Blog-Smith..........one who makes blogs.

working that arse off.....

2010-06-23T05:40:00.001-07:00

....so the other day, I got a voicemail from Ty saying "call me! Its good news!"

When I finally got a hold of him he told me that a couple of weeks ago he submitted and online application for a local radio station, KQRS.com (keyword: slim), to be one of ten contestants to receive 14 weeks worth of Seattle Sutton meals. Seattle Sutton is a company who provides you with breakfast lunch and dinner that are all nutritionally balanced and fall within a certain calorie level.

Well, he had 2 phone interviews and was told he was chosen as one of the ten contestants! The person who loses the highest percentage of weight at the end of the 14 weeks gets a free trip to Vegas!

Well, sense we wouldn't be spending the grocery money for Ty to eat anymore and we want to make it as easy as possible for Ty to win this thing............we decided that we would buy 14 weeks worth of meals for me too! Okay, to be honest it not only would help Ty.....I really wanted to do it too.

So here we go! The food is shockingly good and it is quite nice not to have to think about what to eat and spending time to make it or wash dishes!!!

Wish us luck!

and the saga continues...

2010-05-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

After my trip to the farm we headed back to "normal" life in Rexburg. Well, as normal as a life can with including things like testing centers, chastity lines, milk cartons with names written on them, and 'Boys Out'.

Side note: Have you ever noticed that all of the apartment complexes in Rexburg are named after samething that Rexburg doesn't have??? Ex: Autumn Winds, Birch, Arbor Cove, Pineview....you get my point.

Anyways, I was heading back to Minnesota that fall to work...needed money bad. The day before I was leaving, Ty helped me pack all of my stuff up that I would be taking home and we headed back to Arimo. I was taking the shuttle down to the airport from a little town near where his family was. We stayed up all night just talking. I didn't really know what this all ment but aparently we were breaking up.

We headed to the shuttle in the morning....it sucked. When the van started to pull away and Ty was waving goodbye from the parking lot, I thought I had swallowed my heart. I couldn't say I loved him at that point or anything but I knew I thought he was pretty groovy. I think I spent that whole trip trying not to cry.

For the next four months I worked 80 hours a week! Not something I recomend but do-able if you know it is going to end at some point. Not to mention that if I saved enough to pay the insurace for the next year and enough for gas for the same amout of time, my dad was letting my take his, soon to be my, car! In Rexburg, everyone thinks they need a car. They don't, but you sure are cool if you had one.

So I worked my tail off getting speratic calls from Ty. That was about it. Way to cherish my time huh??

Well, the time to head out to school was quickly approaching and I needed someone to drive my car back out to school with me. Conviently, none of my friends could drive a stick (that is if you don't count my best friend, Linna, but remember this was 'conviently'). So I told Ty I would buy him a plane ticket if he would help me out. He agreed and I counted down the days.

Now realize, Ty was as excited as I was. He knew we were friends but he was adimit that was it. His family gave him crap the night before he left and he insisted that absolutly nothing was going to happen. I think he should have looked up irony in the dictionary before coming.

I picked him up at the airport and speed away. Here is way things get interesting...

While we were talking I felt somthing near my hip. I thought maybe something just brushed against me but then it was on my butt!!! I couldn't believe it....Ty has his hand on my behind! After a minute or two...I asked him what he was doing. He turned bright red and said he thought he was just playing with the seatbelt!!! We warmed up to each other real quick after that one.

That night, we rented 'Rat Race'. Well, it wasnt too far into the movie that we started holding hands. I still couldn't tell you what happened in the movie because I was so distracted by what MIGHT happen. Well, the details are fuzzy and we can't agree on who kissed who first but that is exactly what happened! After four months of 'kissing other girls' , his words not mine, we were back together.

I suppose I should back up a second.....I always (only half jokingly) said I was never going to kiss more that 10 boys in my life. Well, lets put it this way..... I made** it! Wanna know the meaning behind the **? Well, Ty was number 9....good right? Well, when we were broken up, I hit 10. But when I got back toether with Ty I went back to 9 again.....good right? Either way, I made it:)

So we started heading out to school right after Christmas.....so you can imagine the weather conditions. We mad it through MN.....ND.....but Montana wasn't lettin' us in. We pulled into a little town name Glendive, MT around 11pm to find out that the highway from there on out was closed because it was covered with a solid sheet of ice. Our only option was to get a hotel room. Neither one of us were terribly keen on this but we couldn't stay in the car...it was below freezing. So we found a hotel and our only option was to get one room....two beds..but only one room. Reluctantly we took it. Ty told me later that he figured I was worth keeping around because just before I passed out that night I told him 'if I wake up an you are in my bed, I will kill you.' Who knew thats all it would take!

We made it the rest of the way without incident!

We got back to Idaho about a week before school started which was my original intention. I figured I could be all set up and ready to go when class started. Because Ty and I had gotten back together on the trip back, I had no intention of heading back to Rexburg so early while he was in Arimo. He was taking the Spring semester off to work at the ski resort so he would be 2 hours away. The night before I left we were talking and Ty said it.....he said

"You're in trouble"

I asked him "why"

And he told me "because you made me fall in love with you"

Now any normal persons response to this declaration would be 'I love you, too'...right? Not mine! I knew I loved him but I was so freaked out by those words that all I could say was "Ditto!" Ditto!!! Yes ditto from the movie ghost! Its the best I could do. I finally did say it but it felt weird!
(Awful picture...but it was from that night so.....)

Later that month, we decide it was inevitable....we were gettin' married! This freaked me out even more! Not because I didn't want to marry him, but because I could imagine what my family was going to say! My sister had acutally told me (do you remember this, Molly?) that I wasn't 'allowed' to get married until I was 23. I was 21 when we decided this. And I had even told my mom that I would never ever marry anyone in the military seeing how tough it could be for both of my sisters. Boy was I wrong!!!! I was excited but terrified.

You are going to love the story of Ty asking my dad if he could marry me.........next time!

Chapter 2...

2010-05-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

..who knew that in my world 'tomorrow' means a week!!

Back to the story...

WARNING.......you can't judge me on this one....it was the past.

After that first kiss...we became an item. It was never said, just assumed. This is pretty standard at BYU-Idaho.....dangorous but standand.

I was living in an apartment complex that used to be an old folks home. Because of that, the doorways were huge, there were bathrooms in the bedrooms, walk in closets, and all of the doors into the aparments were on the back side of the building to ensure privacy. My apartment was in the center making it the furthest to walk to from the parking lot. My roomate and I decided it would be a good idea to take the screen out of our bedroom window, which faced the parking lot, and use it as a door when we were feeling too lazy. Sad, I know, but true. Well, eventually this became a convientant way for Ty to let me know he was there, or say goodnight. There is a rule at BYU-Idaho that there are no boys back in the bedrooms.....we found a way around that. I think this may be a prime example of following the letter of the law vs. the spirit:)

Well we left that screen out all summer....should have put it back in when I started to notice foot prints on my bed from roomates climbing in and out:)

From the time we started dating until the Fall semester, it was a whopping one month. We accomplished a lot in the month though....like going to the farm for the first time....

Ty family lives in Arimo which is about 2 hours south of Rexburg so one weekend, it was time visit the bovine eutopia....ie: T.J. Smith and Sons farms. I'd never spent much time around tractors and cows so I was excited....nervous but excited.

The trip was going great.....we were even going to get to go ride horse's that belonged to Ty's old seminary teacher. I had been taking a horse riding class at school, I know I know but I figured I wouldn't never have a chance to do something like that on my dad's dime again, so I was excited.

We went and got the horses an headed back into the farm land towards the mountains. About an hour or so into the ride, we decided to switch horses. Ty jumped up on him new horse and I attempted to but Triby wasn't havin' it. He would move his butt away every time I went to put my foot in the sterup. So Ty, sitting on his horse, grabed my reins and held up Triby while I got up on the saddle. Ty decided to best way to get the reins back to me was to toss them over the horses head. Soooooo, not a good idea. The reins fell short, hit the horse in the face and spooked him. He took off full speed back towards the stables.......longs ways away at this point. Some time in there the reins wrapped around the horses leg so I had no hope of getting them back. Triby was galloping at full speed and I had NO way of controlling him. I honestly thought there was no way that I was getting out of this one with out major injuries.

Triby was on auto-pilot and took a sharp turn on a PAVED road toward the stable. I was scared beyond belief. Meanwhile Ty was trying so hard to catch up with me but his horse just wasn't fast enough. Well, here is the funny/embaressing/sad/bad part of the story. I mentioned that I was scared, well I didn't have the best reaction to the fear. I started yelling, no...screaming the worst possilbe swear word you can think off. And I mean for a long time.

At this point, I could see the barn in front of me and I thought maybe, just maybe, Triby would just slow down and head into the barn. No such luck. He continued on full speed past the barn!!! Past the barn with me still yelling obsenaties. Ty's horse, however, thought it was a good place to stop short. Ty flew over the front of the horse and slammed into the metal gate on the horse ring. At this point I noticed that there was barbed wire on the side of the road. I could get Triby to turn slightly but pulling on this mane. I decided that if I steered him towards that barbed wire, he would either jump the face or stop. I had to take my chances. Obviously, I was being watched over because he stopped!!! I jumped off, grabbed the reins and started to walked back to the barn. Ty ran to me and helped me walked Triby back. Of coarse......when we were tying the reins to a post, the horses bridal broke! While I was hanging on, a PIG ate the bottom of my shirt!!!! Yes I said a pig... I couldn't do anything about it because I couldn't let go of the horse!!!

Well, as murphy's law would have it, things wern't over yet! We headed into the barn and who was there? The seminary teacher AND.....the MISSIONARIES!!! Yes, that's right, I was screaming swear words in front of the missionaries. So ends the last experience of have had ridding horses.

To be continued....

The beginning.....

2010-05-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

I opened the blog up again, moving on...

Today is a special day....today I am kick off the 'crap I don't want to forget' series. I'll admit it, I'm not the best at journaling so you all get to relive this stories with me!

So lets start with the number one thing I am thankful for.....this guy!!

Once upon a time...scratch that! Let's be honest, once upon a time is code word for this one Sunday at the hormone filled institution called BYU-Idaho, I went to church with my roommates. A normal occasion in Rexburg. The morning was filled with chatter about the new semester and all of the new 'meat' ie: boys, that would be coming into the ward.

I had just come back from 2 months in central America (we'll cover that another day) and had a killer tan! Okay, it had faded a little by this point but let's be honest, is that really a bad thing? I looked like a freak!

So with my tan faded to a nice golden color, I was feeling pretty good about myself. We walked up to the Snow building and were sitting in the lobby before sacrament and I saw a boy....a cute boy!!! Lucky me....he came over and talked to us! He introduced himself, I wasn't listening very well as I would soon discover, and just as he finished, it was time to head in.

Now, this is BYU-I...you sit with your roommates, end of story!!! I'll admit that I didn't get a whole lot out of that sacrament because I spent the whole time trying to discreetly, so not smooth, look around to find this boy. It turns out he was sitting a few rows behind us so you can imagine all of my poor excuses to turn around....I dropped something behind me...someone was calling my name...you get the point, just plain sad.

Church ended without another mention of him. Oh well....

Later that week, I hadn't run in the this new boy yet so I decided to take things into my own hands. Okay, that's not true. I'm a big wimp...I had my roommate take things into her own hands. She called over to the apartment I thought he lived in and asked her buddy who lived there if Troy was living with them. When he said no, she asked if he knew which apartment he lived in. No idea. Maybe I just imagined him.

Family home evening assignments were passed down that week and my roommates and we decided to go and meet the apartment of guys we were matched with. We walked into the so obviously boys apartment, it smelled like burritos, and there he was. TROY!

Now riddle me this?? How is it that out of all of the information he gave me when he introduced himself, I remember his MIDDLE name??? His name wasn't Troy, it was TYLER! I told you I didn't listen real well when we first met.

For a reason I can't remember, he walked back to my apartment with me before he had to go to work. I had been unpacking still and had a huge box of stuff that didn't have a home yet. Well, Tyler left shortly after with George Forman in hand. I had 2 for some reason and was happy to get rid of the clutter. We actually still have that grill.

We started hanging out at night and just learning about each other. He had just gotten home from his mission to the Philippines after going to basic training and AIT. I, well I couldn't shut up! That is the reason he first kissed me. Romantic huh? He claims to this day that the only reason he kissed me is to get me to stop talking. I think I might believe him.

To be continued.....tomorrow!!!

Most of you already know...

2010-05-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

...but I'm going back to school. I'm know I know....shut up Audrey...right? Its all I've talked about for the last month or so.

But here is the run down. My first class starts on June 7th and then 3 more in the fall. Should be done in about 2 years. The goal is to have a job of some sort (definition to be determined later) by the time I'm 30......so 2 1/2 years away.

In the meantime I also started a photography blog so go take a looksie....again I'm sure you are sick of hearing about it....

www.thestuffishoot.blogspot.com

Did you know.....

2009-11-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

....I hate cutting my nails?
....there's a bull frog in Africa that can eat an antalope?
....my husband will kick your butt at the farming game every time?
....my little toenail grows sideways?
....I havn't worn makeup in 2 months?
....I want a mental vacation?
....I am back from blog vacation????????

