oh yes I did, yes I did

Soooo... I have opinions.

And sometimes I share those opinions. And then people think I'm an idiot.

Allow me to explain...

When people ask how I am doing (I'm 32 weeks and getting bigger almost daily), I generally say something along the lines of I don't love pregnancy and I can't wait to have my baby already.

Then people tell me to enjoy my pregnancy because babies are so much work, to which I respond,
"oh I'm excited for the baby, I could forgo the pregnancy all together"

This is usually followed by an eye roll and a "you'll see"

**Disclaimer: I realize I don't have children, and therefore do not understand. I realize that babysitting, or even watching kids for a weekend while parents are gone doesn't equate to the 24/7 responsibilities of parenting**

Yet, allow me to explain my thought process. Once baby is here I can sleep on my stomach! That means that those 2 hours in between feedings might actually include sleep instead of constant tossing and turning in an attempt to get comfortable.

Also, it is my first and only baby--so I'm still in the stage of life where I will be able to sleep when baby does--also leading me to think I might get more rest than I have had the past several months.

Finally, with pregnancy I can't just take off the belly and take a break when I just can't handle another minute (nope, that's usually when I start crying and try to hide it from Cary, because there's no definitive reason or solution to the crying). When baby comes, all of a sudden I can hand baby to Cary and say I need 5 minutes. When baby gets older, I can put them in the crib and lock myself in the bathroom for 5 minutes. I can take my mom up on her generous offers to babysit. What I'm getting at is that I can't wait to have my body back and in my current ignorant state I feel like I will be able to tackle much more when it's JUST me in my body again.


But, please feel free to share your eyerolls and "if only you knew" comments

You know what they say? Life ain't always easy

What a week....

We made it to North Carolina! Thank goodness my mom drove with us, otherwise it would have taken us all month!

Thursday, I spent all day in the hospital with Kidney stones (so they think... they can't actuallly test for this while I'm pregnant, nor can they treat it).

My family is amazing and moved all our stuff into our new apartment while I entertained the nurses at the hospital.

And now I'm lounging around at home because I'm extremely sore, tired, and the doctor has banished me to light activity. I've decided this doesn't jive with my personality, so I'm putting "the secret" into effect and sending subliminal messages to baby girl that she needs to be born in 7 weeks (as opposed to the full 10 left). I'll let you know how that goes.

Please tell me, what there is to complain about?

It's official. We've left P-town.

Cary says we're never coming back.

(But I've left and said that a few too many times, so I didn't get hung up on goodbye and said "see ya later" (Just in case... don't want to permanently jinx myself))

Soooo our journey across the country began yesterday.

We made it to Colorado Springs with the two cars!!!

I started to doubt whether I'd make it.

I have new found admiration for the pioneer women.

I just drove 10 hours while pregnant and was miserable,
I can't imagine walking 10 miles and birthing a baby in the plains

I've also decided they were insane.

So even though I'm laying on my side today recovering from my horrendous past two weeks...

as my current favorite song states

This could really be a good, good good life.

Love and marriage, goes together like...

Today Cary and I were asked to speak in our old singles ward about the joys of marriage.

Being experts and all (ha, we've been married a year), we had soooo many insights (heavy on the sarcasm)

Anyhow, we probably didn't have any impact on the group, but they asked us a lot of good questions. I felt the questions were sincere and deep... too bad I don't ponder the depths of how Cary and I ended up together or why we are happy because then I might have had an answer to some of the questions.

But,

Just some funny things Cary contributed...

He equates marriage to the lessons learned in the Princess Bride.

For example, "Marriage is like the fire swamp. Once you learn the dangers (i.e. what not to say to Carla) it's actually quite beautiful."

Also, "Marriage is great. You finally found a special person you can annoy for the rest of your life."

Ha, good times.

We'll probably never be asked to share our thoughts on marriage ever again.

Where we're gonna be when we turn 25

***Sidenote: Cream cheese is perhaps one of the most delicious substances known to man***

Just call me "CARLA THE CONQUEROR"

Tears may have been shed.

Sleep was definitely lost.

Frustration met it's peak.

Don't look too closely or you'll realize I'm not really a seamstress

And it still doesn't hide my belly...

However, it is done!

I haven't sewn a dress since high school... but why should that deter me? Ha, someone should save me from myself sometimes.



Where are the little cinderella mice when you need them?


Just plugging along.


I have unpicked and re-sewed about 4 times already! Despise is a fitting word for this project.


