Ravings of Rachel

I love my SBC

2010-07-26T21:41:00.001-07:00

It's a good time, girls. I love book club.

Blueberries

2010-07-24T22:04:00.001-07:00

Come one, come all. It's worth the trip for the blueberries. We picked this morning, and they are delicious-- best when eaten by the handful. I'll trade blueberries for apricots (extra good apricots) if anyone's got some. But only because we don't have good apricots up here. I want to make some syrup. mmmmm.

Lia Sophia

2010-05-06T10:10:00.001-07:00

Well, I hosted a lia sophia party yesturday. If anyone wants to order something, you can still do it online at http://www.liasophia.com/jaimedidenhover. No tax in Oregon. :)

Ok, this is funny/embarrasing/awkward

2010-04-28T21:52:00.001-07:00

Alright, so I went to one of those sales parties tonight. My friend Mary was hosting it. I felt a little weird/self-conscious because I just got my hair done (like, it's blond. This feels drastic.) plus I knew about half the people alright, and the other half I'd only seen around or never seen at all. I like to know people. Anyways, I sit by someone I kind-of know in the front row. And there's an empty seat beside me. To set the scene--I feel exposed, people.

So the saleswoman starts with an introduction thing. She wants everyone to say their name and then an adjective to describe Mary that starts with the first letter of their name. (I'm Claire, and Mary is cheerful.) I panic. I've always hated coming up with adjectives that start with R. I use the word always because this has happened to me many times! Why? I think in gradeschool the best I could come up with was Running Rachel. Not Joyful Jennifer, or Happy Hannah, or Lovely Lindsey. (Sidenote: Why does this ever happen in the first place? If you're going to ask me to describe someone, then I will gladly do it to the best of my ability. Why the limitiations of one letter? I cannot be stifled in this way. It is too much.)

So, I was only second in line, but what came out of my mouth....."Raucous." What the heck? Do you know what the definition is? (1)disagreeably harsh or strident. (2)boisterously disorderly. Haha! Mary is neither of these definitions. So then I say, "sort of." Oh man. That fixes everything!?!??! ahaha. I guess I must have been thinking she was boisterous. That's fine. I would feel a little weird if the best someone could come up with was boisterous, but I would not be insulted. (especially taking into account the limitations of one letter). But raucous=insulting. Hopefully no one knew what it meant. Right... ahhaha!

So as I was thinking this over after I got home, I decided to come up with some R adjectives just in case this happens again. It happened in 5th grade. It happened today. I will be prepared for the random day in 20 years... with ... Radiant. (1)radiating rays or reflecting beams of light b : vividly bright and shining : glowing
(2)marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness (a radiant smile). I'm sorry Mary, I didn't mean it!

Violet's 1st Birthday!

2009-11-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

Violet had a fun birthday party! She dug right in to her cake. Josie was excited about the Happy Birthday signs up and the singing, so we sung twice, I think. She also helped Violet open her presents and was a little confused. "Josie's helicopter." "No, that's Violet's helicopter." Anyway, it was fun. Violet's a sweet little thing. She absolutely loved the huge tiger my parents got her. She hugs it and kisses it and snuggles with it all the time. She's starting to walk! It's very fun. She's our little bear cub.

This happened Minutes Later

2009-10-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

This is way worse than Violet's cut. I spanked her butt this time. In my defense, she did find and use a different pair of scissors. More to come... Violet's FIRST BIRTHDAY party! And our trip to Disney World! Yahoo!

I wouldn't pay money for it, if that's what you mean....

2009-10-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

Josie cut Violet's hair. I left them upstairs alone to play while I started some beans for dinner. Josie got my sewing scissors (I have some despite the fact that I don't really sew.) The rest is history. I'm totally bummed. She took at least three swipes. They're right on the crown of her head and clear to the scalp in some places-- as if she didn't have a boy hair-do already (not that this exactly looks like a haircut). Violet doesn't seem to mind. She does look okay from the front.

sigh.

I guess this will be the feature topic when we look at her one-year-old photos that we have yet to take.

Southern Indian Male Person

2009-10-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

I talked to a man from southern India today. He helped me get my wireless internet working. He told me his name, and I cannot pronounce or remember it. And although this is not an actual picture of him, the nice smile and kind nature depicted in this photo by getty images reflect the warm fuzzies I have toward this person. Thank you. Thank you for wireless internet kind sir.

Today

2009-09-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

I'm wearing tights. It's fun. They are not blue. And my skirt is not that short.

Age appropriate

2009-09-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

What should I do when I'm mistaken for a 17-year-old? Twice. I'm considering a minivan.