Well, now you do!

This week in photos....

2009-09-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

......aparently not a very exciting week..........I only have 2 photos for you. I take that back, it HAS been an exciting week, just didn't tak photos!

I bought this onion when Ty and I went down to the very southeast corner of MN to go caving and camping. There is a large amish population down there and we decided to take a tour. We bought an audio CD that brought you to several amish family farms. When and if I ever get a large sum of money.........there are a few pieces of furniture that I will be blowing it on. AMAZING! Sense I'm not flush with money, we bought jams, honey, and this little beauty. For 60 cents, this GIANT onion may be the best deal ever! (spice bottle for size comparision only!)

Saturday night, I did some senior pictures for the daughter of one of Ty's co-workers. Lots and lots of editting to do but here is a sample.

A day late but not a dollar short...

2009-09-04T04:02:00.000-07:00

....I guess the end of summer means more frequent blogging activity. At least this is what I keep telling myself sense I'm convinced my lack luster posting activity has to be blamed on something.....and summer is as good as an excuse as any.

Ty and I are heading down to Southeast MN to go camping, caving, and amish people harassing. But before I go......I will leave you with today's (or yesterdy I guess) ThankfulThursday.

Today, I am thankful for.........

...my chacos..................made the fair sooooooo much better

...speaking of the fair....pig noses.........arn't they the greatest?

...clean sheets....what could possibly be better????

...Dryer sheets......mmmmmmmmmmmmm

...people who actually pay me to take their senior pictures.....isn't they like double dipping?

...cinnamon roasted almonds.......in the top 10 best things I've ever eaten

...toe nail polish.....how else do you cover up ugly toes?

...a dog who will do anything to make me laugh......or at least I convince myself its on purpose:)

...garden fresh potatoes......I have never tasted anything like it....AMAZING!

...THIS guy!

Because it is a physical impossibility....

2009-08-31T04:21:00.001-07:00

....to wait until I'm actually done editting all of the photos until I share them.......her are a couple of Miranda's senior pictures! I will post more when I'm done! What do you think?

Class participation needed....

2009-08-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

.....I want your favorite quotes, stories, poems, knock knock jokes........whatever makes you smile, gives you courage, or just a chuckle.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Brittany posted this on her blog and I havn't been able to get it out of my head.

Come to the edge
No we will fall

Come to the edge
No we will fall

They came to the edge
He pushed them and they flew
-Guillaume Apollinaire

Or Jes and Kurt told me this AWESOME joke!

what's brown and sticky???? (A STICK!!!)

But the one that has gotten me through the most lately was from a small poster hanging on the wall at the Dr office that read:

Courage
doesn't always roar
sometimes courage is
the quiet voice at
the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."

So bring on the participation!

Life altering lesson learned at the como zoo.....

2009-07-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

........

.........

Life isn't always black and white.............

sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence!

Ha! I crack myself up!

ThankfulThursday

2009-07-23T12:26:00.003-07:00

Is it bad that I'm thankful that I'm not the only one that lets blogging go by the wayside in the summer? Kinda of like misery loves company....

Here goes....
I am thankful for...

1. Insurance pays at least a part of the $46 dollars a box of contacts that I have to purchase 2 of every 3 months
2. My $1 planner that has more than earned its keep..........its fueling my list obessesion
3. My Pfaff...........we are having a love affair, MOVE OVER TY!
4. Tour de France........well and the fact that my dad doesn't have cable and is forced to watch it at my house. My dogs always have someone to let them out on time:)
5. SmashBurger.....mmmmmmmm
6. Etsy..............www.etsy.com
7. Cheese graters......seriously...think about shredding cheese with out it
8. My talent....ability....magical power to french braid my own hair:)
9. Water proof mascara
10........................YOUR MOM!!!!!! .......cause if she didn't exsist, you wouldn't be here to read my ridiculous posts!

A good reason...

2009-07-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

.....to deal with power tripping security guards?
...to stand for 3 hours smashed into a sweaty...sweaty place?
...to lose 75% of your hearing for and hours after the noise is over?

....to live the evening with paranoia because a certain previously mentioned security guard tried to take one of your lens to you camera because he says its to long and then you hide it and sneak it into another door and use it anyways.

...to stay up until 2 in the morning at which time you have to go deliver newspapers and don't actually get to bed until 4 in the morning when you didn't go to bed until 3:30 the morning before.

....is it a good reason to get to enjoy the single best show you have ever seen in your life?

.....welll.....is it??

You bet your hiney it is!!! GREEN DAY was absolutely the best concert I've been too! If you ever get the chance...I would suggest. Or.....just wait for me to win tickets again and hope I invite you this time. In the last year I've won 4 sets of tickets from the radio.....so you can calculate you odds.....

So let's talk about the single worst security guard in the city. When I was getting ready to leave, Ty called the Target Center to see what their policy on cameras was. I didn't want to bring my SLR and then be told it wasn't allowed. Target Center said that as long as the camera didn't have video recording or sound recording (which really what camera BESIDES an SLR doesn't have that feature) it was okay to bring in. So we go to get in and the guy asks to look into my bag. He pulls out my camera and proceeds to tell me that it is a video camera. After telling him 3 times that it was not he decided to try and tell me that my lens was too long. All this time he kept trying to ripped my camera out of my hands. You don't grab an expensive piece of equipment away from someone, or at least someone like me, and not expect me to get a little snarky about it. There were too other female security guard who kept telling him to let me go in. So when I started to walk by he grabbed my arm and told me he was calling his manager and I couldn't leave. Well the manager called back and said that I would have to go put the lens in my car. Are you kidding me? This is downtown! Not like there are parking lots conveniently located near by. So I ripped my stuff away from this dude and walked away. I then proceeded to put the smaller lens on my camera, hid the long lens very well in the many compartments of my camera bag and go to another entrance. The security guard there started to tell me I couldn't bring an SLR in but when he saw the length of my lens he told me I was fine.

So what did I do??? As soon as Green Day came on I switched lenses! Ha!

The top 10 observations when attending Valleyfair.....

2009-06-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

.....be warned! Several, but not all, of those revolve around the choice of swim suit!

For those of you not from around here, Valleyfair is an amusment park...think Lagoon. Ty and I spent out 5th aniversery riding rides that, in a reasonably sensible persons mind, should kill you with Jes and Kurt last week. I guess we are just big kids! I dare say this is one of the most fun Anniversaries yet! However, lets just say that more than just the roller coasters had me wanting to puke.

10. It is not acceptable to walk around all day wearing only your bikini top and short shorts any where else so why do it here?

9. One who spends more then 2 hours in an amusement park is somehow convinced that $4 for a soda is a 'good deal'.

8. It is perfectly acceptable to wear only your swim suit while hurdling full speed down a nearly vertical slide but you are in no way allowed to take off you shirt (guys only of coarse) when you are riding the wave. Discuss.

7. Husbands will often time do anything humanly possible to win a giant, and I do mean giant, stuffed dog that just happens to look like Blue just to make there wives happy.

6. Forbidden fantasies can be lived out through a mear $6 air brushed tattoo on the inside of ones wrist.

5. Parents should not allow there 5 year old to venture 5 feet out into the middle of a calm wave pool and than expect him to be fine once the waves start. If they do, concerned anniversary celebrating guests will grab said child to keep him from continuing to drown and return him to dry land while little drowning boys look at her like they want to cry.

4. 'Muffin Top' is real.

3. When nagged enough by ones husband....one finds the courage to go on terrifying roller coasters and learns that one likes them!

2. A giant tramp stamp (lower back tattoo) is made all the more ridiculous when it is your name with a swirly design around it and body glitter rubbed on it. I'm not kidding! I actually saw this.

and the number 1 observation is.....................

1. just because you are in the age ranges of 14-29 does not mean you are required by law to sport a bikini. If you have a less than tight physic.....avoid this choice in swim wear. I saw far too much of some peoples bodies and its time people take a good look at what will flatter. Between the cracks and the 2 sizes to small bottoms I beg of you to stop!!!!

What happens when.....

2009-06-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

....the Army and the Marines duke it out???

After an afternoon at the lake with our favorite Marine family Travis and Nicole (Ruby was not in attendance), I thought I would be able to answer that question..........

...............But clearlly I am not prepared to make that call.

You tell me???

Technical Difficulties.....

2009-06-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

.....please excuse this weeks interruption in the ThankfulThursday line up because the author of said line up has lost a good amount of faith in human kind after today's grand jury. Please tune in tomorrow for our regular programing.

Thank you.

Food PORN!!!!

2009-06-09T19:14:00.000-07:00

So I've decided that I want to make a cook book.

I get to make everything, take a picture of it, print it in a book, and use that book to make it again.

Wow, that's a vicious circle.

But that means food PORN!!!! My biggest vice....well really next to eating this stuff! I could spend all day staring at a cookbook. Give me the chance to want a fantastic movie....ie:the labyrinth, or watch food network and my mouth will start a watering.

So now, my cookbook means I get to produce my own food PORN!

Does this mean I have to go to the bishop???

na na na na na na na na na na................

2009-06-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

BATDOG!

When I wake up in the morning....

2009-06-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

......Do you think that I am neglecting ThankfulThursday??? Well you are WRONG WRONG WRONG! I got busy. My goat stole the key board. I mean the virtual blog thief stole it. Errrr, no wait! My mom's whooping cough vaccination wore off and we had to go to the hospital. Or....I printed it, folded it into a paper airplane and it got hijacked......

Take your pick, but you are WRONG if you think I just didn't do it!

So today is an abbreviated TT in the name of whooping cough vaccinations.....well, and that I have to share something awesomely terrible with you at the end of the post too!!!

I am thankful for...

.....people who WANT to scrub my feet and paint them pretty for a living because I sure don't!

.....Green Day tickets....yep, that's right! I won them on the radio.

.....Jury Duty on my anniversary.......(not really but maybe if I say it, I won't be so mad!)

.....neighbors who understand that you don't care if they smoke but appreciate not leaving the butts on your lawn when they come to visit.

.....that there is a water park close by!!!!!!

So now to the awesomely terrible part!

What would you call the perfect evening??? Would it include 80 nostalgia? Overacting? Zoobaz???

Well mine does! A couple of weeks ago my sister Molly and I went and saw the single greatest theatrical production ever in existence. It had everything! Romance, drugs, dancing!!! What could be better! What is this delightful show you might ask? Here are some clues:

1. Included some fantastically cheesy hand gestures.

3. Cell phones were the size of dust busters.....er well I guess they were dust busters.

3. Male bonding included such endearing nick names as 'muscle bond monkey' and 'preppy'.

4. Teachers show there concern for there students through mid life crisis'

5. Characters often burst into song and dance while wearing leotards more often then one would hope.

Whoever thought to make Saved by the Bell a play is my HERO!!!!!!

Stop blocking my shot!!!!!

2009-06-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

....so I know that sometimes you don't want your picture taken....I'm the same way. But its time to get over your photo phobia and just let it happen!

Because when you do......you end of with some of my favorite shots!!!!

What if your nose really itched???

2009-05-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

......I don't mean a little... I mean itched so much that it was driving you a little mad. So much that you wouldn't think twice about sticking a sharp pencil up there just for a little relief???

Would you scratch it???????

And just hope some lady didn't just happen to be standing on the side of the road snapping photos??

I need a little color in my life......

2009-05-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

...or do I????

I took more senior pictures of KayLeigh this last week. While I was editing them I could decide if I like a few in black and white or color better.

B&W..........???....

...or color...???....

B&W???..................

...OR COLOR!!!!?????????

I just can't decide!!!!!! While you contemplate this earth shattering delemia.....here are a few others of my favorites.

The WEINER!!!!!

2009-05-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

.......Wanna know who won my quiz?????

........you do???

....well, why don't I tell you than...........................................................

AFTER I give you the anwers! (I'm such a tease!)

1. Toilet Dog: We have a rule in our house that if a dog can fit in a toilet....its not a dog! Hence the name 'Toilet Dog!

2. Crack Salad: Its the McDonalds Grilled Southwest Salad. The addiction has gotten so bad that I think I may need to invent some kind of methadone for the stuff!

3. Shaky Cheese: Parm!.....you can shake it, 'nuff said.

4. Doink Doink: You people are all sickos!!!!! Doink Doink is the sound the gavel makes at the end of Law and Order!

5. Buttons: Because I am lazy, I aparently felt the need to shorten the name remote control to buttons because it took too much effort to say.

6. Doggie Crumbs: Doggie crumbs are the result of puppies to head out in the morning to take a tinkle and then feel the pull the jump into bed and snuggle.....they leave behind sand or DOGGIE CRUMBS!

7. Dragons: For some reason, people seem to think, when it rains or one single snow flake falls, a giant dragon is pateintly waiting to jump out in front of them and devour their car with them inside if they go over 10 mph. So whenever there is traffic......we just say there are dragons out today!

8. Hair Binder: The only reason that I included this one is because it seems to be a Minnesota thing to call a pony tail holder a hair binder. Whenever I would say thing out at school it fueled a 10 minute conversation about how I was strange.

9. Clicker: Garage door opener.......get it? It Clicks!

10. Tomfredo: Ty has some pretty wicked heartburn so my culinary exhibitions have been limited to non spicy things, which is the very opposite of my dreams. Even Spaghetti sauce gives him pain. So I was making tortilini one day and decided to mix spaghetti sauce and alfredo for the sauce and it did the trick! Its one of Ty's favorite and it didn't have a name so I came up with the dumbest name possible!