Looking more like an electric blue potato sack than a dress... desperation and emotions are spinning out of control, so i decide to call it a night (at 2am).



Still managing a smile. Finished at 2 am! Flight leaves at 6 am... ugh.

I love my friends.

I sometimes lose sight of why I get caught up in projects and I apologize for the cuss words in my head.

My friends mean the world to me, and I will try to do what I can to make them happy (or their big day what they hoped). With all that my friends do for me.... what's a little sleep?

What am I gonna say

Do you ever have moments in your life where you pause and think, holy cow, how did I get here

I specifically remember, being about 20 and looking at the missionaries and thinking, WAIT A MINUTE, you guys were always so old and wise. Ha, now they look like little boys and I pray that they'll be able to handle all the challenges ahead of them.

Pregnancy is another one of those moments for me. I walk past a mirror and see my belly and think WHOA, hold the wagon! Since when am I old enough to be pregnant, and how can I maintain a semblance of my fashion and personality?

I must admit...

I am not one who loves my body pregnant.

I enjoy having a flat stomach and fitting into cute clothes.

I have a hard time not comparing myself to other preggo friends.

I generally don't care to post weekly updates on the growth of my belly.

I also am not sad that I don't have many pictures to document this period of my life.

However...

My family is so supportive, and has sent fun maternity clothes, and I think I owe them a fashion show. Also, in an effort to embrace my body exactly how it is and just be grateful for the strength of my body. Here's my update:

6 months ish

15 lbs gained

(if i continue at this rate, about 15 more expected)


(***Disclaimer: Cary is a terrible photographer apparently... I didn't realize it would be so difficult to zoom in or not chop off my legs, but i guess not :/ and I will post the pics anyhow)

This is the point at which I realize, how comical cary's photography skills are so I might as well have fun with it.

This shirt looks huge, but it's actually more flattering with the black shirt underneath because it's a sheer fabric.

Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. Can you repeat the question?

I currently work for Verizon Wireless.

(I should probably say a wireless phone company that shall remain nameless... but this really has nothing to do with verizon and everything to do with their customers).

There are two circumstances that occur repeatedly on a daily basis in our store and I feel the need to clarify/vent.

1. Indirect v. Direct Retail Locations.

Have you ever bought a cell phone from a kiosk in the mall/walmart/costco and wondered how come they can sell AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile?
Well, that's because they are an indirect retailer.

They are essentially a franchise, that buys the rights to sell Verizon cell service with their own merchandise. This concept seems especially difficult for our customers to grasp.
Daily, people argue with me that they bought their phone from Verizon.

Technically, if you didn't go into a Verizon Corporate location you bought the phone from whichever indirect retailer is on the top of your receipt (i.e. bullfrog, diamond wireless, wireless advocates). This is a little confusing because they say Verizon in large letters above their store followed by premium retailer (or something similar).

So... this means you can't return your phone to a Verizon Corporate store.

I accept that customers may not understand this concept initially, but once I explain the difference to you--it is not necessary to scream and throw a fit.

A perfect analogy would be if you bought a samsung tv at walmart, and although target sells the same brand, you can't return the tv to target.

2. Free phones

DAILY, I have customers who enter the store, and when I say "Hi, how are you today?"
They respond, "Well I have a piece of crap phone, how do you think I am? Maybe I'd be better if I didn't have this piece of crap."

First, if someone smiles and says hi, how are you? It's more polite to respond with a sociable answer, such as fine, ok, i'd even take a been better.

But, I digress. So they're case is that their phone is a piece of crap.

Well, I don't admit this to the customer (but their phone is a piece of crap).
It was free.
I guarantee they walked into the store several months prior and said "I want the free phone."
Now, they are back, crying foul because that free phone doesn't work like an iphone.


Back to analogies. If someone gave you a free tv, would you expect it to be a flat screen, have perfect picture, and get all the channels?


And when the free tv died a year later, would you call your cable company and cry foul?


No, for some reason I don't think you would.


And, yet.... that is what I deal with all day every day.


Thank heavens for Sunday.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine

So I finally plugged my camera into the computer and realized, I haven't downloaded pictures in about 3 months. So here's just a few of my recent fav's.

Cary graduated!!!! And it was a gorgeous sunny spring day in Utah at a cool 55 degrees...

Roger and Mama T came out for baby wyatt(our newest nephew)'s blessing and graduation. It was fun to spend the weekend with family.

