Costa Rica 2012

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Banana Boats

No, I am not talking about this Banana boat:

Nor am I talking about THIS banana boat:

Nor am I talking about THIS banana boat

(although I'd LOVE to be on this one right. about. now.)

I'm actually talking about THIS banana boat:

Now, I don't know about YOU...but who even KNEW that such goodness even existed???

Not me. But now, I'm the biggest fan of them.

That's right....a campfire banana boat.

(*Thank you, Margie & Aaron for introducing me to my new. best. friend.*)

Here's the basics for a recipe, if you wanna try it:

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Banana Boat

aluminum foil

1 banana, unpeeled

Miniature marshmallows (or jet puffed, cut in smaller peices)

Milk chocolate chips or broken candy bars

anything else you want: (coconut, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits, nuts, pineapple, etc)

Cut a slit lengthwise about two-thirds of the way through the banana from the stem to the base. Fill the slit with as much of the above ingredients as you want! The more, the merrier!!! It all melts together into one luscious dessert!

To heat the banana boat, wrap in foil and cook on hot coals for five minutes, or until the chocolate and marshmallows have melted. Serve as a snack, a dessert or a treat around the campfire.

One word of caution: If you leave the boats in the coals too long, the bananas will liquefy.

Now, what are you waiting for....go start a fire!

*Don't forget to invite me!!!*

Prepping for Costa Rica

I have recently started preparing for my upcoming adventure to Costa Rica.

**shout for joy**

I can't tell you just how excited I am to go to this country!!!!

We will experience so much OUTDOORS, and I am really excited. Here are some of the things we'll be doing while in Costa Rica this June:

- We'll be on the beach

- horseback riding through the rainforest, participating in a canopy tour (where you walk along bridges at the tippy toppy of the rainforest and see the wildlife that lives up there....monkeys, butterflies, birds, etc)

- Hiking to a hidden waterfall

- Whitewater rafting

- visiting and bathing in natural hot sprints

- seeing the tallest active volcano in the WORLD

...and that is only the beginning.

So...what would one purchase to prepare for such a trip?

Well, I've done some researching, and it seems you need a LOT of things that would be good for rainy weather. Such things as:

- waterproof light jacket & umbrella

- clothes that breath easily (and dry quickly)

- good shoes (that dry quickly, non-slip, and breathable)

Not sure what else...but those are some things I'll definitely be on the prowl for soon. I have covered ONE of those three NEEDS this weekend:

SHOES

For Her:

Keen Sandals. You won't find these in the women's section....nope! That's because they are in the girls' section....yep, I can fit into a size 6 in youth!!!!! :) Score!!!! Anyone who has looked at the price tags on shoes by Keen, know that you are looking at a hefty price. But, check out the kids' section (if you can put up with bright colors and a bit of velcro, and the heel is a bit different. On the adult, it is a strap...so it is open-heel. On the youth, it is closed-heel)...they sell for 1/2 price!!! I LURV the color, & I am a size 8 women, and I fit PERFECTLY into a youth size 6.

For Him:

Anyone that knows Steven, knows that he was not willing to fork over that kind of money....especially when there is not a youth size option for his large feet! So, I was out this weekend and happened upon these "zipline" shoes by G. H. Bass & Company. I rarely ever buy anything in this store, but my mom always like to look around. They are also $100 shoes, but they had a 50% off sale of men's shoes. Plus, they were having 30% off of that the day I went. Plus, I had a coupon for 15% of that. Yep, his shoes were $25. They are a little big (because his feet are so skinny and flat), but he says they are comfy, and he likes them!!!!! SCORE!!!!

(the pair I bought was the other color....grey/navy/with orange accents on the ties).

So...all in all, I was prepared to spend $100 on shoes. :(

*ugh*

What I got for $100 instead was:

- one pair of kids keen sandals

- one pair of aqua shoes for men

- 10 pair of socks for hubby

- date night to see Hunger Games w/ popcorn & soda

...can't beat that

Springtime 2012 at the Lambson house

Maybe I should make this a seasonal blog...seeing as my last post was at Christmas time.

hmmmm...that's a good idea!