Bananas and Such

2009-09-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

Two bananas sat on my counter, getting more and more brown, and less and less appetizing. I usually put them in the freezer and then wait for that one day when I will think, "Hey, I know. I have three to four (2 cups) of bananas in the freezer. I should make banana bread." I search through my two freezers for the said bananas, and after finding a few I let them sit out on the counter to thaw into a sloppy puddle. Once they are mostly thawed I attempt to peel them and get the semi-liquid form to the bowl on the opposite side of the kitchen without goo-ing the floor ('why didn't I bring the bowl over here by the garbage,' I always think). Well today I had a genius idea. Genius! I peeled the bananas BEFORE I put them in the freezer. I took out a quart-size slider plastic bag (purchase by accident, because those sliders are a luxury in my silly mind while I'm contemplating my purchase in the plastics aisle at the grocery store), found a Sharpie pen and wrote, "2 bananas" on the bag. Yep.

I know many of you when you started reading this have very strong opinions about how ripe a banana should be when eaten. That actually has nothing to do with this.

Happy Days

2009-09-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is Dan's last week being gone Monday through Wednesday! Yahoo!! He gets a new student this Thursday too. And I got to go to a movie with my mom and Katelin, and didn't have to take my kids! Megan lives just down the hill and came up to watch them. And she cleaned up all the toys. All of them. In every room. Next time I need to clean my house I'll just go out. By myself. What a great idea! And Josie loves her. One time when Megan got here I was saying bye to Josie and she said, "Mom, just go." Awesome.

Morning Glory and Hallelujah!

2009-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE THE INTERNET AT HOME! I am typing this in my very own chair at my very own table! My world is changed. And I am happy. And a little over- and under-dressed according to my picture.

Something new

2009-07-01T14:53:00.001-07:00

I'm going to go private, so not everyone can look at my blog. Please let me know if you want me to add you to the list. Thanks!

Rachel

2009-07-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

2009-07-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Josie likes Dan to do hats before bedtime.

Easter!

2009-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Josie's giving Violet some flowers that she picked at the park.

My first attempt at a birthday cake. Yeah, my second attempt was in a pan.

I walked in and Josie said, "Lotion." No, it was Desitin.

Happy Birthday Josie!

2009-07-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

She loved the candles!

She did get a lot of loot.

What a cutie!

2009-07-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

But I can't get this thing to work. AAAAAAAh!

2009-07-01T12:48:00.001-07:00

For those of you who are still watching....

2009-07-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have pictures!

I Can't Take It Anymore!

2009-04-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

So... as part of my excuse.... I've been waiting to post until I had pictures. Oh well. So, lots has happened in the last little while. We had Easter, as you all know. We got some fun stuff in our Easter baskets. Exciting there. Josie turned 2! And we had a big party because Tyler, Jamie, and Sarah were still in town from their "surprise" visit for Easter! I had a lot of fun/stress setting up for the party. I really like doing it, but I always stress myself out. I'm dumb. I made two cakes: one that split in half as I set it on the cake stand with it's oh-so-gooey (way-too-gooey) frosting. And one good old in the pan kind. Anyway, Sarah and I ran around town looking for balloons late the night before her birthday so she could wake up to them in her room. Dollar store, people. Get balloons at the dollar store, the foil kind anyway. Violet is six months old! She's still super smiley and fun. She got her first tooth through a couple days ago and we're waiting on the second one. She hasn't even been noticably cranky! I'm the Primary Secretary now. So that's.... fun. I'm still getting the hang of things, and guess I will be until they release me. heh heh. Party on! Go roomate reunion! (Pics sooonish)

My Life is very Exciting :)

2009-03-21T17:31:00.001-07:00

I was vacuuming yesterday and my vacuum exploded, leaving a small pile of dirt on Josie's floor that I had to sweep up. Sweep up. So I need a new vacuum. And I need some recommendations. Does anyone have a fabulous vacuum they wish everyone had? I'm not exactly a vacuum connoisseur, so I really need some help here.

Josie's new song

2009-03-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Pinkle Pinkle uh uh staw (twinkle twinkle little star). So Cute! Josie says uh uh a lot in order to make sentences out of the words she knows. It's funny.

I am not a hermit.