I couldn't help but suprise my little choc-a-holic beau with a fun Easter basket. Mmm cadbury eggs, jellybeans and everything in between.

American fork canyon.
Gorgeous.
I've hiked Mt. Timp before, which is extreme, so we decided to go easy this summer and hike timp caves. I had heard it was paved the whole way, how hard could it be?

Well, I don't like to make pregnancy excuses, but at twenty some weeks, I'm not sure any hike is easy. It was paved,
but that doesn't mean much when you have a 1000 ft incline.
Also, I recommend lighter clothes even though it's cold in Utah.

oh baby, baby

The fans demand pictures... so even though I'm not a lover of the belly shot, here is my buddha belly for all to enjoy.

I apparently suck at taking my own photos... but I actually look really good in this one ;) Gotta love a dirty mirror

Cary says I'm not big. I say it's all a matter of angle.

Ba-da-da-dum. (This is also a more flattering pic, I'm not seriously gonna post my really huge pics)

And she's daddy's little girl

The topic in church today was father's! Obviously...

Cary walked away from the meeting a little annoyed because he feels like mom's get praised and told how amazing they are; whereas our speakers today talked about how dad's need to show their love to their spouse and children, spend time with their family, and follow the commandments.

Although, there weren't very many stories shared about father's, the speakers highlighted important things for father's to do with their children. In particular, father's should spend one on one time with their kids, go on vacations, and talk to their children.

All of this just got me thinking about my favorite times with my dad...

So I'm going to share :)

As a kid, I remember going shopping with my dad. He's not a big shopper at all, but I remember him taking me shoe shopping and always understanding my need for whatever shoe was popular at the time. He let me get $50 timberland's in 3rd grade! He'd also take me shopping for his clothes and ask my opinion on his ties (which made me feel so grown up and trusted.) My absolute favorite though was when we'd go shopping for mom. He'd take me to pick out my mom's christmas present, birthday present, and mother's day gifts. I loved it. It made me feel great when mom loved what we had picked out.

(Now, my dad very well may have done this with all the kids at different times, but it seemed like it was our thing--which is all that really matters).

I also remember late nights swimming in the pool in our backyard. He'd never rush me off to bed. We'd just float there and let the helicopter leaves fall from the trees and listen to the rhythmic slaughtering of the bug zapper. Oh, summer nights...

As a teenager, some of my best memories are learning to drive. Dad isn't always the most chatty. But he'd talk to me about cars. I had lofty dreams of buying a car which dad would attempt to talk me out of, while humoring me and explaining all the different cars for sale in the paper. He'd also take me on drives to get experience while I had my learner's permit. The cold dark mornings on the way to seminary are forever burned in my mind as we listened to talk radio, and dad would freak out everytime I ran over an animal--there are a lot of little critters in NC that are hard to see in the dark!

Anyhow, I could go on, but the point is that I'm a lucky girl. My dad always put us kids first and I have so many great memories thanks to him.

Hit me with the words you got and knock me down

Soooo.... I may not be handling pregnancy as gracefully as I once hoped I would (read: people ask me how I'm feeling and I respond "HUGE" with a few tears in the corners of my eyes).

Honestly, I've been really lucky. I haven't been too sick, and I didn't really start showing til about week 16. And then it was just a little bump, easily mistaken for a big meal.

Well... I've popped. In the last two weeks I have grown more each day, outgrowing more and more outfits by the day. I attempt to keep my concerns about my appearance between Cary and my pile of discarded clothes on the bedroom floor, but I was so fortunate (sarcasm) to have my insecurities thrown in my face yesterday. An ob/gyn is talking to me and looks at my belly and says, "oh well, you're like 28 weeks, right? you're almost there."

..... long pause..... me: "No, I'm just huge, thanks."

Usually, when people ask if I'm preggo, I smile and say "oh no, I just ate a big lunch," then when the look of horror ensues, I tell them I'm joking and yeah I am preggo.

But this doctor practically said I'm almost two months fatter than I should be!

This just happened to come at the end of a week filled with several less than flattering comments... needless to say Cary has had his work cut out for him. Poor guy.

I'll eventually post pics of myself, but today I feel very much like this guy


Struggling to keep my shirt from curling up over my belly.

I blame magazines, for giving me the hope of looking as gorgeous as heidi...



This is her at 9 months. Yeah... some days I wish I was a 6 ft tall, drop dead gorgeous super model.