11. Buddy & Butthead: This would be Blue and Scout....respectivly.

12. Camel kiss: When I want to annoy Ty I open my mouth, put it up against his check and close my teech. My lips are still where they would have been if my mouth was open. I call this a camel kiss because it gets him all slobbery....he loves it!!! (please note sarcasam here!)

As far as Duck Duck Gray Duck goes......this is another Minnesota thing. It is an ongoing argument between Ty and I whether it is Gray Duck or Goose. I have even gone so far as to start calling al Geese Gray Ducks.

After much deliberation and a...........................................the winner is...............

Kristin!!!!!!

(and before you ask...no I will not take the picture down:))

Tell me when you want the cinnamon rolls!!! Saturday?

A pig and a quiz...

2009-05-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ty and I were talking the other night and it occured to me that if any normal (and I mean that in the most general way possible) were listening......they would be as confused as a live pig at a picnic. By Golly...we have our own language!

So today, we will be having a little fun! Below are some words that Ty and I routinly use 'round these parts (insert dorking western accent here).

Whoever can correctly define the most words, will win either a batch of my kick A cinnamon rolls (seriously, ask around)......or if you are not from a 30 mile radius of me I will send you this nifty $5 target gift card in my wallet from an origin that I no longer remember.

Here's how to play....just copy and paste the below words into a comment and leave you definitions. Its that easy!!!! If you havn't a clue....take your wildest guess, extra points may be given for creativity of wrong answers in the event of a tie so you never know!!! Some may be more obvious than others. Winner will be announced ThankfulThursday morning!!!!!! GOOD LUCK!

1. Toilet Dog:
2. Crack Salad:
3. Shaky Cheese:
4. Doink Doink:
5. Buttons:
6. Doggie Crumbs:
7. Dragons:
8. Hair Binder:
9. Clicker:
10. Tomfredo:
11. Buddy & Butthead:
12. Camel kiss:

EXTRA CREDIT!!!!
13. Duck Duck Gray Duck....this is fairly easy however I want you to tell me when Ty (or most of the country for that manner) disagrees with me on this game.

me so thankful!

2009-05-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

Today, on this greatest of ThankfulThursdays, I embrace my inner hermit. Today is one of those days where my greatest joy would be spending the entire day in my pj’s sliding across the kitchen floor singing in to a wooden spoon at the top of my lungs. My luck, whenever I enjoy those times the window is open and the neighborhood gets a good listen to my ‘hermit-dom’.

So today’s ThanfulThursday is dedicated to all of you who love me despite my love of occasional solitude….

Today, I am thankful for…..

…..post it notes………how else would I organize my obscene number of shopping lists, appointment list, and lists in general???
…..asparagus season……I no longer have to wistful think about better times when these green stalks of joy don’t cost $327 a bundle. I embrace the stinky side effects!
…..Toilet brushes……seriously, think of life without and I bet you will be thankful too!
…..a dog smart enough to run away when I wake up to one giant lick on the face….seriously, she licked me right when I opened my eyes this morning then bolted. Ty couldn’t stop laughing.
…..whoever invented the headband……..it makes dirty hair days okay
…..sunglasses……..do I really need to explain this one???
…..lists…..does anyone else find this ironic?
…..garlic salt…….this has become a staple in our home
…..flip flops…….murder on my feet but heaven on my toes
…..my bicycle…..its that time of year that feeling the breeze is amazing

p.s. I’m ready to not be a hermit anymore. Does anyone wanna play with me?

The thought of a towel and some soap makes me howl....

2009-05-06T05:13:00.001-07:00

This is Dirty Dan....

Dirty Dan lives between the pages of 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' by Shel Silverstine....

The Dirtiest Man In The World

Oh, I'm Dirty Dan, the world's dirtiest man,I never have taken a shower.I can't see my shirt--it's so covered with dirt,And my ears have enough to grow flowers.

But the water is either a little too hot,Or else it's a little too cold.I'm musty and dusty and patchy and scratchyAnd mangy and covered with mold.But the water is always a little too hot,Or else it's a little too cold.

I live in a pen with five hogs and a henAnd three squizzly lizards who creep inMy bed, and they itch as I squirm, and I twitchIn the cruddy old sheets that I sleep in.

In you looked down my throat with a flashlight, you'd noteThat my insides are coated with rust.I creak when I walk and I squeak when I talk,And each time I sneeze I blow dust.

The thought of a towel and soap makes me howl,And when people have something to tell meThey don't come and tell it--they stand back and yell it.I think they're afraid they might smell me.

The bedbugs that leap on me sing me to sleep,And the garbage flies buzz me awake.They're the best friends I've found and I fear they might drownSo I never go too near a lake.

Each evening at nine I sit down to dineWith the termites who live in my chair,And I joke with the bats and have intimate chatsWith the cooties who crawl in my hair.

I'd brighten my life if I just found a wife,But I fear that will never beUntil I can find a girl, gentle and kind,With a beautiful face and a sensitive mind,Who sparkles and twinkles and glistens and shines--And who's almost as dirty as me.

......I think I may have found Dirty Dan's twin brother..........

You might be bless if......

2009-04-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

...today is the Jeff Foxwrothy edition of ThankfulThursday called 'you might be blessed if...'

I know that I often times express my thankfulness for things that many of you don't understand, but they are truly things that I am grateful for. Today however, I want to focus on some of the most important blessings in my life....

...My best friend, Ty......if I had to live the rest of my life without him, I would survive but the most important part of my soul would be missing. I would have to wake up every morning with out him quietly calling the dogs onto the bed when he thinks I'm still fast asleep just because he knows it will make me smile, or order my favorite pizza even though he hates the crust, or leave dumb messages on my voicemail because he knows I will laugh out loud, or even just take out the trash every Monday because he knows I hate it. I'm truly blessed.

...hard times..... I learn so much about myself. I don't enjoy these times but I know that I am strong enough to overcome them.

...my friends.....there are a few of you that have been instrumental in my sanity lately. I'm so thankful that you allow me to cry, be stand-offish (I love that word!), and take without giving much back when I need you. You truly are wonderful blessings.

...my vacuum....let me explain this one. I'm thankful that I can use my vacuum for a short period of time and the progress is evident. Its so nice to be able feel accomplished with such a small act.

...off buttons.....I love me some solitude time!

...the 1st edition Betty Crocker cook book that I got when my grandma died.. its nice to feel close to her just by making he favorite cakes. (Ty doesn't mind it either)

...Ty.........I know I already said it but he is that much of a blessing.

...windows........I ♥ sunshine!!!!!!!!

This post has been completely too serious but I don't think I would be able to wrap my head around anything else until I got it out. So really, you get to enjoy my metal vomit!!!

ThankfulThursday!!!

2009-04-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

For the sake of brevity……..

….abreva…….I will admit that I was a little perturbed that this little tube cost $20 but worth every penny!
….jumper cables……oh how thankful I am that you decided to live in my car! I’ve had to utilize you twice in the past 2 weeks!
….Friends whose children let me take picture after picture of them and then post said pictures on my blog no matter how goofy!! Sometimes you even get a heart-warming shot too!
….a freezer you could fit 2 adults in….don’t ask me how I know.
…..tide……I want to smell it every single hour of every single day!
….the comic relief of Scout rolling of the bed…hilarious!
….the love that continues to grow every single day for my camera…..you thought I was gonna say Ty huh?
….Goats with collars….???
….dishwashers………it gives me nightmares to think back to the pre-dishwasher days *shiver*
….Como Zoo!!!!!!!!! (even if there are statues of naked ladies there)

Why?

2009-04-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

...Why do all of prince's song seem to have a color followed by an object??? Purple rain! Raspberry Barret! Little Red Corvette! What is up with that?

...Why is there in influx of people who insist on using "seen" when they should be using "saw"? Example: "I seen Amy last week" or "I seen you already done it". Done vs. Did is another travesty!

...Why do people think its okay to cancel something exactly 11 minutes before said activity starts?? Not going to give an example but I was thoroughly irritated.

...Why do people ask you if you know about something and than proceed to tell you about it anyways??? I say if your gonna do that, don't even ask!

...Why hasn't Ron been kicked of the Biggest Loser yet?

...Why do companies trying to sell you something over the phone employ people who have such a heavy accent that you can't understand them???? Give them a different job, not one where they will spend their entire day repeating themselves.

...Why do I have a giant cold sore on my lip?

Please feel free to answer any of my questions. Your cooperation is appreciated.

The day this photo was taken...

2009-04-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

...I spent 3 hours curling my hair....Why??????? I have curly hair anyways!
...Ty stepped in the walk the mother of the bride down the aisle in the Cathedral of St Paul because one of the ushers thought it was a good idea not to show up.
...approximately 1/2 of the day was spent pulling my bridesmaid dress up to show "less" cleavage
...I learned that the term "open bar" means BIG trouble
...I tracked down the groom and 3 of his groomsmen coming back from a bar before the ceremony. The cathedral has strict rules about this, if you have had anything to drink they will call off the wedding. We never told the bride.
...the mother of the bride, who does not believe in God, very loudly expressed her unhappiness about the minister stating the a marriage can never be perfect if it is not centered around God by yelling the F word. Bride and groom didn't hear it luckily.
...I got to spend a whole night dancing with my Ty like it was the prom.....perfect.

Dance, magic Dance!!!!!!

2009-04-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

Name that movie!!!!

When I was little, I used to write my name for six or seven horizontal lines in the ‘E’ versus the three necessary. Every other letter was perfect, well as perfect as a 4 year old can make it. You got the gist, but there was always something off.

I still have multi lined ‘E’ syndrome. I know how to make things “right” but I’m not interested in “right”. I’m more interested in making sure that people see the real me, but also see that something just isn’t quite the same.

I’m just grateful that I learned that about myself at age 4, it taught be to appreciate life’s seemingly insignificant blessings.

thankfulThursday…

…..online bill pay……saves our butts!
…..the toaster........makes the best toasted bagel sandwiches….EVER!
…..laundry baskets……..I cringe thinking about have to carry all Ty’s dirty work clothes in my arms
…..my nalgene bottom…….we are a thing
…..sweet potatoes…..I don’t understand why I always avoided them!
…..my calling……..I seriously think if I ever have to leave yw, I’m going to hide in the bathroom the 3rd hour.
…..I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….UNDER EYE CONCELER
…..fortunes inside of fortune cookies……today it said “Accept something that you cannot change, and you will feel better” How are those fortune people so smart???
…..the ‘cracker’….aka the chiropractor
…..who ever thought that it would be a good idea to put something that plopped out of a chicken into boiling water and then eat it! I heart hard boiled eggs!

When your girl dog doesn't look like a girl...

2009-04-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

...what do you do???

We gave her a pink collar but I don't think that is good enough. Scout is having a sexual identity crisis! What could I do for her.....

..but paint her nails pink!

when the past slaps you in face.....

2009-04-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

...you remember the exactly 1 week that you wrote for the BYU-Idaho news paper. Just for the heck of it I googled my madien name and came up with this! Don't remember why I didn't continue writing after only one week but this one ended up on the front page that week. I'm actually a little embaressed!

trivia fact! This was printed exactly 2 years to the day before Ty and I got married:)

June 25th, 2002
Starving for imageAnorexia is an illness, not a sin

by Audrey Dorff

Scroll Staff

BYU-Idaho isn’t immune to eating disorders. Many students struggle daily. The good news is that it is a battle that can be won.

Often times, people assume that because they are at a church school, they aren’t affected with problemssuch as eating disorders. Some people would even go as far as to say that people are affected with eating disorders because of sin, Wendy Williams of the BYU-Idaho Counseling Office said.

Those who work in the BYU-Idaho counseling office have worked with students who deal with the struggle of having an eating disorder. Williams is one of those counselors.

Williams states that the rate of eating disorders on campus is not much different than that of the rest of the world. Anorexia occurs in about 0.4 to 0.7 percent of the population. Although she did not have exact percentages, she said that the numbers were probably about the same at BYU-Idaho.

Bulimia is a much more common problem. It occurs in about 2 to 4 percent of the population.

The counseling office sees many more cases of bulimia than they do anorexia, although anorexia is not non-existent.

“The big stumbling block of these disorders is they deny there is a problem or the seriousness of

the problem,” Williams said.

In fact, the reason that most people who suffer from eating disorders won’t admit that there is a problem is part of the disorder. They are too ashamed of their bodies. The only justification that they give is just saying, “I’m fat.”

One student who has suffered from anorexia in the past agrees with this concept.

“I never did this to be vain. I never did it to get other people’s attention. I hated the way I looked and I didn’t want anyone to look at me. I was just fat,” she said.

Williams said that a major problem with the disease of anorexia is the fact that the person has an extremely distorted view of himself or herself.

“They always see something that could be better, ‘if I could just fix this little part around my jaw, then I would be skinny.’ The problem is they always find something else,” she said.

“I’d look in the mirror and hate what I saw. I was 98 pounds, but there was more that I could do. My arms were too fat, if my skin folded over itself at all on my stomach I knew I could trim down even more,” one student said.