2009-02-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

Alright, here's the deal. I stay home a lot. It's because I have two little girls that I bathe every morning and interupt me a thousand times as I'm getting showered and dressed for the day. Therefore, I can't get out of the house before 11am half the time. Josie takes an afternoon nap, which is priority number 1 for my sanity in the evenings. So that give me two hours to get her lunch, get somewhere else to hang out and get home. (If she doesn't get her nap, everything is a tragedy, for us all.) I don't go to the exercise class (Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the church) because it's way easier to run on the treadmill at my parents' house in the evenings (because we're up there anyway, and Dan's there to help) than hauling my kids to the church in the morning by myself. Third, I don't like to play volleyball (Thursday nights at the church). So, I do stay home a lot, but I love to hang out with people! Adult people! So lets hang out. At night. When my kids are in bed. I'm sure some of you understand.

More pics

2009-02-05T18:07:00.000-08:00

What a silly little face.

Josie loves to read her books.

Here she is in her big-girl bed! Violet outgrew her bassinette already, so she needs to be in the crib. So far, so good. Josie's doing great in her bed and sharing a room is no problem! I thought it would be a lot more of a fight/adjustment. If anyone ever needs bedrails, these kind are awesome. They hideaway and were cheap.

Reading stories!

Smiley little Violet

Josie's fish face. She just came up with this on her own.

This is my favorite picture of Violet so far. I love it!

This is the ugly yellow crushed velvet chair. My mom is a lifesaver and made the slipcover. Isn't it cute?

Josie got this stroller and boots for Christmas. She loves it all! I refinished this dresser by the way, and that cute mirror. Dan painted the bed. I love the girls room!

Some pictures of the last while

2009-02-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

Josie wanted to drive the motorhome to Utah.

Violet just along for the ride.

Dan thought of this, but Josie thought it was pretty fun.

Sleeping in the motorhome. What a cutie!

Uh oh.

Violet wore my blessing dress that my mom made out of the leftover material from her wedding dress. The blanket was Dan's blessing blanket. We blessed her while Tyler and Sarah were there over Thanksgiving. I love my baby's blessings!

Our Christmas picture, if you haven't seen it already. (It was cropped on the card, so you don't see the mess in the background and the blinds drawn. What's up with that?

Violet loves this little chair!

Back the baby blessing. My sweet girls.

Violet is such a smiley baby! She smiles all the time! Love it.

Let me sum up...

2009-01-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

So, since Halloween a lot has happened. Tyler got married. His wife Jaime is cool. We had Thanksgiving, which was great and yummy. Sarah came home and we blessed little Violet. That was very special.

Then came Christmas! We were snowed/iced in for many moons. It was so bad we had to pack up the hill with all our snow gear on and the kids on our backs. Very pioneery if you ask me. Oregon doesn't invest a lot in snowplows because it hardly snows here. Needless to say, there was many feet of snow and the freeways were either closed or requiring chains. We watched a lot of movies and ate.

With a break in the weather, we headed to Utah and partied there for a short amount of time (I wish I could have hung out with any of you, but priority went to Dan's immediate family and my grandparents. Oh well, maybe next time.)

Now we're home and life is back to normal: i.e. above freezing. Violet has gained 4 pounds over the holidays (as well as the rest of us I suppose), and my New Years resolution is to be skinny again. Actually I've started running on my parents' treadmill. It's very fun actually, with an ipod to pass the time that is. Happy times! Now I can continue.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

Halloween was fun this year. My mom made Josie a Little Red Riding Hood cape and Violet wore the Pea in the Pod costume Josie wore last year. Our stake does a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of the church where everybody decorates their trunks and hands out candy while the kids go around the parking lot. It was so cute to watch Josie. We taught her to say Trick or Treat that day. haha.

Pictures!

2008-10-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

These are completely backwards. Sorry. Meet Violet Rachel Bentley now to the beginning.

We got a cute little book about sisters as a gift. Josie loves it.

Josie giving Violet a hug. She also likes to touch her hair and have it tickle her face. It's very cute. She's a good big sister.

Violet ready for her ride home from the hospital.

Dan carting out all our gear from the hospital.

Violet with her pink roses from Grandma Bentley and the other roses and balloon are from Dan. What a sweetie.

Our new little family.

Josie holding Violet at the hospital. She kept pointing and saying "baby". Now she can say Violet-- it sounds like Bi-weh.

The roses pre-arranging.

Me and my girls.

Little Violet just minutes old.