Instead, I more closely resemble...




Anyhow... don't worry too much about me. Just a bad day, and I keep a cute onesie taped to my mirror to remind myself of the end goal... a beautiful baby with cute little chubby legs and funny faces!

Just can't get enough

tehehe... check out this text convo btw my bestie jo and Cary.

Jo: Cary, I didn't even tell you congratulations!!! She is going to be one cute girl!


Cary: Thanks Jo! I sure think so, I'll have to restrain myself from soiling her :)

Jo: Hahaha please reread that text. And yes you will have to.


BAHAHAHAHA... oh cary, he should really proof read his texts before sending them (but at the same time, i haven't laughed that hard in a while).

***in case you missed it, he meant spoiling her***

Oh this has gotta be the good life

Sorry for the wait...

I've got a feeling that it's gonna be alright

Wow, it's been so long since I blogged I'm suprised I remembered the password.

I'll be even more suprised if someone actually thinks to check my blog and read this.

So of course I must come back with a bang!

I'm Preggo! And tomorrow I find out if it's a boy or a girl!

Really, I have no preference. I want both so bad, I don't care which I get first. I've always wanted little boys and it'd be especially fun to brainwash a boy with my grandeur plans of tarheel basketball while we are in NC, but a little girl with chubby legs sticking out of baby bloomers sounds awesome too!

Anyhow... so there's my excuse for not blogging. Not a very good one (since most my friends are mom's and somehow find the time), but I'm tired, growing a baby, working 40+ hours a week, keeping Cary in line ;), cramming in friend time before we move, ya know...

Marry me, today and every day

10 Things I have learned since getting married:

1. There is such a thing as 3 ply toilet paper. And YES, your tush does deserve it.

2. Just because you got the apartment with the dishwasher, doesn't mean said dishwasher will actually be capable of washing the dishes... beware of unwanted leftovers.

3. You may not be able to cure your spouse's chronic snoring, but you can invest in quality memory foam. At least you'll be lying awake in comfort ;)

4. The Mr. may very well convince you that you would rather eat a restaurant cooked meal than get a new outfit.

5. Single life is much more exciting and fun... but dinner followed by a competitive 2 person game of Monopoly Deal is entertaining too.

6. Does that little extra toothpaste in the sink really bother you that much? Really? Maybe you should spend less time in the bathroom!

7. Football is a man's sport. Decorating/Cooking a women's. Basketball--the sport everyone can agree on!
(Highly scientific stereotypes based solely on my own marriage)

8. You may wake up in the middle of the night to find your loved one is slowly inching you towards the edge of the bed. When you finally wake up hanging on for dear life it's up to you whether you believe his story about a crazy dream, or suspect him of just trying to get the whole bed to himself.

9. I still have a lot to learn.

10. Whenever your spouse decides to point out one of your flaws, it's really great to scream "WELL..... you married me!" Then you both laugh.

I almost fell into that hole...

Cary's out of town.

Normally I handle being home alone great. I sleep better and I'm about three times more productive!

But...

Today, I'm watching HGTV while eating dinner, and I see a spider on the white counter and think to myself forget that house it has a spider.

About two seconds later I realize it's not on the show, it's on my tv. The spider is in my house!! I then proceed to have a mini heart attack, which was actually pretty painful. Then I call Cary who has to coach me through sucking up the spider with the vaccum cleaner.

I know you're thinking I'm all sorts of pathetic right now.

Well...

I am! I need my man to come home! Because I'd really like to make it to 25, and if anymore events like tonight happen, my future is questionable.

So if you're too school for cool

My sister Emily is an english professor. She'll sometimes post a funny sentence out of a paper a student submitted (annoymously, of course). I thoroughly enjoy reading these, because it's funny to laugh at the ridiculous mistakes we all sometimes make.

Emily posted this video on her blog:



I have a few thoughts about this.

First, she probably should have made her blog private. It's not too hard to find a blog, so she should have anticipated a student could come across her blog.


Also, she said some horrible things, and how can you expect a student to feel safe and encouraged to learn in an environment where the teacher seems to hate you and think negatively of you. I would hope teacher's were setting an example of how to treat those at school with you, whether it is other teachers or fellow students.


However, I think there is definitely a double standard here. Students and parents alike can post and say whatever they want about teachers. Another blogger wrote his perspective as a waiter and wrote terrible things about customers all the time, and America applauded him and invited him on every talk show to educate people on how to be better restaurant customers. Why can a teacher not comment on the lack of discipline in her class and the lack of effort on her students part?