She would go through rituals to make herself feel good. She would even go as far as to count the number of times she chewed her food before swallowing.

“That way I could control the amount of time I ate and how long it was staying my body,” she said.

“It was about control. I was so proud of myself every time I could deny myself something to eat. When other people ate, I felt better because I have more control then they did,” she said.

She would begin her day with no breakfast or lunch then two gym classes, walk the three miles home from school and then work out for an hour and a half after getting there. Losing the fat was the only thing she cared about.

“Nothing mattered to me but the food and not eating it,” she said.
At her most desperate time, she had hallucinations and couldn’t tell the difference of what was real and what wasn’t. She had lost so much weight that her body began to physically hurt.

“I would lie in bed as long as I could so I wouldn’t have to get up and face the fridge. When I would lie on my side my thighs wouldn’t touch and when I would lie on my back my hips would hurt,” she said.

Finally she began to fix the problem.

“I started to realize that eating food wouldn’t make me blow up and be fat. It wasn’t evil to me anymore.”

The thing that made her come out of it was support. Her family just loved her and was there if she wanted help.

“I felt like a sinner. It’s not a sin though — it’s an illness.”
All material posted on Scroll eNews is property of BYU-Idaho Scroll.Contact mailto:scrollinternet@byui.eduwith comments or problems.

Would you like to take a stroll...

2009-04-06T06:47:00.001-07:00

..through my crazy maze called a mind?? No?? Really? Are you sure? What do you mean you are scared? There's nothing to be scared of. Its a wonderful place where your worries are left out in the cold and you get to focus on the complexities of hummus and yarn. You'll love it I promise!

Things bouncing around in my brain:

...I think I may go coo coo on the next person to udder the word "irregarless"
...On that same note...Just so you know, an annual meeting only happens once a year not every three months. Thanks for that one, chick at work.
...I see any good reason why I can't keep a girrafe as a pet
...Trader Joe's is my sanctuary
...after spending the day at the zoo on saturday, I now have a special bond with a giant sloth (sloth love chunk!... Ruth! Ruth! Baby! Ruth! Name that movie!)
...After General Confrence with the Bennions, Michael has shown me that my house is soooo not baby proof. the night ended when we heard a crash and found out that Mikey had rolled a light bulb off a shelf and it shattered. Good think no babies live there huh?
...If you don't watch..boys will clean your basement with out being asked!
...I need a new head for my toothbrush. How can one replacement cost $15???
...The handle on my sliding glass door has been missing and in need of replacement for 3+ years..not saying it will happen any time soon, just letting you know the status
...The organization 'people serving people' has an annual BBQ to raise money. Does anyone else find it stand that people serving people wants to feed you meet? What? Is there slogan 'eat flesh'??

...

Why did the chicken cross the road....

2009-03-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

.....because the elephant was in the refrigerator!!!!!!

See....I was just as funny with I was 4 years old. This was the first joke I ever told and it is still a classic!

Now that I have your attention....lets move onto thankful thursday! (I'm not late, just really really early for next week. You don't believe me?? Well, then I guess we arn't really friends than! Or maybe....your right, I am late.)

Today, I'm thankful for...

..my journal from when I was a kid....how else would I know about my very first joke or even about the stories that I told about the unicorn that was pushed in front of a car and broke her legs because she was mean to one of the other unicorns???

..dishwashers...now that I am getting my house under control, I have learned to love the dishwasher so much that I am leaving a sizable about of money to it in my will.

..ceiling fan in our bedroom....this is kind of like the whole turn the heat on in the car and open the windows in the winter mentality...I never claimed it made sense, I just love it.

..electronic leashes..er I mean cell phones....I hate them but I love them!

..double coupone days...I officially have enough mouth wash to swim in!

..my sewing machine!!! (and Serena to help me)..look what I made on monday!

..pergo floors...have you ever tried to damage these things??? Its impossible! Not that I was trying, but....you know, it happens.

..chapstick....mmmmmmm

Today's finally thankful is coming from Scout. She asked that I tell you that she is thankful that Ty and I have to get out of bed in the morning so that she can enjoy our warm spots everyday!!!

The story...

2009-03-19T14:21:00.001-07:00

...of these 4 rings!

These rings are more then just 'pretty' peieces of metal, these rings have history. These rings belonged to Earl and Erna Woodward (perfect names!).

After serving in the Philipines during WWII, Earl returned home to Illnios where he married Ms. Erna Baldus. There wasn't much money to go around so a ring was bought for Erna that held great signifigants but also kept them from going bankrupt. After purchasing this ring, there wasn't enough money left to buy Earl a ring so the decision was made to go without...and they were happy.

On their first Christmas together, Erna decided that she would suprise Earl with a large box. This box was large enough to contain just about anything. But much to the shock of Earl, inside was a simple gold wedding band.....and they were happy.

The years went on, a child was born, and the Woodwards continued on. Soon, the thin gold engagment ring the Earl had given to Erna during a sparse time wore thin. The ring held for as long as it could, but the it eventual was too much and the band broke. Earl decided it was time to give Erna a more substanual band that wouldn't wear through....and they were happy.

This band preformed its duties well, never wearing thin. Soon though, Earl made the decision Erna deserved diamonds. He went above and beyond and gave her this ring....and they were happy.

Erna wore this ring until the day that she died in 1999. It was then passed onto her daughter. The ring was held onto for safe keeping for 5 years. Until it was passed on again.

All of these rings belonged to my Grandpa and Grandma Woodward. Because my mom was an only child, the rings were all passed onto her. She told me that the diamond wedding ring would be mine either when I graduated college or got married, which ever came first. Well the time came to get married and I decided this ring should be my wedding ring instead of something that sat in my jewery box and I wore every once and a while.

When Ty called my dad to ask if he could marry me, he also had the added task of asking for the ring, not something too easy. From what I have been told, my dad made him squirm a little (before my mom kicked him) before letting him off the hook.

All ended well though because the ring ended up here........Okay, maybe more like here.....

Guess What!!!!!

2009-03-12T09:57:00.001-07:00

....no I did not just return from feeding pink mice to hungry lions in the south of France.
....nope, didn't just coat my kitchen floor in flour and giggle when the cops show up looking for cocaine either!!!

It's ThankfulThursday!!!!!!

I'm thanful for...
...a volume knob on my radio...what!!!! I'm sorry I couldn't hear my broken muffler!
...Ramsey Animal Hospital...they rock!
...purple pens....I like to change it up.
...Tax returns and newly created super hero named 'tax man' who came to the rescue!
...'the rattler'....this is when scout sees you but doesn't want you to make her move so she follows you with her ears pretending not to see you. Then when you talk to her or get close the end of her tail starts to wag and its like she doesn't even realize it.....makes me laugh every time!
...toilet brushes....think about it...what if you had to clean your toilet without them!
...the abolishment of wire hangers in our house
...the ace solid waste man who came to my door with a really low price....when I called my company to cancel and go with ace, they gave me a ridiculous price to stay!
...toothpaste!

My Baby wabby Blue-y woo-y....

2009-03-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

...sugar snuggy dumpling pup... (please note that I do not ever speak like this!)

Normal Sunday Morning in the Smith house:

Wonderful Slumber interupted but the inssesant howling of one fur monster named Blue.

Last Sunday Morning in the Smith house:

The fur monster in our room constantly shaking his head, there by shaking the tags on his collar, until we got up and let him out.

We thought that he had just found a new annoying way of waking us but we were WRONG! Later that morning I noticed that he wouldn't move one of his ears back and forth like he normal does. So I took a look and to my horror it was beat red and dirty (dirty being the word I will use to spare you from the grossness). We thought we would clean it out for a day our two and hopefully that would take care of it. He HATES it and I think it hurt him but we had to do it. So yesterday morning I got up and grabbed the cleaning solution and the little bugger ran to the family room and slyly place the affected ear on the floor so I couldn't get to it. Well, it was all gross again so I figured I needed to take him to the vet.

She said it was one of the worst ear infection she had seen and was suprised it wasn't crying more. I felt so bad that I didn't know. Well it took 3 people to hold him down so that she could shave some fur out of there and clean it WAY better then I could. He was crying so much and trying to get away. I wanted to bawl!

I don't even have kids and I couldn't stand to see my dog hurting so I can't imagine what its like with a kid! I guess thats why he is my fur baby.

Now I have to put some goo in his ear twice a day while Ty hold him. He isn't stuggling nearly as much so I think he is feeling bit better already. I'm sure he is glad that the doc gave him some pain pills though!

What do you think of this photo????

2009-03-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

Looks like 4 young misssionaires taking advantage of a photo op right? Maybe they were on their way to the temple and decided "hey, I would love to have a photo of this happy time in my life so I can remember it foundly."

...or maybe they just finished a leap frog contest with another group of missionaries and needed a photo to put on the plaque that would forever immortilized this great acomplishment.

...or maybe its just Ty making sure that the ratio of "normal" missionary photos at least equal the "trunky" missionary photos.

Any way you slice it, thats my husband in the middle there on his mission in the Philipinnes. Nothing too out of the ordinary right???

WRONG!!!! you'll never guess where I found this little gem. Any guesses????

No? okay fine, I'll tell you...

....and ANTI lds website!!!!!! Can you believe it??? We cant figure out how they got it!!

History

2009-03-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

I have been going through a lot of boxes and folders that I found in my parents house. I have found some really cool things including these photos. I didn't think anything of them until I read the back.

The day after my grandfather took this photo, this bridge was demolished. I guess it was a pretty big deal and people came and made a family outting of it.

I'm just kidding!!!!!! I actually took these photos under the bridge between Anoka and Champlin. How did I never know you could go down there???

ThankfulThursday...

2009-02-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

....one day early!!! So does that mean its WankfulWednesday? Or really, if thankful thursday happens today does that mean that we have lost time???? Am I that important???

1. shaky cheese, prego sauce, and dried pasta!
2. dishwashers..the key to marital bliss
3. contact solution...You would think that somthing that has salt in it would sting like a mother, but somehow......
4. My desire and talent to cook...what happened to me? Never thought I'd say that!

5. $99 Bally's membership
6. A niece who wants to call me to tell me she "tinkled in the potty"
7. A weekend alone!!!! I love my husband but I am looking forward to sometime sans Ty!
8. Toothpaste....I'm sure you are glad I'm thankful for toothpaste too!
9. My Linna Mae Blair.....for things like this!!!!! Make sure you click the link and than come back, you wont be sorry! Sorry Linna:) (NOT REALLY!)
10. And lastly.......some kick A friends!!!! Nicole brought me this flower as part of the pay it forward game she had on her blog.

So here is the deal...I will give the first 3 people something handmade and awesome from me who comment here about what wacky thing they think I am going to do with my weekend solo! Crazy off the wall answers encouraged!

Today in math class....

2009-02-16T18:15:00.001-08:00

..we will be doing a simple math problem.

What is 2+30? Take that and divide it by 2? Now take the square root of that number and multiply it by 7. Do you have that so far? Now take that number minus the number of dogs we have. And lastly take that number and add 1.
Do you have the answer?????

.....27!
-27 (twenty-seven) is the natural number following 26 and preceding 28. Twenty-seven is the smallest positive integer requiring four syllables to name in English, though it can be unambiguously defined in just two: "three cubed."

-There are a total of 27 books in the New Testament

-It is also the number of dresses in the obviously named "27 dress"

But most importantly, it is the age of my stink faced husband bubba bear! You can call him Ty!!!
In honor of this momentous occasion, I will share with you some facts about him as well as some photos, some embaressing, others more embaressing.

1. The boy has so much hair that he clogs the clippers when he gets hair cuts.
2. He has a pair of yellow plastic sandles that he got in the Philipinnes that he refers to as his 'yellow submarines'.
3. If you gave him the option of getting a 5 year supply of cow tails, cinnamon bears, and swedish fish or get free gas for a month he would immediatly choose the bovine tails.
4. Boy laughs at my jokes even when I am soooooo not funny!
5. He doesn't talk to himself as much as his father but it isn't unheard of to catch him having an internal conversation out loud.
6. He currenlty thinks he is a girl because he listens to Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavine and Michelle Branch all day at work.
7. He would do anything to make me laugh even when he shouldn't. ie; serious conversations
8. I NEVER thought that anyone could possibly treat someone as well as Ty treats me. I regularily get spoiled.
9. He loves carrot cake
10. He is AMAZING!!!!!!

Did you know....

2009-02-10T05:48:00.000-08:00

...that I can't/won't eat any sort of spaghetti sauce unless it has taken a trip through the blender?
...that I find styrofoam utterly repugnant? The sound makes me want to vomit.
...that my love to soft pretzel's borders on obsessive?
...that I made a goal to not kiss more than 10 boys in my life?
...that I am currently eating eggs??? ( I bet you really didnt know that!)
...that my dogs are completely confused about the automatic airfresher that goes off periodical in my living room?
...that I came home really late one night when Ty was already in bed and he tried to convince me that we had 4 dogs? He was REALLY out of it.
...that we have been married for 4 1/2 years and I have never farted in front of Ty? (Gross but true!)
...that I love making lists??

Well.......... Now you do!

Fri-hankful Fri-hursday.....

2009-02-06T05:24:00.000-08:00

..hmmmm note to self: have more than one post between thanful thursdays!