~Well, a LOT has happened with our house in the last 10 months~

Most of you all remember the outside as being dull, dry, boring, and FULL of weeds (hardly any grass to speak of):

(this pic actually came from our neighbor's yard...but ours looked even worse then their's last year....I promise!!!)

Here is what our grass looks like TODAY:

And here is the area between my house, and my neighbor. Can you tell which lawn is MINE? And which one is hers??? (not hard to tell...right? ha...)

And...last year I had a crazy itch to buy some plants and try to make our home look better on the outside. I started out buying a few plants in the springtime (hydrangeas, snowball, and a tree). Then, I saw such improvement in the landscape that I went back out in the fall and got another "tree", planted some bulbs, roses, and got some shrubs for the back. Since we didn't have much of a winter...they all survived nicely! Here they are...blooming away!!!

1. blue/pink Hydrangeas--my favorite plants of ALL TIME!!

2. Mohican Viburnum Tree--supposed to have berries and cute lil blossoms, and the leaves turn different colors....sounds interesting!

3. Flowering Crabtree....luscious!!!

4. 3 mini rose bushes around the mailbox...one red (middle) 2 yellow (sides) These have become some of my favorite plants. Even at over 100 degrees last year, I kept them watered and they bloomed all summer and fall last year!!!

5. Peonies- one sherbet, and one white. They have not bloomed yet, but I hope they do this year. LOVE them, too!!! (although last year, we watered our yard SO MUCH that the leaves had fungus issues...hoping not to deal w/ that again this year!!)

6. magic carpet shrubs. They change colors throughout the seasons, and have pinkish blossoms.

7. Tulips. These have a jagged edge, and they are a variety of colors. Check out the orange one...so vivid in color, and it opens up and is HUGE. I cut one to put inside, and it closes and night, and opens in the morning. So cool!!!

8. Butterfly bush. These things came w/ the house. At first, I had three of them, in one small flower bed. They were so obnoxiously large...and out of control. We took one out, and now we have 2 (the magic carpet are underneath, surrounding them). They have such a nice smell, and they are easy to maintain...but can get outta control quickly!!! But they attract the most beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds!!

9. Snowball bush- another fav of mine...let's hope there is enough branches to keep the snowball blooms off the ground!!! If you look really close...you can see a few blossoms to the right! :) (Last year, it was so wilty and droopy...but still pretty!!)

So, there you have it. My yard...full of things waiting to bloom and full of surprises this year. It will be the first year when each plant should bloom at a different rate, and at a different time. That's what I tried to do. Even though most of them bloom (okay...all of them, do...at least the ones I shared w/ you above)...they all bloom at different paces, and some bloom once, and some all season long. So...we'll see what happens!

For tomorrow...pull some weeds!!! (are they that bad????? YES!!!!)

For Tuesday...rake out old mulch, and put in new mulch. (is it THAT bad???? YES!!!!)

By Wednesday, it will look spectacular...I'm sure of it!!!

My New Favorite- Christmas 2011

Introducing my NEW favorite Christmas item on the menu:

The one above is to take to my mom & dad's tomorrow, on Christmas Day. The one below is to take to the in-law's this afternoon/evening for dinner.

I love trying new recipes, and this one is certainly an eye-catcher! It was a LOT of fun to make, and it is DE-LISH, too! Want the recipe? I guess I can share it:

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Pine-cone-shaped Cheese ball

(not creative, I know!!!)

1 pkg Cream Cheese (I used Red. fat Neufschel Cheese--however it's spelled)

1/2 Cup Mayo (NOT Miracle Whip, folks!!)

5 bacon strips, cooked & crumbled

1 Tbsp chopped green onion (i actually doubled it)

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/8 tsp pepper

1 1/4 cup almonds (recipe calls for them toasted, but I didn't do it)

Assorted crackers or raw veggies

Fresh Rosemary sprigs for decoration afterwards.

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Mix all ingredients (minus almonds) in large bowl. Let chill for 1-2 hours to allow mixture to become firm. Place mixture on platter/decorative plate and shape into a cone/pear shape. Place almonds around it in rows, starting with the bottom and working your way up. Place several short stems of rosemary at the top for decoration.