Overall, I disagree with her method of commenting on her students. She wasn't opening discussion, she was resorting to harsh and general insults, just as you would expect a high schooler to do...

...but I really want to keep reading Emily's posts about her students. What are your thoughts???

My head is up in the clouds

So I've been bad at posting.

For a minute there I felt like it was pretty vain to constantly post about my life and expect that people would actually want to read about it... but today I got to thinking, if any of you decided that I would be extremely disappointed because I check your blogs as part of my quick morning routine.

Wake up. Make Cary lunch. Check blogs. Get Ready. Tidy up. Off to work.

It's great. And really the blog is to keep track of myself since I don't journal regularly anymore.

So here's a bit of my last two weeks.

Pretty much I spent one week making 4 baby blankets. My sister in law, and 3 of my mac grill besties are having/had babies.


It's Jen's 5th boy... so I decided to stray from the traditional blue.


I got a sewing machine for christmas and it does all sorts of awesome stitches. Snowflakes for this blanket.



That's a rose design fleece/soft and comfy fabric on the back. Bad lighting. Very cute.






Yup, my friends are all having baby girls... all due about a month apart. It was a lot of fun to get into sewing again. And now, I've opened a can of worms and have 4 more to do :)


Also, it was Valentine's Day this past week.
And I usually don't care to make a big deal about it, but it was the first year I've actually had a valentine! (Last year doesn't count, because my valentine was on another continent... and yes I didn't time my previous boyfriends well... don't judge)

Anyhow, we had decided to celebrate on tuesday because we both have tuesday off. But Cary made me a delicious dinner on monday and did Insanity with me!
What a perfect Valentine. He sure knows what I like :)

(For those of you who don't regularly watch workout info-mercials... click here to learn about the best workout I've ever done)

Tuesday we went to the roof! I've wanted to check this out for years. It's a restaurant on the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown SLC, with a gorgeous view of Temple Square....

I mean you're practically dining with Moroni.

Since I forgot my camera in the car... here's some strangers enjoying their meal there... our experience was just as enjoyable!

I'd catch a grenade for you

For some reason, I hate being cheesy on my blog. I don't want to become the girl that only ever talks about her husband and how great he is--because I'd probably lose all 3 of my readers ;)

BUT... he deserves a shout out. I've been sick all weekend and I just have to say Cary is so good to me. He's cooked, cleaned, done laundry, laid on the couch with me, taken out the trash, gotten me whatever I've asked for, and made me laugh. He's done absolutely everything while I just laid around. I love him, and if you have to be sick, I suggest finding someone who will watch hours of HGTV and eat french toast sticks with you :)

So.... he is an awesome guy and I'm happy every day that I married him, but in reference to the title, we both decided that we're too chicken to catch a grenade for one another. We're willing to do just about anything else, but watch our hand get blown off. I think it's fair ;)

Also, I feel like there's never much going on with me... but I forgot to mention a while back that I finally chopped off my hair again. I cut off 10ish inches and now have a bob (that looks funny written out).

Cary and I found a new tv show addiction, it's called Fringe (been out for 3 years but we just discovered it). It's a science-y show, a little reminiscent of x-files, minus the aliens.

Cary is done applying to grad schools, so we will know a little bit more about the next 5 years come March! I can't wait.

Sooo.... that's about all for me. My life isn't the most thrilling right now, but that's ok, because my sister just bought a Mcmansion, two of my besties are getting married, my mac grill buds are all expecting girls, my omni friends are kicking my trash in a fitness competition--basically everyone has a lot going on and I'm just gonna take my time out of the spotlight and enjoy being boring ;)

Happy Tuesday!

It's gonna be alright

After preparing dinner, Cary pulls a Martinelli's out of the fridge and says we should celebrate something...

Carla: "yeah, I made it through another day."

Cary sarcastically: "and that's something."

Carla: "ya know, some days it really is."

Here's a story of a man named [Cary]...

So sometimes I wake up, and reach down to the floor to immediately grab my labtop, and read the latest blog updates. (You may think that's ridiculous, but we all have our things right...)

And sometimes while I'm reading blogs, Cary will look over my shoulder and read along with me. Today he decided that all my friends who are married have changed their blogs to incorporate their husbands... and I have not. How offensive!