1. McDonald's Southwest chicken salad....AMAZING! This is another inanimate (no, not an intimate object! Nice catch Molly!!!!) object to add to my coven. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I dreamed about this salad last night.
2. My Ipod....this is somthing that I tend to fall in and out of love with frequently. Right now we are madly in love.
3. Dwight K Schrute
4. Online support......amazing!
5. Yogurt.....I want to know who in the world came up with the idea to put bacteria in milk and "see what happens" not only that but then decided that it would be a good idea to put it in their mouth! Who ever you are, Thank you!!!
6. Washer/Dryer.....even though I neglect you and demend you work late into the night when I feel like it, you are always there for me.
7. Plastic cups.....if it wern't for you, I would own even less cups due to the frequency they are dropped in this household!
8. Neighbors that we really like.....it doesn't hurt that they are around out age and have a signifigant movie library:)
9. Amazon....oh yes I do love my new external hard drive. Thanks for asking!

10. MY FAMILY!!!!!!! Yeah, they are kookie!!!

I think I might have to do a whole 'nother post with pictures of my fam because this doesn't even cover 1/10th of what I have.

Where have I been you ask???

2009-02-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't have a good answer to that! Ha! I have been shaving my legs (this is a lie, ask Ty), brushing Big Blue (another lie), doing laundry (liar liar pants on fire!), painting my toe nails (if only this were true!), getting my eyebrows waxed (oh the humanity!), and spending several hours making dog treats (unfortunantly, extremely true)!!!!

No but the real purpose of this post is to get you to go to a website!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! (laughs evil-ishly) I've become obsessed with swagbucks. Its just a search engine and its powered by google but every time you search you possibly will earn "swagbucks".

Any why, do you ask, would I become so inammered with something so silly? Well, once you earned/win enough swagbucks you can trade them in for stuff. The really good stuff requires quite a few but what does it hurt? Your gonna search stuff anyways and maybe, just maybe you'll get somthing free out of the deal.

So I'm posting it here because if my friends sign up with this link, I get a swag buck for every swag buck they earn too up to 100 of them. So really, I am just USING you!!! Just kidding, you are worth so much more to me! Like rides places when I don't want to drive.

Just make sure you use one of the links here so that I get credit! Pretty please!
click here or here or even here!

ThThThThThankfulThursday.........

2009-01-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

Let's get right to it!

1. Lint rollers.....its probably the only reason that Blue still gets to live! If Ty had his way, he would lacquer the poor guy!

2. frozen garlic bread...it compliments things so well and its one less thing to worry about!

3. Afrin.......along with the previously mentioned excederine, I would also like to marry Afrin. Is it still polygamy if the multiples are intimate objects????

4. Redbox/Netflix....we would be in deep if it weren't for the lack of late fees.

5. Free samples in the mail...I recently learned that Soy Joy bars are disgusting!

6. Airborne...it may do absolutely nothing but its a great placebo affect it that's true! Bring on the pink fizzy water!

7. pre-moistened face wash/makeup remover clothes.....otherwise I rarely remove my makeup at night which only tends to highlight my dark circles in the morning. I'm coming to realize its usually mascara:( (I never claimed thankfulthursday would be pretty)

8. PRAYER

9. windshield wipers....you will understand this one if you have ever gone without when it is snowing:(

10. Nail clippers!!!!! jagged, long, uneven nails are the torturers of my soul!

Did you know...

2009-01-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

....that it is a physical impossibility for my dad to not talk during a picture?

We have tried for years to get him to shut his trap. I don't think I have one wedding picture without him talking. Or at least if I do, he didn't know someone was taking it until after it was done.

Every time a camera comes out, the jaw starts yapping. Even when we finally get him to not talk, he doesn't look like him because he is trying so hard.

We always thought we would just have to deal with it. Not that its that big of a deal, just one of those things that you have a good laugh about.

But then....to our great surprise, he starts to relax!

And I get my favorite picture in months!

Place holder.....

2009-01-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

...lets be honest, this isn't a real post. Just something to prove to myself that I will continue to post more often:) A REAL post to come tonight!

Look! Its Blue Bunny!!!! No...not the ice cream but a real Blue "bunny"! Ha! I crack myself up!

It has returned....

2009-01-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

...after an extended vacation to who knows where, ThankfulThursday is prepared to get back to work. So it is with great pride (humble pride of coarse) that I reintroduce our dear missed friend....

1. Excederine, I love you dear scientist who came up with this stuff! Will you marry me?

2. Half priced books....I could spend a sizeable amount of time just wondering the shelves.

3. treadmill warrenty..... my butt thanks you too.

4. coupons....lets just say that I have 11 digornio pizzas and 11 cases of soda that I paid a whopping $15 for.

5. Newspaper delivery.....although I am not a fan of waking up at 3:30 in the morning on the weekends, I am very thankful that we don't have a car loan because of it.

6. Craigslist!!!.....it wouldn't be ThankfulThursday with out craigslist! I have added several new purchases to my arsonal thanks to craigslist sense chrsitmas.

7. My calling....I'm stating to think that I wasn't called to be the young women's advisor, but all of the young women and the presidency were call to be the Audrey advisor.

8. Nikon D80....sigh.......love!

9. Memory foam bed......not real sure I could EVER go back to springs in a mattress again!

10. Under eye conceler........my saving grace!!!!

And we have a weiner....I mean winner!

2009-01-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

So I'm totally loving reading all of the comments. I might have to do this little contest more often. Anybody up for it!

and the winner is.....

Scout: "Sweetheart, I want us to take ballroom dance lessons."

Blue: "No way in h&%@! Get away from me, woman!"

Congrats Andrea!!! You win the Panera gift card!

Snow fraulic!

2009-01-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days that when it snowed, it look like we were living inside of a snowglobe. You know that pretty, soft, lightly drifting snow that you wistfully think off ever year when you think about winter but really only comes a piddly few times a year? The rest is ice creating, devil sent, traffic making nastiness? Welcome to Minnesota!

Today was also about the first time that it has been above zero degrees in an inordiant amount of time so the pups and I went out to play a bit.

This is Blue...

Blue likes to hang out in the snow...

This is Scout...

Scout likes to run in the snow....

And jump...

And bound...

And run some more....

And run even more!

But her favorite thing...

Is to attack Blue...

I told you it was her favorite!

But eventually, Blue fights back...

"Its my turn now!"

"Oh, you don't believe me?"

"Thats what I thought!"

But Scout ALWAYS has a different idea and the whole thing starts again!

So now that you are thoroughly entertained, its time for a contest!!!

I have a $10 panera gift card that I will give to the person who leaves a comment for the best caption for the below photo. I want to know what you think they are saying! I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it and now its your turn! Click on it to make it full size to get the full affect.

Good luck! contest open until 7 pm tuesday (01.20.09)

The side-affects of -20 degree weather...

2009-01-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

....That’s right I said 20 below zero! Now how many of you, my dear favoritest friends and family want to come visit me??? Besides just being a Aud-sicle, here are something’s that come along with the territory here in Minnesota….

1. you have a dirty windshield, what do you do?? Squirt some washer fluid on it you say? WRONG! This only causes the larger problem of an extremely thin layer of INSTANTLY frozen dirt in front of you that you just have to wait for the defroster to work its magic on. This is one lesson I never seem to learn.

2. I get to listen to Ty rant about how this is the ONLY place that reports the wind chill as the temp. Ie: this morning, they report the temp as –40 degrees and then admit that it is really only –20 with a –40 wind chill. This makes him very upset. That and the fact that the TOP story on the news every night is the weather.

3. Every morning when we wake up to let the dogs out to pee, we actually have to drag Scout over and bump her in the butt to make her get out there. She stands at the door for minute looking pathetic and cold before she realizes shes not getting to come back in until she does her business. Only recently did we realize how she gets back up to the door so fast to come back in. She’s been PEEING ON THE DECK! Blue however, is loving every second of this weather.

4. We keep our thermostat right around 60 in the winter because we are cheap. It’s a huge improvement over the 50 I kept it at when Ty was in Iraq or the 55 last year. 60 may sound pretty cold to some of you but when its this frigid outside, I actually get HOT at night! Last night I actually had to throw the blankets off me.

FINALLY DONE!!!!!

2009-01-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY finished with Becca Denny........er I mean Mann's wedding pictures! I will post a couple now with more to follow later. She hasn't even gotten them yet so it doesn't seem to fair to post them all here yet :)

Mental Dump.....

2009-01-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

I’ve honestly kind of been freaked out by the voyeuristic direction of my life. I hate that at any point in time someone can go on to facebook and know that ‘Audrey is painting the hooves of a wild boar with the intention of starting the very first ever horned beast beauty pageant’, or go on my blog and find out that I’m just a little bit crazy. It’s a great thing but at the same time, I think we have become so obsessed with it.

Now, I’m sure your thinking, "Audrey! You’re the one who posts all this crap all over the Internet for the masses to see!" And you are very right. I just think that it has taken on a life of its own! Pretty soon the computer will be sending me text messages and whispering to me trying to lure me in! Its evil like that. I don’t think I spend a concerning about of time on any of these activities but………...I don’t know, I just don’t like that I want to be nosey on other people’s facebook, myspace, or blogs. Updates are fine, but our society is obsessed with knowing each others business! That’s not okay!

So that being said, I resolve to not spend hours ‘spying’ on other peoples facebooks, to not care if I am the first one to post a comment on someone elses blog, and continue to post (more frequently that the last month) about the things that define me for me and no one else. These aren’t things that are problems in my life right now, I just see the direction that it could go by watching other people and I’m not going to be that person.
Well, now that is off my chest………Here is what has been on my mind lately! Remember! I’m crazy so don’t act surprised!

Ketchup packets – Whenever you order any sort of burger or fries the majority of people also ask for ketchup. Innocent enough, right? Wrong! Have you EVER met a single person who uses just one??? No! Not that they don’t give you enough of these little pillows of joy but if no one uses just one, why do they make them so small??? If they made larger packets, they would need to give out fewer, spend less money on packaging and save money because Burger King wouldn’t feel the need to give you 16 packets ‘just in case’. Am I right?

This Power Ade ad (I can't get it loaded right now but I will later today.) - I’m sure your thinking "What in the world could she find wrong with this??? Well, I’ll tell you. Just glancing at the ad, a normal, rational person would think, ‘oh, they have a pink grapefruit flavor.’ Well that normal, rational person would be sorely disappointed when they took another look at the bottle and saw that it was STRAWBERRY! Why put a picture of a grapefruit in an ad for a PINK drink??? I know it says ‘no grapefruit’ but it is stupid!

Overly stocked??? - I currently have about 40 bags of shredded cheese in my chest freezer. Did I go overboard? You never see it for $1.66 and I don’t want to pay $3 for it later.

I have lots and lots and lots to post...

2008-12-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

..but one thing at a time! I just found this slide slow Ty sent me for Christmas when he was in Iraq. It is one of the sweetest gifts I have ever received.

Slacker Slacker bo Backer.....

2008-12-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

...I swear I have a good excuse though! I had every intention of posting about 2 friends last night after I got my hair done. I just keep forgetting it takes soooooooo long to do my hair! Poor Julie spent 3 hours on my hair! She is fantastic! Anyways, that means I didn't get home until 11!!! So no post last night.

Today's should make up for it though. Today's friednd/s are some of the most important people to ever have entered my life. They changed me and taught me 1000 times more than I ever asked for. I'm talking about my Rexburg BYU-I friends.

This post will be mostly pictures but I can not stress enough how blessed I am to have been given the opportunity to cross paths with them. They are the friends that I will cherrish for the rest of my life.

I have an unbelievable number of stories about these people and the unforgettable times we have had. We would play pranks like building a snowman in front of someones door and and than hosing it down until it froze there, or putting a lemon jolly rancher in the shower had so they can't see the color but they get all sticky. We wrote all sorts of silly secrets under our kitchen table to be recorded for all time. We snuck out the windows after curfew (whoops!). We stayed up all night and laughed until our stomachs hurt. These just a few of the fantastic memories.

These two girls in the first pictures though, Jeanne and Rachel, helped me in unbelievable ways. They helped me through something really difficult that I wasn't willing to deal with. They stood by me and worried about me even though I was still struggling with it. They are true sisters. I love you guys!

Stay tuned....

2008-12-17T06:13:00.000-08:00

...so yesterday was such a nightmare getting home because apparently when it snows in MN, people think that a giant dragon with jump out and eat their car if they move faster then 4 miles per hour.

So due to white, cold, wet circumstances, today will be a two friend day because of my lack of post last night.

Look mom! I have at least 5 friends!!!

2008-12-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Friend number 5 in our super duper friend finder outer is......(drum rollllllll) Jes Bennion!

Growing up, Jes and I knew of each other but we never really met. We ran in very similar circles but for whatever reason, never crossed paths. When Jes moved back to MN with Kurt we both eyed each other at church for a couple of weeks. We couldn't figure out how we knew each other. Finally we slowly began to test the waters and found that we were long lost friends who, by some strange change, never became friends!

We have been "tight" ever sense! We see each other often, shop together and even can share clothes because we both have big arses! Its okay, we know it:)

Oh yeah, and she makes cute kids too!

Who in the world could #4 be????