Violet Rachel Bentley

2008-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be in trouble: no pictures yet. Just picture Josie. So I'll give you the facts so if you're not interested you don't have to read about the specifics. Violet was born at 8:06am Oct 15th. She weighed 7 lbs 9 oz and was 18 inches long. She has a fuzzy head of dark hair (not as dark or as much as Josie) but she's just so cute! You can stop here. Wednesday morning I was up with Josie (teething) and at 4:30am my contractions were about 7 minutes apart. So I tossed and turned, woke up Dan, packed some stuff, and we got to the hospital about 6am. I was already to a 5/6. Then within a half hour I was to an 8! Ahh! I was in really good control so they still gave me an epidural. Things went so smoothly, it made me realize what a crazy delivery/recovery I had with Josie! I didn't get very many stitches and it was really cool to watch Violet be born and feel involved in her delivery and everything. What a special experience. More later, meaning pictures.

In the words of my sister-in-law Mary...

2008-10-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

What do you do on your due date when there's still no baby? Get a haircut! It's very short... which may not be the best. But oh well, it will grow, and it's pretty cute.

All Is Well

2008-10-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

So we went to an orthopedic surgeon today and . . . it's just a really really really really bad sprain! Really bad, but it's just a sprain! No surgery! No cast! He does have to wear a boot for who knows how long (thanks for the loan Season). There is a little bone chip in there, so we have to go back in three weeks to see what the deal is after the ligaments heal and the swelling goes down. We think that the bone chip might have been there from long before though. Anyway, things are totally awesome! I was thinking today would be a good day to have the baby, but hmm. No go so far. By the way, if I don't answer the phone, don't assume I'm at the hospital. Or if you do assume, just don't say it on the answering machine. Love ya!

Remember what I said about no stress?

2008-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Dan hurt himself playing basketball last night. We got some x-rays today and it might be broken and might need a screw! Good crap! Surgery isn't allowed! We have no insurance! He has to go to an orthopedic guy on Monday to know more about it I guess. Ug. I feel sick. So helicopter training is on hold, but I'm not sure about the baby...

While we're all waiting for a baby...

2008-09-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

Josie was born 12 days early at 6:31pm. Something to think about-- it would be today. So instead of that I'll post some recent pictures of Josie.

Josie giving dad a kiss through the window.

Josie playing dressup

She loves to climb on the bed and look at herself in the little mirror
This is the picture I got when I told her to say cheese. I thought it was so funny that it actually worked! It's a pretty good smile. haha.

Josie with her swimming shorts on her head.

What a cutie! She's finally walking by the way. One day she just decided she was ready and now she's standing from a sit and going like crazy. Thanks goodness I won't have to carry two!

To Whom It May Concern:

2008-09-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the doctor and I'm only dilated to a 1. But effacing quite well (I don't know the percentage). I was thinking I'd be farther along, so I was disappointed that I was "right on schedule". With Josie I was at a 3 for a month and super effaced. But I got to thinking about all the stress in my life at that time-- with Allison dying and Dan trying to finish his thesis and graduate, working was stressful, we were packing up to move, it was my first kid so all the unknown that goes with that... Sheesh! I have no stress right now. We're not moving. I have a room to put my baby in. Dan's in school and doing great. I've done this before, and I get a birthing suite with a jacuzzi tub and I'm in the same room for delivery until I go home... awesome. So I guess I just have to wait. So that's doable. I'm doing good. I'm just tired. But good!

Celebrity Look-alike thing

2008-08-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

So I just went onto a friend's blog and they had a post from a website where you download a picture of yourself, some program does face recognition stuff and then it tells you which celebrities you look like. I did one of my bridal pictures and more than half of the so-called celebrities (people I've never heard of) were Asian. ahah. Maybe Stacie did my hair too tight or something, but I've never been told I looked Asian before. Oh, another was Billy Bob Thornton. Thanks a lot!

Busy Summer

2008-08-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

We've been gone for so long! We went to a Bentley family reunion for a week and a half while Dan's parents had a break from their mission. Then four days after being home, Josie and I went back to Utah for my cousin's wedding. It was really fun, but I'm glad to be home. Dan started his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) class. It's intense for two months, then hopefully we'll have a job! Hallelujah! I hate being poor, not that we won't be in a couple months, but it will be better, or maybe not because we'll be out of loan money and paying them back. Hmm. For now we'll pretend that we'll have more money; it makes me feel better. For anyone who wants to come, I think we're going to have a girls game night at my house Tuesday night. We'll say 8pm.

All Alone

2008-07-08T11:12:00.001-07:00

So this week is going to be interesting. Dan's away on the stake pioneer trek along with my parents and siblings. I've been left to feed the fish. Yesturday went well. I kept busy and I've already got some plans for the rest of the week. Does anyone want to babysit Josie tonight so I can go to book club? haha. Tomorrow there's a free movie at the Hilltop Theater. 10am. I'm sure Josie will be oblivious, but I can get out of the house, it won't matter if she's loud, and it's free! We can watch Shrek the Third of Babe: Pig in the City. hmm. There's a preschool swim at the Aquatic Center every morning (I think) so I think we'll go there on Thursday. That's pretty good. I'll keep you posted.