Ta-dah!

What would I change, if I had to do it all over again?

1- I think instead of poking the almonds "outward" I'll lay them down a bit more. It shows too much of the filling. It looks like too spiky! But still cute!!!!

2- I almost went w/o the Rosemary addition...so expensive at the store! So, either grow your own for next year (ya right!), go to the farmer's marker (ya right!), or just grin & bear it. It adds a GREAT aroma to the dish!

PROJECT: FAIL

A few weeks ago, I got in the mood to make individual Christmas gifts for family members.

I started looking for ideas ALL around me.

Steven & I recently bought new bed sheets, and they came in a very plain drawstring baggy thinggy. So I thought, "HEY! This would be sooo much cuter if ...., and if ...., and if ....." AND, these could be so useful if ....., and if ....., and if ......"

So, I commenced my project.

Operation:

CHRISTMAS CRAFT 2011

I was so excited at the idea of my new project. I thought of all the wonderful things I could use for my baggy: makeup bag, travel bag, pencil bag, catch-all bag....the possibilities were endless, really! For girls, anyway. I didn't quite know what the boys would do with them, but for Steven, he collects chess sets....so he could use a baggy to put his tiny "men" in. So I thought, "whatever. They will use them for whatever, but I can't just make something for the girls. It has to be for EVERYONE."

So, I started the crafty journey, knowing full & well that's it been 2 years since I've even taken the dust cover off my sewing machine. Ahem. No, I haven't lost my "touch", but I knew I'd be a bit rusty, that's all.

Day 1:

I went to JoAnn's fabrics and purchased the cutest fabric I could find. Seriously, ya'll...there are so many cute ideas. I couldn't settle for one. I came home with 15 types of fabric. Take a look...there is something for everyone...men, women, kids...c'mon...you KNOW you love the colors/patterns. And if you don't, whatevuh.....it's my project. I get to decide what to give you. Be lucky it's not a lump of coal for your bad attitude. So there.

Day 2:

I ironed my fabric. I figured it'd been a while, but I had my pattern and process in my head. I hooked up the sewing machine and cut up some of the bed sheets that I'd replaced due to a hole in it. MAN...I love those sheets. So soft. So wonderful. Anyway, I started cutting. And then I sewed. At first, the bag was a bit lopsided, but I could handle that. I was just sewing for size, really, and to see if my "idea" in my head for a pattern would work. It really didn't turn out all THAT bad, but it did need some alterations.

So, all was going dandy. UNTIL I got to the lettering on the front. Ya see...I wanted to do everyone's initial on the front. It would be so cute in a different, contrasting color. And to make a cute lil drawsting at the top in the same contrasting fabric.

I could see it in my head. My vision was clear.

I started sewing. I messed up 4 times and had to take everything out. It was horrible. In the end, it was crooked, it had crinkles, it had bumps, and it was just plain ugly. I did start with the worst letter possible...S. So many curves. So much movement. Steven said, "well, just do block letters"...but they aren't as cute.

So I gave up. Steven has a ratty ol personalized bag made of old bedsheets. The S is horrible, and I didn't even do the contrasting color yet. I just wanted to make a sample. The sample is horrible, but here it is in all it's glory.

Yes, I gave up. I have purchased all this cute fabric, and I have no idea what to do with all of it. One day, I'll sew again. One day I'll be creative again. Just not with letters that are curvy that move around on me. I'm not THAT good yet, folks.

So all you family members out there...look at that sample above. You have two choices: either BALL your eyes out b/c you're not gonna get a cute lil catch-all bag for whatever your heart desires, craftily make by yours truly. Or two, you can cry tears of joy b/c you wouldn't know what to do with it anyway, and it probably would've never been used anyway.

Whatever you decide to do, fine. Just know that I love you enough and I'm sane enough to quit when it's the right thing to do.

30 Days of Truth: Day 16

Day 16: Someone or Something you could definitely live without.

STRESS.