2008-12-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

Today lets talk about someone who I have grown quite found of. It's Andrea Anderson! There is a reason that I specifically picked Andrea today. She taught the lesson in young women's today about 'avoiding crisis living'. She did a demonstration that I remember from when I was in seminary. Some of you may know it but its when you take a jar and fill it with rocks. You think its full but you than pour pebbles into the jar that fill in the empty spaces. You than proceed to do the same with sand and finally water demonstrating that you need to take our jar and decide which things in our lives are rocks, pebble, sand, and water.

Andrea has inspired me to lists these thing our for my life. As I think about it though, I've decided that at different points in my life, the rocks change. Sometimes things just aren't as important as they once were. As of this point in time, here are my rocks:

My Job. Its taking up most of my life right now but it is also giving me the opportunity to have a nice home, make yummy dinners, and spend some times doing things for no other reason than I want too.
My relationship with my Heavenly Father. It is so much easier to put this in the fore front when you are in need of his help and guidance. I am working on putting him first always.
Ty......I am an independant person who loves alone time but I know that it is my job and desire to take care of him. I love doing little things for him so that he knows his loved.
Taking care of myself. Unfortunantly, I have come to the point that I need to make choices about what things I have time for and who I should spend time with in the limited about of free time I have. That means that some projects and even some relationships may become more of a pebble.
Making time for those relationships that are of great value to me and I have an opportunity to serve.

Pebbles:

My photography and cooking. Its really important to me but it needs to come after all of my rocks are taken care of.
shaving my legs. Some may disagree but thats how I feel! :)
Cleaning every surface and creves in my home before Ty's parents get here. Important but not the most important. (Good thing I have Ty to pick up my slack.)

Sand AND Water

grocery shopping
getting a pedicure
selling stuff on ebay

This stuff sound so frivilous compared to my rocks but thats just how my life is right now!

I'm really thankful that Andrea took the time to prepare this lesson. It forced me to prioritize. Thats one of the reasons I love her, she takes so much time and care. (And the fact that she will do dumb stuff with me like go get Breaking Dawn at midnight on the night it is released!)

Friend #3

2008-12-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

Friend #3 in our series is none other than JoDell.
JoDell was one of the first friends that I made after we moved into the Anoka ward. She really was so engaging and a great help while Ty was gone. When I think of JoDell, here are the main things that come to mind:
1. If you need to have something done (ie: your roof replaced), need an item (ie:ANYTHING) JoDell is your girl. She can find ANYTHING at a killer price!
2. JoDell makes herself available to you if you ever need her. A truer statement was never spoken. She has helped me out many times on a whim and I greatly appreciate it.
3. She has a seceret to baking cookies!! I hope you don't mind that I tell Jo! She bakes them until they are about 3/4 the way done and then pulls them out of the over to finish baking on the cookie sheet. Makes perfect chewy chocolate chip cookies every time!

Thanks for being an awesome friend Jo!!!!

Day 2......Linna Mae Blair!

2008-12-12T17:58:00.001-08:00

Linna Mae Blair, formerly Austin, is one of the biggest blessings ever to happen in my life. Linna lived in the apartment next to mine during my very first semester at BYU-I. We instatntly clicked. We soon learned that we had all sorts of freaky similarities. Like we have the same exact birthday, the same car (see how proud we are???), and extremely similar pasts.

Linna became my very best friend. We were able to talk about anything and be totally honest too. We could tell each other about how stupid we were being and still end up loving each other more. I remember on VERY distinct time. Linna and I decided to head down to a concert in Salt Lake one weekend on a whim. This was perfect because we are both total music FREAKS. Well, we got there and decided not to go tot he concert but Linna had a thing for a boy who was down there for the weekend. So we looked them up and decided to hang out. They had a 3rd friend who came along who, for whatever reason, I decide I liked. To shorten the story up, the boy Linna liked got a little inappropriate and so she said she wanted to leave right than. Well it was midnight and not to mention that I was on the verge of have a NCMO (if you don't automatically know what that is, you a. didn't go to school in Idaho or Utah, or b. you don't want to know) so I wasn't ready to leave. Seeing as how it was Linna's car, we left. We got in a huge screaming match on the way out of there and Linna decided she needed to sleep so she went in to the back seat. Well, 3 hours later she woke up and I hadn't even made it out of SALT LAKE! I got completely lost and we were sitting under the highway in some weird bus/truck depot. We couldn't stop laughing and the fight was offically over!!

We had many many spontanious times. We were going to go to see a band of one of my friends in town and so we decided to get all prettied up. Well, this is what Linna came up with at first. It was one of my all time favorite pictures. I call it the trailor trash prom queen. I love that you can even see her appendix scar! (I told you some of this would be embaressing for some people!)

Well, we went to the show and Linna saw a cute boy and was feeling a little shy so I got to play wing man. I went to talk to him and see if he wanted to go get ice cream or something with us. He took a look a Linna and said that she was really cute and he was totally flattered but he was pretty sure he was jail bait for her. It turned out he was 15!!!!!!!!!! He totally didn't look like it but I couldn't stop laughing the rest of the night!!! So I have offically hit on a minor!

We really did become best friends. She even tweezed my eyebrows for me. For whatever reason, I just couldn't do it when I was in college so Linna took on the task for me!

Linna's middle finger on her left hand is cut off right before the first knuckle. During the first couple of years that I knew Linna, she HATED it. When she would go on dates, she would make sure that she was always on the guys left side in case he tried to hold her hand, he would noticed the finger. She even cried the night she told her now husband about it. Well, I loved her finger and nicknamed him stubby. Stubby is AWESOME! She has sense grown out of her dislike for him, but he is sooo much more for me!!!!!

Linna and I have even more crazy similarities! We both got married in the Logan temple, on the same weekend one year apart, to boys to high school football teams played each other. I swear she is my soul mate!!!

So what is the whole point of this post???? I can't express how special Linna is. I love her with all of my heart and want her to know that. She is my most very cherished friend!!! We should all be so lucky......

Day 1 of super fun friend finder outter....

2008-12-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

Like I said earlier, I am going to post about one of my friends everyday until Christmas. Some things may be informational, some sappy, and some embaressing....

So here goes!

Kristin Villireal

First and foremost..... Kristin is not HISPANIC!!!! She is infatic about this!

Kristin is a fantastic friend to talk/vent/laugh/scream with.

She refuses to buy a new camera even though she has had the same one for 8 years and it takes 14 years to process in between taking pictures.

She thinks she can't make cookies, but really (don't tell her I said this) she just thinks about it too much. If she would stop opening the door every 3 minutes they would be fine :)

And lastly, she lets Benjy cheat at his all time favorite game. Some of you know which one I'm talking about and I'm sure Kristin is cursing me right now, but I know Benjy sure is glad she lets him get away with this one:)

Nagpapasalamat Huwebes (It really is words! Tagalog at its finest!)

2008-12-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

I have decided to put my love of lists aside for a week…..
So here is my unconventional ThankfulThursday (sense when are my lists conventional???)

This week I have become alarmingly aware of the pure amount of friends that we have. I’m not talking numbers but just the amount of caring that people pass our way is astonishing to me. Yesterday alone, 3 couples who have either been in my life and moved away, or else have been reunited with lately contacted me. Unfortnantly, I have the best of intentions, but whenever we move or our friends more we mean to stay in touch but we have a REALLY tough time (lazy) doing it.

Not to mention all of the friends that we have right here near home. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the number of people that I could call if I ever needed ANYTHING, and that includes just need to vent a little….coughkristincoughcough. We are truly blessed with these amazing people in our lives. You guys bring me soooo much joy. We appreciate you and love you dearly (even if we aren’t always the best at showing it.)

So I have decided that I am going to embarrass some of you by posting each day until Christmas about one of you and why I am thankful for you. It may be short and sweet, or it may be embarrassing but know that I am doing it because I love you! Oh yeah, and it may even include pictures if I have them (laughs evilly) !!!! So stay tuned tonight for number 1!

A mutual friend....

2008-12-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

This is Roux.... Roux spent a good part of his life sitting on a shelf in my Grandma Dorff's kitchen. He was the watcher of the cake baking, soup making note taking activing that happened around him. Roux hales from amsterdam where he spent the early days of his life.

Roux now rules over my kitchen. He not only watches over my recipes but also has become an excellent observor of mess making, as I am the champ of this task. Roux is a great companion and reminds me every once and a while that is it time to make my Grandmothers angel food cake because he misses her. Roux and I have that in common.

My grandma was crazy! You couldnt find a spunkier, more passionate, crazy tiny woman! EVER! This is the 80 something small lady who affectionatly swore like a sailor when she found out that my husband would be leaving for Iraq and then sobbed like a child out of love and saddness for me. She gave away pocession after pocession during the last 10 years of her life because, according to her, this was her 'last christmas'. It never was but she wouldn't hear of us not taking it because otherwise we might not get it when she did go GASP! The woman who laughed a little in the hospital the night that Ty and I got here from Idaho and she had been rushed in and my sister Molly's mind went to DNR meaning 'Department of Natural Resources' instead of 'Do Not Resesitate'. The same woman who told us stories about how she and her friends would take an eyeliner pencil and very carefully draw a perfect line up the back of each of their legs to make it look like they were wearing stockings when they went out dancing.

Yeah, I would say that it was appropriate for Roux to miss her.

Did you know that Elder Ferrell is going home this week????? We may or may not have had dinner with him at the Bennions last Sunday.

He decided to show us the 'cups lesson' one last time.

Michael here didn't feel like he should be left out of the excitment!

So Ferrell spent the whole time defending his stucture! Too bad Michael got ahold of an apostle or 2. They are now very flat members of a 3D tower.

Thankful Thursday....

2008-12-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have spent the majority of my time figuring out the best way to get to the next day lately and thats fine. In difficult times, I realizae just how blessed I am.

1. Family... They drive me crazy sometimes but they are a part of who I am. I'm thankful for the support, the obligated niceness when I'm not so nice, the knowledge that they is always someone to turn too, and the chance to support other people who are so important to me.

2. My calling....Do you know we have some of the rockin'est girls ever!!!!!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how much they impress me. I hope, hope, hope that maybe I can give them something too.

3. My terrible taste in books. With my embaressed love of chick lit, there is always something new to read!

4. Hair Binders...I may write a poem one day and dedicate it to this fantastic invention.

5. Pledge all purpose cleaner...it works wonders and smells like a dream.

6. Sonicare toothbrush!

7. Jumpper Cables..Ty and I have been carpooling everyday and so when we go to use my care on the weekend, its DEAD! I'm thankful we own some of those suckers.

8. The vast amount of knowledge on the internet. I can learn almsot anything!!! Ask me how to cut a star out of a piece of computer paper with only one cut!

9. A top sheet. I will need to explain this one. Sense Ty and I got married, I have been a ditcher of the top sheet. I would just throw it in a closet and scowl everytime I saw it. The reason being that I HATE making the bed and the top sheet just takes soooo much my effort and time...at least the way I was doing it. Ty taught me how to do military corners when we got our new sheet set last week and so I thought I would give it a chance. It is AMAZING!!! I sleep so much better!!!!

10. Drum roll please............. I am the most thankful that now it is winter Ty is in the office and I can send leftovers with him to lunch instead of having to pack a seperate lunch for him everyday!!!!!

I have nothing to say....

2008-12-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

...sorry! We are taring the entire house apart cleaning EVERYTHING so really, there is little that is blog worthy. So here are some pictures!

Series.....

2008-11-23T19:18:00.001-08:00

I totally loving the fact that I can take 3 shots per second on my new camera. It is proving to create some good entertainment!

First.... The YAWN/HOWL!

....And now the BURP! I know you think I am the luckiest girl around to have a guy like this! Sorry about the lighting, I didn't have time to change the setting before it happened.

ThankfulFriday...

2008-11-21T06:24:00.001-08:00

...(thinks to herself, maybe they won't notice its friday and not thursday)

I don't know what happened but I feel like I have to schedule time to blog now!!!! When did I get so busy??? There is always time for ThankfulThurs....I mean Friday!

1. Swimming pools...I am insanely thankful for these right now.
2. My Nikon...still in love with her!
3. Community Ed..
4. A feeling a self worth...I'll blog more about this one later
5. Someone besides me to do the budget in my house
6. Clean garmets! The best feeling in the world!
7. An ability and a desire to read
8. buttered popcorn flavored jelly bellies!
9. A brilliant husband..who has awesome ideas! - I'll post more about his later today!
10. Those little rubber things you put on your finger so you can turn the page! They are a source of endless amusment for me at work!

A post from an Old Lady!!!

2008-11-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

I don't really think that 26 is old but it is odd to be over a quarter of a century old. One advantage of being of progressing years, I am finally old enough to have a kick A camera! I got my Nikon D80!!!!! I love her a ridiculous amount!

The day before my birthday Ty set a little savager hunt up for me. It started with a note from "Nikki Nikon" and stated that she was an immigrant from Japan and had been captured by I.C.E and need my help to get here. The funny part is, when we woke up, Scout jumped up on the bed and I was playing with her collar and pulled it off of her (its funny to see how crazy she gets when you take it) and there was a clue taped to the inside. This was before the hunt even began so Ty quickly took it from my and sent Scout away. One of the clues was also inside of Blue's collar. That one was a bit more difficult because he thought we were playing and just ran away from me!! I spent the whole day playing with my new camera!