Girls' Weekend

2008-06-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

A while ago Dad and Nathan went to Alaska to go fishing so Mom decided that the girls should do something fun. So we went to Lincoln City and stayed in a little cottage for a few days. It was so fun. We watched movies, went shopping, ate out, and went swimming. I have a few pictures. Josie loved the pool! She was nervous at first, but splashed and screamed like crazy. She also loves riding in the car with the windows down.

Nike Employee Store

2008-05-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dan's brother was in town doing some business with Nike Headquarters and got us guest passes to the Nike Employee store. Dan got some awesome basketball shoes for way cheap (because we are important people and got the employee discount.) I got an awesome non-slip yoga mat for $13, not $60--Wow, a dream come true-- and some yoga pants. Very cool. Thanks Dave.

I find it a little interesting when I go into a store that has such a specific style you start to think that you like things that you actually don't. Everyone who works there wears exercise gear all day every day. And if you're not careful, you'll get sucked into thinking that you should too. I feel that way at IKEA sometimes. Haha. All the sudden I want my house to look like this! Chrome and orange. Anyway, have you noticed that tennis clothes are just the cutest? I told Dan that I think we should take up tennis. He agrees. I could wear the cute clothes, and tennis is fun! I've actually only "played" once with Ruthie. It was really fun though. This post is very non-cohesive.

We had a sonogram today, and . . .

2008-05-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Enough said? We knew it! So the next question, no we haven't got any names. Sheesh. The pressure! Due date: Oct. 13th. We are very, very excited!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-05-28T16:24:00.001-07:00

(last Friday) I got an ipod! And some money for a dock-- any recommendations? Dan had to fly early that morning, so he told me he left my present in the kitchen. I got in there after yoga and saw a note and an angel food cake mix. He said that he hoped that I would have fun making the cake with Josie. I thought that was weird, and eventually got everything out to make the cake, and then opened the box, and there was my present! What a clever lad. Anyway, I used some money that I got from Mom and Dad Bentley to buy myself a itunes gift card. Thanks guys! And pooled some more money from my parents and Dan to get a dock, which stinks. So I'm going to exchange.

My birthday was the best! Dan did everything I wanted to do, and he even pretended he liked doing it (shopping at Motherhood Maternity, which included picking things out-- he even ate a donut with me-- ususally I eat a donut alone haha.) It was great! We went to a play, we had linner, we spent some birthday money. Anyway, Happy 25 to me.

(Explanation for the delay: I had to write the day down in my journal first, because I always condense the second time I tell/write anything. So journal first.)

Pictures from my first helicopter ride

2008-05-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here we go!
Multnomah Falls from the air
The freeway and The Gorge from the air
Me in this tiny thing
Back at the airport

Josie's Birthday Pictures!

2008-05-19T15:27:00.001-07:00

Josie and Dad with her presents and her cake.

And it begins. I made the cake. It was very cute.

Josie "opening" her presents
She loved this little seahorse that played music. Tyler got it for her.

Happy Birthday!

Lots of Pictures

2008-05-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

She loves to brush her teeth!

This is a look at our family at Christmas, with our Christmas tree we cut down ourselves. It wilted by the time we got around to taking the picture. It was about 3 times that wide.
Reading books

Josie with Sarah and Katelin at Thanksgiving

Soon to come... birthday and helicopter ride!

Homemade Jam

2008-05-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

I've had bags and bags of delicious berries in the freezer, and I finally did it. I finally made jam. Holy crap, we have a lot of jam. I would say gallons and gallons of strawberry jam, which is good because I won't have to make it again for a while. Well, until I get to the raspberry. I feel very domestic. Yes, yes I do. I even bought some frozen Rhodes bread loafs to bake because I don't want to overdue the domesticity by baking bread just yet. But homemade bread, or Rhodes bread, is definitely needed if you have homemade jam. And it's cheap! And they don't have Granny bread here, so nothing is worth buying. It's all dry and crappy. Storebough jam stinks too! I stole a loaf of Granny bread from my mom's freezer supply that the fam stocks up on every time they go to Utah, but it's gone now. $1 a loaf for Rhodes! I hope it's good. It's %100 whole wheat, so that's a plus. I'm rambling. It's either all or nothing with me I guess.