...AND people who complain ALL. THE. TIME. (get over it)

...AND liver (the food...the smell)

...AND bills (never-ending)

...AND cleaning floors (ewwwww.....gross)

...AND one of my co-workers who I'm pretty sure doesn't even LIKE kids. Pretty sure she doesn't need to be a teacher.

30 Days of Truth: Day 15

Day 15: Something or Someone you can't live without, because you've tried living without it.

Two answers come to mind quickly: Steven & caffeine.

STEVEN tried getting rid of me once. I didn't give up, and I held on and kept praying. I just didn't *want* to live without him. What can I say...I guess I'm in ♥ love ♥

CAFFEINE I've gotten rid of once, and that was when I was in the MTC for 9 weeks. It was not by choice that I gave it up...it was b/c there was not any to consume. I knew that was the case, and when I got my mission call to serve in Chile, I tried giving up cold turkey. Every time I'd try I wouldn't last 3 days until I had a migraine SO. BAD. that I couldn't take it any long...just once sip of Dew & it was G.O.N.E. I was seriously addicted!!! Then, when I got to Chile I drank Coca Cola every now and then...definitely not daily, but enough to quench my thirst. What can I say...I just enjoy an ice cold beverage once in a while. It's not that I HAVE TO have the caffeine. I like Sunquist. I like Sprite on occasion...but that's about it for the non-caffeine beverages. Of the ones w/ caffeine, I really like a variety...Dr. Pepper (especially at Sonic), Mountain Dew (Taco Bell), Coke (at McDonald's), Pepsi, Diet Coke (at Sonic), Cherry Coke (another Sonic favorite...just b/c they put real cherry juice in it!!!), etc. I think I probably AM addicted, but more than that...I really ENJOY the taste. It makes my day when things just haven't gone so good. Ahhhhh....so refreshing!!!!

30 Days of Truth: Day 14

Day 14: A hero who has let me down (write a letter)

Dear hero-

You don't even exist. I don't even *have* a hero, really. Never really has. And even if you DID exist, I guess you didn't really let me down since I can't even remember you. Thanks for nothing. Thanks for everything. And thanks for giving me something dumb to blog about.

Love,

Me

(hey- at least I didn't SKIP IT like some have....)

I'm Famous!!!!!

Check out this video from the latest edition of RURAL MISSOURI.

A few weeks ago, we went to our FAVORITE BBQ place in the WORLD (and yes...I've lived in TN, MO, and tried some good TX BBQ...but this is hands. down. the. BEST. EVER). Anyway, we went b/c some of Steven's family was in town. Lo and behold....there was a camera man there, and he wanted to get us on tape.

And now...we're famous!!! So...if you're ever in Harrisburg, MO (or...if you come visit me.....), you can try it out for yourself!!!

30 Days of Truth: Day 13

Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter)

Dear members of Little Big Town,

You may not know it, but you have brought me to tears many times with "Bring it on Home to Me." It was my wedding song. I've cried myself to sleep many nights to your lyrics.

"Take your worries and just drop them at the door. Baby...leave it all behind. When your long day is over, and you can barely drag your feet. The weight of the world is on your shoulders....I know what you need. Bring it on home to me."

This song was on repeat so many days.....& it got me through some tough times before I was married. Your song gave me hope, and it gave me something to look forward to--being able to love someone like you've never loved...trust them in ways you've never trusted...and genuinely want to be a better person for them.

Thanks for uplifting me when I need it the most,

Me.

ps- Steven, I know you'll read this soon. I love you, and always will. I'm so glad we chose this song as OUR song. And when you need me, I'll always be here for you.

♥"You got someone here who wants to make it all right. Someone who loves you more than life....right here." ♥

30 Days of Truth: Day 12

Day 11: Something you never get compliments on

Well...I can't say "never", but they are few & far between: going the "extra mile" at work. I guess it's one of things that parents also wish us teachers would do more....send home NICE compliments about our kids, instead of only issues with your child. I mean, I don't do extra things so that someone would give me a prize. Most of the time, I do it just for me...so I can feel organized, so I can be sane. So I am not stressed. So I can have fun with my students on occasion.