Now being home all day by myself, what do you think I took pictures of? Thats right, the pups! I did venture out just a tiny bit but not much. Too cold!
There was even another suprise for me!!!! When my grandparents died several years ago, I got all of there china. Nothing terrible impressive, but it was theres. Its been in boxes wrapped in newsprint in my parents attic. My father lovingly told me to come get the rest of my crap as they were cleaning out so it has been in our garage. Well, Ty did one of the most thoughtful things ever! He made me this oak chest to store all of it. Its seriously beautiful!!! He even went and got pictures from my mom of me as a little kid with each of my grandparents and in layed them to the inside of the lid under plastic. I totally don't remember this but I guess that we went for a walk with my grandpa when I was little and came across this dead branch and I INSISTED that we take it home and plant it as a tree! That is one of the pictures.
And......here are some pool balls???? Random, I know!

Thankful Thankful Thankful Thursday!

2008-11-13T06:08:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed that my blog is devoid of all pictures??? It makes me sad:( Soon enough, they will return! Or I could just start pulling random pics out of my collection and you would just have no idea what they pertain too?

Lets get down to business! ThankfulThursday!

1. Pinnapple

2. Email delete buttons

3. Fan-freakin'-tasic friends!!!!

4. Holiday Bonus'! YES!

5. Having a husband who forced upon me the wonderful laundry! We got EVERYTHING done which is gigantic for us!

6. Kethup!!

7. My sonicare toothbrush, it makes me feel all special

8. Nail clippers. I HATE cutting my nails but I also HATE having them grow up. So as a result, I can't ever find a nail clipper and my nails are too long. But when I finally just do it, it is heavenly!

9. The gas station on University that is selling gas for $1.83

10. A weekend to sleep in!!!!!!!! Ty is letting me sleep in this weekend and he is gonig to do the paper route by himself. Isn't he great?

Test of will power.....again!

2008-11-10T05:47:00.001-08:00

So when I was in high school, my dad bet me that I couldnt avoid drinking soda for 6 months. Well, pretty sure this is fairly obvious, but I am slightly stubborn. So not only did I not let a drop touch my lips for 6 months but 1 year later I was still liquid crack free! This coming from someone who used to walk up to the tom thumb ever summer day and buy a humugo coke.

I'm still not a big soda drinker but I find it creeping back into my life more and more. So, I have to decided to give the stuff up all together again!!!!

So why, do you ask, am I posting this on our blog??? Well, I am a stubborn creature and am 10 times more likely to do it if I make a public decloration. So here I am world, shouting it fromt he roof tops! "NO MORE SODA!"

sooooo overly dramatic, I know

Okay! Okay! Okay!!!!!!

2008-11-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

I guess I have a reputation! 3 people asked me what happened to thankful thursday! The truth is, I worked overtime last night and got home at 8, then made dinner, finished the book I was reading, and just went to bed.

So with my sincere apology....here goes!

1. So this week we start with a weird one...Toilet paper! I love whoever invented the stuff. Think about it, it use a million uses! blow your nose, wipe your make up off, absorb a spill, decorate the trees in someones lawn, or even provided fun for a lonely dog!

2. Hair dryers.....I'm sure Ty doesn't remember that I use it on my feet in bed when I'm cold when he bought me my new one. He hates that!

3. Forgotten money..you'll know what I mean if you ever wake up, check the bank account and realize there are several hundred dollars you completely forgot about!

4. A democratic process.....I know, I know! It may not have turned out exactly the way I would have wanted but I believe in this process as well as the good intention of the elected officals. That doesn't mean I think we should agree with everything they do, but I honestly am thankful that they will follow what they believe to be correct. Now we just pray that they will have the smarts to listen.

5. My suprise when I got home last night...Ty ended up not working yesterday because of the weather. I thought he was home relaxing and enjoying his day off, but was I suprised when I got home! He had gone out with the missionaries to I came home to an empty, extremely clean house. I mean CLEAN! The scent of candles burning and everything!

6. Hair Binders

7. Current Gas prices!!! $1.96 baby! Better be thankful for it while its here!

8. I'm thankful for my "not enough sense to be ashamed" -ness! Sense you all know me, I'm sure you know what I mean.

9. Smith clan...can you believe a few are coming HERE for christmas???

10. Drumroll please............a husband who doesn't get mad at me because I rub my feet together while I'm falling asleep and have worn a hole in our sheets!!!! Its bad! I even ruined my parents couch this way when I was growing up!

Goose FACT!!!!!

2008-11-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

So several weeks ago, Jenna DeLong gave a talk littered with "goose facts". Things like when a goose leaves the "v" at least one another goose goes with it. Or when the lead goose gets tired, it honks and moves to the back.

Well anyways, the fantastic new saying instantly entered both my and Ty's vocabulary. Not a day goes by that one of us does not utter the phrase "Goose FACT". On the weekend, you just about don't hear anything else. Unless its the occasional "HONK"! It cracks us both up every time!!!!

So in honor of our "Goose FACTS", here are some goose pictures!

Another gig!!

2008-11-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

So KayLeigh asked my if I would take her senior pictures. We decided we had better get right on that because the state of the weather so not to be predicted. Well, of coarse, murphy's law kicked in and it was in the exact 2 and half weeks that I am without a camera (which is killing me by the way) so my wonderful mother was nice enough to lend me hers to use, which just happens to be the exact same model I just sold. So we are going to do another session when I have the SLR but here is session one! (well some of my favorites at least!)

2 posts in one day??? Thats unheard of!!!!

2008-10-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

ThankfulThursday......

1. Excederine.....What would I do with out you????
2. Photoshop..my love affair continues
3. The delete button on voicemail....if I get one more political call, I'm gonna scream!
4. friends who know when to shut up. (I'm mean that in a very nice way, I swear.)
5. Overtime..I need to remember to thankful for this now because around february, I'm not so nice about it.
6. Razors..that being said you don't wanna see my legs!
7. EBAY!!!!! my camera SOLD!! Can you believe it? Its gone:(
8. www.amazon.com
9. frozen cheese filled pasta...oh how you make my life so easy
10. And the top thing I am thankful for this week is................cereal in a bag!!

Because there needs to be something between 'ThankfulThursdays'....

2008-10-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Kristin tagged several people the other day and I was one of the priviledged. So, I guess its time to get off my duff and do it!!!!

Random Things Tag
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!

1. I'm guessing some of you may have deducted this, but I have never said it. I LOVE making lists. Ask Ty! When anything is exciting me, I will sit down and make some sort of list. Example, with my camera: I make a list of the equipment I need, the costs of each piece, places to find it and finally how much money is needed and where it is coming from. You should see me when it comes time to go grocery shopping! I end up making like 3 lists! I have to make one with all of the items I need, what stores have the best prices on them, and what coupons I have. Its become a pass time!

2. I can move my pinky finger without moving any others. I havn't met anyone else who can do this. Hold your hand up like you are telling someone to stop where they are, and try and bend only your pinky down. I bet you can't!!!

3. I have been using the same brand of deodorant sense I was 17. I have NEVER had any desire to change. Go DOVE!!!

4. I wore only one contact up until I was a senior in high school. I was prescribed eye correction when I was in 8th grade and they told me that I had perfect vision on my left eye but my right was pretty shot. The funny part is, even though contacts are clear and are made so no one can tell you are wearing them, they do change your eye color slightly if you have blue eyes. You'd never know unless you were only wearing one!!!

5. I hord soda cans. I know what your thinking, "is she homeless or something?" The answer is NO!!!! I just collect and crush them and then turn them in and buy something completely selfish that I would feel guilty about otherwise!!!

6. I once was so hungry when I was living with my parents and I thought there was NOTHING to eat (or more likely, that I would eat) that I ate half a packag of saltines with kethup and cheese on them. I know, it sounds DISGUSTING! But, if you nuke them in the microwave for a couple of seconds and close your eyes, you would swear you were just eatting really bad pizza!!! Not something I crave, but it did the job!

I promise I will still post thankful thursday later!!!!

Thursday was missed, but Friday is just as thankful!

2008-10-24T05:06:00.001-07:00

This is going to be PICTURE thankful thursday!

1. Ty - I don't know what to say about this man. He did ALL of the laundry on his day off as well as cleaned out every junk drawer, cupboard, hiding place in the house!

2. Peaceful spots in the middle of the city. There is a TINY park by my work that is so hidden its great.
3. The Fall leaves! I love them! This is the one time of year I'm glad I don't have mature trees in my yard that arn't pine:)4. This picture for no other reason than it makes me laugh! (Sorry Jes!)5. Email Email Email! (how does one picture email?)

6. Places for my pups to play (truth: places for my pups to beat up other dogs)7. My kitchen!!!!! I sure Ty is glad for this one too because he loves pb chews!8. A husband who wants to do stuff I never wood!!!! Get it?? Wood????9. Fire pit!!!! Anyone wanna come have a fire??10. A place I can aways run away too. (even if it is in the middle of the commotion)

The time has come...

2008-10-21T07:29:00.001-07:00

..to sell my camera. I am upgrading to a digital SLR and now need to sell my canon S5 is

I have only had it for 9 months and it is in PERFECT condition. Do you know anyone who would want to buy it? This is the same camera I have been learning all of my photography on and what all of my artsy pics I've posted have been taken with. I'm selling it for signifigantly less than it can be purchased in the store and including a 4 GB card and case. Take a look and let me know!

audreyasmith@hotmail.com - $320

"This is a FANTASTIC CAMERA! It is a consumer reports top rated camera and produces professional results. The body and lens are in perfect condition with no signs of ware or scratches. This camera works PERFECTLY! Never a single problem. This camera shoots great video and stills and uses 4 AA so you will have an easy time replacing them in a pinch. I am only selling it because I am upgrading to a digital SLR and can't afford to keep both. I bought this camera brand new in February 2008 so its only about 9 months old. includes some extras.
The package comes with a 4gb memory card that not only can hold all the pictures you could take, but also will take over an hour of quality video. Also includes the case that I have been using to store this camera. The bag is a compact size to hold the camera and several pockets for extra batteries and memory cards. Also included is 4 alkaline batteries.
This camera comes complete in it's original retail box with everything you would get as if you bought it brand new from a store!"

Now thats what I call "expanding my herizons!"

2008-10-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

...What is the one thing you want to do when you get home from a long day and you are exausted??? I know, Iknow!!! Learn how to change your own oil!!!!

Ty thought it was high time that I learned a new skill. So at 8 tonight he told me that we were having FHE out on the driveway in 5 minutes and too not wear anything I'd be too upset ruining. So now I'm an expert! (...soooo not an expert!)

Its Thursday!!!!

2008-10-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

I seem to be not having the best time lately. I just feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to relax or sleep let alone have friends. I guess I’m a little jelous of all of you who have time to socialize with each other and get to spend time visiting or just dropping by. So, when I’m feeling sorry for myself, Ty tells me to "Buck up"! so that is what I am going to do! ThankfulThursday is the best thing for me…..

1. my new calling! I am the Laural advisor (well, really I guess I am just "the advisor" sense they aren’t calling anyone for the other classes. I’m really excited, cause these girls are awesome.

2. My new glasses. Vision World was having a sale on ALL of their frames in the store so I got some Calvin Klein frames for the same price as the super cheap ones. And they are cute!!

3. My kitchen. I have always liked cooking but it has consumed me the past couple of weeks. It is the thing that helps me unwind.

4. The kids that found my dogs. I love my dogs more than I probably should, what can I say? I’m a sap!

5.Craigslist! We sold Miller’s Bowflex this week! Yay!

6.My reach flosser, oh how I love you!

7. The library, I’ve said it before and Ill say it again!

8. Olive Oil and herb popcorn. Have you tried this stuff??? Its amazing!

9. My pillow!

10. Honeycrisp apples!!!!!!

Extreme Makeover: K9 edition

2008-10-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

So Blue and I had a little adventure on sunday and as punishment, the human, mortgage paying, doging feeding, care takers are making me tell you about it.

As you know, I've been going to obedience training and doing quite well, if I do say so myself. The girl human was even trusting me enough to let me off leash in the front yard, knowing that I come back when called. Well, on Sunday we all got to go outside, Blue too! Of coarse we felt the need to play so we were wrestling all over the yard. I think Blue didn't want to play anymore and started to run away from me and I thougt it was a game so I chased him!!!! Before we knew it, we were running full speed through the neighborhood!

They told us later that Audrey was franticly looking for her keys so she could come get us but they were in Ty's pocket and he was on the lawn mower so she ran after us in flip flops and with one leash but we were already gone!! We ran full speed down 47 towards 5 and way back into the neighborhood by Rum River park. We decided it would be best to stick together at this point because it was more fun then spliting up. Well, I guess the humans even had the police out looking for us!

About 2 hours later, while we were playing in the SWAMP, we saw 4 kids. Blue wouldn't come all the way in but I was swimming like crazy! Blue ran to the kids and one of them had to come in the swamp and come get me. They called mom and held onto our collars until they got there. We were soooo happy to see them that we didn't even wait for them to open the back door, just jumped over Audrey in the driver side. Ty gave the kids some green piece of paper thing with a 20 on it and the kids were so excited!