My First Helicopter Flight

2008-05-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was Dan's first passenger Friday night! We went out about 5 or 6pm. I was a little nervous because I don't like the feeling of my stomach dropping, but it wasn't like that at all. (I had to clarify that I wasn't nervous because of Dan's flying abilities.) We hovered out near the runway, and it was cool to watch the grass blow away from us. He called up to the tower and off we went! The helicopter we flew it was a tiny thing, like the one pictured above. The Troutdale airport is right on the Columbia River Gorge, so we flew up the river and above tons of cool waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, a popular tourist stop. It was cool to look down on the houses and their yards cleared in the forest on the edge of the gorge. So cool. Anyway, the weather was good and we got down about a half hour from sunset. Perfect. I took a lot of pictures and hope to post them in the future. haha.

Psycho!

2008-04-24T17:05:00.001-07:00

So the other day I was looking for some undershirts for Josie at Walmart, and I hear a voice behind me asking if they can give me a card. Sure. This lady hands me a card and talks to me about her business, working from home selling nontoxic cleaning supplies. She wants me to consider working for her. Sure great. Thanks. Yeah, I'll give you a call. So I didn't give her a call, for obvious reasons. I'll just avoid her. That shouldn't be a big deal. So a few days later, after I've forgotten all about her, Dan hands me the phone. Hello?

"Hi Rachel, it's Paula." I'm thinking Paula in my ward. She was my young women's teacher for a while. "When do you want to get together?" I'm thinking, why would Paula want to get together with me? Is she my new visiting teacher? I didn't know that they were changing my visiting teachers. Hmm. Why would she want to get together? I guess that could be fun. She's nice. So I say, "Oh, whenever." Well, we make an appointment for Thursday at 11am. And then, and not until then do I realize that this is the lady I met at Walmart! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! Crap!

So I was going to call and cancel yesturday, but I forgot. I called her this morning (Thursday) about 9:30am and told her that I wanted to cancel. "Well, lets forget about the business part. I just want to distribute these great nontoxic cleaning supplies. I just want to show you a short video, blah blah blah." To which I reply, "no thanks, I'm really not interested." And then the kicker! Her last chance! She says something about women who are "at home all day with their cleaning supplies, 89% of them get cancer." What the crap! 89% of women who stay home all day get cancer because of their cleaning supplies!?!?!?! I'm pretty sure that the worst thing that would happen is a burn or inhalation of some kind. Good crap, you crazy woman! Anyway, I thought it was funny, and I'm glad I'm not working for this very unstable and illinformed/informing woman. Ha ha.

Pictures

2008-04-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Josie had her first birthday on the 14th! Happy Birthday! I love love love to look at all the pictures on other people's posts. I have high ambitions of posting some of Josie's birthday. The only obsticle is that we don't have the internet at our house, so I have to remember to bring up the camera or computer. I'm bad at hauling a bunch of crap up to my mom's house. Actually, I'm good at it: Josie's pajamas, medicine, toothbrush, blankets, stuffed animals etc. I can't bring myself to bring all the technical gear too. Anyway, this may just demonstrate how lazy, I prefer tired, I am, but I will eventually post pictures of Josie's birthday, (probably when my mom gets them off her camera and onto her computer, to be honest.) So until the level of my ambition changes I will continue to post meaningless pictures I find somewhat relevant on the internet.

Beach Trip

2008-04-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

The Relief Society President in our ward has a beach house, and we had a sleepover this past weekend. We drove to Lincoln City, about 2 hours away. We had lunch, we went to the outlet mall, we just hung out. It was warm for the two days we were there-- the weather was perfect. So fun! We stayed up until about 5am talking girl talk (I'm not sure I'm caught up on sleep yet). And even though I was in bed until 9 am I don't think I got any sleep because of some unnamed snoorers. I would do it again in a heartbeat, but sadly I think that will be my only trip. They have these every six months, and hopefully I'll be in the hospital. That's still weird.

I need a haircut.

2008-03-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel as if my hair has become a joke, like Donald's here. I repeat, I need a haircut.

Josinette's New Shirt!

2008-03-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Although Josie doesn't actually own this shirt, I'd thought you'd all get the idea! Holy crap, they're going to be close!

Boy, am I ready for my beauty rest!

2008-03-08T16:11:00.001-08:00

Dan and I went to Mattress World on a date yesturday. We were sick of sleeping on the mattress I've had since 8th grade that my parents gave to me because it was so crappy. haha. What did we find at Mattress World, where it's never to late to sleep like a baby? We found a King Size Simmons Beautyrest Mattress! Oh the joy. It was delivered today. All is well. I am so happy.