Here's what I am talking about:

- getting to work 1 hour early (instead of 15 min)

- staying later at work (instead of 15 min)

- showing up for after school bus duty (some show up...some "forget"...some just don't think they have to do anything b/c of budget cuts....whatever...we all have to do our part)

- offering tutoring (let's face it...if a kid needs help, I am willing to stay after ANYTIME when I can...and the only reason I wouldn't is if I had a dr. appointment, if I was sick, or something like that)

- not taking ALL of my personal days (most of the time I only take 1...maybe!!!) I hate missing work...it's like triple duty when you get back. Sub didn't do THIS. Students behaved like THAT. Homework wasn't done CORRECTLY. He said...She said. Whatever...you might as well let the kids "hang out" all hour in your room...b/c you can for-GET anything actually getting accomplished when a teacher is absent...kids are WILD!

- wearing teacher clothing- sounds funny, but there are teachers these days wearing Old Navy flip-flops, shorts, low-cut halters, high heels w/ SHORT SHORT skirts, LOTS of make-up, too much perfume....you think it couldn't be worn, & I've probably SEEN it worn. Like this one math teacher (not at my school...but a few years ago, I taught w/ her) she had more than 20 piercings....nose rings (yes...plural), rings all up and down her ear lobes, both brows, lip, tongue, belly button (and yes...you could see it thru the shirt on occasion), and cheeks. G-R-O-S-S. Definitely not a "good" role model in my opinion for 13-14 year olds. But that is my opinion.

Anyway...these are just a few that pop into my head. When I look at others who take "mental" or "emotional" sick days, I wish I could do that. I look at others with crazy clothes/styles and think...that's professional? I come to school, leave from school, go in, go out, no real complaints from parents about my performance (or lack of), not many office referrals written, I don't ask too much, I don't complain often....I mean, I wish someone would just notice once in a while.

Is that too much to ask?

a thank you?

a "well done"?

a pat on the back?

...if only.

30 Days of Truth: Day 11

Day 11: Some thing people compliment you the most on

My "cute-ness" when I'm actually trying to look cute!

Does that even make sense? Well...to ME it does...so THERE!

Ya see, most days I feel myself looking a bit "drab" or "frumpy" as my family likes to call it. And I admit....it takes me a while to get ready (about 45 minutes from the time I turn my alarm off to the time I am eating breakfast, and getting my bag ready to place in the car to head to school). However, if I really broke down the time, here it is:

- 5 min moping about the room, getting used to the lights

- 5 min. starting in the mirror plucking eyebrows or other wild hairs I notice, observing any newly developed psoriasis spots, popping zits/blackheads, starting at my toenails that need to be repainted, & going to the fridge to get me some water (okay...some mornings like today actually take 10 min here...ugh!)

- 5 min to sit on the toilet and think about my night and take a gander down at my legs (TMI????....NOPE!!!!) and wonder when the next opportunity I'll get to shave, now that school has started.

- The next 10 in actually in the shower wishing I hadn't done the afore-mentioned items, and actually gotten something accomplished, and telling myself my legs would already been shaved if I had jumped right in the shower.

-5 min listening to morning news on radio and doing make-up. Yep...that's right. A touch of base, light blush brushing, & some mascara...that's it, BABY!

- 5 min staring in the mirror again...I really don't do much more than pluck a few more hairs or wonder why in the world I bought I treadmill when I've only used it a few times since purchasing it in March, and wondering why I can't motivate myself to do something about my sagginess that seems to be happening lately (and I don't even have kids yet!!!!!)

- 3 min blowdrying my hair

- 10 min to do hairstyle: straighten in layers, put some "umph" to pump it up a bit, hairspray, and done!

- 5 min to get my clothes on

AND....if you add it up, it adds up to more than 45 min...ugh! But somehow it all adds up....a minute here, a minute there...and viola! Misson. Accomplished.

Anyway...back to the post at hand...."cute-ness". Ya see...there are some days where I put on a bit more makeup....eyeliner, eyeshadow, powder, QUALITY mascara, lipgloss/stick, etc. Those days I just wake up feeling "cute", I dunno. Anyway, so I pick out a cute outfit (stylish skirt if the legs are shaved, sandals, belt, etc) and put on some cute accessories to match (usually from my small collection of things I've bought in other countries), put on a dash of perfume...and I guess I just feel different those days. I'm usually nicer (so they say), the students compliment me, the staff at school usually notices, Steven says something extra nice when I get home. So I guess something must be working.