Well we got home and I got to sit in the car all by myself! I LOVED it! I didn't realize but Blue was getting a bath via the hose which I know he hates. If only I would have looked, I would have known that was going to be my fate next, but they tell me I stunk real bad. So I got my bath (it was COLD) and ran around the back yard to dry off. Once I got back inside, I refused to leave mom's side for the rest of the night.

Love, Scout

Dear Jerk-wad in Eden Praire,

2008-10-13T09:13:00.001-07:00

I hope that you are enjoying that cell phone and possibly checks that you stole from our car. We really appreciate you breaking in and tearing everything apart, it has been a really good experience for us. I hope that our garage door opener works as well for you as it has for us and know that you have instilled us with paranoia until we can change all of our codes and bank account info.

One thing I would like to know though....
Any particular reason you took the top of a stick of deororant and left it on the seat? Were you feeling a little sweaty???

Well enjoy YOUR new items a-hole!!

Sincerly,
Ty and Audrey

Thursday is Thankful, it is....

2008-10-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

..So I need this more than anyone this week. I think I've been a little cranky and not remembering all of the small things that I have to be thankful for.

1. Coupons!!!!!!!!!! I'm determined to get a GOOD food storage. I have one and have done okay with it, I've just learned that buying things because they are on sale and last a long time doesn't mean they will EVER get eatten. Learned that one by throwing out a TON of old food.
2. Obedience training. Scout is doing fabulously and I couldn't be happier. I actually trust her off her leash near our house now.
3. Undereye Conceler, its been needed lately!
4. Mystery Shopping! Ty and I get to go on free dates!
5. Chineese hot mustard (I LOVE IT)
6. Deodorant! Strange but think about what it would be like without it! GROSS!
7. My camera, it makes me happy!
8. The dentist! Thanks Geoff, my teeth feel squeaky clean!
9. Forgiviness (please note these are NOT in order of importance)
10. The fact that a nasty sand pit on the side of HWY 10 can look like this at the perfect time of day when you are driving in stop and go traffic in the morning.

Mental health break!!!!

2008-10-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to be all I could be and go grocery shopping. Not exactly the army, but combat none the less. I'd say I faired pretty well by spending about $65 on $120 worth of food. Thank you coupons! Anyway, on the way back I decided to pull over and take a couple of pictures because I just thought it looked really peaceful.

Lets back up....

2008-10-03T05:46:00.000-07:00

so due to a break in the space/time continuum, I somehow missed Thursday all together! Don't fret thought, Thankful Thursday will now resume with its regular programing...

1. Friends who can read me like a book (even when I think I'm being sneaky)
2. Expectations, I don't know that I would get ANYTHING done without them
3. PTO 'nuff said
4. cottage cheese, mmmmmmmmm.....
5. The shower!!!!
6. toenail polish to cover ugly toes.....not saying I've used it this week, just glad its there
7. private time, oh how I value you lately
8. weightwatchers online that just lets me hit reset and start over when I realize I'm being a dummy!
9. GLASSES - my big fat swollen eye thanks you this fine morning
10. CAPTION EO!!!! thanks for the reminder Molly! Michael Jackson dancing in space? Who wouldn't be thankful?

The BEST things....

2008-09-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

...according to Audrey!

1. The BEST conditioner.....Tresseme moisturizing!

2. The BEST brand of cheese.....Sargento

3. The BEST breakfast food every....Bruggers cinnamon raison bagel with plain cream cheese

4. The BEST book...Water for Elephants

5. The BEST camera that is in my soon to be price range....Canon Rebel Xsi

6. The BEST guilty pleasure...terrible 80's movies..ie: the Labrynth

7. The BEST feeling ever...waking up in a cold room under a down comforter and knowing you don't have to get up for hours if you don't want to.

8. The BEST mascara...L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon black

9. The best website ever...Craigslist (is this a suprise to anyone???)

And last but not least......
10. The best hair stylist.....JULIE!!!!!!

I finally got my hair done!!

Just for Kris....THANKFUL THURSDAY!

2008-09-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

I'm just been needing a little break lately so I have avoided posting a bit. I might still be a little
MIA but we'll see.

I have done a little reflection lately and these are the things that I am most thankful for right now:
1. Phones that come unplugged and allow me to just ignore the outside world.
2. My ability to plan ahead when it really counts
3. A spare bedroom that family/friends can stay in
4. TRUST!!!
5. waterproof mascara
6. New little nieces (Hi Georgia!)
7. My dad for putting out flyers for Ty's aeration business
8. my chaco sandles
9. husband who lets me vent/cry/scream & knows when to stop giving advice and just shut up.
10. GOOGLE!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, and here are some recent photos:

Scout's first day of school??

2008-09-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

I took Scout to her first day of obedience training last night and she did extrememly well. I thought for sure she would spend the entire time trying to play with all the other dogs but with the exception of one very hyper boxer, she was very polite.

I'm hoping that I will be able to trust her around smaller dogs and trust her to be off a leash. I just felt so bad after class though because she just seemed sad. I've never been that direct with her and I don't think she was sure what to think. She was back to her normal puppy self this morning though so now all we have to do is keep her as playful but just more obediant!

Happy Housewife day!!!!

2008-09-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

..what is wrong with me??? I have been unbelievabely excited about taking a day off to do what? Be a housewife!!! All I want to do is stay home, go grocery shopping, do laundry and finish photoshopping. NEver in my life did I think I would actually WANT this let alone be EXCITED about. I guess I'm just getting lame:) I'm just kidding! Its just my mormon brain tumor kicking in again:)

In other news....
Here is this week in photos!

Thanful Thursday conglomerant...

2008-09-11T17:40:00.001-07:00

..so I know that today is thankful thursday but I am going to focus on one thing today... 9/11
I remember I got up that morning to go to class on turned on the TV for some background noise while I got ready. In fact I turned it on just in time to see the second plane hit. I honestly was in total disbelief.

Still, I headed to class and the only word I can use to describe my emotion that day is anger. Everyone teacher wanted us to talk about what happened and how we felt and all I wanted to do was sit, think, and mourn.

I was working at Buffalo Wild Wings and the time and I was scheduled to work. If you have ever been in there you know they have the biggest TVs ever and a ridiculous amount of them. Every last screen replayed the footage over and over again. Some jerk put enough money in the juke box to play "its the end of the world as we know it" over and over and over again. I think only one person came in to eat that night.

Fast forward 3 months...
I was heading to a dance with my roomates and our dates when I got a call from my dad saying that my brother in law was being deployed. I honestly NEVER thought that anyone I loved would have to go but this was the start...

In the meantime, my other brother in law was aware that he too would have to go at some point. I met Ty during this time and stuggled a little with the fact that he was in the army. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't like I didn't consider him because of it, I just was a little nervous.

When we were engaged there was a chance that he would be deployed and it scared the CRAP out of me. I was a mess for days. We decide if we got deployed we would hurry up and get married really fast before he left. Luckily that never happened.

We were married and very soon after Michael did deploy. It just seemed like it was fore shadowing.

We were living in MN for 7 months when we got the call. He was to report for duty in 3 weeks for an 18 month depoloyment. I was beside myself. Its all I could think about. We quickly got a dog, got a house and prepared the best we could. Then the army told us he wouldn't be going, then going, then not. We got one last call for him to report later that week to deploy and this time it stuck.

It was hard, but we both learned so very much about our selves. I am so proud of him for the sacrafice he made to serve his country. Because these people who willingly serve, those at home as safe. We get to worship how we see fit, live how we believe is right, and know that we will be given a fair chance.

September 11th was a terrible day that lead to many I love, as well as my self, being forced to make the sacrifice of being without a loved one, but I'm thankful for what we have become because of it. We are stronger, more loving, and better people because of this experience.

The treasures of saturday morning cleaning!!!

2008-09-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

So I was cleaning this morning ( I know, I know...me?) and I ran across this picture of my dad when he must have been 17 or so. I think he looks like Steve Carell!!!

What do you think???

Thankful Thursday....(take 8, or something)

2008-09-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy that I have taken to doing this. Sadly, things don't always occur to me that I should be thankful... Shocker, I know. But here are the things I am thankful for this week....

1. Good Bras (too much info, I know:)
2. my new neighbors across the street. They are AWESOME and our age!
3. The office season 4 on DVD. This is why Ty and I are hiding at the moment
4. Cool enough air to need a second blanket at night
5. The internet!!! This week I made my own BBQ sauce and learned how to make my favorite dish, Pad Thai. I am offically better then any at restuarants!!!!
6. my library card
7. Jes Bennion! Enough said! She just makes me smile:)
8. ebay (bet you thought I was going to say craigslist:)
9. My 65 year old dad! Happy birthday Papa bear!
10. Ty Ty Ty Ty Ty.......BUBBA BEAR!

I need your vote...

2008-09-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

..I'm not saying that its a democracy, but I want to know what the people think!!! Yes, its that time again. Time to reconsider the hair color. My hair ADD has once again gotten the better of me. The only known treatment for such a sickness is..........a trip to Julie for a change:)

I'm thinking I will do a color I have done before and these are my finalist. which one do you think?? Blonde? Brown? Red? or Reddish/Brown? I'm going to wear it like it is in the blonde picture so don't pick based on style. Thanks good voters for the input....

I cursed early morning...

2008-09-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

..So Ty and I took this weekend paper route to pay down some debt we have. The pay is actually not bad but we sometimes question weather its worth getting up at 2 in the morning every saturday and sunday morning (usually at about 2 is when this happens:)) Besides the benefit of the extra money, I have seen some really beautiful things and have been able to capture some of them on my camera.

So really, I have found the silver lining to my storm cloud:)

Happy, Happy birthday childre.....er, I might Scout dog dear!!!

2008-09-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

Scout turns the ripe old age of 3 today! I must say, she wouldn't shut up about it last night, she was too excited! She gets to spend the whole day not being home alone! Yay! If only it was that easy to please the rest of us, right???

Here are some things I love about Scout:
1. Her ears! If you have ever met Scout you know what I mean. The are so expressive and not to mention you can make them flap like a bat! She is often the focus of a spontaneous chorus of "do your ears hang low"
2. I have never met a dog who like to cuddle more. She always comes and lays down next to me before bed.
3. I think shes part rabbit! This dog can jump like nobody's business!

You mean I don't have the touch of death?????

2008-08-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

...So my flag pole flower garden is actually coming in! I'm so happy! When we planted this I honestly never for more then 3 seconds thought that it would actually spring up from those funny little balls called bulbs. I'm glad I didn't listen the instructions though because I was suppose to only plant half this much!

Heres to you State Fair goers!!!

2008-08-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

So I bet you can guess what we did this week! We took the day off tuesday and headed down to the fair. We are always so completely disgusted by humanity every time we go on saturday so we decided to give mid week a try and hope for the best. Luckily it paid off. Although, based on this picture I would say we are the humans people are disgusted of now:)

We saw sheep...Ty wasn't very thrilled with my "ewe" should go stand by the sheep jokes.

And some cows....

And this picture is JUST for Ryan!!!

But really this is what this entire post is about. So I decided that we should go into the DFL booth because I wanted to read some lit and really make some decisions based on facts and reading about both sides is the way to go. We first of all I must say that the following wall is one of the most disrespectful things. Be strong enough to stand on your own issues and not bash someone else. So way to go DFL booth! You've sunk pretty low! I would say the same thing if there was anything like this in the Republican booth or the independent but after visiting them both, I can assure you there is not.
My favorite however was the following. It reads: "BREAST CANCER: We are thrown away like garbage. How can america treat their averave citizen like this!! First my life and now take my house? Shame on you Norm! Glad your RICH!" This one got me pretty mad. I'm not particularily sure how Norm Coleman being in office gave her breast cancer but apartently she is convinced it did. I wrote the following response "Coleman didn't TAKE your house and Franken sure as hell won't give it back!" I can't stand people who are just looking for a scape goat!!! If anyone is going to the fair this weekend, you'll have to let me know if its still there or if someone ripped it down.

The other thing that drove Ty and I crazy about this wall was that there wasn't a single valid reason!! Ty isn't all that thrilled with Coleman himself but at least write something besides "because he sides with Bush" as your reason. Ty though he was being pretty clever by writing "because he supports cap and trade". I'm okay with any of these people don't like Coleman if they have a valid reason!!!!!

My photographic debut...

2008-08-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

...So I took some family pics for the Bennion's yesterday. I hope you don't mind if I put a few up Jes! They were very patient with me while I figured things out. Here are a couple. I'm sure they will share more once they get the ones they picked out

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Thankful Sunda....er, I mean THURSDAY!

2008-08-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

So this week has been a little trying for me so I am in major need of some thankfulness....

1.Waterproof mascara
2. pumice stones
3. FRIENDS FRIENDS FRIENDS...oh yeah, and FRIENDS!!!
4. PTO
5. Excederine
6. Tithing
7. Contact solution
8. soft serve ice cream
9. craigslist (see, I told you it would probably make it this week!)
10. that I can do THIS with my tounge!!!

I need to deFUNK!

2008-08-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at everything lately to see how it would look in a photograph. I don't think I have ever looked at the moon and sun set as much before! It really makes me appreciate everything that we have been given. There is so much beauty around us and I'm so thankful to be able to enjoy it.

P.S. I'm in DYER need of a girls night. Anyone interested?