Easter!

2008-03-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

I just bought a new Easter Dress. It was very fun. Josie has about five, but I didn't pay for those.

I've been tagged.

2008-02-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have to post something, right?

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B: Each player answers the questions about themselves. C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 year ago: I was 14 years old living in Amarillo, Texas, I believe. I was running track, having a grand ole time with my best friend Melissa Wingate. I was a freshman at Amarillo High School.

On my to-do list: Go grocery shopping! We're out of food. I also need to go pick up my ring Dan got me for Valentines Day/Anniversay. It's being sized.

5 places that I've lived: Coyote Bunkhouse, Oregon City, OR
Sunnyside Up, Provo, UT
On the corner, Amarillo, TX
Out in the boonies, Lubbock, TX
Rainbridge Drive, Riverview, FL
Utah County, All Over

5 jobs i have had: Candycane Hooker, Kencraft
Seller of Windshields over the phone, Franklin Auto Glass
Editorial Assistant/Editorial Staff, Cedar Fort Publishing
Video Acquisitions, HBLL LRC, BYU Library
Accouting Assistant/ Secretary, USA Motortoys

What I would do if I became a Billionaire:
Throw away all my clothes and start over. Hire Stacie and Clinton to help me buy a new wardrobe. Buy Dan a helicopter. Buy a house. Go to Ruthie's wedding. Among other things.

Bad Habits:
Not cleaning my house ahah.

Things I really enjoy:
Eating really good food. Getting a good night's rest. Reading a good book for a portion of my day because there's something even more fun to do for the rest of it! Hanging out with Dan.

Things people don't know about me:
I'm pregnant! haha. Just kidding.

Now I get to pick five people: Megan Stratton, Brooke ha!, Casey Christensen, Ashley Banks, Michelle, and one more for good measure . . . Ruthie!

Speaking of Movies...

2008-02-04T21:40:00.000-08:00

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm sick of watching duds.

Goodreads

2008-02-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

I have three books on hold at the Oregon City Library and 9 more on my to-read list on Goodreads. This is the one hobby that has been with me my whole life. I'm a dork, but I'm excited!

I realize I should know....

2008-02-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

but, when does Andrea get home from her mission? And when is Ruthie getting married?

Hobbies

2008-01-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

So, I have no hobbies. None. My life has consisted of school and work and then taking care of Josie. My hobbies were hanging out with friends until all hours of the morning, which totally rocked, but not so practical now. So my mom took me to JoAnn Fabrics and bought me some material to make some skirts and a cute bag. She wanted me to quilt something, and that didn't really seem to be my bag of tea. I felt too young, too alive, too fashionable. No offense to quilters out there. I need something imprecise and creative. Something like glueing things together like I used to do. No one who will read this knows what that means except Megan, sorry. Watercolor is cool, but I can't come up with anything to paint. (By the way, I painted a watercolor edition of "Lovers on the Beach" the other day. I painted a pear, and I tired to paint flowers--which I knew would be a disaster, and it was-- and I can't paint people. So I had to stick with fruit. I might try a bird next. Dan bought a songbird calendar.) So anyway, I feel like I'm a pretty artistic slash creative person, and I want to have a cool hobby that is inexpensive and relaxing.

So what do you do for hobbies? Do you have any good ideas I should try out?

HELP!

2008-01-09T12:59:00.001-08:00

I have to do a 20 minute presentation about healthy snacks for Enrichment on Tuesday. What do I do?

You were right.

2008-01-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I went to a watercolor class this morning. I couldn't decide whether to go or not. It was free, taught by a retired art teacher in our ward, but I thought of a thousand reasons not to go. I didn't have all the supplies... I was tired and wanted to sleep in... Josie would probably be hungry and I would need to feed her... I'd tried watercolor before and stunk...

I went anyway (thank you Dan), and I painted a pear. It's not great, but it's not so bad either. I can see myself improving, which makes me excited to go back next week. By the way, I didn't paint this pear, but I didn't exactly want to scan mine in. Seesh. way too much effort. and so is capitalizing while i'm at it.

I Love Storage Bins

2008-01-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

I could spend hundreds of dollars on organization bins, baskets, etc. Luckily, to my delight, my mom has gone through her storage room and has some she wants to get rid of! No problem, mom.

Josie's First Visit with Santa

2007-12-12T11:16:00.001-08:00

I love this picture. Santa came to the ward Hawaiian Christmas party last weekend. Josie did pretty good-- just looked worried. But I love this picture! Brother Turpin is the best Santa ever.