Am I really THAT frumpy on those "oh-so-ordinary" days? Or is it that you can actually TELL when I spend more time on doodling myself up, instead of plucking, pulling, tweezing, picking, pulling, tugging, and wishful thinking?

I dunno. You be the judge (but not too harshly.....)

Ahhhhh....CRAZY week!!!

So...what happened to the 30 days of Truth, you wanna know?

Well....here's the truth & nuttin' but the truth:

1 - Steven & I finally celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. As usual, we went up to Nauvoo and had a lovely time! We always stay in Keokuk, IA (about 20 min away) and the drive along the river, on the way to Nauvoo is simply GORGEOUS....tons of lily pads, flowers, trees, river....nice! So we spent 3 days there, and it was so needed!

2- While in Keokuk.....We always take a stroll downtown, and we went to our favorite place to eat dinner, Angelini's Pizza and found that they've taken AWAY the pizza buffet (so cute & small, yet soooo tasty), and now they have a pasta bar. Go here to check out their FB page & pics!!! (sorry...it's Keokuk...what did you think...they had their own webpage????....NOPE!!!)

3- We decided to try out the local movie theater (VERY small, too) and saw Planet of the Apes. It was pretty good. Not so "realistic"...and you know how I am with those kinds of movies....blah!!! But still....it was pretty good. *until the monkey TALKED*..... - VERY strange - Anyway, the best part of the movie-going-experience:

$6 entrance = FREE beverage (w/ $1 refills), FREE small popcorn WITH butter, not-so-crowded movie theater, NICE smelling restrooms (although paint-chipped-to-pieces) with cute benches and floral arrangements, &....wait for it.....a peppermint upon exiting and a sweet "Thank you...please come again" before walking out the door.

LOVED. IT.

4- Upon coming home, we soon noticed that our home computer was not booting up. Much to my dismay, we ended up trying to re-install EVERYTHING & save what was left. DIDN'T happen, folks. We tried forever to get it fixed. I even stayed up 'til midnight staring at "just a few more seconds" & it did it again.....crashed!!!! So, Tuesday I spend my precious "planning time" at school shopping. Researching, price comparing, researching, reviewing, researching....you know the drill. So, off we went....to look at 4 computers when I got off work. Sam's Club & Best Buy...that's where we ended up. After much contemplating, we ended up with a pretty nice dang computer, I have to say. I'm sad to spend that kinda money so unexpectedly...but what can you do? I had to do it!

5- Classes started. That's right...only 2 left to finish my Master's. They started Monday, and by Wed. evening my first paper was due. Don't forget....my computer wasn't working MONDAY or TUESDAY.....argh!!!! Anyway, so yesterday you know what I was doing....type, type, typing away and submitting it. I mean, I have YET to start the Bachelor Pad (and that is VERY sad for me....LOVE those crazy dramatic shows with catfights!!!), haven't seen Talent & this week was the first REAL week (ugh!), & missed the finale of Expedition Impossible. My tv life is OFFICIALLY over with. I guess it had to come some time....but I'm still upset about it!

So there you have it, folks. That's what I've been doing for the past week. So...leave me alone, I've been more-than-busy!!!! I like technology when it works. I hate it when it doesn't.

And there you have it...the REST of the story.

30 Days of Truth: Day 10

Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know

Wow. Now this one is very personal. And truth be told...I honestly believe that EVERY person we come into contact with, is for a reason.

Except for the person that sits down in the stall next to us in the bathroom when you have an upset stomach. Especially when you two are the ONLY ONES in there.

Or, the person who sits next to in a huge movie theater, when there are over 100 other seats they could choose. REALLY?

Or, the person who sneezes all over you, getting you sick.

Or, the crazy person who cut you off this morning and almost caused a car accident.