So he suggested I change the title of my blog, and here are his suggestions:

Time as a Tippets
Training my terrible Tippets boy
Cary and Carla camping in curious country
The crazy life of Carla and Cary (this would actually imply that we're exciting)
Truly Tippets


Well, of course none of this is gonna happen, it's my blog, and I'm Carla Cankles. I figured I could appease the ranting with a post though ;)

But I'll just scream

It's a January 14th MIRACLE!!!!!



So tonight Cary and I went on a fun date with friends and we may or may not have bet on our friendly putt putt game. Anyhow, as usually happens with betting... Cary and I didn't exactly play our best game (read: I failed tonight). So we owed our friends a cupcake from the most delicious cupcake shop west of Denver, THE SWEET TOOTH FAIRY.


Well, since we went putt-putting in Provo on a friday night--it obviously took about 2 hours and we had to rush to the store, making it there right at close. And what to our wondering ears did we hear...

But if we filled out a text alert sign up we got a free cupcake! And then as if that wasn't enough... the gracious baker extraordinaire gave us each an EXTRA cupcake! I would normally at this point declare it my new favorite... but because it was already my fav. (see old blog posts) I will just continue to sing its praises from the rooftops. OH, HOW I LOVE YOU SWEET TOOTH FAIRY!!!


***New flavor Rootbeer Float Cupcake was surprisingly refreshing and delicious***

Just own the night, like the 4th of July

Happy New Years!!!


So I procrastinate a little on my blogging... don't hate.


Anyhow, I love New Years... well, correction I enjoy making New Years Resolutions.
(The holiday itself is actually one in which the event NEVER lives up to the hype, and it's still cold.... New Year's should take some pointers from the 4th of July on how to actually be an awesome holiday). I digress.


So seeing as last year I made three new years resolutions and accomplished 2.5 of them... I felt 3 was the right number for me.


Numero Uno: I plan to run a half marathon by June (I was going to aim for a full, but goals need to be realistic in order to be achievable).


Nombres Deux: I am going to magnify my calling to do my Visiting Teaching each month. Who knows, maybe I'll make some friends in the ward :)


C. Sorry, this is personal, and I choose not to disclose information that makes me sound ridiculous or may be embarassing (of course unless it's a really funny story, because there's nothing better than getting a laugh out of people).


Also, Omni peeps and alum (read: wannabe Omni peeps (read: Carla and Cary)) are in a fitness competition... sort of. It's really just who can look the best in a before and after picture competition (how you get there is your choice). I'm positive I'm gonna win ;) I discovered a special secret today... if Cary eats a brownie and then I kiss him, it's like all the flavor without any of the calories! WATCHOUT... I'm in it to win it!

Anyhow, feel free to check up on me from time to time. I plan to do the same to you. Happy goal making.

Leave memories for auctioneers

Do I really need to say I've had writer's block?

It's been a great last two months. I am blessed to be employed! I now work for Verizon Wireless, and I don't know when we'll get the iphone. So, here I am working, and with that comes the balancing of work and life and figuring out how I used to be so productive. My old self constantly amazes my current self.

In a nutshell... I spent Thanksgiving to Christmas in Denver. I didn't get to see much of Denver, but I enjoyed the trip none the less. Christmas was spent mostly on the couch with Cary. It was lacking in traditions and the excellent food associated with Christmas, but don't despair... we had cheeseball, and that's good enough for us (we'll worry about traditions when we have kids to entertain).

Two of my favorite moments of the last two months include:

1. Playing Scattegories with the Tippets. First round we roll a C and we're on list one. We all write down what we can think of and it comes time to share our lists. Jeremy decides to go first. (First item on list 1 is a boys name)"Carlos". We all say good one, we didn't write that. Next "Charlie". We all pause. Then bust up laughing realizing that he wrote 12 boys names starting with C instead of an item for each number on the list. (It's not as funny in writing, but it was actually pretty hilarious, take my word for it).


2. While celebrating Aubrey M's birthday, Jason decided to play a simple birthday game. The birthday girl writes a number on a napkin, and we go around in a circle guessing numbers. After each guess she tells us higher or lower until someone has guessed the number. Then the person who guesses gets spanked with a broom.


Well Aubrey isn't mean enough to actually spank someone, so I suggested we just shoot them with an airsoft gun. So we did. It was hilarious. It's amazing how nervous you can get just guessing a number knowing you could potentially get shot from a 5 ft distance!


You may have just decided I'm immature and easily amused, but I dare you to play this game and not double over laughing.