Mehwee Kithmath

2007-12-10T20:55:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the Christmas cards! I love getting Christmas cards! I have had good intentions of sending some, but I'm now doubting whether that will, in fact, happen. I first started thinking that we would take a family picture in front of our little tree. My mom bought Josie a taffeta and velvet Christmas dress, and I was picturing things Dan and I could wear to match it. And that made me tired. Our tree is already wilting. Hmm. It's so lame to get a Christmas card AFTER Christmas. I got a postcard from Andrea today, and a letter from Jen with a cool picture. Oh man, love it.

Who wants a Christmas card?

Dancing with Rose

2007-12-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to go to book club in my ward for who knows how many months. Well, this month all we had to do was show up with our favorite book. I didn't actually bring my favorite book, and I have a problem with committing to anything "favorite". So when it came time for me to share my favorite I talked about My Antonia, which everyone had already read a few months before for book club. But I digress.

Anyway, a couple of the ladies said this book, "Dancing with Rose", was a wonderful "life-changing" book. A journalist felt guilty about putting her mother in a care center when she got Alzheimer's. Anyway, she ended up working at a care center and wrote about her experiences and what she learned. I went out the next day and got it from the library. I was interested because my Grandma Mary took care of her husband who had Alzheimer's for a couple years until he passed away. A couple months after he died, her brother came to live with her who has the same disease. Well, it's just wearing her out completely. (She's 72ish years old, and also the Relief Society President, etc. etc. etc.) I thought about giving it to her for Christmas and wanted to read it first. (I read it in a couple days.) It might make her feel better about having her brother go stay in one of these care centers-- last time I checked she was dead against it. Anyway, I'm still not sure if I want to give it to her, but I think if anyone has ever known anyone with Alzheimer's, they should read it. It gives you a new, healthy perspective.

Has anyone read it?

Would it be weird if I gave this as a Christmas present?

I hate him because...

2007-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

Every Kenney Chesney song is about the beach. I say, get over it, Kenney.

Christmas

2007-11-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

Dan and I went on a date last night and bought Josie a little stuffed elephant ornament for her first Christmas. Anyway, we were talking, and Dan said that technically, if November 1st was a Thursday, Thanksgiving could already be over! So we decided to decorate for Christmas. (I'm not sure why we fell need for justification; last year we decorated for Christmas before Halloween. Merry Christmas!

Pictures of Josie, why not

2007-11-13T14:58:00.001-08:00

There are many. And they are not in order. :)

It's been weeks

2007-11-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

I will praise the day when the little black bugs with the red zig zag on their back finally die and stop invading my home. They come through the screens, and then the windows and sometimes fly at my face. Unacceptable. What are those called?

Breakfast with no milk; day 1

2007-11-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

I love bran muffins in the morning. A little sprinkling of cranberries and little touch of fiber. Yum.

Did you know...

2007-11-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

that they made Legally Blonde into a musical? If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't know how someone would go about doing that.

Makeup

2007-10-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

I guess you may be wondering about the pathetic poll. I'm just really dumb about colors of makeup to wear. It doesn't really matter, because I just end up wearing whatever, but I wonder if anyone feels lost when they walk into the makeup aisle. Anyone?

Provo's Disneyland

2007-10-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

Speaking of getting away. . . yesturday Dan encouraged me to go out with my mom and sisters and leave Josie. We only went to Walmart, but it was really exciting! Not that I don't love to hang out with the little pumpkin, but it was so nice to just run to another part of the store without hauling many many items along, including a child who wants to be held and needs a nap. Mom bought me some cheap earrings and some new eyeshadow! What a trip! Who knew an hour at Walmart could be so refreshing.

The Votes Are In

2007-10-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a Halloween party at my parents house last night and Tinkerbell and Peter Pan worked out wonderfully. Josie was a pea in a pod, which has nothing to do with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell-- but hey, she was green too! I think that does it for us dressing up this year. We went and got Josh Groban's Christmas album today, so I guess that does it for Thanksgiving this year too. Actually, I was thinking about how being thankful is a wonderful thing, but how Thanksgiving, the holiday, is actually very anticlimactic. So I decided to think of it as a feast to open the Christmas season. That makes it more fun. I think we might get a real tree this year! We can afford it here in Oregon when they're only $10!

This is the start of a beautiful relationship.

2007-10-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have stepped into the world of bloggers and hope to be welcomed with open arms and others people's blog addresses. I feel pressure not only to write something funny, which may be why I haven't done this before now, but also not to have back punctuation and spelling because of my english degree. Is that supposed to be capitalized? Please visit me.