Or, the angry woman at school who yells the F word a bizillion times, b/c the printer isn't working right. Slams the door. Then leaves screaming more F words. Ya, she was cool.

Okay, I guess EVERY person having a reason for being in my life is a bit over-exaggerated. But only a little bit.

There is one person, but I am not going to mention their name...for fear that they might read this. This person requires a lot of patience, and a lot of energy. I feel like it's all GIVE, GIVE, GIVE and nothing gets better. I feel like I spend a LOT of time worrying, thinking, and even crying over this person. But I can't say NO. I can't seem to get past them. And I KNOW there is no way to get rid of them, and even if there was...I wouldn't really want that.

I guess I just need a vacation from my problems....a vacation from this person. Kinda like Bob Wylie did on "What About Bob".

Is that even possible?

I mean...Everyone deserves to have friends.

30 Days of Truth: Day 9

Day 9: Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted.

I almost changed this to something, but I just thought of someone.....my good ol college pal Jessica.

Jessica is from South Carolina. We both ventured out to college in the great potato capital of the USA...that's right IDAHO! Neither one of us knew anyone else at the school, but had family that we could drive to visit on occasion (but no, we never owned a car out there...so getting to see them was an issue on several occasions). Jessica had family that lived about 30 min. away in Idaho. I had an Aunt & Uncle in Utah about 3.5 hours away.

Jess & I did EVERYTHING together our first year of college. We went to the $1 theater together. We skipped church together. We broke curfew together. We both hid a boy under our beds when roomies unexpectedly came home early (yes...boys were NOT ALLOWED in the bedrooms....strict honor code policy). We both felt like rebels when we wore mens boxers around the courtyard of our dorms on Sundays (first of all, shorts were not allowed b/c of rules. second of all, it was a Sunday...so it pissed people like Brynn...remember her??....off a LOT...he he). We walked to Wal-Mart and carried back laundry detergent and 12 packs of Dr. Peppers in our two laundry baskets UPHILL to the dorms (yes...it was VERY heavy).

We had a LOT of fun together. We did. So what happened? I dunno. We kinda drifted apart I guess, not really meaning to. We both went home after 2 years, graduating with our Associates Degree. She went back out when they changed the college to a 4-year University. By then, my younger sisters were attending school there, too, and they became besties with her. I served a mission in Chile in the meantime. When I came back, she had graduated and I was just starting to pick back up my studies.

We had grown apart somewhat I guess you could say--taken different paths in life. Nowadays she talks to my sisters more than she does me. That used to make me angry, out of jealousy...she was my friend first....right??!! But now, I hear about her from time to time. And I guess that is better than nothing. I emailed her just the other day to ask what Brynn's last name was....and we've chatted back and forth since. It's been nice. Will it continue? Hopefully. She's a sweet southern belle, and it's been nice finding out what she's been up to all this time.

30 Days of Truth: Day 8

Day 8: Someone who made my life hell, or treated me like dirt

Weeeelllll...I had PLENTY of people who treated me not-so-nicely while I was in Chile. But, none of them are really "sticking out" right at the moment. But, one girl from college rings a bell LOUD. AND. CLEAR. right now. Her name was Brynn.

I have no idea what her last name was. All I know is that she ALWAYS got up in my business, and loved calling me out on whatever she could. Here are a few scenarios I remember specifically:

1- Sunday afternoon. My friends & I playing cards in the living room floor. TuPac turned up kinda loud on the stereo. We were chillin REAL good. She walks in (dressed in an ugly dress from church choir). Turns off stereo. Gives me a death stare. Asks me what's up. I got up turned back on the CD. Sat down in the floor and acted like she wasn't even there. That PISSED her off. She stormed out, slamming the door. I laughed.

2- Practically any day of the week. Pick one, any one! She's eavesdrop on my conversations. ALL of them. On occasion, I'd use a "not-so-nice" word. After hanging up the phone, she'd wanna know WHY I spoke like that around her. I was in my ROOM. Bedroom door was shut & locked. Living room door was shut & locked. Stop eavesdropping!!!!!