Sooo...

let's just do a year in review.

1. Married Cary. It's great. We have way too much fun and when people tell me the first year of marriage is the hardest, I smile and think I can't wait for the rest of my life!

2. I lived in Europe. It still seems so surreal, and I'm glad I did it. It's especially fun watching movies and saying, "oh I've been there."

3. I bought couches! Goodbye BYU plaid, good riddance.

4. I saw Cirque du Soleil (I also saw broadway in London this year, but it was my first Cirque du Soleil and I 100% recommend it to everyone)

5. Quit Macaroni Grill. Twice technically. And although I'm in retail now and haven't made the leap out of lame work hours, it's definitely a jump.



With so many big changes there's also a few things I had to say goodbye to...

1. The end of rooming with Jo. I still miss living with Jo, and hate that I don't see her every day.

2. Omni peeps. People who hate single's wards, did not have the fortune of living at the Omni. I miss the ward, and although Cary and I still hang out with the same friends, we miss being in the thick of all the activities.


So here's to 2011! (I'd toast, but I've already drank 5 bottles of martinelli's). Here's to hoping my friends and family have a happy and healthy year and that they receive the blessings they desire. Here's to more crazy times with Cary. Here's to being better. 2010 was a fabulous year, and here's to an even better 2011!

If you only knew what the future holds

I've decided to make an unconventional Thanksgiving dinner.


All the usual suspects... just in unusual formats.


Here's the menu i got so far:


Turkey subs with stuffing. Sweet Potato chips. Jello shots. Cranberry ice cream with pumpkin streusel on top.


Anyhow, Thanksgiving is two weeks away and I'm excited! But I'm most especially excited for Black Friday. I could use some new dvd's and at Wal-mart's 2 bucks each!!!

Oh and sorry to get so behind on my Attitude of Gratitude


Nov. 9, 2010
-Fun new quilt shop
-Interviews going well
-Key Lime Cupcake shake... amazingly delicious


Nov. 10, 2010
-Martha Stewart and her team that keeps up her website
-Cherry Lane Keepsakes in Provo... I think I could buy that whole store
-Healthy dinners


Nov. 11, 2010
-Sick days with Alaina, Jo, Dee, and Kaley
-Whitney making me laugh... hard
-No cavities


Nov. 12, 2010
-a comfortable bed
-2 new games to add to our collection
-Cary taking care of me


Nov. 13, 2010
-Omni Warriors (Cary's football team--lame name, I know, I made fun of it) being undefeated
-Cary ironing my shirt
-Caramel Apples

I feel the sun creeping up like tick tock

Things I love:

1. Sammy's cupcake shakes. Mostly because i LOVE the sweet tooth fairy's cupcakes that go into the shake (yup, the whole cupcake!)



2. A good workout

3. Warm Apple Crisp



4. A clean house

5. My stool

6. The smell of a new book. Also, curling up with the new book on a rainy day

7. Meatball Sub Casserole. So fatty, so unhealthy... so delicious

8. Cary getting frustrated with me in the middle of the night for not understanding his dreams, and not being able to accurately explain his muddled thoughts.

9. Boots

10. Blankets

We don't believe in heating, just pile on the blankets :)



Attitude of Gratitude

November 5, 2010

-Job Interviews going well
-Hockey games
-Cary buying me the dessert I wanted

November 6, 2010
-Sabrina for making delicious cookies
-Adam and Melissa for a fun putt putt championship
-Lazy mornings

November 7, 2010
-Omni friends, all of them
-Jenn's scones and homemade blackberry jam
-Starting the week off better than last week

November 8, 2010
-Sarah for giving me a ride to work
-The rain
-Book Club

Just come on and come on and raise your glass

It's that time again! November is upon us and
you can either accept or decline this challenge,
but it really isn't that difficult,
and the results are wonderful,
sooo I would advise you
to accept!
It is time for the Attitude of Gratitude Challenge!

For those of you who have not played before, the "CODE" is outlined below.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:

Each day during the month of November you will send an email to the people you want to include in your own challenge! You only have to send one list a day, so send it to as many people as you like! Each daily email will contain *3* "things" for which you are grateful. [Except for the week of Thanksgiving (November 19th to 25th). All entries this week must contain*5 "*things"].


Definition of "things"- the term "things" is used here to encompass a myriad of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.



THE CODE:

- The challenge is to come up with 3 ORIGINAL "things" each day. Try
not to repeat entries.

