see that episode of Friends where Monica and Rachel have to live in Chandler and Joey's apartment...and they can't figure out what the light switch does? I have plugged a lamp into every single outlet in my house and still cannot figure out what it does! I really hope it controls my neighbors T.V.

3. This monstrosity. Granted, I really do love this because it provides cool air to my hot house...but its ugly and huge. I secretly refer to him as Eddie.

1. Multiple locks. For some reason, having more than just the standard locks on my door makes me feel like I should be paranoid.

2. The awesome security system. Whoever thought of putting a stick in sliding doors and windows was a genious...I have never felt safer.

But I am willing to over look all of these wonderful features because I am only paying $675 for a 2 bedroom apartment in Chandler (and I don't know the actual square footage, but in comparing it to my first apartment I would say that it is arould 900+). AND...I think one or two of the apartments by us are now vacant if you want in on this sweet deal!

Cooking With My Crockpot

Are you ready to be so proud of me?! After a year and a half of collecting dust, my crockpot was actually used this weekend! I found a yummy recipe here and decided to try it out

So I pulled out my crockpot, washed the dust off (cause I wasn't kidding about the dust!)...

...and put all my ingredients in (kinda looks gross...but just wait, it gets better!)

I kept thinking about my crockpot through all 3 hours of church. I was worried that the chicken would still be raw (cause I've had a bad slash funny-now-that-I-think-about-it situation involving feeding my bishop raw chicken), so I was way super excited when I came home and the chicken was perfect. It shredded easily and tasted yummy

...TJ liked it too!

Overall, here are my thoughts on the crockpot:

A. It was awesome that I only had to clean one thing (cause not having a dishwasher is lame)

B. It was awesome that lunch was ready as soon as I walked in the door.

C. It was awesome that I didn't have to stand over the stove, stir anything, or defrost stuff.

In summary, my crockpot is awesome.

So long, farewell!

In case you didn't know, I have two little sisters. Summer is 5 years younger than me, followed by Jess who is 8 years younger than me. Summer and Jessica have always been referred to as the "little girls"...so what am I supposed to think when one of these "little girls" is old enough to be heading off to college!? Summer is going to be attending BYU-Idaho and she is leaving tomorrow! I was able to spend Labor Day with her and say goodbye, since I probably won't see her again until Christmas. It was sad to say goodbye to her, since she is my mini-me, my amigo, my compadre, my "special helper", my friend. But I am so excited for her to start this brand new part of her life. I am slightly jealous, since I never experienced the "moving away from home to go to college and do college things with my college friends" thing...but Summer is a rock star and I know she is going to rock it at BYU-I. So farewell, my sister friend...until our faces should meet again (like, soon...on your webcam...talk to you soon!).

Happy Birfday!

So I started creating this post on Wednesday, but was way too tired to finish. Had I stayed up to finish, this would not be a belated post...because my baby sister Jessica turned 15 on Wednesday! It is absolutely crazy that Jessica is so old now! So here is my ode to Jessica...15 of her BEST pictures, and 15 things I love about her:

1. She has become a drop dead gorgeous girl!

2. Her fun personality makes it easy to be around her (unless she's mad at you!)

3. She has a REALLY loud laugh, and you can't help but laugh at her laugh.


4. She is very photogenic...


5. ...unless she doesn't want a camera shoved in her face!

6. She's willing to do almost anything for the sake of a picture!7. She looks good wet!
8. She loves to take self portraits (any time I set my camera down, the next time I pick it up there are several pics of Jessi's face!) 9. Like her sister, she could probably rock it as a model!

10. She has really increased her fashion sense (hence the glasses that are as big as her face!)

11. She makes sitting in the freezing rain seem fun.

12. She's a really good swimmer

13. She ranks second in the "stupidest faces" contest (just behind Summer!)

14. She lets me make her do things that will make me laugh.

15. See #1...like I said, so gorgeous!

So happy bday Jess...I love you and am glad mom and dad decided to adopt you 15 years ago! (totally kidding...when we were little, we used to tell Jess that she was adopted...cause we are mean sisters!)

Boot Camp Update

Tuesday morning I woke up so excited to head off to my first ever boot camp session. I pulled on my work out clothes, laced up my shoes, grabbed my pink waterbottle and mat, and headed off. Within about 5 minutes, I was beginning to regret my decision! One girl actually ran out the door and started throwing up in the bushes, then spent the rest of the time flat on her back to try not to throw up any more. Luckily, I was able to survive and keep up with everyone else. The day after that first session I felt like I had been hit by a semi truck that then backed up and hit me again and again! Every muscle in my body was staging a revolt against me. Sitting, standing, walking...it all hurt. I would literally put off going to the bathroom just because it hurt so much to sit down on the toilet!

Saturday morning rolls around and as I am getting ready I keep telling myself, "It will all be worth it. Just think of the skinny jeans!" I am no longer excited. I am now dreading the thought of going. But we paid all that money, and I have this new cute pink yoga mat, so I have to go. Besides, 5 other teachers at my school are doing this boot camp and if I quit now they will all know that I am a wuss! Surprisingly, Saturday was so much better. It was still hardcore and intense, but they didn't make anyone throw up so that was a good sign. It was still difficult to breath at certain parts, and my legs felt like jello, but I was able to push myself through the pain and continue to keep up with everyone.

The best part of Saturday was the massages. One of my trainers is a masseuse and she had 3 of her masseuse friends come down to do FREE full body massages for all of us! I went home, showered, then headed back down for my massage. For one whole hour, I was in heaven! I was just about to fall asleep when she said she was finished, and as I stood up to get dressed my body felt a million times better. So this morning when I woke up, and I was expecting to be as sore as I was after the Tuesday work out, I was able to move without wincing in pain! Sure, my thighs are still a bit sore and my shoulders/arms are kind of tight, but nowhere near the pain I had felt before. Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to survive the next 5 weeks of boot camp. And maybe, just maybe, I will be able to once again wear those jeans that have been pushed to the back of my closet. I'll keep you posted.

To my mother...

I have been meaning to creating this post for several days now, but I never had the time to do it any justice. On August 20 my mom celebrated another year of her life, and what a fantastic life it is! My mom has always been and will always be my hero, my role model, my mentor, my favorite! For Summer's bday, I listed 18 things that I loved about her...but listing "44" things about my mom will take way to long, so I will just share some of the highlights:

1. She loves her children unconditionally. Regardless of how stupid we are or how bratty we act, mom loves us.


2. She taught me and continues to teach me everything I need to know. Even when I reached the age of "I am so much smarter than my parents" I continued to learn from my mother's example.


3. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is firm in her convictions. Never once have I ever doubted my mother's faith. If she wasn't sharing her testimony with us, she was showing us through the way she lived her life.


4. She is the most creative woman ever made. From wood-work to cakes to sewing to scrapbooking, my mom can do it all...and she will do it better than you!


5. She loves my dad. I remember my parents dancing in the kitchen, smooching before dad left each morning, and holding hands. She showed me what a successful marriage is and how to maintain it.




I believe Abe Lincoln said it best: "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."


Happy Belated Birthday Mom! I love you THIS MUCH!