3- One night at a roommate meeting. Yes...we met weekly (only lasted for a month or so...lol) to discuss our issues in a "calm" fashion. Weeks after a specific incident (mentioned in #2, above), she called me out on using a certain word that is used ALL. THE. TIME. in the south (her being from Utah, she was totally NAIVE). I asked her to please not bring up past issues. She insisted that I needed to talk quieter. YA...like that can even HAPPEN when your mama gave you a good set of lungs (and...sometimes I'd even talk louder just to piss her off, oops!!!). Anyway, she started pointing fingers. Before I knew it, my fist was clenched and I was moving at a high speed toward her chair. Didn't hit her, but almost did. Roomies had to separate us into different rooms. She called her mommy to come pick her up. Unfortunately, she didn't move out. We were enemies the rest of the year.

So there....she was never nice to me! She didn't like me from the start.

Just cuz I was fun.

Just cuz I wasn't from Utah.

Just cuz I was different (and proud of it).

Just cuz I pushed her buttons (and enjoyed it).

Just cuz I didn't wear a dress ALL. DAY. ON. SUNDAYS. (& go to choir practice like a good girl would)

So...take THAT...Brynn.

30 Days of Truth: Day 7

Day 7: Someone who has made my life worth living for

Well....today you get three answers.

1- Gospel Answer: Heavenly Father

I want to make him proud--get a big bear hug and hear the words "well done"

2- Cheesy (but honest) Answer: my husband, Steven

Of course, right? But really...I wanna live with him forever. He knows me inside & out. To think that after 4 years together he can just instinctively "know" what I need...I am blessed! That doesn't mean that he can always read my mind, or that we never have arguments. We do, just like any couple does. But they really are few and far between. I am so glad he chose me...and I'm lucky enough to have found him!!!

3- Unexpected answer- my relatives I've never met

Ya know, I've never been much on doing my family history. I don't know if I'll ever feel the URGE to do it...but I do wonder what they're like. I knew 3 of my grandparents and they are each so unique, and I really wonder what it will be like to sit down with my grandfather I have never met in this life. So...I want to succeed here on Earth so I can get "up there" and chat with him and all the others from my past who contribute to who I am today (psoriasis and all!!!)

30 Days of Truth: Day 6

Day 6: Something I hope I never have to do

...bury my husband

Steven & I have talked about this issue before. Both of us hopes to die before the other one does. It's a toss up as to who it will be. Sometimes, I wish it could be like in the movie "The Notebook", where two people die holding hands, together. Wouldn't that be nice?

Ya, it would for me. I've only had to be away from him for several days at a time, and it is a bit lonely. We both admit that it is fun for the first day or two...getting to do what we want and all, without worrying that the other person is coming home/getting up soon. But, after the 2nd day, it gets lonely.

I can't imagine waiting to die...just so you can return to live with your spouse. My mom & I were just talking about this the other day over lunch. She thinks her mother just "gave up". She was ready to reunite with her husband who'd passed away a few years before. So she just quit eating. Sad. It's strange what loneliness will do to you.

30 Days of Truth: Day 5

Day 5: Something I hope to do in my life

Be a mother.

...and not just to any child. I want to go through the process of being pregnant & giving birth to a child that is half ME, and half STEVEN.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that after 4 years of marriage, I am still childless. I love my life, I love that I can travel the world, I love my job, and I love my husband. I love that we've been able to purchase a house. I love that I can spoil my nieces & nephews when I visit them. I love that my hubbs & I both have fairly decent jobs, so we can go out to eat, go to the movies and do what we want (to some extent, anyway).

Still...I am not a mother. My house is always clean, & I LOVE that. But, sometimes I want a child to come mess it up for a while. I LOVE that I can watch all the tv shows I want. But, sometimes I wish I didn't have time b/c we were too busy watching Dora the Explorer. I LOVE that I can stay up as long as I want during the summer (and weekends, mostly), just to sleep in the next morning. But, I would like to hear the patter of lil feet before daylight, and the begging for you to get up.

I think it will happen for me. But when...that is the question. With lots of family & friends seeming like "fertile Mertile", it is hard sometimes. Who knows what the future holds. I am trying to be patient. Some days it's easy, some days it's not.