- Your email should be sent by midnight each night. If you miss a day
or two, no biggie, but you have to make it up, no skipping! (Note:
For some of you, this may require accessing your email account on a more
regular basis).

- The challenging part of the challenge: One of your entries each day
must either be the name of a person who you spoke with that day about how
you appreciate them OR an experience involving a person who did something
for you ( i.e. held the door or the elevator for you) and you gave
them a "Super" thank you.

NOTE: A "Super" thank you is more than a simple " thanks" or
"thank you". Let's say, for example (hypothetically speaking,
of course), you ordered a "tricky" order with specific preferences at a
restaurant and the waitress gets it all right! Along with
leaving a nice tip, a "Super" thank you would include remarks to the
waitress along the lines of "thanks so much for getting that right".
"Super" thank you's involve more interaction between the giver
and receiver and are typically more sincere. I think you get
the idea.

Okay, the challenge starts November 1st, which was 3 days ago (whoops).
I will just be including my 3 items at the end of blog posts,
(because I secretly want more people to read my blog)
However you choose to participate... Good Luck!

WARNING OF POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS !!

Please note that challenge participation may result in any or all of the
following:

-you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you

-angels will attend

-you will feel help and comfort

-(my personal favorite) you may find yourself singing as the days go by

-your doubts will fly

Have fun!


My Catch up:

November 1, 2010
-Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
-Jillian Michaels: for dispelling my own messages of lethargy
-Putt Putt golf championships

November 2, 2010
-Grey's Anatomy (for understanding all emotions)
-My 4 tables of customers for being so generous
-Beautiful days in November, where the air is crisp but the sun is warm

November 3, 2010
-Paul Staples at LDS Employment Services
-Getting to eat breakfast with Cary
-Scrabble: fun, distracting, discouraging, encouraging, Alzheimer's preventing

November 4, 2010
-Gchats with DeeAura that make me giggle
-New projects that make my soul smile, and stretch my imagination and skills (I'll tell you
soon)
-Calvin Klein ads

You know I know how, to make you stop and stare

Happy November! Attitude of Gratitude post to come... in the meantime...

I don't know if you have heard, but
******drumroll please******

McDonald's has brought back the MCRIB!!!!





This cult phenomenon hasn't been sold nationwide since 1994, and will be at every McDonald's for the next 6 weeks.

Now, I hope you're wondering why I care? (no, of course I'm not a cult fan)
(in fact, I had never had a McRib when I read all about this)

Well, after reading this statement given by

Brian Goodman, 27, of Grand Forks, N.D., talking about his devotion to the sandwich: "I am a huge fan of the McRib, and I am glad to have it back," he said. "I just happen to find this really gross, deformed pork patty to be delicious." That pretty much says it all.



I was sold. Intrigue set in... could the perfect blend of gross be overcome by delicious?
(Well, if you've had a McGriddle... you can emphatically answer, YES)

So, Cary and I went on a midnight run to McDonald's to find out what all the fuss was about. We were a little disappointed by the line, but after getting our goods we drove to a park and partook of our "delicious, gross deformed pork patty."

CONCLUSION: McRib is not really worthy of the cult fan following or dedicated websites
(see McRib Locator)

However, midnight runs to McDonald's with your s.o.
= a fun date

(I guess all our ideas in high school weren't so bad)

I'm only one voice in a million

Sometimes you see a movie trailer and you just know you're going to identify with that movie...






"Did you get a job yet?" "No, but I have feeler's out... lots"



Oh and the fact that I love Natasha Bedingfield's new song definitely sells me on this movie.

I want you to know, that it doesn't matter

Sometimes I feel inadequate.


I don't dress in the cutest clothes. Trendy has never been an adjective preceding a description of me or my attire.


I am not the most knowledgeable gospel doctrine teacher. Scripture study is my biggest struggle when it comes to actively living the gospel. Can someone please explain Isaiah to me?

I can't seem to escape the deathly grip of the restaurant industry.


My face still breaks out, and I define ponytail and unkept bangs.





Yet, when I am feeling inadequate...


I remember


That, although my style has been compared to a 40 year old, Jackie O showed the world that classics are timeless


Church isn't ever really about what you know, it's about discovering that which you didn't know


I have had more success in my 3 years at a job not using my degree,
than I might have had using my degree.


Zits keep people from becoming intimidated by my good looks ;)
and at least I can grow all that unkept hair!